How to Set Gmail as Your Browser's Default Email Client

Please refer to the directions based on your browser of choice.

Google Chrome

  1. In Google Chrome, click the 3 dots in the upper right corner.  Then click Settings.
  2. On the left, click Privacy and security, then click Site Settings. 

 

  1. Once in site settings menu click Additional permissions.

  1. Click Protocol Handlers.

  1. Make sure Sites can ask to handle protocols is toggled on. (If mail.google.com appears in the list, ensure that it is not blocked on the handlers sections of permissions)
  2. Open Gmail in Chrome.
  3. In the address bar, click the double-diamond Service Handler icon.

  1. When prompted to Allow mail.google.com to open all email links?, select Allow, then click Done

  1. The handlers page should now have the entry for mail.google.com

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open the Firefox menu by clicking the 3 Bar (Hamburger Stack) icon near the top right of the browser, then click Preferences.
  2. In the Find in preferences search box, type "mail" – the Applications preference will appear.

 

  1. Using the drop down menu next to "mailto" in the Action column, select Use Gmail.

 

  1. Close Firefox preferences and restart your Browser.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the three dots "..." icon near the upper right corner of Microsoft Edge, then click Settings.

  1. On the left, click Site Permissions, then click Handlers.

 

  1. Make sure Allow sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols is toggled on.
  2. Open Gmail in Microsoft Edge.
  3. In the address bar, click the double-diamond Service Handler icon. 

 

  1. When prompted to Allow mail.google.com to open all email links?, select Allow, then click Done.

Safari

Unfortunately, recent versions of Safari have removed the ability to set a default mail program. It is recommended to use one of the web browsers above to utilize this resource.

Print Article