You can change your default browser on iPhone through Settings, but the process depends on which iOS version you have
Apple lets you pick a different default browser — one that opens when you tap links in emails, messages, or other apps — but the steps differ between iOS 14 and later versions. On iOS 14 and 15, you set defaults through individual app settings. On iOS 16 and newer, you use a dedicated Default Browser menu in Settings. Either way, changing your default takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
The browser you choose must already be installed on your phone. Safari comes built in, but Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and others need to be downloaded from the App Store first. Once installed, any of them can become your default.
Key Takeaways
- On iOS 16 and newer, go to Settings > Default Browser Apps and select your preferred browser from the list.
- On iOS 14 and 15, open the browser app itself, go to its settings, and look for a Default Browser option.
- Your chosen browser must be installed on your iPhone before you can set it as default.
- Changing your default browser does not remove Safari or affect other apps — it only changes which browser opens links from Mail, Messages, and web searches.
How to change your default browser on iOS 16 and newer
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Default Browser Apps. Tap it, then tap Default Browser. You will see a list of every browser installed on your phone. Select the one you want — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another option — and the change takes effect immediately.
From that moment on, when you tap a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, or any other app, it will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari. Web searches from Spotlight (the search screen you see when you swipe down from the home screen) will also use your default browser.
How to change your default browser on iOS 14 and 15
The process is different on older iOS versions because Apple had not yet added a central Default Browser menu. Instead, you set the default inside each browser app itself.
Open the browser you want to make default — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another. Go into its settings (usually a menu icon or gear icon at the bottom or top of the screen), look for an option called Default Browser or Set as Default Browser, and tap it. The app will confirm the change. Repeat this step for any other browsers you want to try as default, since only one can be active at a time.
What happens when you change your default browser
Changing your default browser only affects links that open from other apps. It does not delete Safari, remove any bookmarks, or change your home screen. Safari stays on your phone and you can still open it manually whenever you want.
Your default browser also does not affect which browser you use for specific tasks. If you prefer to use Safari for banking or Firefox for privacy, you can still open those apps directly and use them. The default only matters when a link opens automatically — from an email, a text message, or a search.
Why you might want to change your default browser
Some people prefer Chrome because it syncs bookmarks and passwords across their phone, computer, and tablet. Others choose Firefox for its privacy features, or Edge if they use Microsoft services. Some want a browser with better ad blocking or a reading mode that works differently than Safari's.
Changing your default does not lock you in. You can switch back to Safari, try a different browser, or change again whenever you want. There is no penalty for changing multiple times.
How to check which browser is currently your default
On iOS 16 and newer, open Settings, tap Default Browser Apps, then tap Default Browser. The browser shown at the top is your current default.
On iOS 14 and 15, there is no single place to check. The easiest way is to tap a link in an email or message and see which browser opens. If it is not the one you want, open that browser's settings and look for the Default Browser option to change it.
Browsers available on iPhone and what to know before installing
The most common alternatives to Safari are Chrome (made by Google), Firefox (made by Mozilla), and Edge (made by Microsoft). Brave, Opera, and DuckDuckGo also offer browser apps. All of them are free and can be found in the App Store by searching by name.
Before installing a new browser, know that all browsers on iPhone use Apple's WebKit engine under the hood — the same rendering engine Safari uses. This means every browser on iPhone is roughly equally fast and secure. The differences are in features: Chrome syncs with Google accounts, Firefox has stronger privacy defaults, Edge integrates with Microsoft services, and DuckDuckGo emphasizes privacy. Choose based on what matters to you, not on speed or security claims, since those are essentially the same across all options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple default browsers?
No. Only one browser can be your default at a time. When you set a new default, the previous one is replaced. You can switch between them as often as you want, but only one will open links automatically from other apps.
Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks and saved passwords stay in Safari even if you switch to a different default. If you want to use bookmarks or passwords from Safari in another browser, you may need to sign in to your accounts or import them manually — the process varies by browser.
What if I change my default browser and then regret it?
You can change back to Safari or any other browser at any time using the same steps. Go to Settings > Default Browser Apps (iOS 16+) or open the browser app and change it in settings (iOS 14–15). There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can switch.
Do I need to delete Safari if I use a different default browser?
No. Safari cannot be deleted from iPhone. You can hide it from your home screen if you want, but it will always be on your phone. You can use Safari for specific tasks even if another browser is your default.
Why do all iPhone browsers feel the same?
Because they all use Apple's WebKit engine, which Apple requires for all browsers on iPhone. This means Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are equally fast and secure. The differences are in features and design, not performance.