Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Change the default "mailto" setting in Firefox for Android

more options

I can't work out how to change the application (or should this be program or client ? Sorry, I don't know the lingo on mobiles) used by Firefox on my android (Sony experia z2) mobile phone when I click on an email address on a webpage. Firefox currently wants to use the default android email client, whereas I want to use Gmail. I suspect that I accidentally clicked on the "use always" option and "email" once when I was asked what application I wanted to be used for this kind of resource. I know that if I were using the full web version I would follow the instructions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-program-used-open-email-links but I'm blowed if I can find the relevant options in the mobile version.

Any help gratefully received

I can't work out how to change the application (or should this be program or client ? Sorry, I don't know the lingo on mobiles) used by Firefox on my android (Sony experia z2) mobile phone when I click on an email address on a webpage. Firefox currently wants to use the default android email client, whereas I want to use Gmail. I suspect that I accidentally clicked on the "use always" option and "email" once when I was asked what application I wanted to be used for this kind of resource. I know that if I were using the full web version I would follow the instructions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-program-used-open-email-links but I'm blowed if I can find the relevant options in the mobile version. Any help gratefully received

Chosen solution

Thanks! Viewing "all" apps - which required scrolling the screen sideways - and then resetting the defaults of the "email" app fixed it. Props!

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

I assume you mean the Gmail app, and not the Gmail website in Firefox; I'm not sure the website is possible.

On Android, the default applications are stored at the OS level, and Firefox should follow that. This article describes where to look in settings to clear the default from the Mail app (i.e., look for Mail and not a browser): Make Firefox the default browser on Android. Does it work?

more options

Thanks for the swift reply. Unfortunately, I'd already tried that. The problem is that the list of apps doesn't include the default android email client. That is, this seems to be internal to android rather than something else running on my phone. I don't even currently have an email account set up on the phone because I do just want to run Gmail (which is working fine for checking my email).

I do mean the Gmail app, by the way… Any other thoughts?

more options

You should be able to find Email as a separate items. Make sure when viewing the Apps list you're in the All list and not the Downloaded list, or you won't see the pre-installed apps.

There is a drastic option to reset all defaults. Above the Apps list, tap the "3-dot" menu, then "Reset app preferences". I haven't ever tried that myself, for obvious reasons, but have seen it suggested on forums when there are problems with setting or clearing default apps.

more options
more options

Chosen Solution

Thanks! Viewing "all" apps - which required scrolling the screen sideways - and then resetting the defaults of the "email" app fixed it. Props!