How to Change Default Search Engine in Firefox

Change Default Search Engine in Firefox website

Firefox comes with a number of bachelor search options built-in, with Google being the default. However, if you want someone other than the Mountain View behemoth to power your searches, you tin easily add together a custom search engine in Firefox in a few uncomplicated clicks. Today, we will tell how to change default search engine in Firefox on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. We will also tell yous how to add together search engines in Firefox or remove the search providers that Firefox offers.

Annotation: Using Google Chrome instead of Firefox? Here is how you can change default search engine is Google Chrome.

Modify Default Search Engine in Firefox on Computers and Smartphones

You tin can change the default search engine in Firefox easily on all leading mobile and desktop platforms. Using our tutorial, you can non only set up default search engine on Firefox, merely also remove the default search engine if you want. So without further ado, let'southward bank check out how we tin change the default search engine in Firefox on computers and smartphones.

Change Search Engine in Firefox on Windows, Mac and Linux

The procedure to modify the default search engine in Firefox remains the same on Windows, Mac and Linux. I'1000 using Windows for this demo, but the menus, options and settings will be almost identical for Mac and Linux equally well.

i. Modify Default Search Engine

Open up Firefox on your Windows PC or Mac. In the search bar on the top-right, click on the magnifying glass and select 'Change Search Settings'.

Now click on the drop-downwardly menu nether 'Default Search Engine' and take your selection from among the bachelor options.

two. Remove a Search Engine

From the 'Settings' > 'Search' card option described above, you can remove a search provider. To do that, select the target search provider nether 'Search Shortcuts' and click on the 'Remove' button.

Note: You tin also access search engine options by clicking on the 'hamburger' menu (3 horizontal lines) on the meridian-right and and so opting for Options > Search.

3. Add together a New Search Engine

To add a custom search engine in Firefox, offset visit a website that offers an OpenSearch search engine (we'll use Startpage.com equally an example). The search bar will immediately show a '+' sign in a dark-green chimera. Now either click on that bubble [1] or on the 3 dots [ii] in the address bar.

In either instance, you'll get the option to add the current website as a search provider. Simply click on that option and you'll have added a new search engine to Firefox.

Many search engines likewise offering extensions (add together-ons). You can add them from the official Mozilla website past going to Options > Search as described in [2] in a higher place and clicking on 'Find More than Search Engines'.

4. Restore Born Search Engine

To restore a built-in search engine in Firefox, go to Options > Search equally described in [2] above. Under 'Search Shortcuts', click on the push button that says 'Restore Default Search Engines'. (Annotation: The push button volition be greyed out if yous oasis't removed any search engine from Firefox in the first place).

Modify Default Search Engine in Firefox on Android

The process of irresolute the default search engine in Firefox on your smartphone is relatively straightforward. Here's how yous do it on Android:

one. Change Default Search Engine

Launch the Firefox app. Now tap on the 'More than' button (three dots) and choose 'Settings'.

Note: The 'More' button will exist in the bottom-right corner by default, but you can configure it to be on the top-right, like I did.

Under 'General', tap on 'Search'. Then in the next folio, select the search engine of your choice (Google is the default search provider in Firefox across all platforms).

2. Add Search Engines

To add a new search engine, showtime tap on '+ Add together Search Engine' from Settings > Search as described to a higher place. And so fill in the search cord for the search provider of your pick (await it upwards online). Finally, tap on the 'Tick' sign on the acme-right to save your entry.

I added Startpage as a new search provider, and Firefox now offers it to me every bit the default search pick.

3. Remove Search Engines

To remove a search engine in Firefox, go to Settings > Search equally described earlier. At present tap on the 'More' push (three dots) next to your target search provider and hit 'Delete'.

Change Default Search Engine in Firefox on iPhone and iPad

Tap on the hamburger carte (three horizontal lines) at the bottom-right corner of the screen (the menu will exist at the top right if y'all're using an iPad).

Tap on horizontal line

Now go to 'Settings' > 'Search'.

Your current default search engine will be clearly marked. You can cull another from the list by borer on the default search provider then selecting a different one from the listing.

You can fifty-fifty add together a custom search engine by electing the 'Add together Search Engine' pick and following instructions.

Search Like a Pro on Computers, Smartphones and Tablets

Now that you know how to change your default search provider in Firefox, become ahead, brand the switch from Google. I would ideally propose you pick a privacy-focused service like DuckDuckGo or Startpage, but the possibilities are endless. And if it's privacy that you seek, cheque out how you can use keyboard shortcuts to delete your browsing history on whatever browser.

If you are looking for something specific, also bank check out our manufactures best people search engines and reverse image search engines. Either fashion, once you add together a custom search engine in Firefox, allow us know which search engine you chose and why.