Where to find the default app settings

Android stores the apps you've chosen to open different file types in Settings, under an app management section that varies slightly by phone maker. On most Android phones, go to Settings > Apps (or process Manager) > Default apps. On Samsung phones, the path is Settings > Apps > Default apps. On Google Pixel phones, it's Settings > Apps > Default apps.

If you don't see a Default apps option, look for Permissions or App permissions instead — some older Android versions hide this setting there. You can also search for "default" in your Settings search bar to jump straight to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Default app settings live in Settings > Apps > Default apps on most Android phones, though the exact path depends on your phone maker.
  • You can change which app opens a specific file type (like PDFs or images) by tapping the file type category and selecting a different app from the list.
  • If an app doesn't appear in the list, you may need to open a file with that app first, then choose "Always" when Android asks which app to use.
  • Clearing defaults for an app returns Android to asking you which app to use each time you open that file type.
  • Some file types (like web links) have their own dedicated settings separate from the general default apps menu.

Changing the default for a specific file type

Once you're in the Default apps menu, you'll see categories for different file types: Browser, Phone, Messages, Camera, and sometimes Email. Tap the category for the file type you want to change — for example, tap Browser if you want to change which app opens web links.

A list of installed apps that can handle that file type will appear. Tap the app you want to use as the default. That app is now set to open that file type automatically. If the app you want doesn't appear in the list, you'll need to open a file of that type with the app first (see the next section).

Adding an app to the default list

If the app you want to use doesn't show up in the default apps menu, Android hasn't registered it as capable of opening that file type yet. To add it, open a file of that type using the app directly. For example, if you want to set a third-party PDF reader as your default, find a PDF file in your Files app, tap it, and choose the PDF reader from the list of apps that appears.

When you open the file, Android will ask "Open with" and show you available apps. Tap your chosen app, then tap Always (not Just once). This tells Android to remember your choice and adds the app to the default list. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and you should now see it as an option.

Clearing a default so Android asks you each time

If you've set a default app but want Android to ask you which app to use every time you open that file type, you can clear the default. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, tap the file type category, and look for a Clear defaults or Don't use default button at the bottom of the app list.

Tap it, and the default is cleared. The next time you open a file of that type, Android will show you all available apps and ask which one you want to use. You can choose Just once to use an app one time without setting it as default, or Always to set it as default again.

Changing defaults for web links and email

Web links and email addresses sometimes have their own dedicated settings separate from the main Default apps menu. To change which app opens web links, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and look for Browser app or Web browser. Tap it and select the browser you want to use.

For email, the setting is usually called Email app or Mail in the same menu. If you don't see these options, your phone may not have a dedicated setting — in that case, open an email link or web link with your preferred app and choose Always to set it as default.

What to do if an app won't open your file type

Sometimes you'll set an app as default, but it still won't open when you tap a file. This usually means the app isn't actually compatible with that file type, even though it appeared in the list. Uninstall the app from your default settings and try a different one.

If the app is one you installed from the Google Play Store, check the app's description to confirm it supports the file type you're trying to open. Some apps claim to handle a file type but don't work reliably. If you're certain the app should work, try clearing the app's cache: go to Settings > Apps > tap the app name > Storage > Clear cache. Then try opening the file again.

Resetting all defaults to Android's original settings

If you've changed many defaults and want to start over, you can reset them all at once. Go to Settings > Apps > tap the three-dot menu (or More) > Reset app preferences or Reset default apps. This clears all your default choices and returns Android to asking you which app to use for each file type.

This action does not uninstall any apps — it only clears the defaults you've chosen. After you reset, you can set new defaults the same way you did before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my chosen app appear in the default apps list?

Android only shows apps that have registered themselves as able to handle that file type. Open a file of that type with the app you want, then tap Always when Android asks which app to use. This registers the app and adds it to the default list.

Can I set different defaults for different file types?

Yes. Each file type category in Default apps is independent. You can set one app to open PDFs, another to open images, and a third to open documents — all at the same time.

What's the difference between "Always" and "Just once"?

Always sets that app as your default for that file type going forward. Just once opens the file with that app this time only, and Android will ask again next time. Use Just once when you want to open a file with a different app without changing your default.

Will resetting defaults delete my files or apps?

No. Resetting defaults only clears which apps you've chosen to open different file types. All your files and installed apps remain untouched.

How do I change the default for opening images?

Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and look for a category called Photos, Gallery, or Images. Tap it and select the app you want to use. If you don't see an image category, open an image file with your preferred app and choose Always.