How to Change Default Search Engine in Safari

Your search engine choice shapes privacy, relevance, and even sustainability. With iOS 26, changing Safari’s default across your Apple devices is simple and puts you in control. Most mornings are the same: a quick swipe to the search field and results that either protect privacy or chase convenience.

Whether you lean toward DuckDuckGo to leave fewer digital trails, use Ecosia to plant trees while browsing, or stick with Google because the results align with real-world work, this guide shows you the exact steps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. I also cover setting a different engine for Private Browsing, as well as quick fixes when Safari refuses to adhere to your choice.

By the end of this walkthrough, you will be able to control Safari search across all your Apple devices. No surprises, just the engine you picked.

What This Changes (and What It Doesn’t)

When you change Safari’s default search engine, you are adjusting what appears in the Smart Search field, located at the top of the address bar. That choice controls suggestions and the results page you land on.

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This does not change other search features on your device. Spotlight Search, swipe down on an iPhone or iPad, or press Command + Space on a Mac, and Siri continues to use its own blended results, regardless of Safari’s pick.

Think of it this way: you’re customizing Safari’s search engine, not the device’s entire search capabilities.

Supported Search Engines in Safari

Safari typically includes five main search engine options, although availability can vary by region. You will find them in Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine on iPhone and iPad, and in Safari Settings on Mac.

• Google: The most popular option with a comprehensive index.
• DuckDuckGo: Privacy-focused search that does not track your queries or build profiles.
• Ecosia: Environment-focused engine that uses ad revenue to plant trees.
• Bing: Microsoft’s search engine with integration across Microsoft services.
• Yahoo: Long-standing provider with curated content and news.

Each engine has distinct strengths, so choose based on priorities, whether that’s comprehensive results, privacy, environmental impact, or features you prefer. Simple.

How to Change Your Default Search Engine in Safari (Step-by-Step)

Change Default Search Engine On iPhone and iPad

Changing your search engine on iOS is straightforward and takes just a few taps:

1. Go to Settings → scroll down to Apps → tap on Safari.
2. Tap on Search Engine under Search → Choose any search engine that fits your preference.

Your changes are saved automatically; there’s no need to tap “Done” or confirm anything. The next time you search in Safari, you will see results from your chosen engine.

Change Default Search Engine On Mac

The process on Mac is equally simple:

1. Launch the Safari browser.  
2. From the menu bar at the top, select Safari → navigate to Settings.
   
3. Head to the Search tab.
   
4. Click the drop-down menu next to the Search engine option to select your choice.
   

Your selection is applied immediately across all Safari windows and tabs. If the menu is grayed out, check Screen Time or a managed profile.

Note

Alternatively, you can click the search icon from the search bar to switch between different search engines in a single click.

Advanced Customization

Setting a Different Engine for Private Browsing

You can use different search engines for regular and private browsing. This is perfect if Google’s wide results help day to day, and DuckDuckGo’s privacy matters for sensitive topics.

On Mac:

1. Open the Safari settings as shown above and tap on the Search tab at the top.
2. Deselect the Also use in Private Browsing checkbox.
   
3. Click the dropdown menu next to the Private Browsing search engine and choose your search engine of choice.
   

When you make this switch, Safari will use the search engine you chose in Private mode the next time you browse the web.

On iPhone/iPad:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Safari and toggle off Also Use in Private Browsing.
2. Now, tap on Private Search Engine. You will see a list of search engines. Tap on the one you want to use for Private Browsing.
   

Once you have selected your preferred search engine, Safari will automatically use it whenever you open a new Private Browsing tab.

Using Different Engines with Safari Profiles

Safari Profiles, like “Work” and “Personal”, keep contexts separate, but there is a key limitation. The default search engine typically applies across all profiles.

You cannot assign different default engines per profile, although you can search with different engines inside each profile when needed. Quick workaround, keep each engine’s homepage in Favorites and jump as required. This keeps profile specific browsing tidy while search behavior stays consistent.

Why Can’t I Change My Search Engine? (Troubleshooting)

If changing the engine is not working, these are the usual culprits and fixes.

The Option is Greyed Out:

This almost always points to Screen Time limits. Annoying, but fixable:

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Turn Content & Privacy Restrictions off, or set Web Content to Unrestricted Access.

It’s a Managed Device:

If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is managed by a school or company, policies may block changes. Contact your IT team if you need this adjusted.

Regional Availability:

Some engines are not available in every country due to local regulations or licensing requirements. The list you see is what is available in your region. If you want another provider, bookmark its homepage and search from there.

Additional Tips to Improve The Safari Experience

Troubleshooting common issues on the Safari browser can be a daunting task. To make things easier, we have compiled some helpful tips and tricks for the best Safari experience. Below are a few other hacks:

• Safari is regularly updated to fix bugs and add new features, so always install the latest version.  
• Clearing the Safari cache and cookies on your iPhone and Mac can help you resolve website loading issues, so make sure you clear them periodically.  
• Extensions and plug-ins can sometimes interfere with Safari. Try disabling them to see if they’re the cause of your issues.  
• If you’re having issues with webpages loading, try changing your DNS server to a different one.

Change is good

Choosing your default search engine is a minor adjustment that can make a substantial difference in your daily browsing experience. It tunes privacy, sharpens relevance, and can even support causes like tree planting, all from one setting in Safari.

Follow the steps, and Safari Search will behave precisely as you expect, from the Smart Search field to the results page. You can change your mind at any time, and switching engines later is just as quick as the initial setup.

Test a few engines and notice what works best for you: faster answers on Google, quieter results on DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia for a positive impact. Select what aligns with your browsing style and values.

Read More: 

• How to remove Search Marquis from Chrome and Safari on Mac 
• How to use Tab Groups in Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Mac 
• How to use Safari’s Distraction Control feature on an iPhone
• How to fix Escape key not working on Mac