Microsoft Edge on Android May Push a Startup Popup to Set It as Default—Will You Switch?

Microsoft, known for promoting its products and services such as Edge, Outlook, and Copilot, is at it again. This time, the company is testing a prompt when users open Microsoft Edge on Android, behind a flag in the Canary version.

Most browsers encourage users to make them the primary option on any OS, and Edge is no exception. It already nudges users through a promo at the top of settings, stating that links will open automatically in Edge. There’s also a “Set Microsoft Edge as default” option in Settings for easy access. Tapping it opens a dialog listing browser apps available on your device.

However, prompting users at startup offers a different experience, making them notice and take action.

Microsoft is testing “Android default browser promo on startup” in Edge Canary. When enabled, opening Edge will display a dialog with available browsers, with the default pre-selected—likely Chrome or another option—allowing users to set Edge Canary as the default browser or dismiss the prompt. The goal is to roll this out to users running the latest stable version.

Why not?

With extension support, a movable address bar, and a built-in ad blocker, Microsoft Edge is worth considering over Chrome despite its smaller mobile market share. Microsoft can promote Edge Android, and users can decide based on its merits.

That’s not all -Microsoft Edge on Android, with Copilot, is testing Video summaries with Timestamps. Yet another reason to switch.

Let us know your thoughts! Would you set Edge as the default browser on your mobile?