To change the Safari search engine to Google on an iPhone, open the Settings app, tap Apps, tap Safari, tap Search Engine, and choose Google. Searches you type in the Safari search field then go to Google.
On iOS 18.2 and later, Apple also offers a second route: Settings > Search > Search Engine. On iOS 17 and earlier there is no Apps menu, so the path is Settings > Safari > Search Engine.
Before You Start
A search engine is the service that finds results for the words you type, such as Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo. Safari is the web browser, the app that shows those results. This setting only picks which search engine Safari sends your searches to. It does not install anything and it does not change your browser.
- What you need: an iPhone with the Settings app. No Google account is required.
- Which steps to use: the menu path depends on your iOS version. To check it, open Settings > General > About and look at the iOS version line.
- Is it reversible? Yes. You can return to the same menu and pick a different search engine at any time.
How to Change the Safari Search Engine to Google (iOS 18 and Later)
These steps follow the Choose a search engine section of Apple’s iPhone User Guide page Search for websites in Safari on iPhone.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Apps. This menu holds the settings for each app on the phone.
- Tap Safari. You can scroll the alphabetical list to find it.
- Tap Search Engine. A list of the available search engines opens.
- Tap Google.
There is no Save button in Apple’s steps. Once Google is selected, leave Settings and open Safari.
Use Settings > Search Instead (iOS 18.2 and Later)
Apple’s guide Change your default search engine on iPhone describes a second place for the same choice. Apple notes that this route is for iOS 18.2 or later.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Search, then tap Search Engine.
- Tap Google to set it as the default, then tap the back arrow at the top of the screen.
If you do not see a Search item in Settings, your iPhone is probably on an older iOS version. Use the Safari path in the previous section instead.
How to Change the Search Engine on iOS 17 and Earlier
Older versions of iOS list Safari directly on the main Settings screen. Apple’s iOS 17 guide gives the path as Settings > Safari > Search Engine.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Safari.
- Tap Search Engine.
- Tap Google.
How to Confirm the Change or Undo It
Open Safari, tap the search field, type a word or phrase, and tap Go on the keyboard. The results page that loads should be a Google results page.
To undo the change, go back to the Search Engine menu and tap a different option. Nothing else on the phone is affected, so you can switch as often as you like.
How to Use a Different Search Engine in Private Browsing
Private Browsing is the Safari mode that opens tabs which do not appear in your History. Safari can use one search engine for regular tabs and another for private tabs. Apple covers this in Browse the web privately in Safari on iPhone.
- Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Safari.
- Turn off Also Use in Private Browsing.
- Tap Private Search Engine, then choose a search engine.
If you want Google in private tabs too, leave Also Use in Private Browsing turned on. Private tabs then follow your main Search Engine choice.
What This Setting Does Not Change
- Other browsers: Chrome, Firefox and Edge each keep their own search engine setting. In Chrome on iPhone, Google says to tap More > Settings > Search engine. See Google’s page Set default search engine and site search shortcuts.
- Your default browser: the app that opens web links is a separate setting. If you want that changed as well, see how to make Chrome the default browser on iPhone.
- Other devices: the steps above change the setting on this iPhone. For a tablet, see how to change Safari search to Google on iPad.
- Search suggestions: Safari still suggests search terms as you type. To stop that, Apple says to go to Settings > Apps > Safari and turn off Search Engine Suggestions.
If You Can’t Change the Search Engine
- You can’t find Safari in Settings: on iOS 18 and later it is inside Apps, not on the main Settings screen. You can also type Safari in the search field at the top of Settings.
- There is no Search item in Settings: that route needs iOS 18.2 or later. Use the Safari path, or update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Google is not in the list: Apple’s guide does not publish a fixed list of search engines, and the options shown can differ by country or region. Safari only offers the engines in that list. You can still open google.com in a tab and bookmark it.
- The setting is dimmed or will not change: Apple does not document a specific cause for this. It may be worth checking whether Screen Time restrictions are turned on in Settings > Screen Time, or whether the iPhone is managed by a school or employer. In that case, ask the parent or IT administrator who manages it.
- Safari still shows another search engine: check both Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine and, if you are in a private tab, the Private Search Engine setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google already the default search engine in Safari?
It often is, but that can depend on your region and on whether the setting was changed earlier. The quickest way to know is to open Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine and see which option is selected.
Does changing the Safari search engine change it in Chrome on my iPhone?
No. Chrome has its own search engine setting inside the Chrome app, under More > Settings > Search engine. The Safari setting only affects searches made in Safari.
Can I add a search engine that is not in the list?
Apple’s iPhone guide only describes choosing from the search engines shown in the list. If the one you want is missing, you can visit its website in Safari and save it as a bookmark or favorite.
Do I need to install the Google app to use Google in Safari?
No. The Search Engine setting is built into iOS. Choosing Google there is enough for Safari searches, and you do not need to sign in to a Google account.
Can I search for a word on the page I am viewing?
Yes, and it works with any search engine. Apple says to open the page menu in Safari, tap the find option, enter the word or phrase, and use the arrows to jump to other mentions.
More Safari Guides
- How to open, find and close tabs in Safari on iPhone
- How to manage cookies in Safari on iPhone
- Why you can’t create a Private Browsing tab in Safari
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.