How to Set ChatGPT as Default Search Engine on iPhone 17

Many iPhone 17 owners love using ChatGPT for explanations, summaries, and ideas, so routing Safari searches straight into ChatGPT can save time and taps. With Apple’s newer software and the official ChatGPT app, you can now use a Safari browser extension to set ChatGPT as the default search engine on iPhone 17.​

In this guide, you will see exactly how to set ChatGPT as your default-style search option on iPhone 17, using clear step-by-step instructions. You will also learn what this setup is good for, when Google or other engines are still better, and how to switch back at any time.​

What you need before you start

Before changing anything, make sure a few basics are ready on your iPhone 17. This helps the ChatGPT search extension work smoothly inside Safari.​

• Your iPhone 17 should be running the latest iOS version available for it, since Safari’s extension support and Apple Intelligence features improve with updates.​
• You must have the official ChatGPT app installed and updated, because the “ChatGPT Search” Safari extension comes from that app.

Step-by-step to set ChatGPT as the default search engine on your iPhone 17

iPhone 17 users can set ChatGPT as the default search engine in Safari using the ChatGPT app’s Safari extension, available since iOS 18.1. This workaround redirects address bar queries to ChatGPT instead of traditional engines like Google.​

Step 1: Install or Update the ChatGPT App

The Safari integration depends on the ChatGPT app, so that is the first step. Without the app, you will not see the ChatGPT Search extension in Safari’s settings.​

• Open the App Store on your iPhone 17 and search for “ChatGPT” by OpenAI.​
• If you already have it, tap Update; if not, tap Get to install the latest version that includes the Safari search extension.​

Step 2: Open iPhone Settings and find Safari

Next, you need to reach Safari’s extension controls via the main Settings app. This is where you will turn on ChatGPT Search and adjust its permissions.​

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone 17.​
• Scroll down until you see Safari in the apps list, then tap Safari to open its settings page.​

Step 3: Enable the ChatGPT Search Extension in Safari

Safari lets third-party apps add extra features using extensions, and ChatGPT uses that system to hook into the search bar. Once enabled, the extension can intercept your queries and send them to ChatGPT instead of a traditional search engine.​

• In the Safari settings page, scroll down and tap Extensions.​
• Look for “ChatGPT Search” in the list of available extensions and tap it.​
• Toggle on “Allow Extension,” and optionally enable “Allow in Private Browsing” if you want it to work in private tabs as well.​

Step 4: Check Site Permissions So It Works Reliably

For the extension to replace your normal search behavior, Safari needs to allow it to run on the sites you use for searching, such as Google.com. If those permissions are blocked, the extension may not trigger when you type in the address bar.​

• While still on the ChatGPT Search extension page, scroll to the permissions section.​
• Under the site list (for example, Google.com), change the setting to Allow so the extension can operate when you send a query from the Safari search bar.​

Step 5: Use the Safari Address Bar with ChatGPT

Once the extension is switched on and allowed, your everyday Safari usage will start to feel different. Instead of seeing the usual search results page, many queries will go straight into a ChatGPT conversation in the browser.​

• Open Safari on your iPhone 17 and tap the address/search bar at the bottom or top of the screen.​
• Type a question, then press Go or Return; Safari will route you to ChatGPT on the web, where you can continue the chat with follow-up prompts.​

What “Default Search Engine” Means with ChatGPT

Technically, Safari still lists Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or other classic engines in its default search engine menu, and ChatGPT appears through an extension rather than that menu. In practice, though, the extension can make ChatGPT feel like your main search engine because it intercepts what you type and hands it off to the chatbot.​

This means your search bar becomes more of a “chat bar,” taking natural language questions and giving you AI-style responses instead of a list of links. For users who mostly want explanations, summaries, and ideas, this experience can feel much more direct and useful than classic search results.​

When ChatGPT Works Better Than Google

Using ChatGPT as your default-style search on iPhone 17 shines in certain situations. It is especially helpful when you care more about understanding something than clicking through many websites.​

• Explaining complex topics in simple language, summarizing long articles, or turning dense information into quick bullet points plays to ChatGPT’s strengths.​
• Brainstorming content ideas, writing outlines, debugging code, or planning trips is also smoother because you can keep asking follow-up questions in the same conversation.​

When You Should Still Use a Classic Search Engine

Even after setting up ChatGPT search, you may not want to abandon Google or another engine entirely. Traditional search results are still better for some real-world tasks that need live, structured data from many sites.​

• Finding nearby places, live sports scores, store hours, or quick navigation links is usually faster with Google or another standard search engine.​
• If you need strict real-time accuracy, such as the latest price of a specific product or breaking news from multiple sources, a classic search page remains more reliable.​

How to Switch Back to a Normal Search Experience

If you decide ChatGPT-focused search is not for you, turning it off on your iPhone 17 is simple. You can either disable the extension or change nothing there and just rely on the regular default search engine list.​

• Go to Settings > Safari > Extensions > ChatGPT Search and toggle off “Allow Extension” to stop Safari from redirecting your queries.​
• In Settings > Safari > Search Engine, pick Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another provider to keep the classic experience front and center.​

Conclusion

Setting ChatGPT as a default-style search engine on your iPhone 17 through Safari extensions gives you a powerful way to turn everyday questions into conversational answers. With a quick setup—installing the ChatGPT app, enabling the Safari extension, and checking permissions—you can turn the Safari address bar into a direct gateway to AI help whenever you need it.​

This setup is perfect when you want explanations, summaries, and brainstorming, while classic search engines still work best for maps, local results, and live info. By combining both approaches, your iPhone 17 becomes a smarter companion: ChatGPT for thinking with you and traditional search for pointing you to the right places on the web.