First — let’s clear the basics: By default, iPhones and iPads open links in Safari, Apple’s own browser that’s been the default since the beginning. That changes only when a user or an app explicitly chooses something else. That became an official iOS feature in iOS 14, when Apple first allowed changing the default browser.
A Wired report on iOS browser behavior confirms that iPhones only switch default browsers through explicit user or system-level choices, not app overrides.
Now let’s break down real reasons Chrome ends up as the default — and what drives users or the OS to behave that way.
Table of Contents
1. You Chose It in Settings (iOS 14+)
This is the most legit reason — and the only official one from Apple/Google.
Since iOS 14, Apple actually lets you pick your default browser. You go into:
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Settings → Chrome → Default Browser App → Chrome
…and suddenly every link opens in Chrome instead of Safari.
If you didn’t mean to do it, it might look like Chrome “set itself,” but really you (or someone using your phone) did it.
Here’s how Google describes it: in the Chrome app, open settings and choose Default Browser App, then select Chrome.
Quick steps: change default browser on iPhone (iOS 14+)
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Open Settings.
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Scroll down and tap Chrome (or your browser).
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Tap ‘Default Browser App’.
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Choose Chrome or Safari.
If you change your mind later, repeat the same steps and pick Safari again.
2. iOS Prompts You When You First Install/Use Chrome
iOS has gotten friendlier in prompting users when they install a third-party browser. In some recent versions of iOS, if you install Chrome and open it the first time, iOS may show you a suggestion or option to switch the default. That sometimes leads people to hit “Yes” without realizing the effect.
This doesn’t happen on older iOS versions, but on newer ones (like iOS 18+), there’s a dedicated Default Apps screen in Settings that explicitly lists browser options.
As noted on Wikipedia, all third-party browsers on iOS (including Chrome) are required to use Apple’s WebKit engine, and users can change defaults only since iOS 14.
3. Third-Party Apps Can Influence Perception of Default Behavior
Here’s where it gets subtle — and where people often misunderstand what’s happening.
Some apps (like Gmail) have their own internal browser system or settings that open links inside Chrome even if Safari is your system default. That makes it appear like Chrome is the default, even when it isn’t. For example, Gmail can open links using Chrome if you’ve allowed it to do so inside the Gmail settings.
This is especially common on iPhone because iOS apps can embed their own web viewer — and some choose Chrome as the handler. That doesn’t change the system default — it just looks that way in practice.
4. You Updated iOS or Chrome and iOS Reset Defaults
Surprisingly common: after a big iOS update, some users report their defaults “jump” back to Chrome or another browser rather than Safari.
According to Apple Support, iOS 14 and later allow users to choose default browser apps like Chrome or Firefox — but only through explicit user selection in Settings.
There’s no official Apple doc saying this should happen, but numerous real user reports (e.g., on Apple forums and Reddit) describe situations where after an iOS update or reset, Chrome re-appears as the default.
Apple doesn’t document this as expected behavior, but some users report that after big updates or reinstalls, their previous choice of Chrome as default seems to ‘stick’ in ways they didn’t intend.
iOS’s settings and defaults system simply isn’t perfect (and it’s a known frustration among users).
Bonus: Browser Engine Rules Mean Chrome Looks Like Safari Under the Hood
This isn’t a “reason Chrome becomes default,” but it’s crucial context that top pages often ignore.
On iOS, all third-party browsers must use Apple’s WebKit engine. Chrome on iPhone doesn’t run Google’s Blink engine — it’s really Chrome’s UI on top of Apple’s browser engine.
That means:
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Chrome won’t perform as differently from Safari under the hood as you might expect,
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Developers sometimes treat iOS browsers identically,
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And feature differences are mostly UI-level.
This affects why users might choose Chrome — not because it’s inherently faster, but because its sync and account integration feels better for some users.
Real Example: “I Didn’t Set It, But Chrome Opens Links”
This exact scenario is repeatedly raised on Apple support forums, with users double-checking their default settings only to find Chrome was selected, sometimes after updates or app installs.
So here’s the real human takeaway:
Chrome doesn’t magically take over iOS defaults — it only becomes default if iOS says it’s default.
You or the system explicitly (or semi-implicitly) make that choice through settings or app behavior.
Conclusion
Chrome can become the default browser on iPhone or iPad mainly because of user choice — via the Default Browser settings Apple added in iOS 14 — or system behavior around install/update flows that can give Chrome priority.
Third-party apps can also appear to behave as if Chrome is default even when it isn’t. And because all iOS browsers run Apple’s WebKit engine, Chrome’s behavior doesn’t come from deeper system control — it’s just user preference and settings design.
So: if Chrome is opening links instead of Safari on your iPhone, it’s not a glitch — it’s how iOS is designed to let users decide, and how apps sometimes trigger that choice.
Common issues when Chrome keeps opening links
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Don’t see ‘Default Browser App’ in Settings: You’re probably on an older iOS; update iOS and Chrome first.
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Safari still opens some links: That app may be forcing its own in‑app browser, not using the system default.
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Things changed after an update: Double‑check Settings → [Browser] → Default Browser App to confirm which app iOS is using now.
Key FAQs
Q1. Can Chrome ever change the default browser without my permission?
No. iOS doesn’t let apps change default handlers on their own — only you through Settings can set Chrome as default.
Q2. What version of iOS lets me set Chrome as default?
Only iOS 14 and later provide the Default Browser App option. Older systems don’t allow this at all.
Q3. Why do some apps open Chrome links even when Safari is default?
Some apps prefer opening links in Chrome if installed — because they use their own internal browser behavior — but that doesn’t change the system default.
Q4. What if the Default Browser option is missing?
You likely need to update iOS or update Chrome to the latest version — the option appears only with versions that support this feature.
Q5. Will Apple force a new browser choice dialog like in the EU?
Apple has started adding new default app choice screens under regulatory pressure, particularly in Europe, which may prompt you directly to choose a default browser.