How to change the default browser on Android: all methods in 2026

The standard browser on Android is an application that opens by default when you click on web links in instant messengers, mail or other apps. For most users this is Google Chrome, but smartphone manufacturers often install their solutions: on Samsung gadgets, on Xiaomi or on some models for the Russian market. The problem is that these browsers do not always satisfy users in terms of speed, functionality or privacy policy. Samsung Internet on Samsung gadgets, Mi Browser on Xiaomi or Yandex Browser on some models for the Russian market. The problem is that these browsers do not always satisfy users in terms of speed, functionality or privacy policy.

You can change the standard browser on Android in several ways - from basic settings in the interface to using development tools like ADB. However, not all methods work the same on different versions of the operating system. For example, starting from Android 10Google has tightened the rules for system applications, and in Android 14 new restrictions have appeared for device manufacturers. In this article, we will look at the current methods, taking into account the features of modern OS versions.

If you want to not just install another browser, namely completely remove the standard one (for example, Mi Browser on Xiaomi or Samsung Internet), you will have to use advanced methods - from disabling through ADB before obtaining root access. But for most users, it's easy enough to set a different browser as the default application. Below are detailed instructions for each case.

1. Assigning a default browser through Android settings

The easiest way to change the default browser is to use the built-in system settings. This method works on all devices with Android 6.0 and later, including the latest versions Android 14/15. The main condition: at least one alternative browser must be installed on the smartphone (for example, Firefox, Brave or Opera).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings Android (gear icon in the menu applications).
2. Go to the section Applications (on some devices - All applications or Manage applications).
3. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Default applications (or Reset application settings → Default applications on Xiaomi).
4. Find the item Browser and select the desired application from the list.

If your browser is not in the list, make sure it is installed and updated to the latest version. On some firmwares (for example, MIUI or One UI) the path to the settings may differ:

• 📱 Samsung: Settings → Applications → Select default applications → Browser
• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Default applications
• 📱 Google Pixel: Settings → Applications → Default applications → Browser

On devices with Android 12+ you may be asked to confirm the change immediately after clicking on the link. This is part of Google's security policy aimed at protecting against unauthorized changes to system settings.

2. Disabling the standard browser via ADB (without root)

If the pre-installed browser interferes with you (for example, Mi Browser with advertising or Samsung Internet with unnecessary functions), it can be disable via ADB a tool for debugging Android. This method does not require root access, but will require connecting the smartphone to the computer.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 📱 Turned on USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging)
• 🔧 Installed drivers ADB (you can download from the official website Android Developers)

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your smartphone to the computer via USB and select mode File transfer (MTP).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter:

   adb devices

   If the device is displayed in the list, proceed further. If not, check the drivers and debugging permission on your phone.

3. Find out the name of the browser package you want to disable. To do this, enter:

   adb shell pm list packages | grep browser

   For example, for Mi Browser This com.android.browser, for Samsung Internet — com.sec.android.app.sbrowser.

4. Disable the browser with the command:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 package_name

   Example for Mi Browser:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

After execution command, the browser will disappear from the application menu and will no longer open by default. To return it back, use the same command, replacing disable-user with enable.

Install ADB on the computer

Enable USB debugging on the phone

Connect your smartphone in mode MTP

Check the list of packages via adb shell

Make a backup copy of data-->

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications may lead to unstable firmware operation on some devices (for example, Huawei or Honor) this may cause errors in services HMS. Before executing commands, make sure that you have a backup copy of your data.

3. Removing a standard browser with root access

If you have there root access, you can not just disable it, but completely remove the system browserfreeing up space on the device. This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires working with the Android file system.

To remove you will need:

• 📱 A smartphone with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU
• 🛠️ File manager with root support (for example Root Explorer or FX File Explorer)
• 🔍 Knowledge of the name of the browser package (can be found through ADB or application App Inspector)

Instructions:

1. Open a file manager with root access and go to folder /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ (depending on the firmware).
2. Find the folder with the name of the browser (for example, Browser, SBrowser for Samsung or MiBrowserGlobal for Xiaomi).
3. Delete the folder or rename it by adding it at the end .bak (for example, Browser.bak).
4. Reboot the device.

An alternative way is to use the command via ADB with root access:

adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/app/Browser FolderName
mount -o ro,remount /system
exit

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications may disrupt the operation of OTA updates. On some firmware (for example ColorOS from Oppo), this will lead to errors when checking for updates. Before deleting, create a backup copy via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.

4. Using third-party launchers to change the browser

If standard methods do not work (for example, on Android Go or custom firmware), you can bypass the restrictions using alternative launchers. Applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher allow you to flexibly configure the opening of links.

How it works:

• 🎯 The launcher intercepts clicks on links and redirects them to the selected browser, ignoring system settings.
• 🔄 Some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher Prime) support gestures to quickly open links in the desired browser.
• 🛡️ The method does not require root access and works even on devices with locked firmware (for example, Samsung Knox).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and assign it as a launcher by by default.
2. Press your finger on an empty space of the screen and select Nova Settings.
3. Go to Applications and widgets → Opening links.
4. Select Browser and specify the desired application (for example, Firefox or Brave).

This method is especially useful for devices with Android 13+where Google has limited the change of default system applications. Launchers bypass these restrictions at the interface level, not affecting system settings.

5. Features on different firmware (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS)

Smartphone manufacturers often modify Android by adding their own restrictions. Let's look at the nuances for popular firmware:

On devices with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1.4 or Samsung Galaxy A03s) the ability to change the browser is limited. In such cases, only installing an alternative launcher or using the browser in the mode Lite (for example, Chrome Lite or Opera Mini).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, Flyme OS from Meizu) changing the default browser may reset your settings Flyme Account. Before experiments, check the availability of a backup copy in the manufacturer's cloud.

6. Alternative methods: cloud browsers and virtual spaces

If none of the methods is suitable (for example, on corporate devices with MDM), you can use cloud browsers or virtual spacesThese methods do not change system settings, but allow you to bypass restrictions.

Solution options:

• 🌐 Cloud browsers: Services like BrowserStack or LambdaTest allow you to open web pages in a virtual machine directly from the application. Minus - a stable Internet connection is required.
• 🔄 Virtual spaces: Applications like Island (from developers LineageOS) or Shelter create an isolated environment where you can set another browser as the default without conflicts with the main system.
• 📱 Double applications: On some firmware (for example, MIUI or One UI), you can create a duplicate browser and assign it as the main one. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Dual apps.

Setting example Island:

1. Install Island from Google Play and set up a work profile.
2. In the main in Android settings, assign Island as an application for managing profiles (Settings → Applications → Special access → Island).
3. Inside Island install an alternative browser (for example, Firefox Focus) and set it as the default work profile only.

This method is especially useful for devices with Android for Work or corporate policies where changes to system settings are blocked.

7. Common problems and their solutions

When changing the standard browser, users encounter common errors and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: After changing the browser, the links are still the same. open in the standard application.

• 🔹 Check if multiple browsers are installed by default. Go to Settings → Applications → Applications by default and reset the settings.
• 🔹 Clear the cache and data of the application that opens links (for example, Telegram or Gmail).
• 🔹 If used Samsung Internet, disable the function Open links in Samsung Internet in settings browser.

Problem 2: After turning off the browser through ADB other system applications disappeared.

• 🔹 Return the browser with the command adb shell pm enable package_name.
• 🔹 If the problem persists, reset settings via Settings → System → Reset settings (without deleting data).

Issue 3: It is not possible to change the default browser. Android 14 I can't change the default browser.

• 🔹 Update the alternative browser to the latest version (the Android 14 requires support for the new API for default applications).
• 🔹 Use a launcher with link redirection (for example, Nova Launcher).
• 🔹 If the device is corporate, contact the administrator - it may have a policy enabled Android Enterprise.

Problem 4: After removing the root browser, OTA updates stopped working.

• 🔹 Restore deleted files from a backup TWRP.
• 🔹 If there is no backup, download the full firmware for your model and flash it via Odin (Samsung) or Fastboot (others brands).

FAQ: Answers to popular ones. questions

adb shell pm enable --user 0 package_name

adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.android.browser