[BUG] Claude Desktop for Mac - Login with Google does not use Default Browser

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

I just downloaded Claude for Mac / Claude Desktop (Claude 1.1.3963 (71a7ae) 2026-02-21T16:19:56.000Z). After clicking Get Started, clicking "Login with Google" launches Safari, instead of launching my default browser. This complicates logging in for users who choose not to install their password manager into Safari.

What Should Happen?

Clicking "Login with Google" should launch whichever browser the user has configured as their default browser, as found in System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Default web browser.

Error Messages/Logs

n/a

Steps to Reproduce

1. Set your default browser to anything but Safari.
2. Download Claude for Mac and launch
3. Click Get Started
4. Click Login with Google. Watch Safari launch

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude 1.1.3963 (71a7ae) 2026-02-21T16:19:56.000Z

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_