iPhone tutorial: how to change the default web browser?

Apple's mobile operating system for iPhone, since version 14, but also iPadOS since version 14 as well, like macOS on Mac, allows you tochoose the web browsing application that opens by default. That is to say, you can decide to use an application other than Safari for all the internet links that you want to open on your iOS device, from any app.

Be careful though, this feature exclusive to iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later only works with compatible third-party applications. The option is therefore not automatically offered for any web browsing application. It must be activated on the one hand by the developer of the app, and on the other hand by Apple for the app in question.

How to change the default browser on your iPhone or iPad?

Some prerequisites

First of all, you must have at least iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 or later version of one of the two systems. You must also have a third-party application compatible with changing your default browser.See here our list of apps that can replace Safari by default.

How to take advantage of this feature

• Go to the appSettingsfrom the iPhone or iPad, then inAppsall the way down
• Find the application that will serve as your default browser, DuckDuckGo, for example

• Tap the “Default browser app” option
• Choose “DuckDuckGo” instead of “Safari”

From now on, each time you tap an internet address from an app like Notes, or Mail from i-nfo.fr, the DuckDuckGo app takes over instead of Safari.

Note that from the moment you make the change, a window will appear to confirm the opening of DuckDuckGo, or another chosen third-party browser, Chrome for example, every first time you open a web link from a new app. This manipulation will therefore normally have to be done only once per app, after which it should no longer occur.

Finally, to reset Safari to the default browser, simply return toSettings > Apps > DuckDuckGo > Default browser appbefore selecting “Safari”.

The procedure is obviously the same for any other web browsing application compatible with this default app switching functionality.

And if you also want to change the default email client,follow our dedicated tutorial.

• Findhere our iOS and macOS tutorials

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.