Your default browser is Safari, but you can change it to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another app

Apple sets Safari as the default browser on every iPhone, but you can change which browser opens when you tap a link in Mail, Messages, or other apps. The process takes less than a minute and works on iPhone running iOS 14 or later. You make the change in Settings, not in the browser app itself.

The browser you choose becomes your default for all links across your phone — unless you change it again. You can still open any other browser manually by tapping its icon on your home screen; this setting only controls what happens when you tap a link somewhere else.

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 choice applies to all links you tap in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps, but you can still open other browsers manually.
  • You need iOS 14 or later; older iPhones cannot change the default browser.
  • Changing your default browser does not delete Safari or prevent you from using it — it only changes which app opens automatically.
  • You can switch back to Safari or change to a different browser at any time with no limit on how many times you do this.

Steps to change your default browser

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down until you see the name of the browser you want to use — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or whichever app you have installed. Tap it.

Inside that app's settings page, look for an option called Default Browser App. Tap it, then select the browser name again from the list that appears. A checkmark will show next to your choice. Close Settings and return to your home screen.

The change takes effect when ready. The next time you tap a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, or any other app, it will open in your new default browser instead of Safari.

Which browsers you can set as default

Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and DuckDuckGo all offer the option to become your default browser. You must have the app installed on your phone first — you cannot set a browser as default if you have not downloaded it from the App Store.

Safari cannot be replaced as the default browser for certain system functions like Spotlight search results, but for links in Mail, Messages, and other apps, any of the browsers listed above will work. If you uninstall the app you set as default, your phone automatically reverts to Safari.

What happens to Safari when you change your default

Changing your default browser does not remove Safari from your phone or prevent you from using it. Safari remains installed and available on your home screen. You can still open it manually and use it whenever you want.

The default setting only controls what opens automatically when you tap a link. If you want to use Safari for a particular link, you can long-press the link and choose "Open in Safari" from the menu that appears, even if another browser is set as default.

How to switch back to Safari or change browsers again

Open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, then tap Default Browser App and select Safari. The change is when ready.

You can switch between browsers as often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can change your default, and no penalty for doing so. Some people change their default browser based on what they are doing — for example, using Firefox for privacy-focused browsing and Chrome for work tasks — though the setting applies globally across all apps.

Troubleshooting: your default browser is not opening

If links still open in Safari after you changed your default, restart your phone. Hold the power button until the slider appears, drag it to power off, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo shows.

If the problem continues, open Settings and check that you completed the steps correctly — scroll to the browser name, tap it, then tap Default Browser App and confirm the selection. Some older versions of third-party browsers do not support the default browser feature; if your browser does not show a Default Browser App option, update it from the App Store or try a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different default browser for different apps?

No. Your default browser setting applies to all apps on your phone. You cannot set Chrome as default for Mail but Firefox for Messages. However, you can long-press any link and choose which browser to open it in, which gives you control on a link-by-link basis.

What iOS version do I need to change my default browser?

iOS 14 or later. If your iPhone is running iOS 13 or earlier, the default browser setting does not exist, and Safari will always open links. Check your iOS version in Settings > General > About, and update if needed.

Will changing my default browser affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Each browser stores its own bookmarks and passwords separately. Switching your default browser does not move or delete anything. If you want to use bookmarks from Safari in Chrome, you must export them from Safari and import them into Chrome manually.

Can I set a default browser if I have not updated my phone recently?

Only if you are running iOS 14 or later. If your phone is older and cannot update further, you cannot change the default browser. Contact Apple Support to learn what iOS version your model supports.