How to Change Default Apps in iOS 14

Apple’s iOS platform has never really been “open.” Unlike Android, Apple has long controlled what apps can be used as the default apps. That changes with iOS 14, as Apple has taken a step in the right direction. Allowing its users to change default email and browser apps is something iOS users have been asking for for a long, long time.

How to Change the Default Browser

It’s important to note that while Apple has enabled the ability to change the default browser, the new browser app has to support this feature. As of now, popular browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, etc., have made it possible. More apps are coming as developers continue to update and support the iOS 14 changes but know that not every browser works with this feature.

Follow the steps here to change the default browser in iOS.

How to Change Default Email App

Changing the default email app can be done using the same set of steps as swapping your default browser. The same caveat applies here as well, as not all email apps have been updated to add support as a default app.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Continue scrolling until you find the email app you wish to set as your default.

2. Tap on the app, and you will now see the “Default Mail App” option just as you did with the default browser change. Click on it to see that Apple’s built-in Mail app is already set by default.

3. Listed alongside the default mail app should be all other email apps that have been updated to support this feature. Select the email app of your choice and ensure the blue checkmark appears next to it.

Reset Default Apps

If you ever want to go back to the default apps or set up another app as default, follow the same steps above for both your browser and email apps. Once you go into the “Default Browser App” or Default Email App” screen, go ahead and choose a different app or choose the default Mail or Safari options.

Now that you know how to change the default apps in iOS, we hope that the feature can extend to other apps like Music or Maps. For now, this is a great first step. Meanwhile, you can learn how to make good use of the App Library in iOS 14.