The ability to designate a preferred application for accessing web content on Apple’s mobile operating system allows users to directly open web links in the browser of their choice. For instance, if a user prefers a browser other than Safari, such as Chrome or Firefox, making it the established application ensures that all web links encountered in emails, messages, and other apps automatically launch within that specific browser.
This customization enhances the user experience by providing consistency and access to preferred features, settings, and synced data within the chosen browsing environment. Previously, the operating system defaulted to its own native browser, limiting user choice. The introduction of this option represents a significant shift towards greater user control and flexibility within the mobile ecosystem, aligning with user expectations for customization options available on other platforms.