Change your default browser in Settings, not in the browser app itself

iPhone does not let you change the default browser from within Safari or Chrome. Instead, you open the Settings app, go to the app you want to set as default, and choose it there. The process takes about one minute and works the same way whether you want to switch to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or any other browser you have installed.

Apple added this feature in iOS 14. If your phone is older than that, you cannot change the default browser — Safari will always open links from Mail, Messages, and other apps. Check your iOS version in Settings > General > About if you are unsure.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, scroll down to find the browser app you want to use, tap it, and select Default Browser App from the menu.
  • The change applies immediately to links in Mail, Messages, Notes, and other apps — not just to web searches.
  • You can still use Safari by opening it directly; changing the default does not delete it or prevent you from switching browsers manually.
  • If you do not see your browser in Settings, the app may not support being a default browser, or you may need to update it.

Step-by-step: Setting Chrome, Firefox, or another browser as default

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down past the list of Apple's own apps until you see the name of the browser you want to use — for example, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Tap the app name.

Inside that app's settings page, look for a row labeled Default Browser App. Tap it. A list of browsers installed on your phone will appear. Select the one you want. The checkmark moves to your choice, and the change takes effect immediately.

Close Settings. From now on, when you tap a link in Mail, Messages, Notes, or Safari's search results, it will open in the browser you chose. You can still open Safari directly by tapping its icon — changing the default does not remove Safari or prevent you from using it.

What changes when you set a new default browser

Setting a default browser affects links in these apps: Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, Stocks, News, and any third-party app that uses the system link handler. It also affects links in Safari's search results — if you search for something in Safari, the results will open in your default browser, not in Safari itself.

The default browser does not affect bookmarks, reading lists, or passwords stored in Safari. Those stay in Safari even if you switch to Chrome or Firefox as your default. If you later switch back to Safari, your bookmarks and saved passwords are still there.

Why your browser might not appear in Settings

If you installed a browser but do not see it in Settings under Default Browser App, the app may not support this feature. Older versions of some browsers do not have the ability to be set as default. Check the App Store to see if an update is available — if the browser has been updated since you installed it, updating it may add the option.

Some browsers designed for specific purposes (like privacy-focused or work-related browsers) may not support being a default browser. Read the app's description in the App Store to see whether it mentions this feature. If it does not, the browser likely cannot be set as default on iPhone.

Switching back to Safari or changing to a different browser

You can change your default browser as many times as you want. Go back to Settings, open the browser app you want to use, tap Default Browser App, and select a different browser from the list. The change takes effect immediately.

To switch back to Safari, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap it, tap Default Browser App, and select Safari. Safari is always available as an option, even if you have not used it as your default for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the default browser delete Safari?

No. Safari remains on your phone and you can open it by tapping its icon. Changing the default browser only changes which app opens links from other apps — it does not remove or disable Safari.

Will my bookmarks and passwords move to the new browser?

No. Bookmarks and passwords saved in Safari stay in Safari. If you want to use them in Chrome or Firefox, you can import them manually through that browser's settings, but they do not transfer automatically when you change the default.

Can I set a different default browser for work and personal use?

iPhone does not support multiple default browsers or profiles. You can only set one default browser at a time. If you need to use different browsers for different purposes, you will have to switch the default manually or open the browser you want directly by tapping its icon.

What happens to links I tap in iMessage or Mail after I change the default?

They will open in your new default browser instead of Safari. If you receive a link in a message and want to open it in Safari anyway, you can long-press the link and choose "Open in Safari" from the menu that appears.

Does the default browser setting work on iPad?

Yes. iPad has the same Settings menu and the same Default Browser App option. The process is identical to iPhone.