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The default applications pre-installed on your phone are designed to perform basic functions, such as opening an Internet link, making a call, or sending a text message. In AndroidYou can change the default apps, if you prefer a third-party alternative to Google’s original options.
It’s not difficult to do and gives you a mobile experience that best suits your needs and tastes. If you want to go back to the original settings, it’s easy too, so don’t worry about damaging your phone by changing things.
What is a default app anyway?
Default applications are most commonly talked about when it comes to Windows and macOS operating systems. Double-click a PDF on your desktop, for example, and what program appears? Whatever it is, that’s the default app for PDF files. Other file types, from JPEG to MP3, will have their own default applications associated with them.
(Related: 12 hidden Android features you should use)
This is important if you want to be as productive as possible at your desktop: if you’re working with documents, you’ll want them to open in your word processor of choice. Double-clicking a file and opening it in the correct program is a faster and more intuitive way to work than launching the program first and then having to search through menus and folders to find the file you need.
It’s the same on Android. You probably won’t be working with the same variety of files in the same way, but the principle still applies: Whether you’re following a web link from an email or opening an image from a group chat, you’re going to want your preferred app handle the request for you.
This is a feature that Android gives you more control over than iOS: on an iPhone, you can change the default web browser and email app, but that’s about it (you should always use FaceTime as the default way to make video calls, for example ). ). On Android, you can change more default apps and even the entire look of your home screens.
How to set default values on Android
Some default applications (such as Chrome for web links) are set up out of the box on Android, while others are set up the first time you need them. So if you open a document, you’ll be asked which app you want to use to handle it, and Android will remember that choice for the future.
To change these default apps at any time:
- Open Settings and choose Applications
- Then look for the default apps option – it’s labeled Default apps in pixel phonesand Choose default apps on Samsung Galaxy phones. This will take you to a list of all the default app associations currently on your phone.
- Tap any of the entries to make changes.
To change the app that handles text messages, for example, select SMS application and then your favorite application. The list of options will only include apps currently installed on your phone that are capable of handling the file or action in question, so there’s no danger of you choosing an incompatible app.
Switching web browsers is something you might want to do on your Android device, if you have multiple browsers installed: tap browser app and make your choice from the list. Any web links you follow from instant message chats or emails will open in your chosen browser.
Some of these options come with different settings attached. Choose Digital assistant appfor example, and you can configure how the assistant app works, as well as choose your favorite (maybe you want Amazon Alexa to appear when you need help, instead of Google Assistant).
He Starter application, by the way, is the app that manages your home screen and appears every time you “come home” on your phone. This is useful if you want to switch to a third-party launcher to really change the Android interface; If you are completely new to the idea of home screen launchers on Android, we have written about Android Home Screen Customizations Too.
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