How to Reset Default Apps on an Android

Last Updated: February 22, 2021

Android lets you change which apps act as your default app, like whether you want to use the "Internet" app for your web browser or change it to Chrome. If you've switched your default apps to others and prefer the originals, you can easily reset your defaults. This wikiHow teaches you how to reset the default apps on your Android phone or tablet back to their original settings.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Resetting One App (Stock Android)

1
Open Settings. You'll find this gear icon in the Quick Panel when you swipe down from the top of your screen. Otherwise, it's a gear icon app that you'll find on one of the Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Stock Android means that your Android is most similar to Google's own Android version, like Google Pixel and Motorola.
2
Tap Apps and notifications. It's next to an orange 3x3 grid icon.

Advertisement
3
Tap See all apps. You'll see this centered in the page under a display of your recently opened apps.
4
Tap the app that you want to change. Currently, this app is set to default for some task, like the default web browser or text messaging app.
5
Tap Advanced. This is at the bottom of the menu and will expand more menu options.
6
Tap Open by default. It's again at the bottom of the menu.
7
Tap Clear defaults. Once this is done, the default app that came with your Android will reset as the default app.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Resetting All Apps (Stock Android)

1
Open Settings. You'll find this gear icon in the Quick Panel when you swipe down from the top of your screen. Otherwise, it's a gear icon app that you'll find on one of the Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Stock Android means that your Android is most similar to Google's own Android version, like Google Pixel and Motorola.
2
Tap System. You might have to scroll to find this option next to an information icon.
3
Tap Advanced. This is at the bottom of the menu and will expand more menu options.
4
Tap Reset Options. It's next to an arrow circling counterclockwise around the hands of a clock.
5
Tap Reset app preferences. This is usually the option in the middle of the menu.
- You'll see a warning pop up that all your apps will reset including disabled apps, disabled app notifications, default apps, background app restrictions, restricted permissions.
6
Tap Reset apps. Once you read and understand what resetting all your app preferences will do, you can tap Reset apps to continue.
- You will not lose any app data by doing this.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- After resetting all app preferences, you'll need to go through and disable all the apps that you previously disabled.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Resetting One App (Samsung)

1
Open your Samsung Galaxy's Settings. You'll find this gear icon in the Quick Panel when you swipe down from the top of your screen. Otherwise, it's a gear icon app that you'll find on one of the Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Since Samsung Android models have their own menu setup, the steps will be different than using the stock Android models.
2
Tap Apps. You might have to scroll to find this menu open next to an icon of a white 2x2 grid on a blue background.
- You'll see a list of all the apps you have on your Android.
3
TapChoose default apps. It's at the top of the menu as the first option.
4
Tap the app that you want to change. Currently, this app is set to default for some task, like the default web browser or text messaging app.
5
Tap the app you want to set as default. The circle next to the app will fill to indicate that it is selected.
6
Tap the back arrow. The default app will automatically and immediately change to reflect your selection. If it does not, restart your Android.

Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Resetting All Apps (Samsung)

1
Open Settings. You'll find this gear icon in the Quick Panel when you swipe down from the top of your screen. Otherwise, it's a gear icon app that you'll find on one of the Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Since Samsung Android models have their own menu setup, the steps will be different than using the stock Android models.
2
Tap Apps. You might have to scroll to find this menu open next to an icon of a white 2x2 grid on a blue background.
- You'll see a list of all the apps you have on your Android.
3
Tap ⋮. It's the three dots in the top-right corner of the menu.
4
Tap Reset app preferences. It's usually the last item in the menu.
- You'll see a warning pop up that all your apps will reset including disabled apps, disabled app notifications, default apps, background app restrictions, restricted permissions.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
5
Tap Reset. Once you read and understand what resetting all your app preferences will do, you can tap Reset to continue.
- You will not lose any app data by doing this.
- After resetting all app preferences, you'll need to go through and disable all the apps that you previously disabled.
Advertisement