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I know that a lot of users have been asking Apple for a long time to provide the ability to change default apps on iPhone. Finally their wishes were satisfied. So if you have a device with iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, keep reading this page.
In this guide I will explain how to change the default Internet browser and mail app on iPhone with iOS 14.
For instance, if you want Google Chrome to be default browser over Safari or say Gmail over the native Mail app, you may now easily set that.
Switching Default Web Browser on iPhone with iOS 14
Here is what you need to do to set Chrome as your default Internet browser:
Step 0. It goes without saying, that you first need to install the app you want to be your default web browser or email client on your device.
As soon as you have at least two web browser apps installed on your device, go to “Settings”.
Scroll down to the app you want to be the default one and tap it. In my case it is Google Chrome.
Now select “Default browser app”.
Here you will be able to pick one of the installed browsers. In my case I’m switching from Safari to Chrome.
A checkmark next to an app means that it is currently your default one.
Done!
That means that whenever you tap a link in WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger or anywhere else your iPhone will open it up in Chrome instead of Safari.
How to Switch Back
If you decide to switch back to Safari, you need to go to your iPhone’s Settings, find Safari, dive into its properties…
and set it as your preferred application.
How to Change the Default Mail App on iPhone
In case if you want to switch the email app as well, you need to follow the similar steps.
Go to Settings, then find your current default email client and tap it. (Let’s say, I am a huge fan of Gmail and I want it to be my default mail app.)
And the last thing you need to do is select your favorite client to replace it.
Done!
How to Undo This
If you want to switch back, go to “Settings”, scroll down to Apple’s Mail, tap it and select it as your default client.
What to Do Next?
After you finally selected your favorite Internet browser and mail client you may want to replace icons.
In iOS 14 (and iPadOS 14 respectively) you can move the icon of Safari to the app library and place the icon of your browser of choice to the dock or home screen.
For this purpose, tap and hold an icon you want to hide from your home screen. In the pop-up, select “Edit Home Screen”. Then re-arrange apps up to your taste.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to set any third-party app to be your default Internet browser or mail client.
Moreover, in case if you happen to understand that Apple apps perform better, you know the steps to switch back.
Keep in mind that you first need to update apps to the latest versions to be able to switch default ones in iOS 14.
Just open your App Store and update them. Check our step-by-step guide on how to update apps in iOS 13 and 14.
Another thing to remember is the default app option won’t show up until you have at least two browsers or two mail clients installed on your iPhone (iPad).
That’s it.