Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy often face a situation where links from instant messengers or applications open in a pre-installed browser Samsung Internet, although the user prefers a different web browser. The standard shell setup is initially focused on the manufacturer's ecosystem, which is not always convenient for those who are used to the interface or specialized solutions like the one. Changing the priority application is a basic but important procedure for personalizing the device. One UI initially focused on the manufacturer's ecosystem, which is not always convenient for those who are used to the interface Google Chrome or specialized solutions like Brave. Changing the priority app is a basic but important procedure for personalizing your device.
The process of changing the main browser on the platform Android is unified, however, the settings menu on devices of the South Korean brand has its own unique features and item names. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for current firmware versions, and also consider the nuances that arise when updating the system. You will learn how to assign the desired app and what to do if the system does not allow you to change the choice.
Before proceeding with the settings, make sure that an alternative browser is already installed on your device through the store Google Play or Galaxy Store. Without a second application, the system simply will not offer you a choice, leaving the current option as the only one available. Next, we will move on to directly managing the parameters for launching links.
Preparing the device and checking installed applications
The first step is to verify the presence of an alternative web browser in the smartphone’s memory. The system Android allows you to select a default application only from the list of those apps that are already installed and recognized by the operating system. If you just downloaded a new browser, give it a few seconds to complete installation before going to settings.
Go to the all applications menu and find the icon of the desired browser. This could be Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera or any other option. It is important that the application is completely updated to the latest version, as older builds may not be registered correctly in the system as web link handlers.
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the new browser is not displayed in the list of available browsers for selection. In this case, it is recommended to restart the device. After turning on, the smartphone will re-index the installed packages, and the desired option will appear in the settings.
Before changing the browser, log in to the new account and turn on bookmark synchronization so as not to lose important links during the transition.
- 📲 Make sure that the alternative browser is installed from the official application store.
- 🔄 Check availability updates for the new web browser in the “My Applications” section.
- 📱 Restart your smartphone if the new application is not visible in the system settings.
Setting through the main system settings menu
The most reliable way to change the default application to Samsung Galaxy is using the global settings menu. This method works stably on all versions of the shell One UI, from early editions to the latest updates based on Android 14. The path to the desired item may differ slightly visually, but the logic remains the same.
Open the notification shade and click on the gear icon to enter settings. Scroll down the list to the Applicationssection. In some firmware versions, this item may be simply called “Applications” or located in the “General” group. Inside this section, we are interested in controlling the behavior of apps when launching certain actions.
Find the item Default applicationsat the top of the screen or in the list of parameters. By clicking on it, you will be taken to a menu where the system lists the types of actions (calls, messages, browser) and the apps assigned to them. Here you need to select the line Browser or Browser application.
⚠️ Attention: On some models of the series Galaxy A and M The "Default Applications" item may be hidden inside the "Select Default Applications" submenu located in the upper right corner of the Application Settings screen.
After clicking on the browser selection item, the system will open a pop-up window with a list of all installed web browsers. Select the option you need, for example Chrome. As soon as you tap on the icon, the checkbox will switch, and all links in the system will begin to open through the selected application.
☑️ Algorithm for changing the browser
Changing settings through a specific application
There is a faster way to change priority, which does not require a deep dive into the system menus. Many modern browsers, such as Google Chrome or Firefox, when first launched or updated, offer themselves to become the main means of viewing web pages. This method is convenient because all actions are performed in the interface of the app itself.
Launch a new browser that you want to make the main one. Often, immediately after opening, a banner appears on the screen asking you to configure the application. If there is no such banner, go to the internal browser settings menu (usually three dots in the corner of the screen) and find the section Settings.
Inside the settings, look for an item related to the default setting. It may be called Set as default, Default browser or have a check mark. When you click on this button, the system will automatically redirect you to the corresponding settings menu Android, which we talked about in the previous section, but will immediately open the desired selection list.
This approach is especially useful if you do not remember the exact location of the system menu. The browser interface itself will tell you where to click. However, it is worth considering that older versions of applications may not have such a function, and then you will have to use the manual method through the phone settings.
Why may the button be inactive?
If the default install button inside the browser is not clickable, check whether another application is already set as a priority for links, or try clearing the system settings cache.
- 🚀 Launch a new browser and wait for the offer to become the main one.
- ⚙️ Find the settings section inside the application to manually request a status change.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up system selection window.
Resetting application settings to default
Sometimes a situation arises when the selection item browser is blocked or inactive. This happens if the system already has a rigidly fixed choice for a certain type of link without the ability to switch through the standard menu. In such cases, you need to reset all application settings to default.
This operation will not delete your data, photos or contacts. It will only reset the linking of actions to specific apps. The next time you try to open the link, the system will again ask you which application to do it with, allowing you to select a new option and check the “Always” checkbox.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → Applications. At the top of the screen, click on the three dots (action menu) and select Default applications. At the very bottom of the list that opens there is often a button Reset application settings or similar wording. Confirm the action.
| Action | Impact on data | Reboot required |
|---|---|---|
| Changing browser in the menu | Absent | Not required |
| Reset settings to default | Reset bindings actions | Not required |
| Clearing browser data | Deleting history and cache | Desirable |
| Deleting system updates | Return to the factory version | Required |
After the reset, try opening any link from the messenger. A selection window will appear with a list of all suitable applications. Select the desired browser and be sure to click Alwaysto commit your choice. If you click “Only now”, the question will appear again the next time you click.
Resetting application settings is a safe procedure that solves the problem of blocked selection without affecting the user’s personal files.
Features of working with links within applications
Even After changing your default browser, some applications may continue to open links in the embedded viewer. This is typical for social networks such as Instagram, Facebook or VKthat use their own web viewers to keep the user inside the ecosystem. Understanding these mechanics will help avoid confusion.
Built-in application browsers work regardless of system settings Android. They are designed to quickly view content without switching to a third-party app. However, most of these applications allow you to disable this function in their own settings, redirecting the opening of links to an external browser.
For example, in the settings Instagram there is an item “Open links in an external browser”. By activating it, you will force the application to use your default browser (for example Chrome) instead of the internal window. This provides more complete functionality, support for extensions and saving sessions.
⚠️ Attention: Internal browsers of social networks often do not support complex scripts and extensions, so for full surfing it is better to force open links in an external application.
Check the settings of those instant messengers and social networks that you use most often. If there is an option to choose how to open links, switch it to using an external application. This ensures that the system will apply your global browser settings by default.
Possible problems and solutions
In rare cases, users are faced with the fact that the system ignores the selection or constantly resets it to Samsung Internet. This may be caused by errors in the service Android System WebView or a software version conflict. WebView is a system component responsible for displaying web content within applications.
If the problem occurs after updating the firmware, try clearing the component cache Android System WebView. Go to Settings → Applications, find Android System WebView in the list (you may need to show system processes) and select Storage → Clear cache. Do not delete data, only the cache.
Also make sure that power-saving modes are not active on the device, which may limit background running of applications. Aggressive battery optimization on Samsung sometimes prevents the selected browser from starting, switching the task to a system analog to save resources.
The table below shows common symptoms and methods for eliminating them:
| Symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Selection is not saved | WebView error | Update or reinstall WebView |
| Links open in an internal window | Specific settings applications | Change settings within the social network/messenger |
| The selection item is inactive | Hard binding | Reset application settings to default |
| Browser not in list | Application not recognized | Reboot device |
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the One UI version and regional firmware. If you do not find the exact name of the item, look for similar sections in the application menu.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove Samsung Internet?
Complete removal of the system browser Samsung Internet without root access is impossible, so as it is part of the firmware. However, you can disable it in the application settings so that it does not appear in the menu and does not interfere with your work. To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find the browser and click Disable.
Why did the browser change again after updating the phone?
Major system updates sometimes reset user preferences to factory values. This is standard behavior to ensure the stability of new components. After a major update, it is recommended to re-check the default application settings.
Does the choice of browser affect the Internet speed?
The choice of the default browser itself does not affect the connection speed, which depends on the operator and signal. However, different browsers use different rendering engines and traffic compression algorithms, which can subjectively affect page loading speed.
How to return all the settings back if you don’t like the new browser?
The procedure is reversible. Simply repeat the steps to change the default application by selecting Samsung Internet or any other previously used browser from the list. The system will instantly apply the new selection.
Does this method work on Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets?
Yes, the shell One UI on tablets Galaxy Tab has an identical settings menu structure. The instructions are fully applicable for tablet devices with the same sequence of actions.