Introduction
With the release iOS 14 for the iPhone and iPadOS 14 for iPad in late 2020, Apple is making it possible for device owners to finally change their device’s default web browser. This means that any links you tap to a website will open in your new default browser. The only caveat is that this will only work with third-party browser apps that have been updated to be available to set as the default browser. For example, as of the time of this writing popular browser apps Google Chrome and Firefox could be set as the default browser on an iPhone or iPad, but Opera could not. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in both the YouTube video above and the image collection located beneath the steps.
Steps to Change Default Browser on iPhone or iPad
- Tap “Settings” on your iPhone home screen to open the Settings menu, and then tap the name of the app associated with the web browser you want to set as the default web browser on your iPhone or iPad. In this example I’ll tap Google Chrome. The information screen for that app is displayed.
- Tap “Default Browser App” in the list of options. The Default Browser App window opens, showing you a list of all of your installed browser apps that can be set as your default web browser on your iPhone or iPad. In this example I’ll tap “Google Chrome” to place a check mark next to it and set it as my default browser. Going forward any links to a website you tap on your iPhone or iPad will open in your new default web browser.
