The situation when, when you click on a link in a messenger or email, it opens in an unexpected browser, is familiar to many smartphone users. Instead of the usual Google Chrome the Internet system application is launched. This is not only annoying, but also disrupts your workflow, especially if you are used to syncing bookmarks and passwords in the Google ecosystem. Samsung Internet, Yandex Browser or the Internet system application. This is not only annoying, but also disrupts your workflow, especially if you're used to syncing bookmarks and passwords in the Google ecosystem.
The reason for this behavior lies in the Android system settings, which remember your choice of application to perform a specific action. One day, accidentally pressing the “Always” button when choosing a browser fixes this decision. Fortunately, operating system makes it easy to change priorities and regain control over which software processes web requests.
In this guide, we will look in detail at all the methods of forced assignment default browser. You'll learn how to reset old settings, where to look for hidden menus in different shells, and what to do if standard methods don't work. The instructions cover both pure Android and proprietary interfaces from Samsung, Xiaomi and other manufacturers.
Why links open in another browser
The application selection mechanism in Android is based on Intent filters. When you click on a hyperlink, the system sends a request to all installed apps that can process the protocol http or https. If among them there is an application that you previously selected as the main one, the system automatically launches it, ignoring other options.
Often the problem occurs after updating the system or installing a new browser. At this moment, the settings may go wrong, or a new competitor Chrome aggressively offers to become the main one. Also, smartphone manufacturers sometimes preinstall their own browsers and deliberately make them a priority to retain the user in their ecosystem.
To correct the situation, you need to find the item in the settings that is responsible for default applications. The path to it may differ depending on the version Android and model of the device. Usually this is the “Applications” section, where all information about the access rights and behavior of the installed software is stored.
Resetting default settings through the app menu
The most reliable way to make the system forget about the previous choice is to reset the default settings for a specific application or for the entire system. Let's start with the option that works on most devices without exception. You need to go to the general settings of your smartphone.
Find the “Applications” or “All applications” section. In the list, find the browser that is currently undesirable to open instead of Chrome (for example, the same one Samsung Internet). Go inside the application card. Here we are interested in the “Open by default” or “Launch by default” button.
Click on this button. You'll see a toggle for "Open supported links." If it is active, the system automatically launches this browser when you click on the link. Your task is to disable this switch or click the “Remove Defaults” button. After that, the next time you click on the link, the system will again ask you how to open the content.
☑️ Reset algorithm
⚠️ Warning: If you reset settings for Chrome and not for another browser, you may lose the automatic opening of links altogether. Make sure to disable priority for the competitor and not for the target application.
Setting default browsers in the system menu
In more modern versions of Android, starting from 7.0 and higher, there is a separate global setting that hard-codes the main browser. This is a more direct route than resetting each app individually. It ensures that any web request will be redirected to the selected app.
Go to the “Settings” of your device. In the list, find the “Applications” item. At the top of the screen or in the additional menu (often indicated by three dots), look for the “Default Applications” section. In some shells, such as MIUI or OneUI, this item may be located directly in the main settings menu.
In the list that opens, select the “Browser” category. The system will show the currently assigned application. Click on it and you will be presented with a list of all installed browsers. Select Google Chrome from the list. Now all links will open exclusively in it.
What to do if there is no “Default Applications” item?
On some old or heavily modified firmware this item may be hidden. Try searching for settings by entering the phrase “default”. If the search does not help, use the reset method through the app-specific card described in the previous section. You can also install a rights management application, such as Activity Launcher, to get to hidden system menus.
| Manufacturer / Shell | Path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Android (Pixel, Motorola) | Settings → Applications → Default applications → Browser | Standard interface, settings available immediately |
| Samsung (One UI) | Settings → Applications → Select default applications → Browser application | May require password confirmation or fingerprint |
| Xiaomi (MIUI / HyperOS) | Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Default → Browser | Often hidden in a submenu, the interface is overloaded |
| Huawei / Honor (EMUI) | Settings → Applications → Default applications | Sometimes you need to disable Huawei's "Safe Browser" |
Setting features on Samsung and Xiaomi
Large manufacturers often implement their own restrictions to prevent users from leaving their services. On smartphones Samsung there is a “Safe Browsing” function that can intercept links even when Chrome is installed. Check your security settings in the “Biometrics and Security” section.
On devices Xiaomi the situation is even trickier. The “Open links in applications” feature may be enabled there, which works aggressively. Go to the settings of your specific browser (via a long tap on the icon → About the application) and make sure that opening links is allowed. Sometimes it helps to completely block the opening of links for all browsers except Chrome, followed by permission only for it.
It is also worth paying attention to the “Easy Startup Mode” or “Children’s Mode” function, which can block changing default settings. If you cannot change the browser, check whether such restrictive profiles are activated on the system.
On Xiaomi, it is useful to go to the Security app → Permissions → Other permissions → “Show pop-ups in the background” and allow it only for Chrome. This will improve the performance of links from instant messengers.
Solving problems with specific applications
Sometimes the problem is localized not in the system, but in the specific application from which you follow the links. For example, Telegram, Viber or VK have their own built-in browsers. If links open inside these apps and not in Chrome, you need to change the settings inside the messenger itself.
Go to the settings of the source application (for example, Telegram). Find the "Data and Memory" or "Chats and Calls" section. There should be an item “Built-in browser” or “Open links”. Turn it off. After this, all clicks will be transferred to the external browser that you have configured in the system.
In some cases, the application may ask you every time: “Open in the application or in the browser?” If you accidentally click "Always in the app", the link will open there. To fix this, you need to go to Android settings → Applications → Find the problematic application (for example, VK) → Open by default → Delete settings.
⚠️ Attention: Internal browsers of messengers often block scripts and do not provide a full browsing experience. For security and convenience, it is better to always use an external one. Chrome.
Using ADB commands for advanced users
If the graphical interface does not allow you to change settings (the buttons are inactive or gray), you can use USB debugging and the tool adb. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the drivers installed, but it gives complete control over the system.
Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging in the “For Developers” menu. Open a command prompt on your computer and enter the command to view the current default browser:
adb shell pm get-home-activityTo force Chrome to be set, use the following command. It changes the component responsible for processing links to a package com.android.chrome:
adb shell pm set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.MainAfter entering the command, reboot the device. This method bypasses many manufacturers' software restrictions because it works at the system package level. However, be careful: a mistake in the name of the package may cause links to stop opening altogether.
Using ADB is “heavy artillery”. Use it only if the standard settings in the phone menu are blocked or do not work correctly.
Common errors and additional recommendations
Even after correct settings, users may experience that some links still open incorrectly. This is often due to the fact that a particular site is linked to a native application. For example, a link to YouTube may open in the YouTube application and not in the browser, and this is normal system behavior.
If you want ALL links, including those that lead to sites with installed applications, to open in Chrome, you need to go to Chrome settings → Default applications → Supported links. Here you can disable the “Open in this application” option for domains that intercept traffic, or vice versa, configure them correctly.
Do not forget to update the browser itself Google Chrome via the Play Market. Legacy versions may not register themselves correctly with the system as link handlers, causing Android to ignore them when selecting them by default.
Why does the phone choose another browser again after a factory reset?
This can happen if you have multiple browsers installed and one of them (often the system one) has a higher priority in the application manifest. Also, some manufacturers implement hidden services that return settings after a reboot. In this case, only disabling or removing the competing browser will help.
Is it possible to make different links open in different browsers?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools. The system assumes a single default browser for all HTTP/HTTPS links. To implement the “work links in one, personal links in another” scenario, you will need third-party launchers or complex scripts through Tasker.
What to do if the “Remove Defaults” button is grayed out (gray)?
This means that there are no default preferences currently set for this application. The system has already “forgot” the choice. In this case, try uninstalling updates for this application or clearing its cache, and then try setting Chrome as your main one again.
Does power saving mode affect the opening of links?
In rare cases, aggressive power saving mode can block the launch of “heavy” applications such as Chrome in favor of lighter system browsers. Try disabling the power saving mode and check the links again.
Is it safe to use third-party apps to change the browser?
Most of these apps require superuser rights (Root) or the use of accessibility services, which can reduce the security of the device. It is better to use the built-in Android tools or the ADB method described above, since they do not require the installation of questionable software.