How to Open Links in a Different Browser on Mac

When you click a link on your Mac, macOS normally opens it in the default browser. You can change that default so links open in another installed browser, or choose a different browser for just one link without changing your settings.

What You’ll Need

A Mac with the browser you want to use installed. Open it once after installing so macOS can register it.
Access to macOS settings. The names of a few controls vary slightly between macOS versions.
If you want to open just one link elsewhere, the link or the app containing it.

Step-by-Step

Choose whether to change every link or only one. Setting a different default browser affects links opened from other apps, such as Mail, Messages, and Notes. If you only need a different browser once, skip to step 5 and use the one-time methods instead.
Open System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and choose System Settings. On older macOS versions, the app is called System Preferences.
Find the default browser setting. In macOS Ventura or later, choose Desktop & Dock in the sidebar and scroll down to Default web browser. On some versions, you may find the control under General. In macOS Monterey or earlier, open General and look for Default web browser.
Select the browser you want. Open the menu beside Default web browser and choose the installed browser. If macOS asks you to confirm, approve the change. You can close Settings; there is no separate Save button.
Open a link in another browser just once. In an app that shows a clickable link, right-click or Control-click the link. If the context menu offers Open Link With or a similar option, choose the browser you want. The exact wording depends on the app. If you do not see that option, copy the link, open the other browser, paste it into the address bar, and press Return.
Test the change. Click a link in a different app, such as a message or note. For a one-time choice, test by opening the link with the app’s context menu or by pasting it into the chosen browser. A link clicked inside a browser usually stays in that browser, regardless of the system default.
Change back whenever you want. Return to the same default-browser setting and select another browser. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history remain associated with their original browsers unless you separately move or sync them.

Common Mistakes

Changing the default when you only meant to open one link. The default applies system-wide to links launched from other apps. Use a context-menu option or copy and paste for a one-time opening.
Looking for the setting inside the browser. A browser may offer to become the default, but macOS controls the system-wide selection. Check System Settings if links still open elsewhere.
Assuming every link follows the system default. Links clicked within an open browser normally stay in that browser. Some apps also open links in an internal window or apply their own behavior.
Expecting browser data to move automatically. Changing the default does not transfer bookmarks, passwords, cookies, or open tabs. Use the browser’s import or sync options if you want that data.
Choosing a browser that is not ready to use. If the browser is missing from the menu, install it and launch it once. Then return to Settings and check again.

Tips

Keep both browsers available if you use one for work and another for personal browsing. You can set one as the default and still open occasional links in the other.
To open a copied link, use the browser’s address bar rather than its search box if you want to avoid a search instead of navigating to the URL.
If a link is not selectable, look for a share or copy-link command in the app, or select and copy the displayed web address. Avoid copying surrounding punctuation or text.
After changing the default, test with a plain web link from another app. A link to a file, a special app URL, or a sign-in flow may behave differently.

Troubleshooting

The browser you want is not listed. Confirm that it is installed in the Applications folder and launch it once. Then quit and reopen System Settings. If it remains missing, restart your Mac and check again; also make sure the browser installation completed successfully.
Links still open in the old browser. Recheck the selected value under Default web browser, then test a link from another app. Quit and reopen the app that launches the link. A link clicked inside the old browser may stay there and does not prove the default is wrong.
The setting appears locked or cannot be changed. Check whether the Mac is managed by a workplace or school. An administrator may control some settings. If so, contact the organization’s support team rather than trying to override its controls.
A link opens in an app’s built-in browser. Some apps display web pages inside the app rather than handing them to macOS. Look in that app’s settings for an option to open links externally, or use its share, copy, or open-in-browser command if available.
A link opens the wrong page or fails. Copy the complete address, including its beginning such as https://, and paste it into the chosen browser’s address bar. If it still fails, the link may have expired, require a sign-in, or be unavailable; changing browsers cannot fix a broken destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a different browser open all links on my Mac?
Choose it under Default web browser in System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Links launched from other apps should then use that browser.

Can I open one link in a different browser without changing the default?
Yes. Use the link’s right-click or Control-click menu if it offers an open-with option, or copy the address and paste it into the other browser.

Why does a link clicked in my browser not switch browsers?
Web links clicked on a page normally remain in the browser displaying that page. The system default mainly affects links launched from other apps.

Does changing the default browser move my bookmarks or passwords?
No. The setting only changes which browser macOS uses for links. Import or sync your data separately if you want it available in another browser.

What if my preferred browser does not appear in Settings?
Install it, open it once, and check the default-browser menu again. If it is still missing, restart your Mac and confirm the installation is complete.

Can I switch back later?
Yes. Return to the same setting and select another installed browser. You can change the default as often as you need.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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