Your default browser is the app that opens when you tap a link in email, messages, or other apps

On iPhone, Safari comes built in and starts as your default. If you have installed Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser, you can change which one opens automatically when you click a link. The process takes about one minute and happens in Settings, not in the browser itself.

This is different from straightforward opening a different browser app — changing the default means that links from Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari. You can still use Safari whenever you want by tapping its icon directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser is set in Settings under a section called Default Browser App, not within the browser itself.
  • You must have downloaded the browser you want to use before you can set it as default — the App Store link is in Settings if you need it.
  • Changing your default browser does not delete Safari or prevent you from using it; it only changes which app opens when you tap links elsewhere.
  • If you change your mind later, you can switch back to Safari or to a different browser using the same Settings steps.

Open Settings and find the Default Browser App section

Tap the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down the left side of the screen until you see a list of app names in alphabetical order. Look for the browser you want to use — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap on it.

Inside that app's settings page, look for a row labeled "Default Browser App" or sometimes just "Default Browser". Tap on it. A list of all browsers installed on your phone will appear. Tap the name of the browser you want to use as your default.

A checkmark will appear next to your choice. You can now close Settings. The change takes effect when ready.

What to do if you do not see your browser in Settings

If the browser you want to use does not appear in the Settings list, it means either the app is not installed or it does not support being set as a default. Most major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave — do support this. Smaller or older browsers may not.

To install a browser, open the App Store, search for the browser name, and tap "Get" then "Install". Wait for the installation to finish. Then return to Settings and follow the steps above. The newly installed browser will now appear in the Default Browser App list.

How links will behave after you change your default

Once you set a new default, links in Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari Reading List, and other apps will open in your chosen browser. For example, if you set Chrome as default and then tap a link in an email, Chrome will open that link instead of Safari.

You can still open Safari directly by tapping its icon on your home screen or in your app library. Changing the default does not remove Safari or prevent you from using it — it only changes what happens when you tap a link somewhere else.

Switching back to Safari or choosing a different browser

If you want to return to Safari as your default, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, find "Default Browser App", and tap Safari from the list. The same process works if you want to switch from one third-party browser to another.

You can change your default browser as often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can switch, and no setting is permanent unless you choose to keep it.

Why some links might still open in Safari

If you set a new default browser but a link still opens in Safari, the most common reason is that you have not fully closed the Settings app and restarted the phone. Close Settings completely, then power off your iPhone and turn it back on. Try the link again.

A second reason is that some apps — particularly Apple's own apps like News or Stocks — may ignore your default browser setting and always use Safari. This is a limitation of those specific apps, not a problem with your default browser choice. You can still manually copy the link and paste it into your chosen browser if you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different default browser for different types of links?

No. iPhone allows only one default browser for all links system-wide. You cannot set Chrome for email links and Firefox for web links. If you need to use multiple browsers for different purposes, you can open them manually by tapping their icons.

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

No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks and passwords separately. Changing your default browser does not move or delete anything. If you switch browsers, your old bookmarks and passwords stay in the old browser unless you manually export them.

What if I want to open a link in a different browser just one time?

Long-press the link until a menu appears. Tap "Open in [Browser Name]" to choose a different browser for that single link. Your default browser setting does not change. This works in Mail, Messages, Safari, and most other apps.

Does changing my default browser use more battery or data?

No. Your default browser choice does not affect battery life or data usage. All modern browsers on iPhone use similar amounts of power and data. The only difference is in features, speed, and how they handle your information.