How To Change The Default
Browser On An Android Phone
Your mobile phone browser is probably the most used app on your phone. You might use it to search for a recipe, to find out the meaning of a word, to open links that your coworker sent you, and even to watch funny cat videos.
Since the browser is such a versatile app, it is no wonder that our choice of browser can make or break our internet experience. You’re probably aware of your options, but just to name a few, the popular mobile browsers available are Google Chrome, Opera, and Firefox.
Choosing a Default Browser on Your Android Phone
There are a number of reasons why one might prefer one browser over another. Choosing a default browser should be easy once you are aware of the pros and cons of each. One browser might have every feature under the sun built-in, but it might also need a ton of memory to run. Another browser might be impressive when it comes to security, but it has problems with syncing between devices, etc. Depending on where your priorities lie, you will end up playing favorites.
Perhaps you want to set a default browser because you have noticed that one browser displays sites better than another. If that’s the case, it is also possible that JavaScript is disabled on the lesser browser. If JavaScript is disabled, the layout and functionality of websites might be affected. Find out how to enable JavaScript on your Android phone.
Thankfully, the Android operating system allows you to set a default browser on your phone. Here are a few ways to do this.
Installing Your Preferred Browser
If your preferred browser hasn’t been installed on your phone, you can simply do so by going to the Google Play Store. During installation or the first time you run it, you will be prompted to make this newly installed app your default browser. If you choose not to set this up during installation, you will be prompted to do so the next time you click on a link. Ensure that you have “Remember my choice” checked (or “Always” instead of “Just once”) when selecting your preferred browser, and your default browser will be set.
Modifying Your Settings
If you already have your preferred browser installed on your Android phone, and you currently have another browser set as the default option, then some settings need to be toggled. Accessing this particular setting would depend on which version of Android you are on, but in general, you will find this in your Settings app. Tap on Apps & Notifications, then Advanced, and then Default Apps. Locate the setting for the default browser and select your preferred browser.
If you are unable to locate the Default Apps setting, fret not, try this instead. In your Settings app, navigate to Apps or Applications, and select Manage Apps. Locate the current default browser, and under Advanced Settings, tap on Clear Defaults. Once this is done, the next time you click on a link, you will be prompted to choose an app. Don’t forget to check “Remember my choice” (or “Always” instead of “Just once”), and you’re good to go.
Here’s a quick tip for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Android environment. If you need to locate a particular setting, you can search for it simply by typing it into the search bar in the Settings app. If you don’t have a search bar, try looking out for a magnifying glass. In this particular instance, type in the keywords “Manage apps”, “Default apps”, or “Default browser” and it will display all related settings.
A Browser is Your Window to the Internet
Using an Android phone might be daunting to some due to the perception that these settings are difficult to configure. However, Android gives you the option of changing your default browser, which is something unheard of on an iOS device. With Android, you no longer have to be stuck with a mediocre browser. Instead, you will be experiencing the internet the way it was meant to be experienced.
