How to Change Default Apps on iPhone or iPad

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: June 3, 2022 Tested

When you tap a web link in an email message, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch will open it in the default web browser. Until the release of iOS 14, Safari was the only app that could be set as the default. Now you can choose a different default web browser (Chrome fans, rejoice!), as well as a new default email if you're not crazy about the Mail app. This wikiHow teaches you how to change your default web browser and/or email app to the app of your choice.

1

Install the app you want to set as the default.

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Download an email or browser app from the App Store. For example, if you want to switch your default email app to Outlook, you'll need to download Outlook from the app store.^{[1]
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- If you haven't yet updated your iPhone or iPad to iOS/iPadOS 14 or later, see How to Update your iPhone first.
- Some browsers and email apps cannot be set as default apps. This is just because the developers of those apps haven't updated the app with this feature. Some popular apps that can be set as default for email are Spark, Outlook, and Gmail. Popular replacement browsers are Chrome and Firefox.

2

Open your iPhone or iPad's Settings.

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If you don't see it there, it'll be in the App Library's Utilities category.

3

Select the app you want to be the default.

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For example, if you want Chrome to be your default browser, scroll down and tap Chrome.

4

Select "Default Browser App" or "Default Mail App."

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It's near the middle of the page. You'll see a list of apps—the app with a blue checkmark is the one that's set as default.
- If you don't see this option, the app cannot be chosen as the default. Since the feature is new, you may just have to wait a bit for the app to update.

5

Select a new default app.

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The blue checkmark will move to your new default app.

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Tips

To switch back to the original default app, tap the replacement app's name in Settings, tap Default Mail/Web App, and select the desired app.

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You can still use Safari and the Mail app even if they are aren't set as your defaults.

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