How To Change Default Search Engine of Chrome Browser.

Your web browser does more than just open websites; it’s your gateway to the internet. Every time you type a query into Chrome’s address bar (also known as the omnibox), it instantly directs you to results powered by your default search engine. 

Most of us stick with Google because it’s the preset option, but Chrome actually allows you to change this default anytime. Whether you prefer the privacy of DuckDuckGo, the rewards of Bing, or a specialized engine like Startpage, the process is quick and easy. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change your default search engine on desktop, Android, and iPhone, along with key notes and troubleshooting tips that will help you get the most out of Chrome.

Change Default Search Engine on Desktop.

Let’s start with the desktop version of Chrome, since it offers the most flexibility and customization.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome Settings.

To get started, open Google Chrome on your computer, then click the three-dot menu located at the top-right corner of the browser window. From the dropdown menu, select Settings to open Chrome’s configuration page. 

Alternatively, you can simply type chrome://settings in the address bar and press Enter to access it directly.

Step 2: Go to the search engine section.

In the Settings menu, navigate to the left-hand sidebar and click on Search engine, where you’ll find a Change button, and a list of pre-configured options will appear (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia). Select your desired new default search engine.

Step 3: Managing and Manually Adding a Search Engine.

If your desired search provider is not among the default options, navigate to "Manage search engines and site search" (or "Manage search engines"). Here, you can click Add and manually input the required details: the Search engine name, a Shortcut (keyword), and the URL with %s in place of the query. 

Alternatively, a simpler method is to first visit the desired search engine's website and perform a search; Chrome will often detect and automatically list it in the "Site search" section, from which you can easily click the three dots (⋮) next to the entry and select "Make default."

Change Default Search Engine on Mobile.

You can easily change the default search engine within the Google Chrome app on both Android and iOS devices. This setting controls the engine used when you type a query into the address bar (omnibox).

Here are the professional steps to change the default search engine on mobile:

Step 1: Open Chrome Settings.

To access settings on mobile, open the Chrome app and tap the menu icon (⋮ on Android, typically top right; or ••• on iOS, typically bottom right), then select Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the Search Engine.

Scroll down to the "Basics" section (on Android) or look through the main menu (on iOS). Tap on the Search engine.

Step 3: Select a New Default Engine.

A list of available search providers (such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, etc.) will be displayed. Tap the name of the search engine you wish to set as your new default.

The change will be applied immediately. All future searches performed by typing into the Chrome address bar will use the newly selected search engine.

By following these simple steps, users can efficiently customize their Google Chrome browsing experience to align with their privacy preferences, search result format requirements, or regional defaults. Regularly reviewing and managing your default search engine settings ensures your browser behaves optimally according to your specific needs.

Google Gemini AI Starts Rolling Out to Chrome on iOS.

Google is continuing its aggressive strategy of embedding its Gemini AI capabilities across its entire ecosystem, with the latest integration arriving in Chrome for iOS. This move brings powerful, on-demand AI functionality directly into the mobile browser experience for iPhone users.

While many iOS users default to Safari, the integration caters to a significant subset of users who prefer the Chrome environment on their Apple devices. It eliminates the need to switch to the standalone Gemini app for common queries and page-specific insights.

In-Browser Assistance on iPhone.

The arrival of Gemini in Chrome for iOS was first anticipated after a similar integration was announced for Mac users earlier this year. Its appearance now ensures a unified, in-browser AI experience across platforms.

For those receiving the update, the functionality is reportedly highlighted by a "Get started" banner appearing within the Chrome interface.

The key feature is "Ask Gemini," which allows users to get relevant, contextual answers based on the webpage they are currently viewing. It promises to deliver swift key takeaways and insights without disrupting the browsing flow.

Quick Access and Opt-In Requirement.

Users can access the Gemini feature via the three-dot menu (Page Tools) within Chrome. This opens a dedicated interface where they can input a custom query or select from pre-populated options.

Available prompts include highly useful functions like "summarize page" and "create FAQ about this topic," transforming the way users digest long-form content on their mobile devices.

Crucially, the feature requires an explicit user opt-in to begin functioning. Users must grant permission for the browser to send webpage data to Google for processing by the Gemini model. This ensures transparency and user control over their data.

Phased Rollout Underway.

The rollout appears to be phased, with initial reports suggesting the integration is landing for a subset of users. It is highly likely that, as with many of Google's initial AI launches, the support is currently limited to English-language users in the United States.

As the technology continues to mature, and with Gemini now established on various Android and desktop platforms, its arrival on the iPhone browser signals Google's commitment to making its flagship AI assistant universally accessible, regardless of the operating system.

Viral 'Nano Banana' AI Image Editing Arrives in Google Lens and Search AI Mode.

Google is dramatically enhancing the creative capabilities of its core apps, bringing the popular "Nano Banana" image editing and generation feature directly into Google Lens and the Search AI Mode. This integration provides users with a powerful, fun, and accessible way to generate and manipulate images using simple prompts.

The feature, which utilizes the advanced Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, first gained viral traction within the standalone Gemini app. Its expansion signifies Google’s push to embed generative AI directly into the daily tools people use for visual search and creation.

AI Mode Gets a Dedicated Creation Shortcut.

In the Search app's dedicated AI Mode, the "Nano Banana" functionality is now easier to access than ever. Users will notice a new plus icon ('+') situated in the bottom-left corner of the main prompt box.

Tapping this icon reveals a menu that allows users to access the Gallery, Camera, or a new option: "Create Images," accompanied by a banana emoji. This dedicated shortcut streamlines the creative workflow.

Upon selecting this option, the standard prompt hint changes to "Describe your image." From here, users can either type a prompt to generate an entirely new image or select an existing photograph to apply edits.

Any image generated through this feature will be marked with the standard Gemini spark watermark in the bottom-right corner, clearly identifying its AI origin.

Google Lens Launches New 'Create' Tab.

Perhaps the most significant change is the introduction of a new "Create" tab within Google Lens. This redesign also features a minor UI tweak, moving the text labels below the icons to better accommodate multiple filters.

The new tab is heavily geared toward real-time capture and sharing, prompting users to "capture, create, and share" their creations. A prominent banana emoji is even featured on the shutter button.

Notably, the "Create" tab defaults to the front-facing camera, suggesting an immediate focus on AI-enhanced selfies and real-time artistic manipulations.

After capturing an image, it is automatically routed to the AI Mode's prompt box, where users can then add a text prompt to apply generative edits or transformations.

Availability and Broader AI Push.

The "Nano Banana" integration in Google Lens and AI Mode is currently being observed on Android devices in the US for users who have opted into the AI Mode Search Lab. A wider rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

This rollout aligns with Google’s broader global expansion of its AI capabilities. Just this week, the company announced that AI Mode has been expanded to support 35 new languages and over 40 new countries/territories, bringing its total reach to over 200 regions globally.

Chrome Fights Notification Fatigue with Automatic Permission Revocation.

Google is taking a major step to combat "notification fatigue" by updating its Chrome browser on both desktop and Android platforms. The new feature will automatically revoke notification permissions from websites that users no longer interact with regularly. This aims to restore the signal-to-noise ratio of notifications, making the alerts that do appear more meaningful.

This privacy-and-usability-focused move mirrors a similar permission revocation system that Google introduced for native apps back in Android 11. That system allows the operating system to cut off access to sensitive permissions, such as camera or location, for apps that haven't been used in a while.

Chrome previously gained a similar trick via its Safety Check feature, which could automatically revoke permissions like camera, microphone, and location access from infrequently visited sites. Notifications, however, were notably excluded from this automated cleanup until now.

The new policy will specifically target notification permissions for standard websites, excluding installed web apps. Google confirms the browser will always notify the user when a permission is being revoked, preventing any sudden surprises about missing alerts.

For sites where Chrome might have incorrectly guessed user intent, the user retains full control. They can easily choose to re-enable notifications for a specific site or even disable the entire automatic revocation tool if they prefer the old system. Ultimately, this change offers a much-needed, low-effort way for users to clear out excessive notification chatter and focus on the alerts that truly matter.

Also Read:

• Google Chrome Move Address Bar to Bottom in Android.
• Google Chrome Rolls Out AI-Powered Store Reviews to Help Shoppers.

Gemini App Unveils Prompt Bar Redesign, Bringing Model Switching Mid-Conversation

Google is rolling out a significant overhaul to the user interface of the Gemini app on both Android and iOS, transforming the familiar prompt bar into a dynamic "bottom sheet." This redesign marks one of the most substantial visual and functional updates to the AI assistant’s mobile experience since its launch, aiming for greater efficiency and a cleaner aesthetic.

The traditional rounded rectangular prompt box is now completely gone, replaced by a bottom sheet that visually floats above the application’s main content. This new UI layer is designed to merge seamlessly with the device's open keyboard, using a subtle shadow effect along the top edge to distinguish it from the conversation history.

This transition from a static box to a dynamic sheet aligns the mobile app with modern design paradigms seen across other Google applications. By removing the container, the interface feels less cluttered, creating more horizontal screen real estate for users to type their queries.

Perhaps the most crucial functional update is the relocation of the AI model selector. Previously, users had to tap a dropdown menu near the top of the home screen to switch between models like Gemini 2.5 Flash and 2.5 Pro.

With the new design, the model picker is now embedded directly in the bottom-right corner of the prompt sheet, adjacent to a newly-circular microphone icon. This change streamlines the workflow, finally allowing users to select a different model for their next prompt without navigating away from the active chat.

Furthermore, Google has utilized this redesign to implement several user experience (UX) quality-of-life improvements. The '+' menu for adding inputs and the Gemini Live button are now positioned closer to the edges of the screen, benefiting from the freed-up space.

The standard but often disruptive disclaimer, "Gemini can make mistakes, so double-check it," has also been repositioned. Instead of sitting permanently below the prompt bar, it now appears concisely at the end of the AI's response, ensuring a cleaner visual flow while users are chatting.

The rollout for the box-less prompt bar redesign is now widely available for Gemini users on both major mobile operating systems. However, the accompanying change—the repositioning of the model picker—is being implemented gradually and is not yet universal across all accounts.

Also Read:

• Google Gemini Now Lets You Share Custom 'Gems'.
• Google Redesigns Gemini's Tools Menu for a Cleaner Mobile Experience.

Gboard Rolls Out 'Tap-to-Undo' Feature to Fix Annoying Auto-Corrections.

In a highly welcomed quality-of-life update, Google’s popular virtual keyboard, Gboard, is introducing a simple yet crucial feature that addresses one of the most frustrating aspects of mobile typing: aggressive auto-correction. Users can now easily spot and revert unwanted changes with a new tap-to-undo mechanism.

The new functionality works by subtly highlighting any text that Gboard has automatically changed while a user is typing a sentence. This visual cue makes it significantly easier for users to identify exactly which words were altered without needing to carefully proofread the entire text.

Once an auto-corrected word is highlighted, tapping on it immediately reveals the original, user-typed word as a suggestion in the prediction bar. This allows for a swift, single-tap reversal of the correction, restoring the text to the user's intended spelling or phrasing.

This method offers a marked improvement over previous correction methods, such as the "undo auto-correct on backspace" feature. That older tool often mistakenly reverted valid corrections when a user was merely attempting to fix a spacing error or a minor typo nearby.

While Gboard recently added dedicated undo/redo buttons, the tap-to-undo feature is a more elegant, context-aware solution. It saves valuable space on the toolbar and allows users to fix auto-corrections without interrupting the flow of their typing process.

The feature is currently rolling out to users, appears to be controlled by the main auto-correction setting, and is expected to be particularly useful when interacting with Gboard’s growing suite of AI writing and grammar-proofing tools. This enhancement reinforces Gboard’s status as a leading mobile keyboard by prioritizing user control and accuracy.

Google Meet Finally Adds Meeting Timers to Combat Endless Virtual Calls.

In a move aimed squarely at boosting productivity and curbing the scourge of sprawling virtual meetings, Google Meet has begun rolling out a highly anticipated native timer feature. This addition brings a visible, ticking clock into the meeting interface, creating a subtle but effective sense of urgency for all participants.

This new tool directly responds to the prevalent issue of "meeting creep," especially in organizations with distributed workforces. By providing a clear visual countdown, Google is offering users a simple mechanism to stick to their intended agenda and time limits.

The feature is accessible via the Meeting tools button, located in the lower right corner of the desktop user interface. Depending on the meeting's settings, the timer can be set and controlled by either the meeting host or all participants.

Users have the flexibility to set an optional audible alarm that sounds when the designated time expires. However, it is important to note that the timer will not automatically terminate the meeting; it is simply a reminder tool for time management.

The new timers are currently available exclusively through the Google Meet web interface on desktop, with Google confirming they are not yet accessible on the mobile applications. A full rollout is underway and is expected to reach all types of Google accounts, including free personal accounts and paid Workspace users, over the next few days.

This small but significant update underscores Google’s commitment to improving the core functionality of its video conferencing platform. For teams looking to shave valuable minutes off their weekly commitments, the new timer is an essential tool for maintaining focus and efficiency in the digital workplace.

Also Read: 

• Generate a Background Image in Google Meet With AI.
• Google Meet Gets a Personal AI Advisor with New 'Ask Gemini' Feature.