iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 Bug Resets Default Apps to Safari and Mail After Every Reboot

Apple in iOS and iPadOS 14 allows users to set third-party apps as alternatives to the default mail and browser apps on iPhone and iPad, but a widespread bug appears to revert these settings to Apple's default apps whenever the user's device is rebooted.

ios14 and default outlook feature 1
The issue was discovered by several users who reported it on social media, and Apple has since confirmed the bug's existence in a statement given to CNET.

"We are aware of an issue that can impact default email and browser settings in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. A fix will be available to users in a software update," Apple said in a statement.

Until Apple resolves the issue, suffice to say if you've set a preferred third-party browser or mail app over Safari or Apple Mail, you should probably avoid shutting down or restarting your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌, otherwise you'll have to re-select your preferences again each time you boot up your device. Of course, that's unavoidable if your device runs out of battery.


Currently, Chrome, Edge, DuckDuckGo, and Firefox can be set as default browsers, while Spark and Microsoft Outlook can be set as default Mail apps. Users who don't get on with Safari or Apple's native Mail app can choose an alternative and it will be opened automatically whenever the system requires it. As long as they haven't restarted their device, that is.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

markfc Avatar
55 months ago
"Bug"
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
55 months ago
"Bug, feature... potato, potato" - Apple :D
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12643 Avatar
55 months ago
This does not bode well for iOS 14. A very basic bug, very easy to find, not caused by some weird, uncommon device usage. And they didn’t catch it before release?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markgpearse Avatar
55 months ago
The Apple giveth and the Apple taketh away!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brandon Edling Avatar
55 months ago

Just shows they didn’t really want people using another browser or email client
Or maybe it’s just a bug? Doesn’t have to be nefarious.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PBG4 Dude Avatar
55 months ago
Come on people, it’s obviously Apple’s first attempt at jail breaking iOS. With any luck, they’ll have an untethered solution that survives reboot within a few months.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)