Why users choose Yandex for Android 9
The operating system Android 9 Pie remains a popular platform for millions of devices, despite the release of newer versions. Smartphone owners are often faced with the need to change the standard browser pre-installed by the manufacturer. Yandex Browser offers unique security features, integration with company services and a traffic saving mode, which makes it an attractive choice.
The process of assigning a “default” app in this version of the OS has its own nuances. The system strictly controls application permissions, requiring the user to explicitly confirm actions. An incorrect sequence of steps can lead to links from instant messengers continuing to open in the old application.
In this guide, we will analyze the detailed algorithm of actions. You will learn how to bypass system restrictions and secure your Yandex Browser status as the main surfing tool. This will automate the opening of any web links without unnecessary system questions.
Preparing the system before changing settings
Before making changes to the device configuration, you need to make sure that you have the latest version of the application. Outdated software may not register correctly in the system as a link handler. Go to Google Play or Yandex.Store and check for updates.
It is important to understand the difference between installing an application and making it a priority. Simply downloading the app is not enough - you need to explicitly tell the operating system which tool to use for the http i httpsprotocols. In Android 9 these settings are located in different menus.
It is also recommended to clear the cache of the current default browser if it is unstable. This will prevent switching conflicts. However, it is not necessary to delete the old application if you plan to use it periodically for specific tasks.
Before changing the browser, export bookmarks from the old application if they are not synchronized with the cloud, so as not to lose important links.
Step-by-step guide through the system settings
The main way to change priorities is through the global settings of the device. The interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, EMUI, OneUI), but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing applications.
Follow the specified algorithm to get to the desired menu:
- 📱 Open the menu
Settingson your smartphone. - ⚙️ Go to the section
Applications and notifications(or simplyApplications). - 🔍 Find the item
Applications by default, which is usually located in the extended menu or at the top of the list. - 🌐 Click on the category
Browserand select Yandex from the proposed list.
If the "Default applications" item is hidden, click three dots in the upper right corner of the screen or select the option Additional. In some firmware this section is placed in the category System. After selecting, the system will remember your choice and stop asking the next time you click on the link.
☑️ Checking the default settings
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with shell MIUI or EMUI the browser selection item may be blocked before the first attempt to open the link. If you do not see the list to select, try first clicking on any link in the message.
Resetting the settings of an existing browser
There is often a situation when the system “remembered” the old choice and does not allow you to change it through the regular menu B. In this case, the “default” status is firmly assigned to another application, for example Chrome. To fix this, you need to forcefully reset the binding.
Find in the list of installed applications the browser that now opens automatically. Go to its information card through the phone settings. There you will see a button Open. by default or Launch by default.
Click on the button Remove default settings. This action will not delete the application itself, its data or history. It will only erase the entry in the system registry that this app should open links automatically. Now, the next time you click on the URL, the system will ask you again about your choice.
Resetting the default settings for the old browser is a mandatory step if the system does not allow you to select a new application in the main menu.
After the reset, try opening any link from the messenger or notes. A window will appear with the question “What to open?” button Yandex Browser and press the button Always. This action will fix the new priority.
Interface features of Android 9 Pie
The ninth version of the operating system has brought changes in the visual style and operating logic menu. Unlike earlier versions, an adaptive interface is more actively used, which changes depending on the screen orientation and device type.
Users may find that the settings menu looks different on different smartphones. Below is a table of the correspondence of menu item names for popular device manufacturers based on Android 9:
| Manufacturer | Section name. settings | Path to choosing a browser |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Applications and notifications | Advanced → Default applications |
| Samsung | Applications | Three dots → Default applications |
| Xiaomi | Applications | Settings → Default applications |
| Huawei | Applications | Default → More → Browser |
Pay attention to the behavior of the search bar Google on the main screen. Android 9 the search widget is often tightly tied to the engine Chrome, even if you have changed the default browser. This is a system feature, not a configuration error.
Changing the search engine in the widget may require a separate setting within the application itself. Google or replacing the launcher. However, links opened from other applications will work correctly through the one you choose Yandex.
Why is the Google widget not changing?
The search widget on the home screen is part of Google Play services and often ignores the default browser settings, forcing Chrome to display search results directly in the widget.
Solving common problems
Sometimes, after following all the instructions, links still open in the wrong application. This may be caused by a version conflict or the presence of multiple user profiles on the device. Check if the "Guest" or second user mode is activated.
If the problem persists, try restarting the device. System UI often helps to apply new configurations that were cached in RAM. In rare cases, clearing the service cache is required. Android System.
Make sure that Yandex Browser has all the necessary permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Yandex → PermissionsAlthough only access rights to the storage and camera are critical for the browser to work, the lack of basic rights can affect its registration in the browser. system.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a corporate profile or device with administrator rights, the organization's security policy may prohibit changing the default browser. In this case, the setting will not be available.
It is also worth checking the settings inside the Yandex Browser itself. In the section Settings → General section there may be an option Use as defaultthat, when clicked, takes the user to the system settings menu. This is a convenient way to quickly check the status of the application.
If the "Delete default settings" button is inactive (gray), it means that the current application does not have the status of the main one, and you need to search in another browser.
Advantages of using Yandex Browser
Switching to this browser provides a number of technical advantages, especially for users with limited Internet traffic. Built-in mode Turbo compresses data on servers before transferring it to the device, which speeds up loading pages on 3G networks.
Protection system Active Protection analyzes downloaded files and visited sites in real time. This is relevant for Android 9where the built-in security scanner may be less aggressive than in new versions of the OS. The browser warns about potentially dangerous software and phishing resources.
Integration with voice assistant Alice allows you to control navigation and search hands-free. You can ask to open a website, find information, or translate text simply by voice command. This increases the convenience of using a smartphone while driving or on the road.
- 🛡️ Protection from fraudulent sites and viruses.
- 🚀 Turbo mode to save traffic and speed up loading.
- 🎙️ Voice control through Alice.
- 🌙 Convenient night mode with automatic activation.
All these functions become available immediately after you set the application as the main one. The system will begin to redirect all web traffic through the Yandex engine, providing a unified browsing experience across all resources.
What to do if the settings are reset after an Android update?
During a major system update or a factory reset, all application priorities are often reset to zero. You will need to go through the browser selection process again the first time you click on the link. The system will again ask “What to open?”, and you will need to select Yandex with the “Always” checkbox.
Is it possible to remove the standard browser after setting it up?
It is usually impossible to remove a system application (for example, Chrome) without root access. However, it can be disabled in the application settings. After disabling it, it will disappear from the list and will not interfere with the work of Yandex Browser, freeing up some RAM.
Why do links from VKontakte open in the built-in browser?
Many social networks use their own “internal” browsers to open links so as not to leave the application. To change this, go to the settings of the VKontakte application itself and find the item “Open links in an external browser.”
Does changing the browser affect the operation of news widgets?
No, news widgets on the main screen usually work regardless of the default browser settings. They use their own content loading mechanisms. However, when you click on the full article, your chosen browser will open in the widget.