how are people setting google as default search engine on chrome in 2026?

In the EU chrome shows a search engine choice screen when you first set it up. If you tapped something else there by accident, nothing is locked in, just change it on that same Settings > Search engine page.

Same as it's been for ages really. Three dots > Settings > Search engine, and choose Google from the dropdown next to the address bar option. On android chrome it's the same menu, Settings > Search engine. If the option is greyed out with a little building icon and "managed by your organization", that's either a work device or something installed a policy on the machine. On a personal PC that's usually junk software, so check what you installed recently.