Every time you open a link, photo or music file, Android automatically launches the default application. But what if the system chose the wrong thing for you? For example, instead Chrome opens Samsung Internet, and photos stubbornly launch in Google Photos, although you prefer Gallery Go.

In this article we will look at how change default applications on any Android smartphone - from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi, including devices with “pure” Android (for example, Pixel or Nokia). You'll learn where these settings are, how to reset your selection to factory defaults, and what to do if the app you want doesn't appear in the list. And also why some applications (for example WhatsApp or Telegram) cannot become standard for SMS, and how to get around this.

Important: the procedure differs depending on the version of Android (from Android 10 to Android 15) and the manufacturer's shell (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS etc.). We'll look at all the options, including hidden settings for advanced users.

Why Android selects default apps automatically

When you first click on a link, file, or perform an action (for example, making a call via Skype), the system asks: "Open with..." and prompts you to select an application. If you check the box "Always" or "Use as default", Android remembers your choice and does not ask any more questions.

But sometimes the choice occurs without your participation —for example, after updating the OS or installing proprietary applications of the manufacturer (as Samsung Messages instead of Google Messages). This is due to:

  • 📱 Policy manufacturer —some brands (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) force their apps to be the default.
  • 🔄 OS updates — after a major update (for example, from Android 13 to Android 14) the settings may be reset.
  • 📦 Installing new applications —some apps (for example, Opera or Firefox) automatically offer to become standard.

Fortunately, regaining control is easy - you just need to know where to look for the settings. And if the application you need is not in the list, we will tell you how to add it manually.

📊 Which application do you most often set as default?
Browser
SMS messenger
Gallery
Music player
Other

Where to find default application settings: 3 ways

Depending on the Android version and shell, the path to the settings may differ. We have collected all the current options - from standard Android 14 to proprietary interfaces.

Method 1: Through basic settings (works on 90% of devices)

This is a universal method for most smartphones:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).
  2. Go to section Applications (or Management applications to Xiaomi).
  3. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Default applications.
  4. Tap on the category (for example, Browser or SMS) and select the desired application.

Method 2: Through the settings of a specific application

If you want to make an already installed application standard (for example, VLC for video), do this:

  1. Long-press the application icon on the main screen and select Application information (or Information).
  2. Click Open by default (or Default settings).
  3. Select actions for which this application should be standard.

Method 3: Through search in settings (for quick access)

Can’t find the section you need? Use search:

  1. Open Settings and tap on the search bar (magnifying glass at the top).
  2. Enter the query: default applications or standard applications.
  3. The system will show the direct path to the desired menu.

☑️ Preparing to change standard applications

Done: 0 / 4

Table: Paths to settings on popular shells

Manufacturer Shell Path to settings
Google Stock Android Settings → Applications → Default applications
Samsung One UI Settings → Applications → Default selection
Xiaomi MIUI Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Default
Oppo/Realme ColorOS Settings → Applications → Application settings → Default
Huawei EMUI Settings → Applications → Default applications
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Huawei or Honor c EMUI 12+) some categories may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, you will have to use workarounds (see the section on ADB).

How to change the standard application for the browser, SMS and calls

Let's look at setting up the most popular categories. Important: some actions (for example, resetting the SMS application) may require a device restart.

1. Default browser

If links open in the wrong browser:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Browser.
  2. Select from the list: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Samsung Internet etc.
  3. If the browser you need is not there, install it from Google Play and repeat steps.

On Samsung and Xiaomi a warning may appear: "This application is not optimized for your device". You can ignore it - the functionality will not be affected.

2. SMS application

To change the messenger for SMS (for example, from Google Messages to Chomp SMS):

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Default → SMS.
  2. Select the desired application. If it is not in the list, check whether it supports SMS (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram do not fit!).
  3. Confirm the selection and restart the phone (sometimes required for applying changes).
⚠️ Attention: When changing the SMS application old messages may not be transferred automatically. Use export/import through the messenger settings (for example, in Google Messages: ⋮ → Export chats).

3. Application for calls

To change the application for outgoing calls (for example, to Truecaller or Google Phone):

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default → Phone.
  2. Select an alternative application. If it is not there, install from Play Market.
  3. Launch the new application and grant it rights to make calls (required!).

On Xiaomi and Redmi you may need to disable the system application Mi Dialer via Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Disable (but this will remove it from the list forever!).

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If, after changing the call application, the sound in the speaker disappears, check the call settings in the new application - sometimes you need to manually enable the "Use system speaker" option.

How to reset all default applications to factory ones

If you have experimented with the settings and want to return everything to its original state, there are two ways: partial reset (only for individual categories) and full reset (for all applications).

Partial reset (for one category)

For example, to remove Firefox as the default browser and return Chrome:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Default applications.
  2. Tap on a category (for example, Browser).
  3. Select Reset or Clear (on some devices this option is hidden under ⋮).

Full reset (for all categories)

This is a radical method that will return all settings to factory settings:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
  2. Select Reset application settings (do not confuse with Reset to factory settings —this will delete all data!).
  3. Confirm the action After. reboot, all applications will be reset by default.

On Samsung s One UI a full reset is available at: Settings → General management → Reset → Reset application settings.

⚠️ Attention: A full reset also removes permissions for applications (access to the camera, microphone, etc.), notifications and background processes. After the procedure, you will have to re-configure the rights for each application.
What to do if the reset does not work?

If the settings are not applied after the reset, try:

1. Clear the Settings application cache. (Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Show system → Settings → Memory → Clear cache).

2. Reboot the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power off button → "Reboot in safe mode") and repeat the reset.

3. Update Google Play services (Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Update).

How to set a default application if it is not in the list

Sometimes necessary the application is not displayed in the selection menu - for example, you want to make VLC the default player for video, but it is not in the list. Here's what to do:

Reason 1: The application does not support this file type

Not all apps can work with all formats. will open Google Photos won't open .RAWfiles, but Spotify will not become a player for local music. Check:

  • 📌 Does the application open the desired format manually (just drag the file onto its icon).
  • 📌 Is the application description in Google Play support for this type of file.

Reason 2: The application is not registered in the system as a handler

Some apps (for example, Kodi or MX Player) require additional settings. To add them to the list:

  1. Open the application and find in its settings an item like Default settings or File associations.
  2. Enable the option Allow processing of [file type].
  3. Restart the phone and check the list of standard applications.

Reason 3: Manufacturer restrictions (on Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.)

Some brands block the change standard applications for certain categories. For example, Huawei cannot be changed to Huawei Browser on Chrome through normal settings. In this case, ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions for advanced users:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.settings

adb shell pm reset-preferred-apps --user 0

These commands will reset all application settings to default. After they are completed:

  1. Connect the phone to a PC with installed ADB drivers.
  2. Turn on Debugging USB (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
  3. Launch the command line on your PC and enter the commands above.
  4. Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Using ADB can lead to unstable operation. systemsif you enter incorrect commands. We recommend creating a backup copy of the data before experiments.
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If an application does not appear in the list of standard ones, first check its compatibility with the desired file type. Only then resort to ADB or alternative methods.

Common problems and their solutions

When changing default applications, users encounter common errors. We have collected the most common errors and their solutions. elimination.

Problem 1: After changing the application, the old settings return

If, for example, Chrome becomes the default browser again after a reboot, the culprit is:

  • 🔄 Auto-update of system applications — disable it in Google Play for problematic application.
  • 📱 Manufacturer's proprietary services - on Samsung disable Samsung Internet via Settings → Applications → Disable.
  • 🛠️ Battery optimization - add a new application to the exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All applications → Select yours → Without restrictions).

Problem 2: You cannot change the application for SMS to WhatsApp/Telegram

WhatsApp, Telegram and other instant messengers cannot become standard SMS applicationsbecause:

  • 📵 They do not support sending SMS through an operator (only via the Internet).
  • 🔒 Android blocks this feature at the OS level (starting from Android 4.4 KitKat).

Workaround: use Google Messages with the feature enabled Chat (RCS) —this will provide opportunities similar to instant messengers (sending files, reactions, etc.).

Problem 3: The application does not open files, despite the settings

If, for example, VLC is assigned default player, but the video still opens in Google Photos data-i="312">🔗 Make sure that the file is not associated with another application through Google Photos:

  • 📂 Check if the application supports specific format (For example, .mkv or .flac).
  • 🔗 Make sure the file is not associated with another application via Settings → Applications → File associations.
  • 🔄 Reinstall the problematic application.

Problem 4: On Huawei/Honor you cannot change the browser or gallery

On devices with EMUI and HarmonyOS some categories are blocked. Solutions:

  • 🌐 For the browser: install Chrome or Firefox and use them as main ones, ignoring system prompts.
  • 🖼️ For the gallery: hide the system application Gallery via Settings → Applications → Disable (but this will remove it from the menu).
  • 🛠️ For experienced: use ADB-commands (see section above).
💡

On some devices (for example, Samsung s One UI 5+) after changing the standard application, a notification appears: "We recommend returning [system application]". It can be disabled in the notification settings for "Android System".

Additional settings: file and protocol associations

In addition to standard categories (browser, SMS, calls), Android allows you to configure file associations and protocols (for example, which applications open magnet:links or .torrentfiles).

How to change file associations

If, for example, .pdf opens in Google Driveand you want to use Adobe Acrobat:

  1. Find the file of the desired type in File manager.
  2. Hold it and select Open with.
  3. Tick the box Always and select the application.

To reset the association:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Open as default.
  2. Click Clear settings by default.

How to configure protocol processing (magnet, tel, mailto)

Some applications (for example, uTorrent or Skype) register their protocols. To change the handler:

  1. Open the application that should process the protocol (for example, qBittorrent for magnet:).
  2. Find in its settings a section like Protocol Associations or Default settings.
  3. Enable the protocol registration option.
  4. The next time you open a link (for example, magnet:?xt=urn:btih:...), select this application and check the box Always.

On Android 12+ some protocols (for example, tel: for calls) are protected by the system and cannot be changed without rootrights.

Table: Popular protocols and applications for them

Protocol Example Recommended applications
magnet: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:123... qBittorrent, uTorrent, Flibusta
mailto: mailto:user@example.com Gmail, Outlook, Spark
tel: tel:+79991234567 Google Phone, Truecaller
sms: sms:+79991234567 Google Messages, Chomp SMS
market: market://details?id=com.example Google Play, Aurora Store

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to make Telegram an application for SMS by default?

No, Telegram (as well as WhatsApp, Viber) does not support sending SMS through a telecom operator - only messages via the Internet. For SMS, use Google Messages or third-party instant messengers like Textra or QKSMS.

After resetting the settings, all SMS messages disappeared. How to restore them?

If you reset the SMS application settings, old messages may have remained in the phone's memory Try:

  1. Install the old ones. SMS application and check if messages are displayed.
  2. Use data recovery apps (for example, Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver).
  3. If backup to Google Driveis enabled, restore SMS via Settings → Google → Recovery.

In the future, export SMS before resetting (⋮ → Export chats to Google Messages).

How to make links from Instagram open in Chrome and not in the application itself?

Instagram (like many social networks) uses the built-in browser to open links to redirect them to Chrome:

  1. Open Instagram and tap on any. link.
  2. In the window that appears, select Open in browser and check the box Always.
  3. If the option does not appear, disable the built-in browser in the settings Instagram: Profile → ⋮ → Settings → Sites and applications → Open links outside the application.
On Xiaomi I can’t change the gallery to Google Photos What should I do?

On Xiaomi system Gallery often blocks alternatives. Solutions:

  1. Disable the system gallery: Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Gallery → Disable (but this will remove it from the menu).
  2. Use Google Photos as the main one: open any image file, select Google Photos and check the box Always.
  3. Reset settings via ADB (see section above).

If all else fails, install an alternative launcher (for example Nova Launcher) and assign Google Photos as the default application for images through its settings.

After updating Android, all settings were reset. How to return the previous default applications?

Major updates (for example, from Android 13 to Android 14) settings are often reset. To restore:

  1. Check whether the necessary applications are installed (for example, Chrome or VLC).
  2. Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications and assign them again.
  3. If the application is not displayed, clear the cache Settings (Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Show system → Settings → Memory → Clear cache).
  4. Reboot your phone.

If you used a backup (for example, via Titanium Backup or Swift Backup), restore application settings from the backup.