The smartphone Samsung Galaxy A50 operates on an operating system Android, which by default offers the use of services from Google. However, the vast majority of users in the Russian-speaking segment prefer to install alternative web browsers, such as Yandex.Browser, Opera or DuckDuckGo. Often, after installing a new app, the system continues to open links from instant messengers and mail in the old application, which causes inconvenience and confusion.
Changing the priority application is a basic setting available to every device owner without the need to obtain root access or use complex software. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to secure the desired browser as the main tool for surfing the Internet. The correct configuration will save your time and make interaction with your smartphone more comfortable.
Preparing the device for changing settings
Before you start changing system parameters, you need to make sure that the desired application is already present in your memory Samsung A50. If you are just planning to download a new browser, do it through the official store Google Play Market or Galaxy Store. Installation from third-party sources may require additional permissions to install unknown applications, which will complicate the process.
After successfully downloading and installing the app, it is recommended to run it manually at least once. This is necessary for the system to correctly register the new software and add it to the list of options available for selection. Some browsers themselves offer to become the default app when you first launch, but you should not rely on this function, as it often does not work correctly.
Also make sure that third-party launchers or optimization apps are not active on your device, which may block changes to system settings. The standard interface One UI from Samsung provides full access to application management, so the use of third-party shells in this case is not required and may even interfere.
⚠️ Attention: If you download the browser as an APK file from a third-party site, be sure to check it for viruses before installing. Malware disguised as a browser can steal your passwords and banking data.
☑️ Ready for setup
Search for the section with applications in the settings menu
Shell interface Android may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general navigation logic in smartphones Samsung remains the same. To begin, unlock the screen and find the gear-shaped icon on your desktop, which indicates entering the main system configuration menu. Clicking on this icon will open a full list of available parameters.
In the list that opens, you need to scroll down the screen until you find the item responsible for managing the installed software. In modern versions One UI this section is most often called simply “Applications”. In some older builds, it may be hidden inside the “General Settings” subsection or have the name “Application Manager”.
By clicking on the corresponding item, you will be taken to a complete list of all apps that currently occupy space in your memory Samsung Galaxy A50. Here you can remove unnecessary software, clear the cache, or, which is important for our task, change launch priorities. The interface of this menu is intuitive and has a search bar at the top of the screen.
If you do not want to scroll through a long list manually, use the search function. Enter the first letters of the name of the browser you want to make the main one, and the system will instantly filter the list, leaving only the application you need. This is especially convenient if you have more than a hundred apps installed.
Use the search bar at the top of the list of applications to instantly find the browser you need without scrolling through the entire alphabetical index.
Selecting a specific browser to configure
Once you have opened the list of all installed apps, find in it the browser that you plan to use in as the main one. This can be standard Samsung Internet, familiar to many Google Chrome, or any other option you downloaded, for example, Firefox or UC Browser.
Tap the name of the selected application with your finger. This action will open a page with detailed information about the app, known as "App Details". This displays information about the version, the amount of memory occupied, permissions to access the camera and microphone, as well as notification and battery settings.
Carefully study the information presented. Make sure you select the exact app you are looking for, as the names may be similar. For example, Yandex has a separate "Browser" application and a "Yandex" application with built-in search, and their settings may differ.
On this page, buttons are also available to forcefully stop the app or remove it from the device. Be careful with these features: if you accidentally click Uninstall, the setup process will be interrupted and you'll have to download the app again. Our goal now is only to change the launch parameters.
Resetting the settings for opening links to default
The key step in the procedure is management of launch parameters. On the app details page, look for a section called "Open by default" or "Default settings." In some firmware versions, this item may be hidden under the additional menu expansion arrow.
If the “Open supported links” or “Set as default” button is active in this section, this means that the system has already remembered the choice for this application. However, if you want to change your current browser to a new one, you first need to clear the settings of the old application, which is now the main one.
To do this, return to the general list of applications, find the current browser (for example, Chrome), go to its settings and press the button Default or Clear default settings. Confirm the action in the dialog box that appears. After this, the system will “forget” which application should open links from the Internet.
Now that the old bindings have been deleted, return to the settings of the new browser that you want to designate as the main one. Click on the "Open by default" option and select the "Open supported links" option. In the menu that appears, select the option “In this application” or “Always” to firmly secure the choice.
⚠️ Attention: The “Clear default settings” button may be inactive (grayed out) if such settings have not yet been set by the system for this application. This is normal behavior.
What to do if the button is grayed out?
If you cannot click the reset button, it means that the system has not yet registered the choice for this application. In this case, just go to the next section of the instructions and try to open any link from the messenger.
Alternative method through global settings
There is a faster way to change the default browser to Samsung A50, without going into the properties of each application separately. This method works through the general settings menu of the operating system and allows you to see a list of all available browsers in one window.
Go to the main Settings smartphone and scroll down the list to the very end. There you will find the “Applications” item. Tap it, and then at the top of the screen tap the three dots icon or look for “Set default apps.” In new versions One UI this item may simply be called “Default Applications.”
In the menu that opens, find the line “Browser”. Clicking on it will bring up a pop-up window with a list of all web browsers installed on the phone. Just tap the title you want to prioritize. The system will automatically apply the changes and remember your choice.
This method is especially convenient because it clearly shows which apps the system recognizes as browsers. If you installed a new application, but do not see it in this list, it means that it was not correctly registered by the system as a web browser.
The Global Default Applications menu is the most reliable way to set priority, since it overwrites any previous individual settings.
Checking the result and solving problems
After all have been completed manipulations, you need to make sure that the settings are applied correctly. The easiest way to check is to open any messenger, for example Telegram or WhatsApp, and click on any active link in the correspondence. The link should open in the browser you chose.
If the link was opened in an old application, the system may have saved a cache of the previous selection. In this case, try restarting your smartphone. Once enabled, check the link again. In 99% of cases, the problem is solved by simply restarting the device.
Sometimes a situation arises when, when you click on a link, a window appears with the question “What to open?”. This means that you previously selected the "Only Once" option instead of "Always". In this window, select the desired browser again and this time be sure to click the “Always” button or check the “Remember selection” checkbox.
| User action | System reaction | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Selecting “Only one” times" | Launch the selected application | Next time the system will ask you to select again |
| Select “Always” | Launch the application + write to memory | Links always open in this browser |
| Clearing settings | Resetting priorities | The system will forget the selection and ask again |
| Removing the browser | Automatic reset | The system will prompt you to select a new option |
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version (10, 11, 12) and the One UI shell update. If you do not find an item, look for a similar one or use the search inside the settings.
If, after changing the browser, the links stop opening at all, check whether the new application's permission to access the network is disabled in the "Mobile data" section.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to set the default browser if the phone is not connected to the Internet?
Yes, you can. The procedure for changing settings occurs locally in the device’s memory and does not require a network connection. However, the browser itself must already be installed on the phone in advance.
What to do if the “Default Browser” list is empty?
This means that your Samsung A50 does not have a single application installed that the system recognizes as a web browser. You need to download any browser from the application store, after which it will automatically appear in the list.
How to return the settings back to the factory Samsung Internet browser?
Go to the settings through the "Default Applications" menu, select "Browser" and tap the name in the list Samsung Internet. If it is not in the list, it may have been deleted and needs to be restored via Galaxy Store.
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. Heavy browsers may work slower on older versions Android.
Why were the settings reset after a system update?
Major firmware updates sometimes reset user preferences to ensure stability. After updating, simply repeat the procedure for selecting the default browser through the settings menu.