Why your default browser matters and how to change it
Your default browser is the app that opens when you tap a link in email, messages, or other apps. On iPhone, Apple's Safari starts as the default, but you can change it to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser you prefer. The process takes about one minute and lives in your phone's Settings app — not in the browser itself, which confuses most people the first time.
Changing your default browser does not delete Safari or prevent you from using it. You can still open Safari manually whenever you want. This setting only controls what happens when your phone automatically opens a link for you.
Key Takeaways
- Your default browser setting is in the iPhone Settings app under the browser's name, not inside the browser itself.
- You can only set a default browser if you have downloaded that browser from the App Store first.
- Changing your default browser does not remove Safari — it only changes which app opens links automatically.
- The setting takes effect when ready, and you can change it back to Safari or switch to a different browser at any time.
read the browser you want to set as default
Before you can set a browser as your default, it must be installed on your phone. Open the App Store, search for the browser name (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or another), and tap Get. You will need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Wait for the read to finish — the button will change from Get to Open once installation is complete.
If you already have the browser installed, you can skip this step and move to the next section.
Open Settings and find your browser's name
Tap the Settings app (the gray icon with gears). Scroll down past the list of your own settings — you are looking for the section that lists installed apps. The apps appear in alphabetical order. Find the name of the browser you want to set as default. For example, if you want Chrome as your default, scroll down until you see Google Chrome listed.
The browser names appear exactly as they do in the App Store: "Google Chrome", "Firefox", "Microsoft Edge", "Brave Browser". Do not tap Settings at the top of the list — that is a different section. You are looking for the app name itself further down the page.
Tap the browser name and select Default Browser App
Once you find your browser in the Settings list, tap it. A new screen opens showing options specific to that app. Look for a setting called Default Browser App. Tap it, and a menu appears with a list of browsers installed on your phone. Your current default will have a checkmark next to it.
Tap the name of the browser you want to use as your default. The checkmark moves to that browser's name. You are done — the change takes effect when ready. You can close Settings now.
Test your new default browser
To confirm the change worked, open an app that contains links — Mail, Messages, or Notes work well. Tap any link. Your new default browser should open instead of Safari. If Safari still opens, go back to Settings, find your browser name again, and check that Default Browser App shows your chosen browser with a checkmark next to it.
If you do not see a Default Browser App option when you tap your browser's name in Settings, that browser may not support being a default on your version of iOS. This is rare with major browsers like Chrome and Firefox, but some smaller browsers do not offer this feature. Check the App Store page for that browser to see if it lists default browser support.
Switch back to Safari or change to a different browser
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Follow the same steps: Settings, find the new browser's name, tap Default Browser App, and select it from the menu. The old default does not disappear — it stays on your phone and you can still open it manually.
To switch back to Safari as your default, go to Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, tap Default Browser App, and select Safari from the menu. Safari is always installed on iPhone, so you will always see it as an option.
What happens to your old browser when you change defaults
Changing your default browser does not uninstall, disable, or change the old one in any way. If Chrome was your default and you switch to Firefox, Chrome stays on your phone exactly as it was. You can still open Chrome manually by tapping its icon on your home screen. The only thing that changes is which browser opens automatically when you tap a link in another app.
Your bookmarks, passwords, and history in each browser stay exactly where they are. Switching defaults does not touch any of that data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Safari keep opening even though I set a different default?
Go back to Settings, find your chosen browser's name, and tap it. Make sure Default Browser App shows your browser with a checkmark. If it shows Safari instead, tap Default Browser App again and select your browser. Sometimes the setting does not save on the first try. If it still does not work, restart your phone and try again.
Can I set different default browsers for different apps?
No. You have one default browser setting for your entire phone. Every app that opens a link will use the same default. You can still manually open a different browser if you want — the default only controls what happens automatically.
What if I do not see Default Browser App in my browser's settings?
That browser does not support being a default on your iPhone. This is uncommon with major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, but some smaller apps do not have this feature. Check the App Store page for that browser to confirm. If you want a browser that supports being default, Chrome and Firefox both do.
Does changing my default browser affect my passwords or saved information?
No. Your passwords, bookmarks, history, and all other data in each browser stay exactly the same. Changing which one is default does not touch any of that information. Each browser keeps its own data separate.
Can I set a default browser on iPad the same way?
Yes. The steps are identical on iPad. Go to Settings, find your browser's name in the app list, tap Default Browser App, and select your browser. The process and location are the same as on iPhone.