How to Change the Search Engine in the Safari Browser on an iPhone

Safari on iPhone is smooth and reliable, but by default, it funnels all your searches through Google. That works for most people, but if you care about privacy, sustainability, or just prefer a different experience, there’s no reason to stick with the default.

Switching to DuckDuckGo for privacy, Ecosia for eco-conscious searches, Yahoo, or even Bing for Microsoft integration takes less than a minute.

Whether you're looking to reduce tracking or just want results that match your style, changing Safari’s search engine is one of the simplest ways to make your iPhone feel more like yours. Here's how to do it.

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Steps to Change Search Engine in Safari

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then select "Apps"

Step 2: Scroll down and tap "Safari"

Step 3: Click "Search Engine" under the SEARCH section

Step 4: Choose your preferred engine from the list. From now on, every search you perform from the Safari address bar will use your chosen engine

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Conclusion

Setting Safari’s default search engine on your iPhone takes just a moment, but it gives you consistent control over how your searches are handled. Whether it’s protecting your privacy or supporting carbon-offsetting search results, this tweak aligns Safari with your values without affecting other apps. Think of it as a personality tweak for your browser.

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