Change Default Apps via Settings

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    Settings → Apps → Default apps

    Open Settings. Tap Apps (may be labelled Applications or App Manager on some Android versions). Tap the three-dot menu → Default apps. Or look for Default apps directly in the Apps settings page — location varies slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus all have slightly different menu structures).

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    Change specific defaults

    The Default apps menu shows: Browser app, Phone app, SMS app, Email app, Home app (launcher), Digital assistant, and others. Tap any category to see installed apps that can serve that function. Select your preferred app. Changes take effect immediately.

Set a Default When Opening a File or Link

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    Tap “Always” when prompted

    When you open a link or file type for the first time, Android asks which app to use and gives two options: Just once (opens this time only, will ask again) or Always (sets as default going forward). Tapping Always sets that app as the default for that link or file type. If you tapped Just once and want to change it, follow the Settings method above.

Clear an Existing Default to Change It

If an app is already set as default and you want to change it: Settings → Apps → find the current default app → tap it → scroll to “Open by default” or “Set as default” → tap Clear defaults. Next time you open that type of link or file, Android will ask again which app to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Settings → Apps → Default apps → Browser app → select your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, Brave etc). The selected browser will open all web links going forward. On Samsung devices: the path is Settings → Apps → tap three dots → Default apps → Browser app.
Yes — Android handles defaults at the file type and intent level. PDF files can open in Adobe Reader by default while images open in Google Photos and links open in Chrome — all independently configured. When you open a specific file type, the “Always” prompt sets the default for that specific file type or action. Defaults for common categories (browser, messaging, phone) are managed in the Default apps settings.