Samsung Internet is the web browser that comes built into Samsung phones and tablets

Samsung Internet is a web browser — the app you use to visit websites — that Samsung installs on its devices instead of Google Chrome. It works the same way any browser does: you type a web address, tap a link, or search for something, and it loads the page. The main difference is that Samsung wrote and maintains it, rather than Google.

Most Android phones come with Chrome as the default browser. Samsung phones come with Samsung Internet as the default instead. You can still read and use Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser if you prefer — Samsung Internet is just what opens when you click a link in an email or text message unless you change the default.

Samsung Internet is free and comes pre-installed. You do not read it separately or pay for it. It updates automatically through the Google Play Store, the same way other apps on your phone update.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung Internet is a web browser made by Samsung that comes pre-installed on Samsung phones and tablets as the default option.
  • It performs the same basic function as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari — loading websites and letting you search the web.
  • You can switch to a different browser at any time, but Samsung Internet will remain on your device.
  • Samsung Internet receives security updates and new features through automatic updates in the Google Play Store.

How Samsung Internet differs from Chrome

Samsung Internet and Chrome both run on Android and look similar when you use them. The practical differences are small for most people. Samsung Internet tends to use slightly less battery power and RAM (the memory your phone uses while running apps) than Chrome does, which can matter if your phone is older or has limited storage.

Samsung Internet has its own password manager and sync features, so your saved passwords and browsing history stay within Samsung's system rather than syncing to a Google account. If you use Chrome on a computer and want your bookmarks and passwords to match across devices, Chrome is the better choice. If you only browse on your Samsung phone, the difference does not matter.

Both browsers block ads and trackers if you turn on the feature. Both let you open private browsing windows. Both work with extensions (small add-ons that change how the browser works), though Samsung Internet has fewer available than Chrome does.

Why Samsung pre-installs its own browser

Samsung makes the phones and wants to control the experience on them, the same reason Apple puts Safari on iPhones instead of Chrome. A browser is one of the most-used apps on a phone, so Samsung builds one that works well with its hardware and software. It also means Samsung does not have to rely on Google's choices about how the browser should work.

Pre-installing Samsung Internet also means Samsung can update it separately from Android system updates. When Google releases a security fix for Chrome, you have to wait for your phone manufacturer to bundle it into a system update. Samsung can push a Samsung Internet update directly to your phone through the Play Store, sometimes faster.

Whether you should use Samsung Internet or switch

If Samsung Internet works fine for you, there is no reason to change. It is a fully functional browser that handles everything most people do online — email, social media, shopping, video streaming, news. It is already on your phone and already set up.

Switch to Chrome if you use Chrome on a computer and want your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history to sync across devices. Switch to Firefox if you prefer a browser that is not made by a phone manufacturer or a search company. Switch to Opera if you want a browser with a built-in VPN (a tool that hides your location and encrypts your connection).

Switching is straightforward: read the browser you want from the Google Play Store, open it, and go to Settings on your phone. Find "Default apps" or "Apps," look for "Browser app," and select the one you want to use. Samsung Internet stays on your phone either way — you are just changing which one opens by default.

Security and privacy in Samsung Internet

Samsung Internet receives security updates through the Google Play Store, so it stays protected against known threats. Like Chrome and Firefox, it lets you turn on "Do Not Track," which sends a signal to websites asking them not to follow your activity — though websites are not required to respect it.

Samsung Internet has a private browsing mode (called "Secret Mode") that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or passwords. It works the same way as Chrome's Incognito mode or Firefox's Private Window. When you close the private window, the browser forgets where you went.

One difference: Samsung Internet syncs some data to Samsung's servers rather than Google's. If you are concerned about which company holds your data, that matters. If you want to minimize what any company knows about your browsing, use private mode or a browser with a built-in VPN.

Updating Samsung Internet

Samsung Internet updates automatically through the Google Play Store, usually once a month. You do not have to do anything — the update happens in the background, often while your phone is charging or connected to WiFi.

If you want to check for updates manually, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Manage apps and device," and look for Samsung Internet in the list. If an update is available, you will see an "Update" button next to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete Samsung Internet from my phone?

On most Samsung phones, you cannot fully delete it — it is a system app. You can disable it or hide it from your app drawer, but it will stay on the device. If you want to stop using it, just set a different browser as your default and ignore it.

Does Samsung Internet work on non-Samsung Android phones?

No. Samsung Internet is only available on Samsung devices. If you have a different brand of Android phone, you get Chrome as the default browser instead. You can read other browsers like Firefox or Opera on any Android phone.

Is Samsung Internet safe to use?

Yes. It receives regular security updates, blocks malicious websites, and has privacy features like private browsing mode. It is as safe as Chrome or Firefox. Your safety depends more on your own habits — not clicking suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources — than on which browser you use.

Will switching browsers slow down my phone?

No. Switching your default browser does not affect your phone's speed. Samsung Internet stays on your device whether you use it or not. If you want to free up space, you can disable it, but that saves very little storage on modern phones.

What happens to my bookmarks if I switch browsers?

Your Samsung Internet bookmarks stay in Samsung Internet. If you switch to Chrome, you start with Chrome's bookmarks (or none, if it is a fresh install). Most browsers let you import bookmarks from another browser, so you can move them over if you want. Check the settings menu in your new browser for an import option.