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Apple may prevent you from swapping out some of its own apps for your preferred defaults, but you can Add Chrome to your iPhone’s dock at least get your choices within easy reach.
Q. My iPhone opens up web pages in Safari. Is there a way to change the default browser to Chrome?
A. The current version of the iOS software uses Apple’s Safari browser and does not allow you to select different browser apps to automatically open links. As Google’s own support pages for the iOS version of Chrome note, “You can’t make Chrome your default browser, but you can add it to your dock.” Adding the app to the dock — that strip of icons along the bottom of the screen — will not make Chrome jump up to open links you may get in a text or an email message, but it does keep the icon within thumb range when you’d like to start browsing.
To put Chrome in the iPhone’s dock, you may need to make room for it by moving another app’s icon first. In the dock, just press and hold your finger on the app you want to move until it begins to wiggle, then drag it up to a different part of the home screen. While the apps are still wiggling, drag the Chrome icon into the dock. Press the Home button to calm the icons.
Add Chrome to your iPhone’s dock
After installing Chrome on your iPhone or iPad, find and open it more easily by adding it to your dock:
- Make space by touching and holding an app on the dock.
- Drag the app up, and release it on your homescreen.
- Touch and hold the Chrome app
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- Drag the Chrome app down, and release it on your dock.
- Press the Home button.
