# How to Change the Default Browser in Omarchy

Installing another browser in Omarchy does not automatically make it the default; use Setup > Defaults > Browser or the omarchy default browser command to change the XDG handler.

2026-09-18


![How to Change the Default Browser in Omarchy](https://switchboardtechservices.com/static/images/defaults/articles.webp)

Omarchy ships with **Chromium as the default browser**.

Installing Firefox, Brave or another browser does **not** automatically replace Chromium as the system default.

You have to change the default separately.

## Install the browser first

Open the Omarchy menu and go to:

**Install > Browser**

The current browser list includes:

- Chrome;
- Edge;
- Brave;
- Brave Origin;
- Firefox;
- Zen.

Install the browser you want before trying to select it as the default.

## Change the default from the menu

Open:

**Setup > Defaults > Browser**

Omarchy shows installed browsers and marks the current default.

Choose the one you want.

That changes the system's XDG browser handler, so links opened from other applications should follow the new default too.

## Change it from the terminal

The CLI equivalent is:

`omarchy default browser firefox`

Replace `firefox` with the supported installed browser name you want.

To see the current default, run:

`omarchy default browser`

without a browser argument.

## Test the change

After switching, test it in two ways:

1. press **Super + Shift + Return**;
2. open a web link from another application.

The current Omarchy manual says the browser shortcut follows the configured default.

If one application continues opening a different browser, that application may have its own browser preference.

## Installing and selecting are separate operations

This distinction is the source of most confusion.

**Install > Browser** adds the browser.

**Setup > Defaults > Browser** promotes one installed browser to the system default.

You normally do not need to edit XDG MIME files manually because Omarchy already exposes the supported default-setting mechanism.

For more terminal control, see [The Omarchy CLI](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/omarchy-cli-terminal-control-customization/).

For the broader desktop workflow, see [What Is Omarchy?](https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/what-is-omarchy-linux/).

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Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/articles/change-default-browser-omarchy/

Language: en-us

Content type: article

Published: 2026-09-18T08:54:00+00:00

Description: A short guide to installing and selecting a different default browser in Omarchy, including Firefox, Brave, Chrome, Edge and Zen.