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How to change your default search engine in Firefox on a computer or mobile device

Written by Emma Witman
2020-04-03T01:47:00Z
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Firefox logo computer browser
You change you default search engine in Firefox to your preferred website. Evan Lorne/Shutterstock

  • You can change your default search engine in Firefox on mobile and desktop.
  • Firefox users can choose between search engines like Google and even Wikipedia.
  • Here's how to change your default search engine in Firefox.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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Choosing a default search engine can be a fraught issue for the web browsing company.

In fact, the matter was so fraught for browser Mozilla Firefox that it ended in multiple lawsuits over their decision to dump Yahoo in favor of Google as its default search engine. 

While Firefox executives clearly felt one way about what should be the default search engine on its platform, you might feel an entirely different way.

Fortunately, you're not locked into the default search engine of their choosing. 

Here's how to personalize your default search engine in Firefox on both desktop and mobile. 

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How to change your search engine in Firefox on your computer 

1. Open Firefox on your Mac or PC.

How to change default search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox. Emma Witman/Business Insider

2. Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right, then select "Preferences" from the dropdown menu. 

How to change search engine in Firefox
If you're using a Mac, you can also hold the "command" + "," keys on your keyboard to summon the Preferences menu in Firefox. Emma Witman/Business Insider

3. Select "Search" from the left hand menu.

How to change search engine in Firefox
Firefox gives the intriguing option of Wikipedia as a default search engine; so given that 90% of my Google searches lead to Wikipedia, I opted for that to skip a step in the future. Emma Witman/Business Insider
How to change search engine in Firefox
Select your preferred search engine. Emma Witman/Business Insider

4. Under the "Default Search Engine" section, choose your preferred browser in the dropdown menu.  

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How to change your search engine in Firefox on your mobile device

1. Launch the Firefox app on your iPhone or Android.

2. Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom-right of your screen and choose "Settings."

How to change search engine in Firefox
Select “Settings.” Isabella Paoletto/Business Insider

3. Under "General," tap "Search" and then "Google."

How to change search engine in Firefox
Tap on the “Search” tab. Isabella Paoletto/Business Insider

4. Tap on "Google" under "Default search engine" and then select the browser you'd like to use as your default.

How to change search engine in Firefox
Tap “Google” and then select your new default search engine. Emma Witman/Business Insider

 

Your selection will be saved and you'll be automatically redirected to the previous tab. 

 

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Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

Emma Witman
Emma Witman is an Asheville, NC-based freelance journalist with a keen interest in writing about hardware, PC gaming, politics, and personal finance. She is a former crime reporter for a daily newspaper, and has also written extensively about bartending for Insider. She may or may not judge your drink order when behind the bar. Follow her on Twitter at @emwity.

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

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