How to change your default browser on iPhone
You can change your default browser on iPhone through the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down to find the app you want to use as your default (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser), tap it, then select "Default Browser App" and choose your preferred browser. The change takes effect when ready — links from email, Messages, and other apps will now open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.
This setting exists because Apple requires all browsers on iPhone to use the same underlying engine, but lets you pick which app handles links. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way regardless of which browser you prefer.
Key Takeaways
- You change your default browser in Settings by finding the app name, tapping it, and selecting "Default Browser App" from the options.
- Your choice affects where links open from Mail, Messages, Safari reading list, and other built-in apps — not where you manually open the browser icon.
- You can switch back to Safari or change to a different browser at any time using the same Settings menu.
- All browsers on iPhone use the same rendering engine, so switching browsers changes the interface and features but not how pages load.
Step-by-step: Setting a new default browser
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down past the top section where your own settings live (Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) until you reach the list of installed apps. This list is alphabetical and includes every app on your phone.
Find the browser app you want to use — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or whichever you installed. Tap it to open that app's settings page. Look for an option labeled "Default Browser App" near the top of the page. Tap that option, and you will see a list of browsers installed on your phone. Select the one you want to use as your default. A checkmark appears next to your choice, and the setting saves automatically.
If you do not see "Default Browser App" in an app's settings, that app may not support being a default browser. Most major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera) do support it. Safari is always available as a default option.
What changes when you set a new default browser
When you change your default browser, links that open automatically now open in your chosen app instead of Safari. This includes links from Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, and any other app that launches a web page. If someone sends you a link in a text message and you tap it, your new default browser opens instead of Safari.
However, manually tapping the Safari icon (or your browser's icon) on your home screen still opens that specific app — changing the default does not remove Safari or prevent you from using it. You can use Safari for some browsing and your default browser for other browsing on the same day.
The default setting also affects links in web pages themselves. If a page has a link that opens in a new tab or window, your default browser handles that link. Reading lists, bookmarks, and history remain separate for each browser — switching defaults does not move your data between apps.
Switching back to Safari or changing browsers again
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Return to Settings, find the browser app you want to switch to, tap "Default Browser App," and select a different browser. The change takes effect when ready with no restart needed.
To switch back to Safari, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, select "Default Browser App," and choose Safari. Safari is always listed as an option even though it is built into iOS and does not have a separate app icon in Settings the way third-party browsers do.
Why you might want to change your default browser
Some people prefer Chrome because it syncs bookmarks and passwords across their phone, computer, and tablet through a Google account. Others use Firefox for privacy features or because they want the same browser on iPhone and Android devices. Edge works well if you use Microsoft services like Outlook or OneDrive. Brave blocks ads and trackers by default.
You might also change your default browser temporarily — for example, using Firefox for a week to test it before deciding whether to keep it as your default. Since the change is reversible and when ready, there is no penalty for experimenting.
Troubleshooting: Default browser setting not appearing
If you open an app's settings in Settings and do not see "Default Browser App," the app may not support being a default browser. Uninstall and reinstall the app from the App Store, as sometimes a cached version does not include the feature. If it still does not appear, check the App Store listing to confirm the app supports being a default browser on your iOS version.
If you recently updated iOS, restart your phone and try again. Occasionally a setting does not appear until after a restart. Hold down the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, and press the side button again to turn the phone back on.
How default browser settings work across your Apple devices
Your default browser choice on iPhone does not automatically sync to iPad or Mac. Each device has its own default browser setting. If you use multiple Apple devices, you can set different defaults on each one, or set them all to the same browser — the choice is yours and the settings are independent.
On iPad, the process is identical to iPhone: Settings, find the app, tap "Default Browser App," and select your choice. On Mac, you change the default browser in System Settings under General, then Defaults, and select your browser from the "Default web browser" dropdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default browser delete Safari?
No. Safari remains on your phone and you can still use it by tapping its icon. Changing the default only affects which browser opens when links are tapped from other apps — it does not remove or disable Safari.
Will my bookmarks and passwords move to my new default browser?
No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks, passwords, and history. If you switch from Safari to Chrome, your Safari bookmarks stay in Safari. You can manually export bookmarks from Safari and import them into another browser, but the change does not happen automatically.
Can I use different browsers for different types of links?
No. iOS only lets you set one default browser. All automatic links open in whichever browser you set as default. You can manually open a different browser and navigate to a page yourself, but you cannot route certain links to Chrome and others to Firefox.
What happens if I uninstall my default browser?
If you uninstall your default browser, iOS automatically switches back to Safari as the default. The next time you tap a link, it opens in Safari. If you reinstall your preferred browser later, you can set it as default again through Settings.
Does my default browser choice affect which browser opens when I search from Spotlight?
No. Spotlight searches always open in Safari regardless of your default browser setting. The default browser setting only affects links that are already URLs or that come from other apps.