Change your default browser in Settings

Your iPhone comes set to Safari as the default browser, but you can change it to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser you have installed. The change happens in the Settings app, not in the browser itself. Once you set a new default, links you tap in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.

The process takes about one minute and works on any iPhone running iOS 14 or later. If your phone is older than that, you cannot change the default browser — you are stuck with Safari.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, scroll down to find your browser app, tap it, and select Default Browser App to make the change.
  • You must have the browser you want installed on your phone before you can set it as default.
  • Changing the default browser only affects links opened from other apps — it does not change which browser opens when you tap a bookmark or type a web address directly.
  • If you change your mind, you can switch back to Safari or pick a different browser using the same Settings path.

Step-by-step: Setting a new default browser

Step 1: Open Settings. Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen or in your app library.

Step 2: Scroll down and find your browser. You will see a list of apps installed on your phone. Scroll until you find the browser you want to set as default — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap it.

Step 3: Tap Default Browser App. Inside that app's settings, you will see an option that says "Default Browser App". Tap it.

Step 4: Select your browser from the list. A menu will pop up showing every browser you have installed. Tap the one you want to use as your default. A checkmark will appear next to your choice.

Step 5: Close Settings. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the home button. The change takes effect immediately.

What happens after you change your default

When you tap a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, Slack, or any other app, it will now open in your new default browser. The same applies to links in search results, web pages, and social media apps. Safari will still be on your phone — you can open it manually anytime — but it will no longer be the automatic choice.

One important exception: if you tap a bookmark you saved in Safari, or if you type a web address directly into Safari, Safari will still open. Changing the default only affects links that come from outside the browser itself.

Make sure your browser is installed first

You can only set a browser as default if it is already on your phone. If you want to use Chrome but do not have it installed, go to the App Store, search for Chrome, and tap Get. Wait for the download to finish and the button to change to Open. Then follow the steps above to set it as default.

The same applies to Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave, or any other browser. Install it first, then change the default in Settings.

Switch back to Safari or pick a different browser

If you want to go back to Safari, follow the same steps: open Settings, scroll to Safari, tap it, tap Default Browser App, and select Safari from the menu. You can switch between browsers as often as you want using this same path.

There is no limit to how many times you can change your default. If you install a new browser and want to try it, just go back to Settings and make the switch.

Troubleshooting: Your change did not take effect

If you set a new default browser but links still open in Safari, restart your iPhone. Hold the power button until you see the "slide to power off" screen, slide to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. This clears out temporary settings and usually fixes the problem.

If restarting does not work, check that you actually tapped Default Browser App in the app's settings — not just the app name itself. Some people tap the app in Settings and expect the change to happen, but you have to go one level deeper to find the Default Browser App option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser delete my Safari bookmarks?

No. Your Safari bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay on your phone. Changing the default browser only changes which app opens links from other apps — it does not touch Safari's data.

Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?

No. iPhone only lets you pick one default browser for your entire phone. You can manually open a different browser anytime, but you cannot set separate defaults for different apps or accounts.

What if my browser does not show a Default Browser App option in Settings?

That browser may not support being set as default, or your phone may be running iOS 13 or earlier. Check that your iPhone is on iOS 14 or later by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the iOS version number. If it is older, you cannot change the default.

Do I have to keep the browser app installed to use it as default?

Yes. If you delete a browser from your phone, it can no longer be your default. Your iPhone will automatically switch back to Safari. If you reinstall the browser later, you can set it as default again.

Will changing my default browser affect my iCloud sync?

No. iCloud syncs your Safari bookmarks and history across your devices regardless of which browser is set as default. Changing the default does not change what syncs or how it syncs.