Disable Samsung Internet or Stop It Opening Links

If you own a Samsung phone, you’ve probably noticed that tapping a link in an email, text, or other app often opens Samsung Internet, even if you prefer Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. This guide shows you how to stop Samsung Internet from being the default link handler, and how to disable the app entirely if you never want it to run. You’ll need about five minutes and access to your phone’s Settings app.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet running Android 10 or later (the steps are similar on older versions).
• Your phone’s passcode, PIN, or biometric unlock method (required to change some settings).
• An alternative browser installed (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) if you want links to open elsewhere.

Step-by-Step

Part 1: Stop Samsung Internet from Opening Links (Set a Different Default Browser)

1. Open the Settings app on your phone. It’s usually a gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps (or Applications on some models).
3. Tap Choose default apps (may be labeled Default apps or Set as default).
4. Tap Browser app (or Browser). A list of installed browsers appears.
5. Select your preferred browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. This makes that browser the default for opening all web links.
6. If you don’t see the option, go back to Apps, tap Samsung Internet, then tap Set as default and choose Clear defaults. This resets any default status. Then repeat steps 3–5.

Part 2: Disable Samsung Internet Completely (If You Never Want It)

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Scroll down and tap Samsung Internet (the app icon is a blue globe with a white S).
3. Tap Disable (or Turn off). A confirmation pop-up appears.
4. Tap Disable app (or Turn off) to confirm. The app will be removed from your app drawer and stop running in the background.
5. If the Disable button is grayed out, the app is a system app. You can still prevent it from opening links by following Part 1, or you can use the Force stop button to stop it temporarily, but it may restart later.

Part 3: Stop Samsung Internet from Opening Links in Specific Apps

Some apps (like Samsung Email or Samsung Pay) have their own “open in browser� settings. Check the app’s settings for a “browser� or “open links in� option and choose your preferred browser there.

Common Mistakes

• Clearing defaults on the wrong app: If you clear defaults on Samsung Internet but don’t set another browser as default, Android will ask you which browser to use each time you click a link. That’s fine, but if you want automatic opening, set a new default first.
• Disabling the app but still seeing it in the app drawer: On some Samsung devices, disabling an app removes it from the home screen but it may still appear in the Apps list under “All apps� with a “Disabled� tag. That’s normal.
• Assuming “Disable� frees up storage: Disabling an app does not uninstall it or free up much storage. It only stops it from running. To free space, you need to uninstall (if possible) or clear its data.
• Forgetting to check “Link opening� settings in apps like Gmail: Some apps have their own “open links in� setting that overrides the system default. Check the app’s settings if links still open in Samsung Internet.

Tips

• If you want to keep Samsung Internet installed but never have it open links, just set another browser as default (Part 1). That’s the cleanest solution.
• If you disable Samsung Internet, some Samsung features like “Smart Stay� or “Bixby Routines� might rely on it. If you notice issues, re-enable it.
• To quickly switch browsers later, just go back to Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Browser app and pick a different one.
• If you use Samsung’s “Secure Folder� or “Dual Messenger�, they may have their own browser settings. Check those separately.

Troubleshooting

Links still open in Samsung Internet after changing default: Some apps (like Samsung Email) have a built-in “open in browser� setting that overrides the system default. Open the app’s settings and look for a “browser� or “link handling� option. If that doesn’t work, clear the defaults for Samsung Internet (Settings > Apps > Samsung Internet > Set as default > Clear defaults) and then set your preferred browser as default again.

“Disable� button is grayed out: On some carriers or older Android versions, Samsung Internet is a system app that cannot be disabled. You can still stop it from opening links by setting another default browser. If you really want to remove it, you’d need to root your device, which is not recommended and may void your warranty.

After disabling, other apps crash or links don’t open: Some apps (like Samsung Pay or Bixby) may try to launch Samsung Internet and fail. Re-enable Samsung Internet (Settings > Apps > Samsung Internet > Enable) and then set your preferred browser as default instead.

You don’t see “Choose default apps� in Settings: On some Samsung models, the path is Settings > Apps > Default apps (or “Default applications�). If you can’t find it, use the search bar in Settings and type “default apps�.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will disabling Samsung Internet delete my bookmarks or saved passwords?
A: No, disabling an app does not delete its data. Your bookmarks and passwords remain stored. If you re-enable the app, they’ll still be there.

Q: Can I uninstall Samsung Internet completely?
A: On most Samsung phones, it’s a system app, so you can’t uninstall it without rooting. You can only disable it. Some carrier versions may allow uninstall, but that’s rare.

Q: Why does Samsung Internet keep opening even after I set Chrome as default?
A: This usually happens because an app (like Samsung Email) has its own “open in browser� setting that ignores the system default. Check the app’s settings. Also, some links use a special URL scheme that only Samsung Internet handles.

Q: Does disabling Samsung Internet affect battery life?
A: Disabling it can slightly improve battery life because the app won’t run in the background. But the effect is usually minimal.

Q: How do I re-enable Samsung Internet after disabling it?
A: Go to Settings > Apps > Samsung Internet. Tap “Enable� (or “Turn on�). The app will return to your app drawer.

Q: Will Samsung Internet updates stop if I disable it?
A: Yes, disabled apps do not receive updates. If you re-enable it later, you may need to update it manually from the Galaxy Store or Play Store.

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