How to Set a Default Browser on Android

To set a default browser on Android, open Settings, tap Apps, then Default apps, choose Browser app, and select the browser you want links to open in.

Your default browser is the app that opens automatically whenever you tap a web link outside another app, for example a link in a message, an email, or a search result. If links keep opening in a browser you do not like, changing the default takes under a minute. The wording differs a little between stock Android, Pixel, and Samsung One UI, but the path is very similar on all of them.

Install your preferred browser first

A browser only appears in the default list once it is installed, so start there.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for the browser you want, such as Chrome, Firefox, or another trusted option.
3. Tap Install and wait for it to download.

Only install browsers from reputable developers. If you are unsure about an app, our guide on how to tell if an app is safe before you install explains the checks worth making first. If the Play Store itself refuses to download, our article on how to fix the Google Play Store not downloading apps covers the common fixes.

Set the default on stock and Pixel phones

On a Pixel or most near-stock Android phones, the setting lives under Default apps.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap Default apps. You may need to expand an advanced or See all apps section first on some versions.
4. Select Browser app.
5. Choose the browser you want from the list.

That is all it takes. From now on, links you tap in other apps open in your chosen browser.

Set the default on Samsung One UI

Samsung Galaxy phones reach the same setting through a slightly different menu.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap Choose default apps.
4. Tap Browser app.
5. Select your preferred browser.

The label reads Choose default apps rather than Default apps, but the result is identical and applies straight away. Some older Samsung phones tuck the option one level deeper, so if you cannot see Browser app immediately, use the search bar at the top of Settings and type browser to jump straight to it.

There is also a quicker shortcut that works on many phones. When you tap a link and Android is unsure which browser to use, it sometimes shows a chooser asking which app to open it with, along with the choices Just once and Always. Picking your browser and tapping Always sets it as the default from that moment on, without visiting Settings at all. This only appears when no default is set yet, so the Settings route remains the reliable way to change an existing choice.

Why some links still open elsewhere

Even after you set a default, you may notice some links opening in a small in-app browser instead. This is normal. Many apps, including social apps, use their own built-in browser view to keep you inside the app and load pages faster. Setting the default browser only controls links that are handed off to a full browser. If you would rather those links open in your chosen browser, look inside that specific app’s settings for an option such as Open links externally or Open web pages in default browser.

Android also has a separate system for opening certain links directly in an app rather than a browser at all. For example, tapping a video link may open the video app instead of a web page. This is controlled per app under Settings, Apps, the app in question, then Open by default, where you can allow or block the app from handling supported links. It is worth knowing this exists, because it explains why a few links seem to ignore your browser choice entirely.

Bookmarks, search, and switching back

Changing the default does not touch your data. Each browser keeps its own bookmarks and history, so nothing is deleted when you switch. If you want your saved sites in the new browser, sign in to sync them or use the browser’s import tool. Remember too that your default browser and your search engine are separate settings; to change which search engine the browser uses, open the browser’s own settings and look for the Search engine option.

You can revisit the default any time by returning to the same menu and picking a different browser, and you never need to uninstall the old one. If you like to keep your home screen tidy while trying out several browsers, our guide on how to hide apps on Android shows how to tuck away the ones you rarely open.

Keeping your browsing tidy

Browsers build up cached files over time, which can slow them down or cause pages to load incorrectly. If your browser starts misbehaving, clearing its stored data often helps, and our guide on how to clear cache on Android shows exactly where to do it. A well-chosen default browser, combined with the occasional cache clear, keeps everyday web browsing fast and predictable.

Setting your default browser is a small change that removes a daily annoyance. Install the browser you like, open Default apps under Settings, choose Browser app, and pick your favourite. Whether you are on a Pixel or a Samsung Galaxy, every link you tap will land where you want from then on.