How to use your favorite applications by default

It is a problem that we can come across regularly. We touch a file that we want to open with a particular program, but for some reason, Android keeps opening it with some application that we don't want Well that's because we have the application incorrect default selected for that file type. If you want to open it with the application that you prefer, you are in the right place. In this brief guide we will show you the process of changing default applications on Android.

If you're an Android veteran, you probably won't find much new information here. We're moving at a pace that's comfortable for the more tech-savvy audience, so if such instructions bore the more tech-savvy, you might want to move on. For anyone else who wants to learn the essential mysteries of the application's default settings, they can start from the first step.

Managing Default Applications

First we download Default App Manager. This little third-party app does a great job of displaying and changing defaults for the vast majority of common file types We just installed it, started it, and then chose which applications we want to use for the files or functions. It is a great way to get an overview of what our smartphone already considers default and change it to suit our preferences.

But if the Default App Manager doesn't support the file type we're dealing with, or maybe we just want to know a little more about why the device chose the default it did before we changed it. If either of these is the case, let's see how Android chooses a default app first.

Most of us choose which apps to default to on our devices all the time without even realizing it. The process is fairly quick and unobtrusive, making it easy for some entry-level users to choose a default application without realizing that they have done so.

How to set a default application if it doesn't exist

The Android operating system uses a rather nifty concept called "implicit intent"Basically, if the user or an app asks the device to do something like "take a photo," then the operating system will look for an app that can get us the job done. If there is more than one option and no default has been selected - or if a new option has been installed since the last time a default was set - Android will ask us which app we prefer to use. This makes the process of setting up default applications easy and intuitive.

So how does it work? First, we start an activity to which we want to assign a default application. This can range from clicking a link to a specific service opening a certain type of file. If no option appears, that means one of two things: either we only have one application that can complete the activity, or we have already set up a default application for the activity. activity.

If an option appears, we will see a dialog box that will provide us with a list of applications that we can use. We choose the application we want and when it asks us if we want to use this application "Only once" or "Always", we choose "Always" to set this application as the default for this activity.

This is where some users accidentally assign default apps unintentionally. If we choose "Always", we will not be asked the next time the device tries to execute this type of file. It will remember our preferences and do what we tell it to. However, if we download a new application that can serve the same purpose, then once again it will ask the question “Only once” or “Always”

Change Individual Default Applications

Let's say we want to mix things up a bit. We decided that we no longer want to use the Instagram app. Now we want to open Instagram images with the Internet browser by default, but it stubbornly refuses to uninstall Instagram (it's a hypothetical example). How do we prevent Android from always opening Instagram links with the Instagram app?

No problem. We just reset that app to its defaults and choose a new default the next time we're prompted. We queue the detailed tutorial:

Go to settings

First, let's go to the settings of the Android device. This is almost always a gear-shaped icon that can be located between our apps or in a drop-down menu from the home screen.

Go to application settings

In Settings, look for “Applications” or “Application Settings”. Then, we choose the “All apps” tab near the top.

We choose the application

We find the application that Android currently uses by default. This is the application we no longer want to use for this activity.

Restore Default Settings

In the application settings, we choose Delete default values.

We return to the process

We return to the activity we wish to carry out. For example, if we remove the Instagram defaults, we might click a link from Instagram.com again. This will trigger an "implicit intent" and since Android no longer has a default setting, it will ask us which app we prefer to use.

We select a new default application

We touch the application that we want to use instead and then “Always”.

Mission accomplished. From now on, Android will consider the chosen app as the default for this activity.

Reset all apps to default

If we can't determine which default app is giving us settings and the option to choose a new default doesn't appear, whatever we do, there's still workaround.

Of course, we must take into account that carrying out this procedure will also enable all disabled applications, reset the notification options of the application, remove any restrictions on background data or permission restrictions on applications specific. We won't lose any data, but if we play around with app settings a lot, we may need to do a good reconfiguration to get things back to their original state .

We start by accessing Settings through the gear icon in the application tray or in the drop-down menu on the home screen. Look for the list “Applications” or “Application settings” and press.

In the application list, touch the Options icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

From the drop-down menu, select “Reset Application Preferences”.

This will bring up a warning screen advising us that this will do more than just reset all defaults. Again, we will not lose any data. Touch “Reset Apps” to confirm the operation Now we can freely choose all new default apps through normal methods.

The purpose of default applications is to make interaction with our Android device smoother and more intuitive.We must not let accidentally assigned application defaults slow you down. So this way we can take control of our terminal by getting rid of unwanted defaults and assigning the ones we really want and need to use.