Preparing your app to be the default web browser

Configure your browser app so users can set it as the default on their device instead of Safari.

Overview

In iOS 14 and later, users can select an app to be their default web browser. To make your app a choice, confirm that your app meets the requirements below, then request a managed entitlement.

Configure your app to be a default browser

The system invokes the default web browser in iOS whenever the user opens an HTTP or HTTPS link. Because this app becomes the user’s primary gateway to the internet, Apple requires that web browsing apps meet specific functional criteria to protect user privacy and ensure proper access to internet resources.

Apps express their capability to be a default web browser by using the com.apple.developer.web-browser managed entitlement.

Fulfill default browser requirements

Apps that register as a default web browser option must satisfy the following criteria:

Your app must specify the HTTP and HTTPS schemes in its Info.plist file.
Your app can’t use UIWebView.
On launch, the app must provide a text field for entering a URL, search tools for finding relevant links on the internet, or curated lists of bookmarks.

When opening an HTTP or HTTPS URL in its default configuration:

The app must navigate directly to the specified destination and render the expected web content. Apps that redirect to unexpected locations or render content not specified in the destination’s source code don’t meet the requirements of a default web browser.
Apps designed to operate in a parental controls or locked down mode may restrict navigation to comply with those goals.
Your app may present a “Safe Browsing” or other warning for content suspected of phishing or other problems.
Your app may offer a native authentication UI for a site that also offers a native web sign-in flow.

Use default browser capabilities

Apps that use the com.apple.developer.web-browser managed entitlement can:

Be an option for the user to choose as their default browser.
Load pages from all domains with full script access.
Use Service Workers in WKWebView instances.
Offer the Add to Home Screen action in a share sheet by including the current WKWebView in the activityItems array when creating a UIActivityViewController.

Adhere to browser restrictions

Apps that have the com.apple.developer.web-browser managed entitlement may not claim to respond to Universal Links for specific domains. The system will ignore any such claims. Apps with the entitlement can still open Universal Links to other apps as usual.

Because of their privileged position in a user’s web browsing, browser apps should avoid unnecessary access to personal data. Apps that use any of the following Info.plist keys while using the com.apple.developer.web-browser managed entitlement will be rejected:

NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription — For saving images, your app should only specify NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription. WKWebView can still upload photos and files without your app needing access to a user’s entire photo library. To access individual photos your app should use PHPickerViewController which doesn’t require NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription, instead of UIImagePickerController.
NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription, NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription — For determining the user’s location, request while in-use authorization instead (NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription). Browsers are restricted from always-on location access.
NSHomeKitUsageDescription — Browsers can’t access the user’s HomeKit database.
NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription — Browsers can’t poll for Bluetooth devices when the app is in the background. Browsers should use NSBluetoothWhileInUseUsageDescription for Bluetooth features.
NSHealthShareUsageDescription, NSHealthUpdateUsageDescription — Browsers can’t access the user’s health database.

Check if your app is the default browser

To test whether someone configured your app as the default browser in iOS, call isDefault(_:) (Swift) or defaultStatusForCategory:error: (Objective-C), with the category UIApplication.Category.webBrowser.

This method is rate-limited: if your app calls it too frequently, the method throws an error. The value for the key retryAvailableDateErrorKey in the error’s user info dictionary is the date at which your app can next check whether it’s the default browser.

Ship an alternative browser engine

If your iOS browser app includes an alternative browser engine, which includes using a version of WebKit other than the framework supplied in the operating system, you need to design your browser as an app that hosts extensions to access system resources and process untrusted data. For more information, see BrowserEngineKit.