Change iPhone Default Search Engine: Safari & Chrome

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the latest iOS version (steps may vary slightly by version)
If you want to use a search engine not listed (like Ecosia or Startpage), you’ll need to install that app first from the App Store

Step-by-Step

Open Settings – Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen. This is the app that controls all system preferences.
Scroll to Safari – Swipe down until you see the Safari entry (usually in the third group of apps, with a blue compass icon). Tap it. If you use Chrome as your main browser, scroll to Chrome instead.
Tap Search Engine – In the Safari settings, look for the section labeled “Search” and tap “Search Engine.” In Chrome, this is under “Search Engine” in the main settings list.
Choose your engine – You’ll see a list of available options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and (in newer iOS versions) Ecosia. Tap the one you want. A checkmark appears next to it.
Exit Settings – Press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to go back. Your change is saved automatically. Open Safari and type a search in the address bar to confirm it uses the new engine.

Common Mistakes

Changing the wrong app’s settings – If you use Chrome, changing Safari’s settings won’t affect Chrome. You must change the search engine in each browser separately.
Expecting the homepage to change – This setting only affects searches typed into the address bar. The homepage (the page that opens when you start a new tab) is separate. You may need to change that in the browser’s homepage settings.
Looking for a “Default Browser” setting – That’s a different setting that controls which browser opens links. It doesn’t change the search engine.
Not updating iOS – Older iOS versions may have fewer search engine options. If you don’t see Ecosia, update your iPhone.

Tips

Use a private search engine for privacy – DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches. Ecosia uses ad revenue to plant trees.
Set a custom search engine in Chrome – Chrome for iPhone lets you add a custom search engine by going to Settings > Search Engine > Add. You can use this for niche engines like Startpage or Qwant.
Change the search engine in the browser’s own settings – In Safari, you can also go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine directly. In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Search Engine.
Check the address bar after changing – Type a nonsense word like “test” and see which engine shows results. That’s the quickest way to verify.

Troubleshooting

Your change doesn’t stick – If Safari keeps reverting to Google, restart your iPhone (press and hold the side button and volume button, then slide to power off). Then try again.
You don’t see the search engine you want – Not all engines are available in all regions. If you want a specific one, install its app from the App Store. Some apps (like Ecosia) automatically add themselves to the list.
Chrome still uses Google – Make sure you’re changing the settings in Chrome, not Safari. Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Search Engine.
Search suggestions are still from the old engine – Search suggestions are a separate setting. In Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine and also check “Search Suggestions” – it should follow the engine you chose. If not, toggle it off and on.
You can’t find the Safari settings – In iOS 15 and later, Safari settings are still in the main Settings app. If you’re on an older version, they might be in Settings > Safari as well. If you can’t find it, use Spotlight Search (swipe down on the home screen) and type “Safari Settings.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different search engine for private browsing?

No, the same search engine applies to both regular and private tabs in Safari. You can’t set separate ones.

Will changing the search engine affect my bookmarks or history?

No, it only changes where search queries are sent. Your bookmarks and history remain untouched.

Does this work for all browsers on iPhone?

Each browser has its own setting. You need to change it individually for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc. There’s no global setting.

Can I use a custom search engine URL?

In Chrome, yes. Go to Settings > Search Engine > Add and enter the URL with %s as the query placeholder. In Safari, you can’t add custom engines directly; you’d need to use a third-party browser.

Why is Google the default and can I remove it?

Google is the default because Apple has a licensing agreement with them. You can’t remove Google from the list, but you can choose another engine.

Will this change the search engine on my Mac or iPad?

No, this setting is per device. You’ll need to change it separately on each Apple device.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.