When setting up a new Android phone or iPhone, most users focus on connecting to Wi‑Fi, choosing the language and transferring data from their old device. Yet one important decision often stays “behind the scenes” – choosing the browser through which almost all online activity will pass.
On many smartphones, the manufacturer’s browser is pre-installed and set as default. It immediately starts collecting data about the sites you visit, your search queries and the links you click. If you do not change the settings, you carry on using it – not because it is the best option, but simply because it is already there.
Mozilla emphasises that every user can choose a browser that offers better privacy protection. Firefox is built with privacy as a priority: the company states that it has no interest in knowing which sites you visit or what you do there. The browser includes Enhanced Tracking Protection, which by default blocks known trackers on Android and iOS. If necessary, this protection can be relaxed or, conversely, strengthened by enabling Strict mode.
In addition, Firefox has dedicated settings for managing artificial intelligence. Users can decide for themselves how AI features appear in the browser, or switch them off entirely. Mozilla stresses that using AI should be a choice, not a requirement.
To ensure all links on your new phone open in Firefox, it is not enough just to install the app – you need to set it as your default browser.
How to set Firefox as your default browser on Android:
- open Firefox on your phone;
- tap the three-dot menu button;
- go to the “Settings” section;
- in the General section, find “Set default browser”;
- enable the “Set as default browser” toggle;
- select Firefox from the list and confirm your choice.
How to make Firefox your default browser on iOS:
- open “Settings” on your iPhone;
- go to the “Apps” section;
- select “Default Apps”;
- open “Browser App”;
- choose Firefox from the list of available options.
After this, all links from messages, email or social networks will automatically open in Firefox. This is particularly convenient for those who help relatives and friends with their tech: it is enough to set up the browser once and basic privacy protection will work without any extra effort on their part.
Mozilla recommends taking a few extra minutes during the initial setup of a new smartphone to download Firefox and make it your primary browser. That way, users will be online from the outset with data protection, choice and control over what information they are prepared to share already taken into account.