Starting from iOS 17.4, it is possible to choose the default browser on your iPhone. We will tell you how to set a different browser!
New features in iOS 17.4
With iOS 17.4, big changes have come to your iPhone. With the new update, Apple allows the installation of alternative app stores and the NFC chip is opened to third parties. That’s not all, because browsers also get much more freedom after the update. Previously, all browsers had to run on Apple’s WebKit, but this is no longer mandatory.
Also read: Please note: this iOS 17.4 feature does not work if you are traveling outside the EU
This is the result of European legislation, which now allows browsers to decide for themselves which software they run. For example, Google Chrome previously ran on WebKit, so the app works in the background the same as Safari. This is no longer necessary from iOS 17.4. As a user you also get more freedom, because you can choose the default browser on your iPhone. That’s how you do that!
Set default browser on iPhone
When you have installed iOS 17.4 on your iPhone, you will automatically see a selection menu to set your default browser. You can then immediately choose which browser you always want to use. Do you only have Safari on your iPhone? Then you must first install a new browser in the App Store. Think of Chrome or Arc. Have you installed a new app? Then setting it as the default browser goes as follows:
- Open to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone;
- Go to the app you want to set as the default browser;
- Tap ‘Default browser app’;
- Choose the browser you want to use by default.
To change the default browser on your iPhone, you must first go to a browser under settings. This does not have to be your current browser, each web browser displays a menu where you can adjust what your default browser is. In that case, the option you select will always be used when you open a link in another app. Now this is usually Safari, but from iOS 17.4 this can also be full-fledged versions of other browsers.
More new features in iOS 17.4
This is a useful new feature in iOS 17.4, especially if you prefer not to use Safari. It is recommended that you set the new default browser on your iPhone if you regularly use Chrome or another app. You don’t have to constantly switch between apps, but always use the same default browser. That’s nice, especially because other browsers have more built-in functions. Arc has a built-in ad blocker and you can easily connect to Chromecast.
Also read: Arc Browser now available for iOS and macOS: end of Safari?
It is expected that browsers will soon have additional functions on your iPhone, because more is allowed from iOS 17.4. Google will probably soon roll out a new version for Chrome and other browsers will also receive an update. In addition to setting a new default browser on your iPhone, iOS 17.4 has many more new features. Read here what has changed with the update!
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