Change your default browser in Settings
You can change which browser opens when you tap a link on your iPhone. Apple added this feature in iOS 14, so if you're running that version or newer, you have the option. The setting lives in your phone's main Settings app, not in the browser itself.
Open Settings, scroll down to find the browser app you want to use as default (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser), tap it, then select "Default Browser App" and choose your browser from the list. That's the entire process — once you do this, links from Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.
Key Takeaways
- You change your default browser in the main Settings app, not within the browser itself.
- You must have iOS 14 or newer for this feature to work; older iPhones cannot change the default browser.
- The setting applies to all links across your phone — Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari search results, and web addresses in other apps will all open in your chosen browser.
- You can switch back to Safari or change to a different browser at any time using the same Settings path.
Step-by-step: Setting Chrome, Firefox, or Edge as default
If you want to use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser instead of Safari, follow these steps exactly. The process is the same regardless of which browser you choose.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your home screen (the gray icon with white gears).
Step 2: Scroll down the list until you see the name of the browser you want to use. If you want Chrome as default, look for "Chrome". For Firefox, look for "Firefox". Tap it.
Step 3: Tap "Default Browser App".
Step 4: A list of browsers installed on your phone will appear. Tap the one you want to use as default.
Step 5: You'll see a checkmark next to your choice. You're done — the change takes effect immediately.
What happens after you change your default browser
Once you set a new default browser, links from other apps behave differently. When you click a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, or any other app, it will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari. Search results from Spotlight (the search screen you see when you swipe down from the top) will also open in your new default browser.
Safari itself still works normally — you can still open it and use it anytime. Changing the default browser doesn't delete Safari or prevent you from using it. It only changes where links automatically open.
Switching back to Safari or changing browsers again
You can change your default browser as many times as you want. If you decide you want Safari back, or if you want to switch from Chrome to Firefox, the process is identical to the first time you changed it.
Go to Settings, find the browser you want to use, tap "Default Browser App", and select it from the list. The change happens immediately. There's no limit to how often you can do this, and there's no penalty for switching back and forth.
Troubleshooting: Your default browser setting isn't working
If you set a default browser but links still open in Safari, the most common cause is that you haven't fully completed the steps. Go back to Settings and verify that a checkmark appears next to your chosen browser in the "Default Browser App" section. If no checkmark is there, the setting didn't save.
If a checkmark is there but links still open in Safari, restart your phone. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent the setting from taking effect. After restart, test by clicking a link in Mail or Messages to confirm it opens in your chosen browser.
If you're running iOS 13 or older, this feature doesn't exist on your phone. You'll need to update to iOS 14 or newer to change the default browser. Go to Settings, tap "General", then "Software Update" to check if an update is available for your device.
Why you might want to change your default browser
Different browsers offer different features. Chrome syncs bookmarks and passwords across your devices if you use Chrome on a computer. Firefox focuses on privacy and blocks more tracking by default. Edge integrates with Microsoft services if you use Outlook or OneDrive. Safari is built into iOS and uses less battery power than other browsers.
Changing your default browser doesn't mean you have to delete Safari or stop using it. You can have multiple browsers installed and use whichever one you prefer for each task. The default setting only controls which one opens automatically when you tap a link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different default browsers for different apps?
No. iOS allows only one default browser for your entire phone. All links from all apps will open in whichever browser you set as default. You can manually open a different browser and paste a link into it if you want to use a specific browser for a particular task, but you cannot automate this.
Will changing my default browser delete my Safari bookmarks?
No. Changing the default browser doesn't affect Safari or any other app. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords in Safari remain exactly as they are. You can switch back to Safari as your default at any time without losing anything.
What if my browser doesn't appear in the Settings list?
The browser must be installed on your phone to appear in Settings. If you want to use a browser that isn't showing up, download it from the App Store first. Once it's installed, close Settings and open it again — the browser should now appear in the list.
Does changing my default browser affect iCloud syncing?
No. iCloud syncing works independently of which browser is your default. Safari syncs with iCloud regardless of whether it's your default browser. Other browsers have their own syncing systems that don't depend on the default setting.
Can I change the default browser on iPad the same way?
Yes. iPads running iPadOS 14 or newer use the exact same process. Open Settings, find your chosen browser, tap "Default Browser App", and select it from the list. The steps are identical to iPhone.