[BUG] Claude on MacOS does not use default browser for logging in
Status Open
Maintainer reply None cached
Workaround ✓ Mentioned in thread ↓
Activity 19 comments · opened Jun 2, 2026
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?
The MacOS desktop app always opens Safari when trying to login with SSO. I do not use Safari, and do not have my passwords stored in it -- and I don't want to sign in to Google in that browser.
What Should Happen?
Just like the CLI and VS Code extension, the Claude app should use the _default_ browser on the system, rather than forcing the use of Safari.
Error Messages/Logs
Steps to Reproduce
- Download the Claude app
- Click "Sign in with Google"
- Observe that Safari opens, rather than the default browser
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
I don't know
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
1.9659.2
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Other
Additional Information
_No response_
19 Comments
This bug has been reported a few times and it keeps getting auto-closed by the bot. Let's keep this issue alive!
I have this same issue! So annoying because Safari isn't signed in to my SSO.
This is basically a breaking change for me as our SSO is using browser certificates and since I don't normally use Safari, I need to regenerate the SSO browser certificate as I don't recall the password as I usually only need to add this annually. Before there was a workaround to copy the api.workos.com url into the browser that works, but it seems like it's just bypassing that domain completely in the safari login dialog box so that workaround that I had before is gone.
Please add support for using the default browser for login instead of forcing safari.
It's 2026, how is this real?
omfg, stupid thing! I rather go back to cli than use safari xD
Workaround: even with Google Sign In, you can select the "Sign in with email" option. It'll send an email sign-in link, then you can open that link in any browser.
Does not work with SSO for me.
Just checking in on this one. Is there anything I can add or contribute to make triaging and/or resolving this more straightforward for the Claude team?
this has been a real nuisance especially when switching between work and personal accounts
Claude fix this, make no mistake
Bump, this is such a stupid mistake to make, I am not gonna put my passkeys to Safari just for this
How is this _still_ an issue?!
i think i changed my mind: i don't like logging in via safari, but the most important thing is i have to juggle with my company account and my private account. So now what i think is: prioritize some kind of profile setting that i can switch into the app. then get to the safari issue. thanks ant
This is such a pain in the nuts. Why completely bypass the default system browser? Multi billion dollar company btw.
At least it isn't Microslop ....
Please use the system default browser for login, like the CLI and VS Code extension do. Forcing Safari breaks SSO for those of us who don't use it.
What an annoying bug. @claude fix this bug. we want to use our preferred browser!
This is irritating... Please fix this!!!! I use my Safari for other accounts.
Bump! This is a pretty silly constraint and clearly an anti-pattern for UX. Especially galling given that the only Claude browser extension is for Chrome, so you can't even auth to Claude Desktop by using the same browser being driven by Claude desktop. I'm gonna assume there's chesterton's fence at play here in some fashion but please make it so that Claude Desktop respects OS level settings on user machines, especially when it comes to browser defaults.