Why your default browser matters and how to change it
When you tap a link in Mail, Messages, or another app on your iPhone, the phone opens that link in whatever browser you've set as default. Apple changed this in iOS 14 to let you pick something other than Safari — so if you prefer Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another browser, you can make it your default instead of having Safari open every link automatically.
The process takes about two minutes and lives in your phone's Settings app, not in the browser itself. Once you set it, every link from other apps will open in your chosen browser until you change it again.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, scroll to the browser app you want (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another), and tap Default Browser App to set it as your default.
- Your iPhone must be running iOS 14 or later for this feature to work — older versions do not let you change the default browser.
- Changing your default browser only affects links opened from other apps; it does not change which browser opens when you use Siri or the search bar.
- You can switch back to Safari or change to a different browser at any time using the same Settings menu.
Step-by-step: Setting a new default browser
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down past the first few sections — you're looking for the name of the browser you want to set as default. If you use Chrome, scroll until you see "Chrome" listed. If you use Firefox, look for "Firefox". The list is alphabetical, so Edge appears before Firefox, and Safari is near the bottom.
Tap the browser name to open its settings page. You'll see several options; look for the one labeled "Default Browser App". Tap it, and a menu will appear showing all the browsers installed on your phone. Select the one you want. A checkmark will appear next to your choice, and you're done — links from Mail, Messages, and other apps will now open in that browser.
If you don't see your browser listed in Settings, it may not be installed yet. Download it from the App Store first, then return to Settings and follow the same steps.
What happens after you set a default browser
Once you've set a default, links in Mail, Messages, Notes, and most other Apple apps will open in your chosen browser. If someone sends you a link in a text message, it opens in your default. If you click a link in an email, same thing. This applies to links in third-party apps too — if you tap a link in a social media app or news app, it uses your default browser.
One important exception: links you tap in Safari itself still open in Safari, regardless of your default setting. The same is true for Siri — if you ask Siri to search for something, it opens in Safari, not your default browser. The search bar at the top of your home screen also uses Safari by default.
Checking your current default browser
To see which browser is currently set as your default, open Settings and scroll to that browser's name. Tap it, then tap "Default Browser App". The browser with a checkmark next to it is your current default. If you see a checkmark next to Safari, it means you haven't changed the default yet, or you've switched back to Safari.
You can check this at any time — there's no limit to how often you can look or change your mind.
Switching back to Safari or choosing a different browser
If you decide you want Safari as your default again, follow the same steps: open Settings, scroll to Safari, tap it, tap "Default Browser App", and select Safari from the menu. You can also switch from one non-Safari browser to another the same way — just open Settings, find the new browser you want, and select it as default.
There's no penalty for changing your default browser multiple times. You might prefer Chrome for work links but Firefox for personal browsing, for example — you can switch whenever you want.
Troubleshooting: Browser not showing up in Settings
If the browser you want to use doesn't appear in your Settings list, it's not installed on your phone yet. Open the App Store, search for the browser by name (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or whichever you want), and tap "Get" to download it. Wait for the download to finish — you'll see a progress circle, then the button will change to "Open".
Once the app is installed, go back to Settings, and you should see it listed. If it still doesn't appear, try restarting your phone: hold down the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. After the restart, check Settings again.
iOS version requirements
This feature only works on iPhone running iOS 14 or later. If your phone is running iOS 13 or earlier, you won't see the "Default Browser App" option in Settings, and Safari will remain your only option for links from other apps.
To check your iOS version, open Settings, tap "General", then tap "About". Look for the line labeled "Software Version" — that's your current iOS version. If it's 14.0 or higher, you can set a default browser. If it's 13 or lower, you'll need to update your phone first. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to download and install the latest version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default browser affect Safari?
No. Safari will still work normally — you can open it anytime and use it like before. Changing your default just means links from other apps open in your chosen browser instead. Safari itself is unaffected.
Can I set different default browsers for different apps?
No. iOS only lets you set one default browser for the entire phone. All links from all apps will open in that one browser. You can't assign Chrome to Mail and Firefox to Messages, for example.
What if I set a default browser and then delete that app?
If you delete your default browser, iOS automatically switches back to Safari until you set a new default. The next time you tap a link, it will open in Safari. You can then choose a different browser as your new default.
Does my default browser setting sync across my other Apple devices?
No. Your default browser setting is specific to each device. If you set Chrome as default on your iPhone, your iPad will still use Safari as default unless you change it separately in that device's Settings.
Can I set a default browser on iPad the same way?
Yes, if your iPad is running iPadOS 14 or later. The steps are identical: open Settings, find the browser, tap it, select "Default Browser App", and choose your browser. iPadOS 14 added this feature at the same time as iOS 14.