A modern smartphone Samsung Galaxy is a powerful tool that often comes with pre-installed software that imposes certain usage habits. Many owners of devices based on One UI face the fact that when you click on a link in a messenger or mail, the native one Samsung Internetautomatically opens, although the user has long been accustomed to the functionality of Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera. This is not just an inconvenience, but a matter of personal digital comfort and data synchronization between devices.
The process of changing default settings in the ecosystem Android may seem confusing due to the deep customization of the interface from the South Korean giant. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to reassign your web browsing application so that the system always opens links in the browser of your choice. You will learn not only the standard path through the menu, but also the nuances associated with access rights and resetting previous configurations.
Sometimes a simple change of settings does not work the first time due to cached data or hard system bindings. We'll cover all possible scenarios, including cases where the app selection button is grayed out or hidden. Correct setting default browser significantly speeds up your work on the Internet and ensures a single browsing history on all your gadgets.
Why Samsung imposes its browser and what is the difference
Company Samsung develops its own software to create a unique user experience, different from stock Android. Samsung Internet does have a number of advantages, such as built-in ad blocking, support for extensions and optimization for screens with cutouts. However, for many users, synchronizing bookmarks and passwords with a computer that uses a different ecosystem is critical.
In addition, different page rendering engines may display complex web resources differently. If you are a developer or simply prefer specific features, such as data-saving mode or integration with services, using a standard solution becomes an obstacle. The system by default selects the application that was installed by the manufacturer, ignoring your personal preferences until manual configuration. Opera or integration with services Yandex, using a standard solution becomes an obstacle. The system by default selects the application that was installed by the manufacturer, ignoring your personal preferences until you manually configure it.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling or replacing the system browser will not completely remove it from the phone's memory, since it is part of the firmware. You only prevent it from opening automatically when you click on links.
Understanding the architecture One UI helps you understand why the settings are scattered across different menus. Unlike pure Android, here the application management logic is placed in a separate large section, which requires the user to be more attentive when searching for the desired switch.
Preparing to change the browser: installation and update
Before change system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative application is installed correctly and is ready for use. Simply downloading APK file or downloading a app from Google Play Market is not enough - sometimes initial setup is required inside the application itself.
- 📲 Go to the official application store and download the desired browser (for example, Chrome or Edge).
- 🔄 Open the installed application and go through the initial setup by accepting the user agreement.
- 🔐 Log in to your account (Google or other) to activate data synchronization.
- ⚙️ Check for updates for the application itself to avoid conflicts versions.
It is important that the new browser has all the necessary permissions to work in the background if you plan to use push notifications from sites. Without this step, the system may consider the application "not ready" and will not offer it as a default option.
☑️ Ready to replace the browser
Basic method: setting through the app menu
The most reliable way to change the launch priority is to use the deep application settings menu. This method works on all current versions One UI, from 3.0 to the latest releases in 2026. The algorithm of actions requires sequential navigation through the nested menus.
First, open the main ones Settings your smartphone. Scroll down to the section Applications. A complete list of all installed software is displayed. At the top of the screen you will see a button or menu item Selecting default applications. Clicking on this item will open a list of categories of actions that various apps can perform.
In the list that opens, find the line Browser application. By default it will say Samsung Internet. Click on this line and the system will offer you a list of all installed browsers that have registered themselves as capable of processing web links. the desired option from the list.
| Action | Path to the One UI menu | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Enter settings | Settings → Applications |
Opening a list of all apps |
| Category search | Button Selecting applications by default (top) |
Menu of action categories |
| Changing browser | Browser application → Selecting from the list |
Activating a new browser |
| Check | Follow a link from SMS | Open in a new browser |
After selection, the system will instantly apply the changes. Now any link you click on in any other application will open in the browser you choose. This is a global setting that applies to the entire operating system. system.
Changes take effect instantly and do not require rebooting the device, however, old tabs in the previous browser will remain open there.
An alternative way: through the settings of the browser itself
Many modern browsers have their own self-test function and can request permission to open links on their own. This simplifies the process, as it does not require deep. diving into the system menus Android. This method is especially convenient if you have just installed the application.
Open the settings inside the browser itself (usually three dots in the corner of the screen). Find a section that may be called General, System settings or have a separate button Set as default browser. the system will automatically transfer you to the corresponding settings menu One UIdescribed in the previous section, but immediately to the desired item.
⚠️ Attention: If the button is in the browser settings inactive (gray), this means that you have already assigned another browser, and the system blocks a repeated request without explicitly confirming the priority change through the main menu.
In some versions Chrome or Yandex when you first start, a pop-up window appears with prompt to install the application as the main one. Do not ignore this request if it appears - this is the fastest way to configure. However, if you accidentally clicked “Cancel”, you will have to use the manual method through the phone settings.
What to do if the “Make as default” button is missing?
In some lightweight versions of browsers or specific builds, this function may be hidden. In this case, the only solution is to use the system menu. "Default applications" through the smartphone settings.
What to do if the browser does not open or is reset
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected browser stops opening links or the system automatically returns the settings to factory settings after a software update. This may be due to the fact that old file associations or the system launcher cache are stored in the memory.
To resolve this issue, you need to reset the default settings for the specific application that took control. Go to Settings → Applications. Find in the list the browser that is currently opening instead of the one you need (for example, Samsung InternetEnter its card.
At the bottom of the screen, find the section Open by default or Launch by default. Click the button Delete default settings. This action will not delete the application itself or your data in it, but it will make the system forget that this app should open links automatically.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the problematic application via menu
Storagein its settings. - 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to reset temporary system processes.
- ✅ Repeat the procedure for assigning a new browser through the main settings menu.
If the problem persists, check to see if you have Extreme Mode enabled, which may limit the background activity of third-party browsers, preventing them from launching correctly from other applications. Energy savings in extreme mode, which can limit the background activity of third-party browsers, preventing them from launching correctly from other applications.
Features of working with multiple browsers
Having several browsers on one device is the norm for an advanced user. You can use one for working with corporate accounts, another for personal surfing, and the third for testing web pages. The system Android allows you to flexibly manage this application park.
Remember that the concept of “default browser” refers only to the automatic opening of links from external sources. You can always manually launch any installed browser for specific tasks. There are no restrictions on the number of simultaneously installed browsers if there is enough storage space.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version One UI and the regional specifics of the device. If you do not find the item you need, use the search inside the settings menu for "default".
It is also worth considering that some specialized applications (for example, bank clients or corporate instant messengers) may have internal settings for selecting a browser that takes precedence over system ones. In such cases, the check must be carried out within the application that is the source of the link.
Use widgets from different browsers on the desktop for quick access to them, even if one of them is designated as the main one. This saves time on switching between profiles.
Is it possible to completely remove Samsung Internet?
Complete removal of a system application Samsung Internet without root access is impossible, since it is built into the firmware. However, you can disable it through the app menu, which will hide the icon and prevent it from launching, freeing up some resources. Complete removal requires complex manipulations with ADB commands via a computer.
Why do links open in the application and not in the browser?
Some links (for example, to YouTube or Instagram) are configured to open in native applications of these services. This is controlled in the same "Default Open" menu, but for each application separately. You can prevent a specific application from opening links and redirecting them to the browser.
Does changing the browser affect the speed of the phone?
The very fact of changing the default browser does not affect the overall speed of the system. However, different browsers consume different amounts of RAM. If you choose a “heavy” browser with many extensions, this may affect the multitasking of the device.
How to return all the settings back if you don’t like the new browser?
The procedure is reversible. Just go to the default application settings and select Samsung Internet or any other preset option. The system will instantly return the previous logic for working with links.
Is it safe to install third-party browsers on Samsung?
Yes, it is safe if you download them from the official store Google Play or Galaxy Store. These sites are moderated. Avoid installing browsers from unknown sources on the Internet so as not to infect your device with malware.