• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Android Guides

  • Android 101
    • Dual SIM Android phones: Dual standby vs dual active
    • How to make two SIM cards always available in dual SIM dual standby Android phones?
    • How to auto rotate home screen in Android phones (use home screen in landscape mode)
    • Understanding Android battery usage
    • How to check version of Android in your phone or tablet?
  • Lollipop
    • How to enable Flash Player on Android Lollipop?
    • How to use quick settings in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use screen pinning in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?
    • How to use smart lock in Android Lollipop?
    • What’s battery saver in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?
    • Top 5 new features in Android Lollipop 5.1
    • How to bypass device protection in Android Lollipop 5.1 when you do a factory data reset?
  • Marshmallow
    • Top 12 new features in Android Marshmallow 6.0 for users
    • How to use system UI tuner in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to get Android Marshmallow 6.0 update for your device?
    • How to use micro SD card in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as internal storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as portable storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • USB options in Android Marshmallow
    • How to use Now on tap in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app permissions in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow text selection?
    • How to use redo and undo features in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to silence Android Marshmallow phones?
    • How to use Do Not Disturb (DnD) in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app notifications in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow RAM manager?
    • How to use application manager in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow battery optimization?
  • Nougat
    • Android Nougat 7.0 New Features
    • New features in Android Nougat 7.1
    • How to use split-screen mode (multi window) in Android Nougat 7.0/7.1?
    • How to use Android Nougat quick settings bar?
    • How to change display size in Android Nougat?
    • How to use data saver in Android Nougat?
    • Use Android Nougat call blocking to block unwanted calls and SMS without using any apps
    • How to customize quick settings panel in Android Nougat?
    • How to get Android Nougat update for my device? and when?
    • How to use new features of Android Nougat notification panel: bundled notifications, directly reply and notification control?
    • How to set up Android Nougat lock screen wallpaper?
  • Oreo
    • Top 10 New Features of Android Oreo 8.0
    • What’s new in Android Oreo 8.1: Android Oreo 8.1 vs Android Oreo 8.0
    • How to use picture-in-picture (PIP) mode in Android Oreo 8.0 and 8.1?
    • How to use notification dots (notification badges) in Android Oreo?
    • How to use notification snooze in Android Oreo?
    • How to use and manage notification channels in Android Oreo?
    • How to use smart text selection in Android Oreo?
    • How to play Android Oreo Easter egg game?
  • Pie
    • Top 20 new features of Android Pie (Android 9)
    • How to use the Android Pie navigation gestures?
    • How to use the screenshot shortcut to take a screenshot on Android Pie?
    • How to use overview selection in Android Pie?
  • 10
    • Top 10 new features of Android 10
    • How to use Android 10 dark mode (dark theme)?
    • How to use the Android 10 Emergency button?
    • How to Use Location Access Control in Android 10?
    • How to use navigation gestures in Android 10?
    • How to share Wi-Fi using QR codes in Android 10?
  • 11
    • Top 11 new features of Android 11
    • How To Use Live Caption in Android 10 and Android 11
    • How to play Android 11 Easter Egg game (Android Neko Cat game)?
    • How to use dark theme scheduling in Android 11?
    • How to use native screen recorder in Android 11?
    • How to use notification history and notification logs in Android 11?
  • 12
    • Top 12 new features of Android 12 you should know
    • How to quickly snooze notifications in Android 12?
    • Extra Dim in Android 12: The Definite Guide
    • How to update to Android 12?
  • 13
    • Top 10 New Features of Android 13

How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?

Instead of choosing an app for certain tasks in Android, you can assign one app as the default app. This guide shows you how to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow. App link is a new Android Marshmallow feature related to default apps. This guide also shows you how to manage app links.

Table of Contents hide
1) Why you need to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?
2) How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow for individual apps?
2.1) Reset default apps
2.2) Manage default apps for app links
3) How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow for all apps?
3.1) Reset all default apps
3.2) Manage defaults apps and app links
3.3) Manage default apps

Why you need to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?

Just like in previous versions of Android, for one operation (task), there are possibly many apps can handle it. This is the good thing for Android: choices. For example, to open a website link, you can use any browser apps in your Android phone: Chrome, Firefox, Opera….

By default, Android will ask you to choose an app each time if there are more than one app can do the job.  This can be annoying if you have a preferred app for certain operations.

So, you can set the preferred app as the default app for such a task. You can do this in Android Marshmallow and previous Android versions as well.

Sometimes, you may want to change the default apps to others (for example, a new app). Or you may want to reset default apps.

In Android Marshmallow, a new feature, app link, is that some apps can open certain links within the app itself without using web browser apps.  Of course, you can also configure them in default apps settings.

This guide will show you how to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow, as well as how to manage app links.

Please note, default app settings are inside application manager, which is universal in all Android devices.

But some vendors may change the icons and organize the settings in a slightly different way. This guide is based on stock Android. For Samsung devices with Android Marshmallwo, you may check this page.

You can manage default apps in two ways: for individual apps, or for all apps.

How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow for individual apps?

To manage default apps in Android Marshmallow for individual apps, you need to enter Application manager first.

You can access application manager in your Android device through Settings—Apps.

Once in Application manager, tap the app you want to manage default apps for.

Reset default apps

For example, in this guide, you want to check and manage default apps settings for Chrome browser app.

Tap Chrome browser app to enter App info page for the app as shown below.

Tap Open by default as shown below.

In Open by default page, you can tap Clear defaults as shown below to reset the default app for opening web links.

If the app is not currently assigned as a default app for any tasks, you will see “No defaults set” instead of clear defaults.

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

Manage default apps for app links

As mentioned, in Android Marshmallow, certain links can be opened inside the app without launching browser app.

Of course, this feature is app-dependent. It is up to the app developers to implement this feature or not.

In this guide, Amazon Music app is used as an example.

In the App info page for Amazon Music, tap Open by default as shown below.

In the Open by default  page, under App links, there are two entries  as shown below:

  1. Open supported links.
  2. Supported links.

This means the developer of this app implemented this feature so that this apps can handle some links in this app.

Tap Open supported links (marked as 1) as shown below, you will then get 3 options.

  • Open in this app. If selected, the supported links  will be handled by this app, instead of other apps.
  • Ask every time. If selected, you will have to choose an app each time when you  want to open a supported link.
  • Don’t open in this app. If selected, the link will be handled by browser app or system assigned app.

Tap Supported links (marked as 2) as shown below to see a list of links that can be handled by this app.

In this case, as shown below, this includes all Amazon websites.

The supported apps list is provided by the app developer in the app and verified by Android system.

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow for all apps?

In addition to manage default apps for individual apps, you can also check and manage default apps (and app links) for all apps in one location.

Reset all default apps

If you mess up settings for default apps in your Android device, you can reset all of them.

Go to Application manager (Settings–Apps) as shown below.

Tap menu key (3 vertical dots marked as 1, as shown below).

Tap Reset app preferences as shown below.  This will reset all settings related to default apps.

Manage defaults apps and app links

In application manager, tap the Settings icon (gear icon, marked as 2 as shown below) to enter configure apps page.

In Configure apps page, in addition to manage app permissions, you can also:

  1. manage app links.
  2. manage default apps.

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

To manage app links, tap App links (marked as 1, as shown above) in Configure apps page.

All apps that support app links feature are listed.  This gives you the overall info on app links in your device.

If you tap any of the apps  in app link page, you will get identical page as you tap “open by default” in the app info page of this app as mentioned above.

You can then manage app links for this app,

Manage default apps

As shown above, tap Default apps (marked as 2) to manage and assign default apps in Android Marshmallow.

In Default apps page as shown below, the assigned default apps are listed.

You can change the default apps here.

For example, tap SMS app as shown below.

As shown in the popup window, currently, the default SMS app is Messenger app. The other option is Hangouts.

So, if you want to change default SMS app to Hangouts, you can simply tap Hangouts as shown below to set default SMS app.

Unfortunately, in Android Marshmallow, to clear default apps, you have to go to app info page as mentioned above.

manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow

Do you know how to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow now? Do you know how to manage app links now?

If you have any questions or encounter any problems on managing or clearing defaults apps in Android Marshmallow, or on managing app links,  please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will help you.

For any questions or problems with Android Marshmallow, please check our Android Marshmallow Guide page.

If your question is about Android Lollipop, please check out Android Lollipop Guide page.

For other Android guides, please check our Android 101 page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rajdeep Singh says

    January 26, 2017 at 1:00 am

    I have a Samsung Galaxy Note Edge [SM-N915G] running Marshmallow 6.01. I have recently tampered with the original permissions accorded to my apps and when I wanted to revert, I do not recollect which apps needed which specific permissions when they were downloaded or as in stock apps. I am very keen to revert back and grant permissions to my apps as they were before messing my phone up.
    I know the easiest way out is to reset the Phone but this seems very cumbersome.Alternately, what I could possible do is to reinstall my [ downloaded ] apps once again after uninstalling them. but the question remains for the stock apps which cannot be uninstalled from the phone. Can anybody help me by letting me know what are the ‘ default permissions ‘ for the following Stock apps
    ~ Camera
    ~ Clock
    ~ Contacts
    ~ Email
    ~ Galaxy Apps
    ~ Gallery
    ~ Google App
    ~ Google Play Services
    ~ Google Play Stores
    ~ Internet
    ~ Messages
    ~ Music
    ~ S Note
    ~ S Planner
    ~ Samsung Push Service
    ~ Scrapbook
    ~ Video

    Reply
    • simon says

      January 26, 2017 at 5:19 am

      The app should request the permission again, or it will complain about the permission. Some permissions are not listed.


      Our Facebook page || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Fire tablet guide || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Moto E Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

      Reply
      • Rajdeep Singh says

        January 27, 2017 at 2:33 pm

        You’re right. When I open the apps, they do ask for permissions. I have granted permissions to most apps I have opened. Thanking you so much

        Reply
  2. Yasir says

    November 16, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 running Marshmallow 6.0.1. Some new applications need permission and while trying to solve it I reset app preferences and all app didn’t work and show msg for screen overlay detected.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Search the site

Follow Us

  • View gadgetguideonline’s profile on Facebook
  • View MadeBySimonMa’s profile on YouTube
  • View +SimonMaSg’s profile on Google+

RSS Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

  • Top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20 and S10
  • Android 12 update vs One UI 4.0 vs One UI 4.1: update Galaxy S21, S20 and S10 to Android 12
  • How to set and resize photo size on Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, S10, and S9 without using any third-party apps?
  • How to Customize Galaxy S21 Home Screen?
  • Master Galaxy S21 Lock Screen Settings
  • How to use widgets on Galaxy S21?
  • How to Use and Customize Galaxy S21 Side Key?
  • How to hide Galaxy S21 password and PIN when typing?
  • How to power on, power off, and reboot Galaxy S21,even when the phone hangs?
  • How to use Galaxy S21 quick settings panel?

RSS Galaxy S20 Guides

  • How to Use Enhanced Processing on Galaxy S20 with Android 11 update?
  • How to access, use, and customise widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen with Android 11 update for Galaxy S20?
  • How to update Galaxy S20 to Android 11?
  • How to use Galaxy S20 lockdown mode?
  • Top 11 new features in Galaxy S20 Android 11 update
  • How to use Galaxy S20 recovery mode?
  • How to use 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera?
  • How to use and customize power mode on Galaxy S20?
  • A Complete Guide Of Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu
  • How to manage location services on Galaxy S20 to protect your privacy?

RSS Galaxy S10 Guides

  • Top 10 new features in Android 10 update for Galaxy S10
  • Top 5 new features added in Galaxy S10 September Update
  • How to move apps to the micro SD card to free phone storage on Galaxy S10 ?
  • Galaxy S10 wireless charging guide
  • How to use app folders on Galaxy S10 Home screen and Apps screen?
  • How to enable and use Galaxy S10 developer options?
  • How to hide suggested apps on Galaxy S10? and how to stop Finder uploading your data to Samsung servers?

RSS Galaxy S9 Guides

  • How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
  • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
  • How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
  • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
  • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
  • How to use Galaxy S9 edge screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+?
  • How to reboot Galaxy S9 and S9+ if Galaxy S9 hangs?
  • How to use Galaxy S9 Apps screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

RSS Galaxy S8 Guides

  • How to use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • How to use app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • Use notification dots/notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update
  • How to Install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

RSS Galaxy S7 Guides

  • How to show brightness control above notification panel in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?
  • Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge Android Nougat update guide
  • How to disable and uninstall apps in Galaxy S7 ans S7 edge?
  • How to use apps edge in edge screen of Galaxy S7 edge (and Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, and Galaxy Note 7)

RSS Galaxy Note Guides

  • Top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • How to use the Dynamic Lock screen on Galaxy Note 10?
  • Galaxy Note 10 LED View Cover Guide and Review
  • Install S Note app and Extension pack on Galaxy Note 10
  • How to Use Galaxy Note 10 Camera App?
  • Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide
  • How to use Samsung DeX for PC with Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?
  • How to use Galaxy Note 10 Clear View cover (S View cover)?
  • How to charge Galaxy Note 10 battery?
  • How to use and remap Galaxy Note 10 Side key?

RSS Google Home Guides

  • How to Factory Data Reset Nest Hub (Google Home Hub and Nest Hub 2nd Gen)?
  • Nest Hub 2nd Gen vs Nest Hub vs Google Home Hub: what’s new and what’s not changed?
  • How to Factory Data Reset Nest Audio?
  • Nest Audio Layout
  • Nest Audio Guides
  • How to adjust the equalizer (EQ) of Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max?

RSS Moto G Guides

  • Moto G8 vs Moto G8 Power vs Moto G8 Power Lite vs Moto G Power vs Moto G Stylus vs Moto G Pro vs Moto G fast: What are the differences?
  • Moto G8 User Manual for Moto G8 Plus and Moto G8 Play
  • Moto G8 Plus vs Moto G8 Play: Differences and common features

RSS Samsung Galaxy S5 Guide

  • Samsung Galaxy S5 Android Lollipop User Guide (PDF)
  • How to use Galaxy S5 camera effects?
  • How to access and use Galaxy S5 quick settings panel?

RSS Moto X Owners Community

  • Official Moto X4 User manual (User guide for Moto X 4th Gen , Moto X 2017)
  • What’s new in Android Marshmallow update for Moto X (Moto X 2015, Moto X 2014, Moto X Style and Moto X Pure edition)?
  • Top 5 new features in Moto X 2015 (Moto X Style, Moto X Pure edition and Moto X Play) vs Moto X 2014

RSS Moto E Guides

  • How to use Moto E6 camera?
  • How to use SIM cards on Moto E6, E6 Plus, E6 Play, and E6s 2020?
  • How to remove Moto E6 back cover (including Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play)?
  • Official user manual for Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play, and Moto E6s

RSS Galaxy S4 Guides

  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Manual for Verizon
  • Galaxy S4 User Manual and Handbook in Korean (한국어)

RSS Galaxy S6 Guide

  • Official user manual for Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+ with Android Nougat update
  • Official Galaxy S6 user manual with Android Nougat update
  • Changes on waiting time for wrong input on Galaxy S6 lock screen in Android Marshmallow update
  • Galaxy S6 auto factory reset in Android Marshmallow update

RSS Kindle Fire For Kid

  • How to Use Dark Theme on Fire Tablets with Fire OS 8?
  • How to use Quick Settings on Fire tablets?
  • How to take a screenshot on a Fire tablet without using any apps like a pro?
  • Fire Tablet Buying Guide
  • How-to Guides for Fire tablet

Footer

RSS Drive In Singapore

  • Top 5 rules of driving in Singapore safely and legally during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period
  • Understand COE Price by 10 Simple Questions
  • How to convert a foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license?
  • How to get a Touch ‘n Go card as a Singapore driver?
  • What is covered in the car warranty in Singapore? What is not?
  • What is the Singapore Road Speed Limit?
  • How to register, collect and use Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?
  • Why are cars in Singapore are so expensive?
  • Drive to Malaysia
  • Car Maintenance and Servicing in Singapore

RSS All About Chromecast

  • Meaning of LED light on voice remote for Chromecast with Google TV
  • Master the Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TV
  • How to use Chromecast to stream music to dumb speakers (as Chromecast Audio does)?
  • How to factory data reset Chromecast Audio?
  • What are supported systems for Chromecast Audio companion device?
  • How to stream photos and videos on OneDrive to Chromecast?
  • Chromecast VS Amazon Fire TV stick: which one is for you?
  • How to change Chromecast WiFi network?
  • How to stream local video to Chromecast?
  • Chromecast How-to Guide

RSS Headphone Guides

  • AirPods Pro 2 New features explained
  • What is Samsung Seamless Codec? 4 things you should know about this new codec
  • How to use widgets to check battery levels and control Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds?
  • AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: which one should you choose?
  • AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: Top 8 improvements and new features of AirPods 3
  • How to Use and Adjust Force Sensor on AirPods Pro like a Pro?
  • Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro: the Top 8 Pros and Cons
  • 4 ways to check Galaxy Buds Live battery level
  • How to manage Galaxy Buds Live in Galaxy Wearable App?
  • How to use touch control on Galaxy Buds Live?

© 2015–2023 · GadgetGuideOnline.com is a online community for Gadget Owners! · Hosted by PTRHosting
Android Guide, Android tips, tricks and hacks. Everything you need know about Android. These guides will teach you how to use your Android phones and other Android gadgets.
Powered by Genesis framework for WordPress
Disclaimer: Android is a trademark of Google. This website is NOT affiliated with Google in any way. All the information provided on this website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and you agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk.

Add Android Guides to your Homescreen!

Add