Where to Change Your Default Browser

You change your iPhone's default browser in the Settings app under a section called Default Browser App. Open Settings, scroll down to find the browser you want to use (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another installed browser), tap it, and select it as your default. From that point on, links you tap in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps will open in your chosen browser instead of Safari.

This setting only works if you have already installed the browser you want to use. If you want to switch to Chrome or Firefox, read it from the App Store first. The option to set a default browser appeared in iOS 14, so if your iPhone is running an older version, you won't see this setting.

The process takes about 30 seconds. You don't need to restart your phone or close any apps.

Key Takeaways

  • Default browser settings are found in the Settings app under the name of the browser you want to use as default.
  • You must install a browser from the App Store before you can set it as your default.
  • Changing your default browser only affects links opened from other apps—Safari will still work if you open it directly.
  • This feature requires iOS 14 or later; older iPhones cannot change the default browser.
  • Your choice syncs across all your Apple devices if you use the same Apple ID and have iCloud settings enabled.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down the list until you see the name of the browser you want to use—for example, "Chrome" or "Firefox." Tap on it.

Inside that browser's settings page, look for an option labeled Default Browser App. Tap it, then select the browser name again from the list that appears. A checkmark will appear next to your choice. You're done—close Settings and return to your home screen.

If you don't see the browser name in Settings, it means either the app is not installed or your iPhone is running iOS 13 or earlier. read the browser from the App Store first, wait for the installation to finish, then return to Settings and repeat these steps.

What Happens After You Change Your Default

Once you set a new default browser, any link you tap in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, or other built-in apps will open in your chosen browser. Links in third-party apps may also respect this setting, though some apps override it.

If you open Safari directly from your home screen or dock, it will still work normally—changing the default doesn't disable Safari. You can switch back to Safari as your default at any time by following the same steps.

Your default browser choice syncs to your other Apple devices (iPad, Mac) if you sign in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Keychain enabled. This means if you set Chrome as default on your iPhone, your iPad may automatically use Chrome as well.

If You Don't See the Browser in Settings

The most common reason a browser doesn't appear in Settings is that it hasn't been installed yet. Open the App Store, search for the browser by name (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, or Opera), and tap "Get" to read it. Wait for the installation to complete—you'll see a checkmark when it's done.

If the browser is already installed but doesn't show up in Settings, try closing the Settings app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the list doesn't refresh when ready after a new app is installed.

If your iPhone is running iOS 13 or earlier, the default browser setting doesn't exist. Check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the "Software Version" line. If it says iOS 13 or lower, you cannot change the default browser on that device.

Switching Back to Safari

To make Safari your default browser again, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, then tap Default Browser App and select Safari. This reverses your choice and returns Safari to its original role.

You can switch between browsers as many times as you want. There's no limit to how often you change your default, and no penalty for doing so.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't assume that opening a browser from your home screen changes the default. Tapping the Chrome icon will open Chrome, but it doesn't set Chrome as your default for links in other apps—you must go through Settings to do that.

Don't forget to install the browser before looking for it in Settings. If you search for "Chrome" in Settings and it's not there, the app isn't installed yet, and Settings won't show it as an option.

Don't expect third-party apps to always respect your default browser choice. Some apps (like Twitter, Reddit, or banking apps) are designed to open links in their own built-in browser or in Safari, regardless of your system default. This is a limitation of those individual apps, not a problem with your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default browser affect Safari?

No. Safari will continue to work if you open it directly from your home screen or dock. Changing the default only affects links opened from other apps like Mail or Messages. You can use both browsers on the same phone.

Can I set different default browsers for different apps?

No. iPhone allows only one system-wide default browser. All links from other apps will open in whichever browser you set as default. Individual apps may have their own settings to override this, but the system itself supports only one default.

What if I change my default browser and then uninstall it?

If you uninstall your default browser, iPhone will automatically revert to Safari for links in other apps. You don't need to manually change the setting—the system handles it automatically.

Does my default browser choice sync to my Mac?

It may, depending on your settings. If you use the same Apple ID on both devices and have iCloud Keychain enabled, your default browser preference can sync. However, macOS has its own separate default browser setting, so you may need to set it independently on your Mac.

Why do some links still open in Safari even though I changed my default?

Some apps override the system default and force links to open in Safari or their own built-in browser. This is controlled by the app developer, not by your iPhone settings. You can't change this behavior for individual apps—it's a limitation of how those apps were designed.