In the modern world of smartphones based on the operating system Android the choice of the main tool for surfing the Internet becomes critical for the user's convenience. Many devices come with pre-installed browsers from manufacturers, such as Samsung Internet or Xiaomi Mi Browserwhich may not meet the needs for speed or account synchronization. Setting Google Chrome as the default application allows you to instantly open links from instant messengers and mail in exactly the environment to which you are accustomed.
The procedure for changing the browser seems trivial, however, the settings interface in different versions Android (from 10 to 14) and various shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS) can differ significantly. Users often encounter a situation where the system does not allow them to select a new application or resets the selection after a reboot. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for any device configuration and consider the nuances that may prevent you from completing the setup.
Before you start changing system parameters, make sure that you have the latest version of the browser installed from the official store. Google Play. Legacy software may not register correctly with the system as a web link handler, resulting in errors when attempting to make it the primary one. It is also worth checking the access rights of the application, since some manufacturers limit the functionality of third-party apps without the user’s explicit permission.
Search for the applications section in the system settings
The first step towards changing the configuration is to enter the main settings menu of your smartphone. The interface may look different depending on the model, but the logic remains the same: we need to find the section that manages the installed apps. Usually this item is simply called Applications or Applications and notifications. In some shells, for example from Xiaomi, this section may be hidden inside the category Advanced settings.
After entering the app management section, you will see a list of all utilities installed on the device. The important thing here is not just to find the desired shortcut, but to understand the menu structure. The system Android groups applications by frequency of use or in alphabetical order. Find it in the list Google Chrome and click on it to open the information page about a specific product. This is where the key switches that control the behavior of the software are located.
If you cannot find the browser in the general list, use the search function at the top of the settings screen. Enter the name of the application, and the system will immediately redirect you to the desired properties page. This is especially true for devices with a lot of pre-installed software, where manual search can take a long time. Make sure that you open the properties of the browser that you plan to use constantly.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with a heavily modified shell (for example, older versions of MIUI), the default application control item may be placed in a separate menu that is not directly related to the list of installed apps. Look for the section
Default applicationsimmediately in the main settings menu if there are no necessary options within the properties of a particular application.
If you often change system settings, add a “Default Applications” shortcut to the desktop through the settings widgets - this will save time future.
Configuring default applications through the Chrome menu
The most direct path to the goal lies through the internal properties of the browser itself Google Chrome. After you have opened the application information page in the phone settings, pay attention to the item named Open by default or Launch by default. This section contains all the link processing logic that the system delegates to this particular software.
Inside this menu you will see a switch responsible for automatically opening supported types of links. Activating this function makes the system understand that Google Chrome it is ready to take on the role of the main processor of web traffic. However, simply turning on the switch is not enough - you must also clear previous associations if they were set for another browser.
Below the switch there is often a button Remove default settings or Reset preferences. Click on it to break the connection between the system and the previous browser. This action does not delete the application itself, but only resets its priority in the link processing queue. After resetting, the next time you try to open a link, the system will ask you which application to use, or will automatically pick up a new choice if it is already set in global settings.
- 🔍 Go to
Settingssmartphone and select sectionApplications. - 🌐 Find in the list Google Chrome and open its properties.
- ⚙️ Go to subsection
Open by default. - ✅ Enable the option
Open supported links.
☑️ Checking Chrome settings
Global change of browser in the system menu
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use the global default application selection menu. This approach works at the operating system level, ignoring the individual settings of each individual application. To do this, return to the main settings menu and find a section that may be called Default applications, Standard applications or located inside the category Advanced.
In the list that opens you will see categories of tasks for which you can assign specific apps: calls, messages, launching the home screen and, of course, the browser. Click on item Browser or Web browser. The system will display a list of all installed browsers that can handle Internet traffic. Select from the list Google Chrome.
After selection, the icon Google Chrome will appear next to the “Browser” item, confirming that all links will now be opened through it. This method is especially effective when the internal settings of the application itself are not saved or do not work correctly. It forcibly sets priority for the entire device, overriding the local preferences of other apps.
| Android version | Path to settings | Item name |
|---|---|---|
| Android 10-11 | Applications → Advanced | Default applications |
| Android 12-13 | Applications → Default applications | Browser |
| One UI (Samsung) | Applications → Selecting default applications | Browser application |
| MIUI (Xiaomi) | Applications → Settings → Default applications | Browser |
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change with the release of security updates or a new version of the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the described items, use the settings search by entering the word “browser” or “default.”
Solving problems with saving settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after rebooting the device, the settings are reset and the links open again in the old browser. This may be caused by memory optimization features that force background processes to close or reset application permissions to save battery power. In such cases, you need to check the energy saving settings for Google Chrome.
Go to the application properties, find the section Battery or Energy saving and select the mode No restrictions or No optimize. This will prevent the system from killing the browser process and resetting its privileges. It is also worth checking for system updates, as older builds Android could contain errors that affect the saving of user preferences.
Another cause of problems may be a conflict with other applications that intercept links. Download managers, antivirus apps, or specialized content viewing utilities may claim rights to open HTTP and HTTPS requests. Temporarily disable such apps or reset their settings to default to make sure they are not interfering with your work. Google Chrome.
What to do if the "Browser" option is grayed out?
If the browser selection box is gray and not clickable, this may mean that the only alternative application on the system is disabled or removed. Try installing any other browser (for example, Firefox or Opera) to activate the selection menu, and then select Chrome again.
Setting up features on devices from different manufacturers
Various vendors make their own adjustments to the standard interface Androidwhich sometimes complicates the setup process. For example, on smartphones Samsung with the One UI shell, the path to settings may be a little longer due to the deep nesting of the menu. Here you often need to first go to Applications, then click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select Default applications.
Devices from Xiaomi and Redmi with the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have their own specifics. In them, settings are often scattered across different categories, and the system may aggressively suggest using your own browser. When you try to open a link, a window may pop up asking you to select the application “always” or “once”. It is critically important to select the option Always for Google Chrome, otherwise the system will ask you every time you click.
On smartphones Huawei and Honor without For Google services, the situation may be more complicated, since installation Google Chrome requires additional manipulations via Gspace or other emulators. In such cases, the default browser assignment may be unstable, and it is recommended to use built-in solutions or alternative Chromium-based browsers available in the official AppGallery store.
- 📱 Samsung: The menu may require confirmation via a screen unlock code.
- 🔋 Xiaomi: Disable advertising in system applications to avoid selection substitution.
- 🛡️ Huawei: Check the access rights of GMS Core for the correct operation of Google services.
Successful setup depends not only on the choice in the menu, but also on disabling aggressive battery optimization for the selected browser.
Reset preferences and return to factory settings
If none of the above methods helped, and the system stubbornly refuses to use Google Chrome as the main tool, you can try a radical method - resetting the preferences of all applications. This function returns the settings of all apps to the default state without deleting your personal data, photos or contacts.
To perform this operation, go to the menu Applications, click on the menu (three dots) and select the item Reset application settings or Reset preferences. Confirm the action. After rebooting the phone, the system will forget all default application assignments. The first time you open the link, you will be asked to select a browser - select Google Chrome and click Always.
This method is effective in cases where file and protocol association errors have accumulated in the system registry. It clears the settings cache and allows the system to reacquaint itself with installed applications. However, be prepared for the fact that you will have to re-configure opening other types of files, for example, choosing a player for music or a gallery for photos.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting application preferences will delete your settings for notifications, background data, and permissions for all apps. You will need to re-issue permissions to access the camera, microphone and contacts for important applications.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why do links still open in another browser after selecting Chrome?
Most likely, in In the settings of another browser, “Open links by default” is checked, and it has a higher priority. Go to the settings of the problematic browser and disable this function, or reset the application settings completely.
Is it possible to make an application downloaded not from the Play Market the default browser?
Yes, this is possible if the application is correctly registered in the system as a web link handler (intent-filter). However, some Android shells may block the installation of such applications as the main ones for security reasons.
How to remove the “Open with” prompt every time you click on a link?
When the application selection window appears, be sure to click the “Always” or “Default” button under the Google Chrome icon. If you click “Only once”, the system will ask you for each new link.
Does changing the default browser affect the Internet speed?
No, changing the application does not affect the connection speed, which depends on the operator and network signal. However, different browsers can process pages differently, which can subjectively affect the speed of loading content.
What to do if the “Browser” item is missing in the settings?
This is a rare firmware error. Try updating your phone's system software. If the problem persists, install any third-party browser to activate the system selection module, and then switch to Chrome.