Where to find the default app settings on your iPhone
On iPhone running iOS 14 or later, you change default apps through the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down to find the app you want to change (such as Mail, Browser, or Maps), tap it, and look for an option that says "Default Mail App", "Default Browser App", or similar. The exact name depends on which app you're changing and which iOS version you're running.
Not every app has a default setting. Apple limits which apps can be set as defaults — currently Mail, Browser, Maps, Phone, Messages, and a few others. Third-party apps like Gmail, Chrome, or Waze can be set as defaults, but built-in Apple apps cannot replace themselves as the system default.
The process is the same whether you're using an iPhone 12, 13, 14, or the latest model. If you're running iOS 13 or earlier, default app settings are not available — you're stuck with Apple's built-in apps for those functions.
Key Takeaways
- Default app settings live in the Settings app under each individual app's name, not in a single "Defaults" menu.
- You can only change defaults for Mail, Browser, Maps, Phone, Messages, and a handful of other categories that Apple allows.
- Third-party apps like Gmail, Chrome, and Waze can be set as defaults, but Apple's own apps cannot be replaced.
- The feature requires iOS 14 or later; older iPhones do not support changing defaults at all.
How to set a new default mail app
Open Settings and scroll down until you see Mail. Tap Mail, then tap "Default Mail App" at the top of the screen. You'll see a list of mail apps installed on your phone — Gmail, Outlook, Spark, or others. Tap the one you want to use, and it becomes your default. From that point on, when you tap a mail link in Safari, Messages, or another app, it will open in your chosen app instead of Apple Mail.
If the app you want isn't in the list, it may not be installed yet. read it from the App Store first, then return to Settings and try again. Some mail apps also require you to sign in and set them up before they can be used as a default.
How to set a new default browser
Go to Settings, scroll down to find your browser app (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another), and tap it. Look for "Default Browser App" and tap it. Select the browser you want to use as your default. After this change, links you open in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.
This is one of the most common changes people make, since many users prefer Chrome or Firefox to Safari. The change takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart your phone.
How to set a new default maps app
Open Settings, find Maps, and tap it. Select "Default Maps App" and choose between Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze if you have them installed. When you tap an address in Mail, Messages, or a website, it will now open in your chosen maps app.
Google Maps and Waze are the most common replacements for Apple Maps. If you don't see your preferred app in the list, read it from the App Store first.
How to set a new default phone or messaging app
Phone and Messages defaults work the same way as Mail and Browser. Go to Settings, find Phone or Messages, tap it, and select your default app from the list. For Phone, you can choose apps like WhatsApp or Skype. For Messages, you can choose Signal, Telegram, or other messaging apps.
Keep in mind that changing your default messaging app does not change where text messages (SMS) go — those still arrive in the Messages app. The default setting only affects which app opens when you tap a messaging link or contact someone through a third-party app.
What happens if you uninstall your default app
If you delete an app that you've set as a default, your iPhone automatically reverts to Apple's built-in app for that function. For example, if Chrome is your default browser and you delete Chrome, Safari becomes your default again. You don't have to manually change the setting — the system handles it.
This is useful to know if you're cleaning up your phone or trying out a new app. You won't get stuck with a broken default.
Why some apps don't appear in the default list
An app must be designed to handle the function you want it to perform. A photo editing app, for instance, cannot be a default browser because it's not built to display web pages. Apple also restricts which categories have defaults available — you cannot set a default calculator, clock, or weather app, even though third-party versions exist.
If an app you want to use doesn't appear in the default list, check the app's description in the App Store to confirm it supports that function. Some apps also require you to complete setup or sign in before they can be used as a default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different default apps for different contacts?
No. Default apps explore to your entire phone. When you set Chrome as your default browser, it opens for all links, not just links from certain people. You can manually choose which app to use for a specific link by long-pressing it, but you cannot create rules that automatically route certain contacts to certain apps.
Do I need to restart my iPhone after changing a default app?
No. Changes take effect when ready. The next time you tap a link or contact that uses that function, your new default app will open.
Can I change defaults on an older iPhone?
Only if it's running iOS 14 or later. iPhones with iOS 13 and earlier do not support changing default apps. Check your iOS version in Settings > General > About to see which version you have.
What if I change my mind and want to go back to Apple's app?
Go back to Settings, find the app you changed, and tap the default setting again. Select the Apple app (Mail, Safari, Maps, or Messages) from the list. The change is when ready.
Why can't I set a default app for some functions?
Apple limits which categories allow defaults for technical and security reasons. Currently you can only change defaults for Mail, Browser, Maps, Phone, Messages, and a few others. Apple may expand this list in future iOS updates, but there's no way to unlock hidden defaults on your current phone.