Where to find the default browser setting
Your Android phone lets you choose which browser opens when you tap a link in email, text messages, or other apps. The setting lives in your phone's main Settings app, not in the browser itself. On most Android phones, you'll find it under Settings > Apps > Default apps, though the exact path varies slightly by manufacturer.
Once you're in Default apps, look for an option called Browser app or sometimes just Browser. Tap it, and you'll see a list of every browser installed on your phone. Select the one you want to use as your default, and Android will route all links through that browser from that moment forward.
If you don't see a Browser option in Default apps, your phone may have a different layout. Try Settings > Apps > App defaults or Settings > Applications > Default applications. Samsung phones sometimes put this under Settings > Apps > More options > Default apps.
Key Takeaways
- The default browser setting is in your phone's Settings app under Default apps, not in the browser itself.
- You can change your default browser at any time, and the change takes effect when ready for all links you open.
- If you uninstall your default browser, Android will ask you to pick a new one the next time you tap a link.
- Some Android phones from Samsung, Google, or other makers use slightly different menu names, but the setting exists on all of them.
Step-by-step for common Android versions
Android 13 and newer: Open Settings, tap Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down to Browser app, tap it, and select your choice from the list.
Android 12: Open Settings, tap Apps, then App defaults. Find Browser app and select your preferred browser.
Android 11 and earlier: Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right. Select Default apps, then Browser app, then choose your browser.
After you select a browser, close Settings. The next time you open a link from email, a text message, or any other app, it will open in your chosen browser. You don't need to restart your phone.
What happens if you have only one browser installed
If Chrome is the only browser on your phone, Android may not show you a choice — it will straightforward use Chrome for all links. Once you install a second browser like Firefox or Edge, the Default apps option becomes available, and you can switch between them.
This is why some people don't realize they can change their default browser: they've never installed an alternative. If you want to use a different browser, read it from the Google Play Store first, then follow the steps above to set it as default.
Changing your default browser later
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and pick a different one. The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to close and reopen anything.
If you decide you want to go back to Chrome or switch to a browser you haven't used in months, the process is identical. Your old choice stays installed on your phone; changing the default doesn't uninstall anything.
What to do if your default browser won't change
Occasionally the default browser setting gets stuck, especially if you've recently updated Android or installed a new browser. If tapping a link still opens the wrong browser after you've changed the setting, try these steps: First, go back to Default apps and confirm your choice is actually saved — sometimes the selection doesn't stick on the first try. Tap the browser again and confirm.
If that doesn't work, open your phone's Settings, go to Apps, find the browser you want to use, and tap Open by default. This is a secondary way to set the default, and it sometimes works when the main Default apps menu doesn't. After you do this, test by opening a link in email or another app.
If the problem persists, restart your phone. This clears temporary glitches that can interfere with app defaults. After the restart, test opening a link again.
Why your phone might ask you to choose a browser
Sometimes when you tap a link, Android shows you a menu asking which browser to use instead of opening your default automatically. This usually means you haven't actually set a default yet, or your default browser is no longer installed.
If you uninstall your default browser, Android forgets the setting and will ask you to choose again the next time you open a link. straightforward select a browser from the menu, and if you want that choice to stick, tap Always instead of Just once. Tapping Always sets that browser as your new default.
Browsers available on Android
The most common choices are Chrome (Google's browser, pre-installed on most Android phones), Firefox (Mozilla's option, which syncs with Firefox on desktop), and Edge (Microsoft's browser, which also syncs across devices). Samsung phones come with Samsung Internet, which some people prefer because it's optimized for Samsung hardware.
You can install any of these from the Google Play Store and set whichever one you prefer as your default. Your choice doesn't affect anything else on your phone — it only determines which app opens when you tap a link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different browsers for different types of links?
No. Android only lets you set one default browser for all links. Every link you tap — whether it's in email, text messages, social media, or anywhere else — will open in the same browser you chose.
What if I want to open a link in a different browser just once?
When you tap a link, hold it down instead of tapping normally. A menu will appear with options to open it in different browsers. Select the browser you want for that single link. This doesn't change your default — the next link you tap will still open in your usual browser.
Does changing my default browser delete my bookmarks or history?
No. Each browser keeps its own bookmarks and history. Switching your default browser doesn't affect any data stored in any of your browsers. If you switch from Chrome to Firefox and back to Chrome later, your Chrome bookmarks and history will still be there.
Will changing my default browser affect my Google account or passwords?
No. Your Google account and saved passwords are separate from which browser is set as default. Changing the default browser doesn't sign you out of anything or affect your login information in any app.
Can I set a default browser for work apps separately from personal apps?
Not through the standard default browser setting. If your phone has a work profile (set up by your employer), that profile has its own separate default browser setting, but you can't mix and match within your personal profile. All personal links will use the same default browser.