How Change Default App in Android

To how change default app in android, open Settings, go to Apps or Apps & notifications, tap Default apps, then choose the app category you want to change, such as browser, phone, SMS, or assistant. If the app is not showing up, it usually needs to be installed first or its defaults may need to be cleared before Android will let you pick it.

What a default app means on Android

A default app is the app Android uses automatically when you open a certain type of link or action. For example, your phone can open web links in one browser, dial calls with one phone app, and send text messages with one messaging app. Once a default is set, Android uses that app unless you change it or clear its defaults.

This matters because many apps can perform the same task. If you prefer Chrome instead of Samsung Internet, Google Messages instead of another SMS app, or a different launcher for opening links, Android lets you switch those choices.

How to change the default app in Android

The exact menu names vary a little by Android version and phone brand, but the general path is the same.

1. Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or find the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Tap Apps. On some phones, this may appear as Apps & notifications or simply Apps.
3. Select Default apps. This screen shows the main app categories Android can remember as defaults.
4. Choose the category you want to change. Common categories include browser, phone app, SMS app, and assistant app.
5. Select the app you want. Android will save your choice and use it automatically next time.

If your phone does not show a separate Default apps menu, look for an app’s Open by default settings inside the app info screen. Some manufacturers place the setting there instead of in a single default-app page.

Change the default browser

This is the most common default app change. If web links keep opening in the wrong browser, switch the browser default in the Default apps menu.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Tap Browser app.
3. Select the browser you want, such as Chrome, Samsung Internet, Firefox, or another installed browser.

After you switch it, tap a web link in an email or message to confirm the new browser opens automatically.

Change the default phone and SMS apps

Android lets you choose which app handles calls and which app handles text messages, but the options depend on what is installed and supported on your phone.

Default phone app

1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Tap Phone app.
3. Pick the app you want to use for dialing and call handling.

Default SMS app

1. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Tap SMS app.
3. Select your preferred messaging app, such as Google Messages or another compatible SMS app.

If you use a third-party calling or messaging app, make sure it is fully installed and updated. Some apps will not appear as a default option until they are ready to handle that role.

Change the default assistant app

On many Android phones, you can also set which assistant opens when you use gestures or voice shortcuts.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Tap Digital assistant app or Assistant app.
3. Choose the assistant you want, if your device supports more than one.

Some devices keep assistant settings in a separate section, especially on Samsung Galaxy phones or heavily customized Android skins. If you do not see the option, search within Settings for assistant.

How to remove default app Android settings

If you want Android to stop using one app automatically, you usually need to clear that app’s defaults. This does not uninstall the app. It only removes the app’s saved preference for opening certain links or actions.

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Find and tap the app you want to reset.
3. Tap Open by default or Set as default.
4. Choose Clear defaults or turn off the supported link-handling options.

After clearing defaults, Android may ask you to pick an app again the next time you open a matching link or file type. This is useful if you want to replace one browser, messaging app, or file opener with another.

Why your app does not appear as an option

If the app you want is missing from the default-app list, one of these issues is usually the reason:

• The app is not installed.
• The app has not been updated and does not support that default role yet.
• The app’s defaults were not cleared, so Android is still treating another app as the current choice.
• The phone manufacturer moved the setting to a different menu.
• The app is only available for some tasks, not all default categories.

Try updating the app first. If that does not help, open the app’s info page and check Open by default. Clearing defaults there often makes the app appear in the Android default list again.

How to confirm the new default app is active

After making a change, test it right away. A quick check saves time later if Android did not save the selection.

• Browser: Tap a web link in Messages or email.
• Phone: Tap a contact’s call button.
• SMS: Open a text thread or start a new message.
• Assistant: Trigger the assistant shortcut or gesture your phone uses.

If the old app still opens, repeat the steps and make sure the new app was selected under the correct category.

Troubleshooting when the setting keeps reverting

Sometimes Android switches back because another app has claimed the same link type or because the system has not fully updated its defaults. If that happens, try this:

1. Update both the app you want and the app you do not want to use.
2. Clear defaults for the app that keeps taking over.
3. Go back to Default apps and choose the preferred app again.
4. Restart the phone if the change still does not stick.

If the problem continues, check whether the app is also set to open supported links automatically. Link-handling settings can override what you expect from the default-app menu.

How to change your device name on Android

This is separate from default apps, but people often look for it at the same time. Changing your device name affects how your phone appears in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi sharing, hotspot lists, and nearby device prompts.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap About phone or About device.
3. Find Device name.
4. Enter the new name and save it.

Menu labels vary, so some phones place the option under About phone, while others show it under a general device info page.

Can you change an app icon or app name on Android?

Changing the default app is not the same as changing an app’s icon or name. Android does not normally let you rename installed apps or change their icons directly from system settings.

If you want a different look on the home screen, you usually need a launcher, icon pack, or home screen customization tool. Those changes affect appearance, not which app Android uses as the default.

Quick comparison of common Android default app changes

Frequently Asked Questions About how change default app in android

How do I change the default app on Android?

Open Settings, go to Apps, tap Default apps, and select the category you want to change. Then choose the app you want to use.

How do I change the default browser on Android?

Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app, then choose your preferred browser.

How do I remove a default app on Android?

Open the app’s info page, tap Open by default or Set as default, then tap Clear defaults if the option is available.

Why is an app not showing as a default option on Android?

It may not be installed, updated, or supported for that category. Clearing the current app’s defaults can also help make the app appear.

How do I reset default apps on Android?

You can reset a single app by clearing its defaults, or you can choose a different app in the Default apps menu. Some phones also include a broader reset option in system settings, but that is less common.

Does Android let me change the default phone or SMS app?

Yes, most Android phones let you change both, as long as a compatible app is installed and supported by the device.

Final take

If you want to know how change default app in android, the main path is simple: open Settings, go to Apps, find Default apps, and choose the category you want to change. For stubborn settings, clear the app’s defaults first, then select it again. That approach works for browsers, phone apps, SMS apps, and often assistant apps too.