How to set Yandex as the default browser on a Samsung smartphone: 3 working methods

You purchased new smartphone Samsung Galaxy and want to use Yandex.Browser instead of the standard Samsung Internet or Google Chrome? Or are you just tired of constant redirects to an inconvenient search engine? Setting the default browser on devices with shell One UI has its own nuances - especially after updates to Android 12+ and One UI 4.0/5.0, where the manufacturer is actively promoting its own services.

In this article you find current ways to make Yandex the main browser on Samsung in 2026including bypassing shell restrictions, setting default searches, and solving common problems (for example, when the system ignores your choice). We will also look at why sometimes the settings are reset after a reboot and how to fix it.

Important: the procedure may differ depending on the model (Galaxy S23, A54, Z Flip5 etc.) and firmware version. If your smartphone runs on Android 13/14 c One UI 6.0, pay attention to the section about alternative methods —Samsung has tightened the default policy for third-party applications.

Why does Samsung block changing the default browser?

The company Samsung is actively integrating its services into the ecosystem One UI, and the browser Samsung Internet is one of the key elements. Here are the main reasons why the system may resist change:

• 🔒 Manufacturer's policy: Starting with One UI 3.1 (Android 11), Samsung has added restrictions on changing the default browser for some system actions (for example, opening links from messages).
• 📱 Pre-installed applications: Browser Samsung Internet cannot be completely removed - only disabled. This affects the priority of processing links.
• 🔄 OS updates: After the May 2023 updates (security packages), many users complained about automatically resetting settings to default.
• 🛡️ Security: Samsung argues that the restrictions are protection against phishing, since their browser has built-in link checking via Smart Protection.

However, these restrictions are not absolute. Next, we will show how to bypass them in legal ways without root access or complex manipulations with the system.

Method 1: Standard setup through the app menu (Android 10–13)

This is a basic method that works on most devices Samsung s One UI 2.5–5.0. Suitable for models Galaxy S20/S21/S22, A32/A52/A72 and newer (if there was no deep customization of the firmware).

1. Install Yandex.Browser from Google Play (or update to the latest version).

2. Open Settings → Applications.

3. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Default applications (or Default selection on older versions).

4. Find section Browser and select Yandex.Browser from the list.

5. Return to Settings → Applications → Yandex.Browser → Open by default and make sure that all types of links (HTTP, HTTPS, .html) are attached to it.

If there is no item Browser in the settings, it means your version One UI hides it. Go to Method 2.

Install the latest version of Yandex.Browser|Assign it as the default browser in the settings|Checked the opening of links from messages/mail|Rebooted the phone to apply the changes-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, One UI 5.1 for Galaxy S23 Ultra) after changing the browser, the system may request confirmation every time you open a link. This is not an error - this is how “protection against accidental changes” works. To remove the request, you need to manually open 3-5 links through Yandex, after which the system will remember your choice.

Method 2: Setting via "Open with supported links" (for One UI 4.0+)

In new versions of the shell, Samsung has moved some of the settings to section Open with supported links. This method works even if the standard method did not work:

1. Launch Yandex.Browser and wait until it offers to become the default browser (usually a banner pops up on the first launch). Click Install.

2. If there is no banner, go to Settings → Applications → Yandex.Browser → Open by default.

3. Tap on Open with supported links (or Add links on some models).

4. Enable all available types:

   • 🌐 http:// and https://
   • 📄 .html, .htm, .xhtml
   • 🔗 VIEW (view)

If after these steps links still open in Samsung Internet, check the settings of specific applications (for example, Gmail or Telegram may have their own processing rules links).

Method 3: Using ADB to force a change (advanced)

If the first two methods did not work, and you are ready to For a more technical solution, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect ADB commands may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully!

1. Enable Developer mode on your phone:

   • Go to Settings → About phone → Software information.
   • Tap Build number 7 times until a notification appears You have become a developer!.

adb devices

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.browser

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.yandex.browser/com.yandex.browser.BrowserActivity

After executing the commands, reboot your phone. If ADB gives an error Permission denied, it means that your firmware is blocking such changes - try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS_SETTINGS

This command will open a hidden default application settings menu, where you can manually select Yandex.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with One UI 5.0+ and Knox (corporate protection) ADB commands may not work. In this case, the only option is manual configuration through the menu or use alternative browsers with Yandex search support.

Additional settings: default search and widgets

Even if you have made Yandex your default browser, search requests from the address bar or widgets may be redirected to Google. To fix this:

1. Open Yandex.Browser, go to Settings → Search.

2. Select Yandex as the default search engine.

3. For widgets:

   • Remove the widget Google or Samsung Internet from the home screen.
   • Add a widget Yandex.Search (available after installing the browser).
   • In the widget settings, select Open in Yandex.Browser.

If the search still goes through Google, check the settings in:

• 🔍 Settings → Google → Search, assistant and voice (turn off Personal results).
• 🌐 Settings → Applications → Google → Defaults → Clear defaults.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after correct configuration, users encounter common errors. Here's how to solve them:

If none of the methods helped, your firmware may have regional restrictions (for example, on devices for the EU or US market). In this case, there are two options left:

1. Use Yandex.Browser without the "default" status, opening links manually through the "Open with" menu.
2. Install alternative firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader and loss of warranty).

Alternatives: other browsers with Yandex support

If you configure Yandex Browser not succeeds, consider alternatives where you can use Yandex search by default:

• 🦊 Firefox: In the settings, select Yandex as a search engine. Supports ad blocking extensions.
• 🌍 Brave: Private browser with the ability to change the search engine to Yandex. Blocks trackers by default.
• 🛡️ DuckDuckGo: Although this is not Yandex, the browser focuses on privacy and allows you to add Yandex manually through !bang-commands (for example, !y search query).
• 🔄 Kiwi Browser: Based on Chromium with support for extensions from Chrome Web Store. Yandex is installed as a search engine in the settings.

For corporate users Samsung Knox the only legal option remains Samsung Internet manually changing the search engine in its settings (section Quick access → Search engines).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions