You can change your iPhone's default browser in Settings, but only to apps Apple allows

Apple lets you pick a different default browser on iPhone, but only from a limited list of apps that Apple has approved. When you tap a link in Mail, Messages, Safari, or any other app, your chosen browser will open instead of Safari. The process takes about one minute and happens entirely in the Settings app.

The catch: you can only choose from browsers that Apple has made available as defaults. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera are all options, but smaller browsers may not be. If your preferred browser isn't in the list, it means Apple hasn't approved it as a default option yet — you can still install and use it, but links will keep opening in Safari unless you manually switch to that browser each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings, then Default Browser App, and tap the browser you want to use instead of Safari.
  • Only browsers that Apple has approved appear in the default browser list, even if you have other browsers installed.
  • Changing the default affects links opened from Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps, but not links within Safari itself.
  • You can switch back to Safari as your default at any time using the same Settings menu.

Step-by-step: Setting a new default browser

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Apps, then look for Default Browser App near the bottom of that menu. Tap it to see the list of browsers available on your device.

Choose the browser you want to use. The name of your selection will appear at the top of the screen, and you'll return to the previous menu automatically. From that moment on, any link you tap in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, or other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.

If you change your mind later, return to Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and pick a different browser or Safari. There's no limit to how many times you can switch.

Which browsers can actually be set as default

Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and DuckDuckGo are all available as default browsers on most iPhones running current iOS versions. Brave, Vivaldi, and several others have also been approved. However, the exact list changes as Apple reviews new browsers and as older ones fall out of use.

If you installed a browser but don't see it in the Default Browser App menu, Apple hasn't approved it as a default option. You can still use that browser by opening it manually and browsing within it, but links from other apps won't automatically open there. Check back occasionally — Apple does add new browsers to the approved list over time.

What changes when you pick a new default

Links in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and most other Apple apps will now open in your chosen browser. Links you tap in web search results, news articles, and third-party apps will also use your new default. The change is immediate and applies system-wide.

One important exception: links you tap within Safari itself will still open in Safari, regardless of what you set as your default. Safari doesn't hand off to another browser — it keeps those links internal. This is a limitation built into how iOS works.

Why Apple limits which browsers can be default

Apple reviews each browser before allowing it to be set as a default. The company says this is for security and performance reasons, though the exact criteria for approval aren't public. In practice, most mainstream browsers get approved, but smaller or newer browsers may wait months or longer.

This is different from Android, where you can set any installed browser as your default. On iPhone, you're limited to Apple's approved list, which means some browsers you can download and use will never appear in the default browser menu.

Switching back to Safari

If you want to return to Safari as your default, open Settings > Apps > Default Browser App and tap Safari. Your choice takes effect immediately. You don't need to restart your phone or confirm anything — the change happens as soon as you tap Safari's name.

Switching back doesn't delete your other browsers or change any other settings. All your installed browsers remain on your phone and work exactly as before; only the default for links from other apps reverts to Safari.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different default browser on iPad?

Yes. iPad uses the same Settings > Apps > Default Browser App menu as iPhone. The process and available browsers are identical.

Will my bookmarks and history move if I change my default browser?

No. Your data stays in each browser where you created it. If you switch from Safari to Chrome as your default, your Safari bookmarks remain in Safari. You can manually sync bookmarks between browsers, but changing the default doesn't do this automatically.

What if the browser I want isn't in the default list?

You can still download and use it — just open it manually from your home screen or app library. Links from other apps won't open there automatically, but you can copy a link and paste it into that browser if you need to. Check back in Settings periodically, as Apple does add new browsers to the approved list.

Does changing my default browser affect Siri?

When you ask Siri to search the web or open a website, it uses your default browser. If you change your default to Chrome, Siri will open links in Chrome instead of Safari.

Can I set different defaults for different types of links?

No. iOS allows only one default browser for all links system-wide. You can't set Chrome as default for work links and Firefox for personal links, for example.