Many smartphone owners Samsung face a situation where when you click on a link in a messenger or email, the system automatically launches Samsung Internet or Google Chrome, ignoring installed Yandex Browser. This happens because the application for opening web pages is already fixed in the Android settings. Changing this priority is not difficult, but the path to the desired option may differ slightly depending on the version of the shell One UI.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the methods of forcing Yandex Browser as the main tool for surfing. You'll learn how to reset default settings for other browsers and how to configure the system correctly so that links open exactly where you want. The process will only take a couple of minutes, but will significantly improve your user experience.
Why the system does not prompt you to select a browser right away
The operating system Android has a mechanism for remembering the user's choice. If you once clicked the "Always" button when opening a link, the system will no longer ask for your opinion and will automatically launch the specified application. This is done to speed up work, but sometimes interferes with changing preferences.
On devices Samsung preinstalled Samsung Internet often has deep integration with the shell One UI. Because of this, it can intercept requests to open URLs even when alternatives are available. To regain control, you must manually clear your current bindings in the system menu.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your settings to default will not remove your bookmarks, history, or passwords from browsers. This action only “forgets” which application should open automatically.
Understanding this mechanism is important for proper configuration. You won't be able to simply select a new browser from one menu if the old assignment is still active. First you need to “reset” the system’s solution, and then set a new work vector.
If you often use different browsers for different tasks, it is better not to click “Always”, but to select “Only once”. This will allow the system to ask you every time you open a link.
Preparing to change your default browser
Before making changes to system settings, make sure that Yandex Browser is already installed and updated to the latest version. Outdated software may not register correctly in the system as supporting all types of web links.
It is also recommended to check that all necessary permissions are available. Sometimes the browser does not become the primary browser simply because it does not have the rights to handle links or access the network in the background. Go to the application settings and make sure that all switches are active.
- 📲 Make sure that the Android version is not lower than 8.0 for the modern functions of Yandex Browser to work correctly.
- 🔋 Disable the power saving mode during setup so that the system does not limit the background activity of applications.
- 🌐 Check Internet connection, as some browsers require online activation of protocols.
If you are using a corporate profile or mode Knox, some settings may be blocked by the device administrator. In this case, the standard procedure may not work without additional rights.
Method 1: Setting through the app menu
The most direct way to change settings is to use the application manager in the smartphone settings. This method is universal for most versions One UI and allows you to precisely control the behavior of each installed software.
First, open the main Settings of your device Samsung. Scroll down the list to the Applicationssection. Here you will see a complete list of installed software. Find in the list the browser that currently opens by default (most often it is Chrome or Samsung Internet).
Click on the name of this application. In the menu that opens, find the item Open by default or Default setting. Inside you will see a button Delete default settings. Clicking on it will reset the current assignment.
☑️ Resetting algorithm
After completing this procedure, the next time you click on a link, the system will ask you how to open the content in the window that appears. select Yandex Browser and be sure to press the button Always. Now the choice is fixed.
Method 2: Global assignment in system settings
In new shell versions One UI the company Samsung has moved the selection of default applications to a separate, more convenient section. This allows you to set the main browser without going into the settings of each application separately.
Go to Settings and find the section Applications. At the top of the screen, click on the button Select default applications. Here is a list of categories: browser, calls, messages and others. Click on the line Browser.
In the list that opens, select Yandex Browser. The check mark will automatically move to the selected application. Now all links from any apps will open in it, unless other rules are set for specific file types.
| Action | Path to the menu (One UI 5/6) | Path to the menu (One UI 3/4) |
|---|---|---|
| Enter settings | Settings → Applications |
Settings → Applications |
| Search section | Select default applications (top) |
⋮ (three dots) → Default applications |
| Select browser | Click on item Browser |
Click to item Browser |
| Confirmation | Select Yandex from the list | Select Yandex from the list |
The interface may vary slightly depending on your model Samsung Galaxy. If you do not find the item right away, use the search inside the settings by entering the query “by default.”
Solving problems if the browser does not save
Sometimes it happens that you have completed all the steps, but after a while the system again resets the choice to a third-party application. This may be due to aggressive battery optimization or a software version conflict.
Check the energy saving settings for Yandex Browser. Go to Settings → Applications → Yandex Browser → Battery. Set the mode Unlimited. If the system “kills” the browser process, it may lose its status as an active link handler.
⚠️ Attention: On some Samsung models, Device Optimization features may automatically change settings at certain intervals. Add the browser to the exceptions.
Also make sure that you do not have multiple versions of the same browser installed (for example, system and updated through the store). Duplicate applications often confuse Android's priority system.
If the problem persists, try clearing the cache of the application itself Yandex Browser, but do not delete the data so as not to lose history. Rebooting the smartphone after all the settings also often helps to consolidate the changes.
Features of working with links in different applications
It is worth noting that some applications, for example Instagram or Telegram, have their own built-in browsers. They can open links within themselves, ignoring your system settings. This was done by the developers of these social networks to keep the user inside the ecosystem.
To open a link from such an application in an external one Yandex Browser, you usually need to click on the three dots in the corner of the built-in window and select Open in browser. After this, your system preference will work.
In messengers like WhatsApp the behavior may depend on the version of the application. Recent updates often add the ability to select a browser when you long press a link or through the send menu.
Why is it better to disable built-in browsers?
Built-in browsers of social networks often block the operation of some scripts, interfere with downloading files and prevent the full use of extensions. Opening links in Yandex Browser provides better protection and loading speed.
Understanding this difference will save you from the false impression that your smartphone settings do not work. The system is configured correctly, but a specific application intercepts control at its level.
Frequently asked questions and additional settings
After successful setup, users are often interested in additional integration options. For example, is it possible to make the voice assistant also use the new browser? In most cases, this is configured separately in the assistant section.
It is also important to monitor updates for itself. Android. Major updates sometimes reset user preferences to factory defaults. Regularly checking your settings after updating the software will help you avoid surprises.
- 🛡️ Use the “Turbo” mode in Yandex Browser to save traffic when opening heavy pages.
- 🔒 Turn on protection Protect to safely browse sites and check downloaded files.
- 🎨 Customize the theme to match your system theme Samsung.
Don't forget that you can always return to the standard browser by repeating the selection procedure in reverse order. The flexibility of the Android system allows you to change preferences as many times as necessary.
The main rule: if the system does not ask for a choice when you click, it means that there is an active “Always” assignment somewhere. It needs to be found and reset.
What to do if the “Browser” item is not in the default settings?
This is a rare situation that can occur on very old versions of Android or custom firmware. In this case, use only the first method: go to the settings of the specific application that is currently opening (for example, Chrome), and click “Remove default settings” there. After this, the system will forcefully ask for a choice the next time you click.
Is it possible to make Yandex a browser for widgets on the desktop?
Search widgets on the desktop are usually tied to a specific application when they are added. If the Google widget opens search in Chrome, remove it and add the Yandex widget from the widget menu. It will use the search bar and the Yandex Browser engine.
Are settings reset when the phone is rebooted?
No, correctly installed application settings are saved by default after a reboot. If they are reset, this is a sign of an error in the system, the presence of viruses or the work of third-party optimization apps that change the configuration.
Does the choice of browser affect the speed of the Internet?
The choice of browser itself does not change the speed of your tariff with the operator. However, Yandex Browser has traffic compression technology and a turbo mode, which can speed up loading pages when the network signal is poor compared to other browsers.