To change default apps on Android, you usually go into Settings → Apps → Default apps , then pick the category (browser, SMS, launcher, etc.) and select the app you want as default. On most modern Android phones (Pixel, Samsung, and others), the steps are very similar, with only small wording or layout differences in the menus.

What “default apps” means

  • Default apps are the ones Android uses automatically for things like opening links, calls, SMS, maps, email, or media.
  • Once set, that app will open every time for that action or file type until you change or clear it.

Quick way: via Settings

On current Android versions (including Android 14–16 on many devices), the main path is:

  1. Open Settings on your phone.
  1. Tap Apps (or Applications / App management on some brands).
  1. Tap Default apps.
  1. Choose a category, such as:
    • Browser app
    • Phone app (calls)
    • SMS app
    • Home app (launcher)
    • Digital assistant app
    • Email or others, depending on your phone
  1. Select the app you want to use as the new default for that category.

On Samsung (One UI):

  • Go to Settings → Apps → Choose default apps , then pick the type and select your preferred app.

Changing defaults “as you go”

If you open something and Android asks “Open with…?”:

  • Choose the app you prefer.
  • Tap Always to make it the default, or Just once if you only want it this time.
  • If you accidentally tap Always , you can change it later from the Default apps or Opening links section in Settings.

How to clear or reset default apps

If something always opens in the wrong app (for example links opening in the wrong browser):

Clear default for a single app

  1. Open Settings → Apps.
  1. Tap See all apps (if needed) and select the app that’s opening by default.
  1. Look for Open by default or Set as default / Opening links.
  1. Tap Clear defaults or turn off “Open supported links”.

Reset all app preferences (nuclear option)

This is useful if you can’t find what’s causing the issue, but it will reset several app settings at once:

  1. Open Settings → Apps.
  1. Tap See all apps.
  1. Tap the ⋮ menu (three dots) in the top-right.
  1. Choose Reset app preferences and confirm.

This will reset all defaults, re-enable disabled apps, and reset notification and background-data restrictions, but it will not delete your app data.

Brand and version differences

  • Google Pixel and many stock-like Android phones use Settings → Apps → Default apps almost exactly as shown above.
  • Samsung phones show Choose default apps under Settings → Apps but the idea is the same.
  • Older Android versions may have extra steps or slightly different wording, but you still look under Settings → Apps for Default or Open by default / Opening links options.

TL;DR:
Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps , choose the action (browser, SMS, etc.), then pick your preferred app. To undo a wrong choice, open that app’s settings and Clear defaults , or use Reset app preferences to wipe all defaults at once.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.