For years, since iOS 14, we have been able to choose a default browser on our iPhone. Now, however, with the arrival of iOS 17.4 in the European Union, after updating our iPhone, it asks us to select a browser. Let's see what this means, how to choose one, and also how to change it if we decide to do so.
What does selecting a default web browser mean?
By selecting a default web browser, we are choosing which app will automatically open when we click on a website link. Traditionally, Safari was the option for us, but with the newer versions of the operating system, it's possible to choose from a wide variety of browsers available on the App Store, as long as they decide to support this new function.
In regions of the European Union, and starting from iOS 17.4, additional steps have been implemented to change the default browser. Now, upon updating, the system offers us to choose one from the list of compatible ones. Doing so is as easy as tapping the one we are interested in from the list and then tapping "Open" or "Get" to set it up. If we have doubts about which one to choose, want to continue as before, or simply want the most protection for our browsing, we can always choose Safari.
How to change the default browser on the iPhone?
We can change our default browser at any time. Whether it's because we made a mistake when the system asked us or simply because we've chosen a change. Doing so is very easy. The first thing we have to do is download the desired browser from the App Store, then follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on our iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down until we find the browser application we want to set as default.
- Tap on the application, and then tap on "Default Browser App".
- Select the application we want to set as default. A check mark will confirm our selection.
If we can't find the option to set an application as default in step three, it's possible that the developer of the app does not support this functionality. In that case, it's best to contact the developer directly for more information.
Finally, to clarify, if for some reason we decide to delete the browser we have configured as default, the system will automatically revert the choice back to Safari. Meanwhile, we will browse the internet exactly with the app that we have chosen.
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