Where to change your default browser in iPad settings

To change which browser opens when you tap a link, go to Settings on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Apps. From there, select Default Apps. You will see a list of app categories — tap Browser App and choose whichever browser you want to use instead of Safari.

This setting applies to all links you tap across your iPad, including those in email, messages, notes, and web pages. Once you change it, your new browser will remain the default until you change it again. The process takes about 30 seconds and requires no restart.

If you do not see a Default Apps option, your iPad is running an older version of iPadOS. Older versions do not allow you to change the default browser — Safari remains locked as the default. You can check your iPad's current version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the Software Version field.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only change your default browser on iPad if you are running iPadOS 14 or later.
  • The setting is located in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Browser App.
  • Your new default browser will open whenever you tap any link on your iPad, regardless of where the link appears.
  • You must have the browser you want to use already installed on your iPad before you can set it as default.

Which browsers you can set as default

Any browser you have downloaded from the App Store can be set as your default, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave. Safari is the only browser that comes pre-installed on iPad. When you open the Browser App menu in Default Apps, you will see only the browsers you have already installed — if a browser does not appear in that list, you need to read it first from the App Store.

The most commonly used alternatives to Safari are Chrome (made by Google), Firefox (made by Mozilla), and Edge (made by Microsoft). Each one syncs bookmarks and passwords with your computer or phone if you use the same browser there. If you use Chrome on your computer or Android phone, switching to Chrome on iPad means your bookmarks and saved passwords will appear automatically.

What happens after you change the default

Once you set a new default browser, tapping any link will open that browser instead of Safari. This includes links in Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, and any other app. If you tap a link and the browser is not already running, iPad will launch it first — this takes a few extra seconds the first time.

Changing the default does not delete Safari or prevent you from using it. You can still open Safari manually from your home screen or app library whenever you want. The default setting only controls what happens when you tap a link; it does not affect which browser you can choose to open.

Switching back to Safari or changing browsers again

You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Browser App and select a different browser. There is no limit to how often you can make this change, and no setting that locks you into one choice.

If you want to go back to Safari, follow the same steps and tap Safari from the list. Safari will when ready become your default again for all links you tap.

Troubleshooting: links still open in Safari

If you changed your default browser but links still open in Safari, the most common cause is that you did not fully complete the steps. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and confirm that Browser App shows the browser you selected — not Safari. If it still shows Safari, tap Browser App again and select your preferred browser, then tap it to confirm.

Another reason links might still open in Safari is if you are using an older version of iPadOS. If you see no Default Apps option at all in Settings, your iPad cannot change the default browser. Check your software version by going to Settings > General > About. If it shows iPadOS 13 or earlier, Safari cannot be changed. iPadOS 14 and later support changing the default.

If you have confirmed your settings are correct and your iPad is running iPadOS 14 or later, try closing the browser that is opening instead and tapping the link again. Sometimes a browser that was recently used will open instead of the default — closing it first usually fixes this.

Why you might want to change your default browser

The main reason to change browsers is if you use a different one on your computer or phone. If you use Chrome on your laptop and Android phone, switching to Chrome on iPad means your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history sync across all your devices. This saves time because you do not have to re-enter passwords or search for bookmarks you saved elsewhere.

Some people prefer other browsers because of privacy features, speed, or design. Firefox is known for privacy controls, Chrome for speed and integration with Google services, and Edge for integration with Microsoft accounts. There is no single "best" browser — the right choice depends on what matters most to you and what you use on your other devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default browsers for different apps?

No. The default browser setting applies to your entire iPad. All links in all apps will open in whichever browser you set as default. You cannot assign one browser to Mail and another to Messages.

Do I need to restart my iPad after changing the default browser?

No restart is required. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you tap a link, your new default browser will open.

What if I cannot find the Default Apps option in Settings?

Your iPad is running iPadOS 13 or earlier, which does not support changing the default browser. Only iPadOS 14 and later allow this. If you want to change browsers, you would need to update your iPad. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available.

Will changing my default browser affect Safari on my iPhone or Mac?

No. Your iPad's default browser setting is independent. Changing it on your iPad does not change Safari or any other browser on your other Apple devices. Each device has its own default browser setting.

Can I use a browser as my default if I have not opened it yet?

You must install the browser from the App Store first, but you do not need to have opened it. Once it is installed, it will appear in your Browser App list in Default Apps, and you can select it when ready.