How to Change the Default App to Open a File in Android

Quick Tips

• Make sure to choose Always to set the default app when Android asks you to choose.
• Default Apps also allows you to change which apps can open what type of links.
• When you install a new app, it will force Android to open the app selection menu.

How to Change the Default App to Open a File in Android

While Android allows you to switch default apps to something else, other similar apps may prompt you to change them. So you will need to choose apps to be default as always carefully or one time when the prompt shows up.

Step 1: Open Android Settings. Navigate to Apps, and then select Default Apps.

Different versions of Android or OEM Skins may show different labels. So, if you can’t find this exact location, search for default apps, and it should appear.

Step 2: Now, search for the app you want to change the default settings, tap on it, and select an alternative app from the list. You can change the browser, call app, phone, and so on.

Step 3: If your file type is not in the list and you cannot change it, you can trick Android here. For example, if you have a PDF file opening in, let’s say, Foxit PDF editor, and you want to change it to Adobe, uninstall the Acrobat app and then reinstall it.

Then open a file, and you will get the Android prompt to use a different app. You can choose Android here. Next, open the PDF file again; this time, the default will be Adobe Acrobat. However, to ensure the app chooser doesn’t appear again, tap on Always.