You have installed a new browser on your smartphone, but the system stubbornly opens links in the standard one Google Chrome or Samsung Internet? Or maybe after updating Android, all settings were reset, and now every click on a link brings up an application selection dialog? In this article we will look at how to correctly assign a default browser on any Android device - from Xiaomi Redmi to Google Pixel, regardless of the firmware version.

The problem with choosing a default browser became especially relevant after exit Android 10when Google tightened its rules for working with default applications. Now the system not only allows you to select one application for all types of links, but also can automatically reset settingsif you do not use the selected browser for a long time. In addition, manufacturers like Samsung or Huawei often override the standard behavior of Android, adding their own nuances. We took all these points into account and prepared a universal guide.

Why does Android reset the browser to default?

Many users are faced with the fact that some time after setting the system again asks which application to use to open links. This is not a bug, but a feature of modern versions of Android. Here are the main reasons:

  • 🔄 Automatic reset — if you have not opened links in the selected browser for more than 30 days, Android resets the settings to “default” to save resources.
  • 📦 System update — after major updates (for example, from Android 12 to 13) some settings may be reset.
  • 🛠️ Clearing cache — if you manually cleared application data Settings or reset application settings, the browser selection is canceled.
  • 📱 Manufacturer restrictions —some brands (for example, Huawei or Oppo) block changing the default browser for system links.

Interestingly, in Android 14 Google has added a new feature - "Confirmation of opening links." Now, even if you have your default browser selected, the system may show a selection dialog when opening links from some applications (for example Telegram or WhatsApp). This is done for security, but many users find it annoying. Fortunately, this option can be disabled - we'll talk about it below.

📊 What browser do you use on Android?
Google Chrome
Samsung Internet
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Brave
Other

Standard method: through Android settings

This is the most reliable method that works on most devices with Android 6.0 and later. The instructions may differ slightly depending on the shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS, etc.), but the general algorithm is the same:

  1. Open Settings your smartphone.
  2. Go to the Applications section (or Manage applications on some devices).
  3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Default applications (on some firmware this item may be called Application settings → Default applications).
  4. Tap on the line Browser (or Opening links).
  5. In the list of available browsers, select the one you need (for example, Firefox or Opera).

If your browser is not in the list, make sure it is installed and updated to the latest version. Some browsers (for example, Kiwi Browser) require additional permission to process links - it can be given in the settings of the browser itself.

Install the browser from the official store (Google Play)

Update the browser to the latest version

Open the browser at least once manually

Check that the browser is not blocked in security settings-->

Features for different manufacturers

Smartphone manufacturers often modify Android to suit their needs, which can complicate the process of changing the default browser. Let's consider the nuances for popular brands:

Brand Features Additional actions
Samsung (One UI) Uses Samsung Internet as a system browser. Some links (for example, from Bixby) always open in it. Disable Open web links in Samsung Internet in settings browser.
Xiaomi (MIUI) Aggressively resets settings to default after updates. MIUI 14 has added a separate switch for "Safe Links". Go to Settings → Accessibility → MIUI Settings → Reset application settings and disable automatic reset.
Huawei (EMUI/HarmonyOS) On new devices without Google services, the default browser cannot be changed - all links open in Huawei Browser. Install the browser via AppGallery and use the function "Open in another browser" in the context menu.
Google Pixel (Stock Android) The "cleanest" implementation. Supports quick reset via Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset application settings. To reset selection dialogs, use the command adb shell cmd appops set com.android.settings DEFAULT_BROWSER ignore (requires ADB).

On devices Oppo/Realme/OnePlus (ColorOS shell) you may need to disable the "Smart Link Opening" function in the browser settings. And on Sony Xperia sometimes restarting the device after changing the default browser helps - otherwise the changes are not applied.

💡

If, after changing the browser, links still open in the old application, try clearing the cache and application data Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!). This often helps with system glitches.

How to disable the browser selection dialog in Android 12-14

Starting from Android 12, Google has added a new security feature - confirmation of opening links. Now, even if you have the default browser selected, the system may show a dialog with the question “Open with...” To fix this:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Select Default applications → Opening supported links.
  3. Find your browser in the list (for example, Chrome or Firefox).
  4. Tap on it and select Open supported links.
  5. Enable the option Add link (or Open automatically on some devices).

For Android 14 there is an additional item:

  1. Go back to the main application settings and select Permissions → Additional permissions.
  2. Find the permission Show on top of other applications and enable it for your browser.

If the selection dialog continues to appear, check the settings of the specific application from which you open the links. For example, Telegram there is a separate option "Open links in..." in the chat settings.

What to do if there is no "Open" option automatically"?

On some firmware (for example, on older versions of MIUI) this item may not be available. In this case, try:

1. Uninstall updates for the application Settings (if available).

2. Use the ADB command to reset:

adb shell pm clear com.android.settings

3. Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which can control the processing of links.

Problem solving: the browser is not saved as the main one.

Sometimes the system stubbornly refuses to remember the selected browser. Here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

  • 🔧 Application conflict — if you have several browsers installed, they may interfere with each other. Try disabling unnecessary browsers in application settings.
  • 📵 Manufacturer restrictions —on some devices (especially Chinese brands), changing the default browser is blocked at the firmware level. In this case, only root or custom firmware will help.
  • 🔄 Reset settings —if you recently reset your network or application settings, this could invalidate your browser selection. Check to see if the automatic reset option is enabled in the developer settings.
  • 🛡️ Antivirus or optimizer - apps like Clean Master or 360 Security can block changes to default settings. Try disabling them temporarily.

If all else fails, try a radical method:

  1. Delete all browsers except the one you want to make the main one.
  2. Reboot your device.
  3. Set the default browser through the settings.
  4. After this, you can return the other browsers - the system should remember your choice.
💡

On devices with root access, you can force set the default browser through ADB or applications like App Ops. However, this may disrupt the operation of some system functions, so use this method only if other methods have not worked.

Android allows you to flexibly configure the processing of different types of links. For example, you can make it open regular web pages and open links to online banking. To do this: Chrome opened regular web pages, and Firefox Focus — links to online banking. To do this:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Default applications → Opening links.
  2. Select the type of links (for example, HTTP, HTTPS or FTP).
  3. In the list of applications, select browser that should handle this type.
  4. Repeat for other types of links if necessary.

On some devices (for example, Samsung or LG) you can configure the processing of links by domain:

  1. Open the settings of the browser you want use for specific sites.
  2. Find the section Opening links or Managing links.
  3. Add domains (for example, vk.com or youtube.com) to the exclusion list.
  4. Select an action for these domains (open in the current browser or redirect to another).

This feature is especially useful if you use Brave for regular surfing, but want to financial sites were opened in Firefox with VPN enabled.

adb shell cmd appops set com.android.chrome OPEN_BY_DEFAULT verify

But be careful - incorrect settings can lead to system malfunctions.-->

Alternative methods: launchers and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work, you can use third-party tools. Here are several proven solutions:

  • 📱 Launchers — some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) allow you to flexibly configure the processing of links. In the launcher settings, find the Assigned actions or Smart shortcuts.
  • 🔧 Applications for managing defaults - utilities like Default App Manager or SetEdit (requires root) give advanced control over default settings.
  • 🖥️ ADB commands —for experienced users there are commands that allow you to manually set the default browser. For example: 
    adb shell cmd role add-package com.android.chrome android.role.BROWSER

    adb shell cmd role set-default-browser com.android.chrome

    Replace com.android.chrome with your package. browser (for example, org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).

  • 🔄 Tasker/Automate —using these applications, you can create a rule that will automatically open links in the desired browser, ignoring system settings.

Please note that using ADB and root applications may violate the warranty and affect the security of the device. Before experiments, make a backup copy. data.

How to find the browser package name?

To use ADB commands, you need to know the exact browser package name.

1. Install the application App Inspector from Google Play.

2. Open it and find your browser in the list.

3. Copy the value from the field Package Name.

For popular browsers, the batch names are:

- Chrome: com.android.chrome

- Firefox: org.mozilla.firefox

- Opera: com.opera.browser

- Brave: com.brave.browser

- Samsung Internet: com.sec.android.app.sbrowser

Common errors and how to avoid them

When changing the default browser, users often encounter typical errors. Here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Attention: If you are using Android Go (light version for weak devices), some settings may not be available. In this case, try updating the system to the full version of Android or using a browser Chrome Gothat is optimized for such devices.
Error Cause Solution
There is no "Browser" item in the default settings The browser does not support processing links or does not updated Update your browser or install another one (for example, Chrome or Firefox)
Settings are reset after reboot Conflict with the optimizer or antivirus Disable auto-optimization in the security settings or add the browser to exceptions
Links from some applications open in another browser The application has its own settings for processing links Check the application settings (for example, in Telegram or VK is a separate item for selecting a browser)
You cannot change the browser on Huawei devices Limitations of HarmonyOS firmware Use a browser Huawei Browser with "Desktop" mode enabled or install APK versions of browsers manually

Another common problem is when the default browser changes on its own after an update. This is due to the fact that some manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Xiaomireset user settings when updating the firmware. To avoid this, before updating the system:

  1. Back up your settings via Settings → Accounts and Backup → Backup and Restore.
  2. Remember or take a photo of the current default browser settings.
  3. After updating, do not click "Restore default settings" —configure manually.
Is it possible to make the default browser without root access?

Yes, in most cases, root access is not required. It is enough to use standard Android settings or ADB commands (they do not require root, however). (for example Huawei or ColorOS) the manufacturer can block changing the default browser without root access.

Why do some links still open in Chrome after changing the browser?

This happens because some applications (for example, Gmail or YouTube) have built-in settings for processing links. Go to the settings of such an application and find the item "Open links in...". Also check if you have Chrome as the default browser for specific types of links (HTTP/HTTPS).

How to return the default browser to default?

To return the system browser (for example, Samsung Internet or Google Chrome), follow the same steps as to change the browser, but select the standard application. If it is not in the list, try:

  1. Update the system browser via Google Play.
  2. Reset application settings in Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset application settings.
  3. Reboot the device.
Is it possible to assign different browsers to different accounts?

At the level Android systems do not have such a function. However, you can use workarounds:

  • Set up profiles in the browser (for example, in Chrome or Firefox) and link them to different Google accounts.
  • Use applications like Island (requires root) to create isolated work profiles with different browsers.
  • Set up automatic opening of certain domains in different browsers via Tasker.
Why is the browser selection not saved on Android 14?

In Android 14, Google has tightened the rules for processing links for security purposes. Now the system. may show a selection dialog even if the browser is set as the default. To fix this:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Default applications → Open links.
  2. Select your browser and enable the option Open supported ones links.
  3. In the browser settings, find the section Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects and allow automatic redirects.
  4. If the problem persists, try disabling the "Anti-Phishing" function in the security settings Android.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling phishing protection may reduce the security of your device. Do this only if you are sure of the sources of the links you are opening.