Permanently Set Default Browser to Chrome

[careybarnett]

I have had a Tab S 8.4 for about a month.

I am constantly asked to choose a default Web browser when launching links from the Chrome Bookmarks widget. I choose Chrome, select 'Always', and a few links later I'm asked to select a default app again. I check the preferences, and Chrome is the default app for links.

How can I stop this behaviour?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Welcome to the forums. I would go into Settings>apps>swipe over to all apps>scroll down to the stock browser (not Chrome) and click clear defaults.

 

[careybarnett]

And that would not work. The 'Clear Defaults' button on this device is greyed out for the that app. You cannot perform this action in the normal way. I'm starting to think I have to root the thing.

Thanks for answering.

 

[Golfdriver97]

I'm starting to think I have to root the thing.

Possibly. Can the stock browser be disabled? It would be in the same screen as the clear defaults (I am guessing no, it can't).

 

[careybarnett]

Nope... Can't disable the thing either.

 

[brattyc]

Have you tried a different launcher? I use the Nova Launcher (the app is at the Google play store) It seems like it will let you delete some things. I use Firefox there with no problems. Just an idea, hope it helps.

 

[Javier P]

It could be some conflict with an app you downloaded. I remember some people having the same issue and the culprits were apps like eBible, Kolh's and something else I don't remember now.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...-why-won-t-chrome-save-default-browser-3.html

 

[careybarnett]

I have tried all of the suggestions, and followed the posts as far as was reasonable. The Nova Launcher seems to solve the problem. However, if I switch back to the Samsung launcher, the problem still exists, so here's what seems to be happening: The Samsung launcher (I forget the name, and don't care to look it up) favours Samsung apps. You cannot disable, or clear the preferences for the Samsung browser in settings.

On another note: The Nova Launcher is faster than the Samsung product, so this switch isn't much of a hardship. I'm even thinking about paying for the premium version, so I can get gestures.

I like this solution, as I don't have to root the device, and thereby break my warranty. Even if it seems like a kludge, the OS allows for a change in launchers, so this is a good choice from my point of view.

Thanks everyone. Good help.

 

[FF22]

I have tried all of the suggestions, and followed the posts as far as was reasonable. The Nova Launcher seems to solve the problem. However, if I switch back to the Samsung launcher, the problem still exists, so here's what seems to be happening: The Samsung launcher (I forget the name, and don't care to look it up) favours Samsung apps. You cannot disable, or clear the preferences for the Samsung browser in settings.

On another note: The Nova Launcher is faster than the Samsung product, so this switch isn't much of a hardship. I'm even thinking about paying for the premium version, so I can get gestures.

I like this solution, as I don't have to root the device, and thereby break my warranty. Even if it seems like a kludge, [U]the OS allows for a change in launchers[/U], so this is a good choice from my point of view.

Thanks everyone. Good help.

How do you change Launchers? And does it run on top of the Samsung Launcher (is it Touch Wiz?) so that both take up memory?

 

[FF22]

I have tried all of the suggestions, and followed the posts as far as was reasonable. The Nova Launcher seems to solve the problem. However, if I switch back to the Samsung launcher, the problem still exists, so here's what seems to be happening: The Samsung launcher (I forget the name, and don't care to look it up) favours Samsung apps. You cannot disable, or clear the preferences for the Samsung browser in settings.

On another note: The Nova Launcher is faster than the Samsung product, so this switch isn't much of a hardship. I'm even thinking about paying for the premium version, so I can get gestures.

I like this solution, as I don't have to root the device, and thereby break my warranty. Even if it seems like a kludge, the OS allows for a change in launchers, so this is a good choice from my point of view.

Thanks everyone. Good help.

How do you change launchers? Does it replace the Samsung one (I think I just remembered it is Touch Wiz????) or does it overlay it and therefore, take up more memory?

 

[careybarnett]

That's right. The Samsung UI is called Touch Wiz.

If you look in Settings > Applications > Default Applications, you'll see Touch Wiz at the top on the right, and it's greyed out. It's greyed out because it's the only launcher installed. Install another one, then go there, and change it. You'll see, if you're paying attention, that you have to hit the home button after you change the launcher. There is a prompt, but it's small, at the bottom of the screen, and may be hidden by your hand.

I tried to post the link, but I'm too new. Find Nova Launcher in the Play Store.

Once I got into the settings of Nova, I found some very cool stuff. You can have multiple screens of the toolbar, change the icon grid of the desktop, tweak all kinds of stuff. It's very useful.

 

[FF22]

carey:

Thanks for the info. Even if I don't wind up using an Alternate Launcher, I think I will, at least, experiment so see how to change stuff around. The Tab S is my first Android device and I've not delved very much into its inner workings. Again, thanks.

 

[brattyc]

YouTube has a few good Nova launcher videos, I think this is one of the best, it gives a lot of good info and it's not super long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0yIMEkRnf0

Hope the video is okay...I couldn't find a way to post the link without getting the video :-[

 

[careybarnett]

Follow up note regarding my specific use case:

If you have Chrome installed, and you check the Widgets drawer, you'll find two 'Bookmarks' widgets. One belongs to Chrome, and the other to the Samsung browser. These widgets can display the contents of a folder in your Bookmarks, or let you navigate your bookmarks. My specific use is that I read about 30 Web pages every morning, and I want a reasonable way to do that. My preferred method was/is the 'Morning Coffee' extension for Firefox, but that won't work on an Android device.

On the tablet I use this bookmarks Widget, and open the bookmarks in my 'Morning Coffee' folder one at a time. The two Widgets in question are supposed to override the default application setting, and open the bookmarks in the browser the Widget belongs to. The default Samsung launcher, Touch Wiz (someone should probably explain to Samsung the alternate meanings of the English word 'wiz'.), seems to disallow this. It also disallows you clearing the default for the Samsung browser. This is what causes the problem.

 

[careybarnett]

I think you're in the wrong thread, Brennan. This is an issue specific (in this particular case) to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4". I suspect the Nova Launcher will still work for you, so give it a try.

 

[Ariav Savir]

I have s5 and got the same problem after the lollipop update. Sorry to bother you, but how did you solved it exactly with Nova Launcher? I installed it but nothing have changed, I'm still being asked to choose between chrome and Samsung browsers. Do you have any idea? Thanks.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[AnitaLai716]

I downloaded an app called "TUFFS Notification Shortcuts" to my Android 5.1
And it turns out greyed out the The 'Clear Defaults' button
So I just remove the app, and I can permanently set the default browser to Chrome