Tech Reference

How to make Google Chrome the default browser on your iPhone, using iOS 14's new features

Written by Dave Johnson and William Antonelli
iPhone X
It only takes a few taps to set Chrome as your iPhone's default browser. Hollis Johnson
Updated
Read in app

The iPhone has been out for over a decade, and for most of that time, Apple has only allowed one browser to be the default: Safari, the one they built.

But starting with iOS 14, you can now change the default internet browser (as well as your default email app) by going into your Settings. This means that Google Chrome fans can finally set the app as their default, and use it for all their browsing.

Here's how to set Google Chrome as the default internet browsing app on your iPhone, and how to fully replace Safari.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

How to make Chrome the default browser on your iPhone

First of all, make sure that you've downloaded the Chrome app and opened it at least once.

1. Open your iPhone's Settings app and scroll down until you find the long list of your apps.

2. In this list, tap "Chrome." This will open the app's specific settings.

how to make chrome default browser iphone 1
Select "Chrome" from your app list.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

3. Tap the tab that's labeled "Default Browser App." You'll be shown all the browsers installed on your iPhone.

how to make chrome default browser iphone 2
This tab will appear in the settings of every app that can be set as the default browser.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

4. Select Chrome. A checkmark will appear next to it.

how to make chrome default browser iphone 3
Safari will be checked off by default.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

Google Chrome is now the default browser on your iPhone. Whenever an app tries to open the internet, it'll open Chrome instead of Safari.

Once you've done this, you should add Chrome to your phone's Dock. This will ensure you never lose it.

How to add Chrome to the Dock on your iPhone

If you already have four apps in the Dock, you need to begin by removing one of them to make room for Google Chrome. 

1. Tap and hold an app icon until a pop-up appears. In this pop-up, select "Edit Home Screen."

How to make Chrome the default browser on the iPhone
Select "Edit Home Screen."  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

2. Drag the app out of the Dock and place it on the Home screen.

How to make Chrome the default browser on the iPhone
Make room in the Dock for Chrome.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. Tap and drag the Chrome app icon into the Dock. 

4. Tap "Done" in the upper-right corner of the screen.  

How to make Chrome the default browser on the iPhone
Drag the Chrome icon to the Dock and then tap “Done.”  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

 

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

Read next

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

极速168赛车官方网站图片

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

dave june
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.