Setting Gmail as Your Default Email Client

When you click "Open in Email" buttons on websites, you can configure your system to automatically open Gmail in your browser instead of a desktop email app.

Mac Instructions

System-Wide Settings (macOS)

1. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS 13+)
2. Go to General → Default web browser
3. Select your preferred browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.)
4. In Mail, go to Preferences → General
5. Set Default email reader to Gmail (if available) or your browser

Browser-Specific Setup

Chrome:

1. Go to Gmail and sign in
2. Click the three dots menu → More tools → Create shortcut
3. Check "Open as window" and click Create
4. In Chrome settings, go to Privacy and security → Site Settings → Additional permissions → Protocol handlers
5. Allow Gmail to handle mailto links

Learn more about Chrome protocol handlers

Safari:

1. Visit Gmail in Safari
2. Safari should automatically prompt to set Gmail as the default mail handler
3. If not prompted, go to Safari → Preferences → Websites → mailto
4. Set Gmail as the default for mailto links

Learn more about Safari website preferences

Windows Instructions

System-Wide Settings (Windows 10/11)

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps
2. Scroll down to Email and click the current default
3. Select your web browser from the list
4. Some browsers may require additional setup (see browser sections below)

Learn more about Windows default apps

Browser-Specific Setup

Chrome:

1. Open Gmail in Chrome and sign in
2. Chrome may automatically prompt to set Gmail as the mailto handler - click Allow
3. If not prompted:
   • Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Site Settings
   • Click Additional permissions → Protocol handlers
   • Ensure Gmail is allowed to handle mailto links

Learn more about Chrome protocol handlers

Edge:

1. Visit Gmail in Edge
2. Look for a popup asking to "Allow gmail.com to open email links" and click Allow
3. If missed, go to Settings → Site permissions → Protocol handlers
4. Add Gmail as a mailto handler

Learn more about Edge site permissions

Firefox:

1. Go to Gmail in Firefox
2. Firefox should prompt about handling mailto links - click Allow
3. If not prompted:
   • Go to Settings → General → Applications
   • Find mailto and set it to "Use Gmail"

Learn more about Firefox application settings

Troubleshooting Tips

• Still opening desktop apps? Make sure to fully close and restart your browser after making changes
• No prompt appearing? Try logging out of Gmail and logging back in
• Multiple Google accounts? The mailto links will use whichever Gmail account you're currently signed into
• Corporate/managed devices? You may need IT administrator permissions to change default applications

Verification

Test your setup by clicking any "mailto:" link on a website. It should now open Gmail in your browser instead of launching a desktop email application.