Setting Your Default Browser in iPhone Settings

To set a default browser on iPhone, open Settings, scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Default Browser App, and select the browser you want to use. This applies to Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser you have installed. Once you choose, links from Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in that browser instead of Safari.

The setting takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your phone or close any apps. If you change your mind later, you can return to the same menu and pick a different browser at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in Settings under Apps, then Default Browser App — not within the browser itself.
  • Any browser you have downloaded from the App Store can be set as default, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera.
  • Changing your default browser does not delete Safari or prevent you from using it — you can still open Safari manually whenever you want.
  • Links in Mail, Messages, Notes, and web pages will open in your chosen default browser, but you can still tap and hold a link to choose a different browser for that single tap.

Which Browsers Can Be Set as Default

Any browser available in the App Store can become your default. The most common choices are Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, but Brave, DuckDuckGo, and others work the same way. Safari remains built into iOS and cannot be removed, but you can replace it as the default.

Before you can set a browser as default, you must read it from the App Store first. Open the App Store, search for the browser name, tap Get, and wait for the read to finish. Then return to Settings and follow the steps above.

What Changes When You Set a Default Browser

When you set a default browser, links that open automatically will use that browser instead of Safari. This affects links in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and web pages. If you tap a link in any of these apps, it will open in your chosen default browser.

Your default browser does not affect Siri. If you ask Siri to search the web, it still uses Safari. You can still open Safari manually at any time by tapping its icon on your home screen or in the App Library.

Opening a Link in a Different Browser Without Changing Your Default

You do not have to change your default browser to use a different one for a single link. Tap and hold the link (do not tap it normally), and a menu will appear with options including Open in [Browser Name]. Select the browser you want for that particular link.

This is useful if your default is Chrome but you want to open one link in Firefox, or vice versa. The long-press menu works in Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari, and most other apps that display links.

Resetting to Safari as Your Default

If you want to go back to Safari as your default, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Default Browser App, and select Safari. The change happens when ready. You do not need to uninstall any other browsers — they stay on your phone and you can still use them manually.

Some people switch back to Safari because they want to use iCloud Keychain (Apple's password manager) across their devices, or because they prefer Safari's battery life on iPhone. Both reasons are common, and you can change your default as often as you want.

Why Your Default Browser Might Reset

If you uninstall the browser you set as default, iOS automatically switches back to Safari. For example, if you set Chrome as your default and then delete the Chrome app, Safari becomes your default again. When you reinstall Chrome later, you will need to set it as default again.

Major iOS updates sometimes reset your default browser to Safari, though this is rare. If you update your phone and notice Safari is your default again, you can change it back using the same Settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a default browser on iPad the same way as iPhone?

Yes. iPad uses the same Settings menu: open Settings, tap Apps, tap Default Browser App, and choose your browser. The process is identical on all Apple devices running iOS 14.5 or later.

Does setting a default browser affect which browser opens when I click a link in a web page?

Yes. If you are already in Safari and you tap a link, it opens in your default browser. If your default is Chrome, the link opens in Chrome. You can still use the long-press menu to open it in a different browser instead.

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Each browser keeps its own bookmarks and passwords. Changing your default does not move or delete anything. If you switch from Safari to Chrome, your Safari bookmarks stay in Safari, and your Chrome bookmarks stay in Chrome.

What if I do not see Default Browser App in my Settings?

Your iPhone must be running iOS 14.5 or later. If you have an older version, update your phone first: open Settings, tap General, tap Software Update, and follow the prompts. After the update, the Default Browser App option will appear in Settings under Apps.