Change Your Default Browser

Sick of your default web browser? Most operating systems allow you to set what browser you want to use to open links to websites. You'll need to have your new browser installed before selecting it as the default. If you're using an iOS device, you'll need to be jailbroken in order to change the default browser. For most other operating systems, the process is fairly straightforward.

Steps

Windows

  1. Open the Start menu and type "Default Programs". You can click the Start button or press ⊞ Win. This will display the "Default Programs" option in the list of results.
  2. Launch "Default Programs". This will display a list of options you can select from.
  3. Click "Set your default programs". This will load a list of all the programs installed on your computer, which may take a few moments.
  4. Select the browser you want to use. Scroll through the list on the left to find the browser you want to set as your new default. The browser will need to be installed in order for it to show up on this list.
    • If you haven't installed the new browser yet, visit the browser's homepage and download the installer.
  5. Click "Set this program as default". Windows will set your new browser to open all browser-related extensions, links, and shortcuts.[1]

OS X Yosemite (10.10)

  1. Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences". In Yosemite, the location of the default browser setting has been moved to the System Preferences menu.
  2. Click the "General" option. This will load a list of general system options.
  3. Click the "Default web browser" menu. Select the browser that you want to use from the list of available browsers.
    • You'll need to install your new browser before you can select it from the list.

OS X Mavericks (10.9) and Earlier

  1. Open Safari. Even though you're changing to a different browser, you'll still need to start by opening Safari.
  2. Click the "Safari" menu and select "Preferences". You can also press ⌘ Command+,
  3. Click the "General" tab. This is usually open by default.
  4. Click the "Default web browser" drop-down menu. Select the browser that you want to use from the list of available browsers.
    • You'll need to have the browser installed on your computer before you can select it.
  5. Quit Safari to save your changes. Your newly-selected browser will now be the default when opening links.

Android

  1. Open the Settings app. You can find this on your Home screen or in your App Drawer.
  2. Open the "Apps" or "Applications" option. This will start the Application Manager.
  3. Find the browser that is currently set as default. Switch to the "All" tab to see all of your installed applications. Tap the browser to select it.
    • The default browser for most Android devices is "Browser" or "Internet".
  4. Scroll down and tap "Clear Defaults". This will remove that browser as the default browser.
    • If "Clear Defaults" is grayed out, you either don't have another browser installed, or that browser is already not the default.
  5. Tap a link to a web page. Open an app that has a link to a web page, such as an email message. A new window will appear asking you to select the browser you want to use.
  6. Tap the browser you want and then tap "Always". Any links you tap in the future will now be opened by the new browser.[2]

iOS

  1. Understand the process. iOS does not allow you to change your default browser. The only way to set a different default browser is by jailbreaking your iOS device. This will void your warranty as is not recommended if this is the only thing you want to change. Jailbreaking is typically for advanced users, and can lead to a non-functional iOS device.
  2. Install Chrome. This jailbreak tweak will switch your default browser from Safari to Chrome. You can download Chrome for free from the App Store.
  3. Open Cydia. To install this tweak, you'll need to launch Cydia. This is the jailbreak package manager.
  4. Search for "Open in Chrome". You should be able to quickly find it in the list of results. The author is Andrew Richardson.
  5. Tap "Install" and then "Confirm". Cydia will download and install the tweak, which should only take a few moments.
  6. Tap "Restart Springboard". Your device will reboot and the new tweak will take effect.
  7. Tap a link. Any link you tap now will open in Chrome instead of Safari.[3]

Ubuntu

  1. Click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner and select "System Settings". This will open the System Settings window.
  2. Select "Details" in the "System" section. This will display the system information.
  3. Click the "Default Applications" option. This will open a list of your default applications for major system functions.
  4. Click the "Web" drop-down menu. A list of available browsers will be displayed. You'll need to have your new browser installed in order for it to appear in this list.
  5. Select the browser you want to use. Your new settings will be saved automatically. Whenever you click a web link, the browser you selected will load it.[4]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-default-programs#1TC=windows-7
  2. ↑ https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/make-firefox-default-browser-android
  3. ↑ http://www.idownloadblog.com/2014/02/02/make-chrome-default-browser-ios/
  4. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/net-default-browser.html
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