Users of mobile devices based on Android often encounter a situation where, when clicking on a hyperlink in an email client Mail.ru the system does not prompt you to select a browser or opens a page in an incorrect application. This is a common problem related to the file association settings and application priority in the operating system. In this article, we will look in detail at how to force the installation of the desired browser to process web addresses coming from the mailbox.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that modern versions of Android tighten the rules for managing links, requiring the user to explicitly confirm actions. If you previously accidentally selected the Always option for an inappropriate application, the system remembers this choice. However, there are several effective methods for resetting these settings and correctly configuring the environment for comfortable work with email.
We will consider both standard methods through system settings, and specific solutions for shells from different manufacturers. You don't need root access or complex software. It is enough to be attentive when navigating through the smartphone menu and understanding the logic of the Intent filters, which are responsible for redirecting requests between applications.
The principle of processing links in Android
The Android operating system uses a mechanism Intent for communication between applications. When you click on a link in an email, the email client sends a system request like VIEW with the URL data. The system scans installed apps for the presence of protocol handlers http and https. If there are several such apps, the user is offered a choice.
The problem occurs when the system already has a default application for these actions, or when the email client Mail.ru tries to open a link through its built-in WebView, which may not work correctly. The built-in browser often limits the functionality of sites, blocking the loading of scripts or the correct display of adaptive layout.
For full surfing, it is necessary that the request be redirected to an external browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Yandex Browser. This provides better compatibility with modern web standards and allows you to use saved passwords and bookmarks. Understanding this mechanism will help you consciously manage your device settings.
⚠️ Attention: In the latest versions of Android (starting from 11 and higher), settings for opening links may be hidden deep in the application menu, and not in the general system settings. The interface may differ depending on the smartphone manufacturer.
Preparing the device for setup
Before changing system parameters, make sure that the target browser is installed and updated on your device. Lack of an up-to-date version may lead to errors when processing modern security protocols. Go to Google Play Market and check for updates for the selected application.
It is also recommended to clear the mail application cache Mail.ruto eliminate the influence of temporary files on the app selection process. This action is safe and will not delete your emails or account settings, but it will reset some temporary interface states. Go to your phone settings, find the applications section and select your email client.
- 📱 Make sure the target browser is installed and working.
- 🔄 Check for updates for the application Mail.ru in the store.
- 🗑️ Clear your email client cache through the Android settings.
- 🔋 Charge your device to at least 30% to avoid shutdown during setup.
☑️ Preparing to set up links
After completing the preparatory steps, you can proceed to the actual configuration. This is a global system setting that makes it easier for the user to interact with Internet content.
Resetting application settings to default
The most reliable way to force the system to ask you again about choosing a browser is to reset previously set preferences. If you ever clicked "Always" when opening a link, Android remembers that choice and no longer shows the selection menu. We need to remove this binding.
Go to the smartphone settings and find the section Applications or Application Manager. In the list, find the browser that currently opens automatically (for example, the standard Samsung browser or Chrome). Click on it to open the app information page. Here we are interested in the item Open by default or Launch by default.
Press the button Remove default settings or Reset preferences. After this action, the system will “forget” that this particular app should open links. Now, the next time you click on the link in the mail Mail.ru a system dialog box will appear asking you to select an application.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
If the "Remove Defaults" button is gray or inactive, it means that there are no default actions set for this application. In this case, try resetting the settings for another browser that may be hidden in the system, or go to the “Link Settings” section in the Mail.ru application menu.
Setting up opening links in the Mail.ru application
In modern versions of Android, link management has become more detailed. You can customize the behavior of a specific application Mail.ruby telling it which links it should process on its own and which it should pass on to other apps. This is done through the advanced settings of the application.
Go to Settings → Applications → Mail.ru. Find the section Open supported links. Here you will see a switch. If enabled, the application tries to open links within itself. For our task, it is better to select the option Always ask or Open in this application (followed by selecting an external browser through the menu).
However, the most correct way is to allow the application to pass links to external handlers. Make sure that there are no restrictions in the list of supported domains that block access to third-party browsers. Sometimes it helps to completely disable the “Open links in this application” option, which will force the system to look for an external handler immediately.
| Setting type | Recommended value | Action result |
|---|---|---|
| Open by default | Delete settings | Reset browser selection by the system |
| Supported links | Always ask | Appearance of the selection menu when clicked |
| Built-in browser | Disable (if available) | Forced exit to external browser |
| Memory access | Allow | Correct loading of attachments and pages |
If there is no explicit link management item in Mail.ru settings, try clearing application data (not just cache). This will return the application to the “first launch” state and reset all internal preferences.
Selecting a browser when following a link
After completing all the previous steps, the moment of truth has come. Open the application Mail.ru, find any letter with a hyperlink and click on it. The system should display a pop-up window with a list of installed browsers. This menu is called Chooser.
In the list you will see icons of Chrome, Samsung Internet, Yandex and other installed browsers. Choose the one you want to use constantly. Below the list there will be two buttons: “Only now” and Always. It is critical to click “Always” if you want to fix this choice and not see the menu every time.
If you click “Only now”, the system will remember the choice only for the current session, and the next time you click, the question will be repeated. For stable operation, choose the permanent option. If you make a mistake, simply repeat the reset procedure described in the previous section and select the correct application.
- 🖱️ Click on the link in the email after resetting the settings.
- 👀 Wait until the system application selection menu appears.
- ✅ Select the desired browser from list.
- 🔒 Press the button Always to fix the selection.
The “Always” button fixes the browser selection for all http/https links in the system until you reset the settings manually. Be careful when clicking.
Solving problems with the built-in Mail.ru browser
Sometimes users want to use the built-in browser of the mail client, but it does not work correctly. In this case, the problem may lie in an outdated component Android System WebView. This system module is responsible for displaying web content inside other applications.
Go to Google Play Market, find Android System WebView and click “Refresh”. It is also recommended to update the browser itself Chromeas on many devices these components are closely related. After the update, restart your smartphone and check the functionality of the links inside the application Mail.ru.
If the problem persists, it is possible that in the settings of the email application itself there is a checkbox “Open links in an external browser”, which conflicts with the current system configuration. Try to find this item in the account settings inside the application and switch it to the opposite state to test different behavior scenarios.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi and Huawei devices there are additional power saving settings that can block browsers from working in the background or when switching from other applications. Check the battery settings for the selected browser.
Setting features on different versions of Android
The settings interface can vary significantly depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's proprietary shell. On “pure” Android (Pixel, Motorola), the path usually lies through Settings → Applications → Default applications → Browser.
In shells One UI (Samsung) or MIUI (Xiaomi) the logic may be different. For example, MIUI has a separate “Security” application, where in the “Licenses” or “Permissions” section you can control the default launch. Owners of such devices should be more careful when searching for the required menu items.
On older versions of Android (below 6.0), control was simpler: on the first click, the system immediately asked for a choice, and the reset was done through the “Settings” → “Applications” menu → “All” tab → selecting a browser → “Launch as default.” The principle remains the same, only the location of the buttons in the interface changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does nothing happen when you click on a link?
This may mean that the system does not have an application assigned to it for processing links, or the assigned application is deleted or corrupted. Try installing any popular browser and resetting application settings to default in the Android settings menu.
Is it possible to make different links open in different browsers?
This is difficult to do using standard Android tools. The system assigns one default browser for the http/https protocols. To split traffic, you will need third-party redirector applications or complex automation scripts, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Is it safe to reset application settings to default?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. You won't lose any data, contacts or files. A reset only deletes the system's stored preferences about which application to launch for certain actions (calls, links, photos). The next time you perform the next action, the system will ask you again.
What if the list of browsers is empty when you select?
If the list is empty, then none of the installed applications are registered as capable of processing web links. Make sure that you have at least one full-fledged browser installed from Google Play, and not just stripped-down versions or social network clients.
Does the choice of browser affect the download speed of letters?
No, the choice of browser only affects the opening of external links. The loading speed of the mail interface itself Mail.ru depends on the Internet connection and the operation of the mail application itself, and not on the settings of the external browser.