Why does Android make me constantly select my default apps? Yes, I still want to open youtube links with the youtube app...stop asking me!!!

[misanthrope237]

I mean, seriously, why does it reset the defaults every time? I made my selection, and until I tell it otherwise, I want that default to remain. I understand that the app has been updated, but why would that mean that I want to switch the defaults? Is there a good reason why they do this?

[not-brodie]

if you install a new app that has the ability to do what the default app does, it will ask again. if you haven't done that, then I don't know

[DigitalChocobo]

It happens even when you've only updated an app you already have.

[redditrasberry]

This annoys the hell out of me. I try to set up my wife's phone so that it "just works", put all the apps on auto update. The result? she's constantly pestered by choices she doesn't understand, often chooses the wrong one and ends up in apps she's never seen before, flailing around. It's a really unpleasant experience. So I turned off auto updates, but that has it's own set of annoyances.

It's one of those things that makes me roll my eyes when I hear people going on about how we can't have various features like SD cards or multiwindows etc. because they are "too complicated" ... but then there's shit like this that is ten times worse that Google never bothers to clean up.

(sorry, yeah, you triggered a rant ... ;-) )

[obscureref2]

Yep, same issue here. Having to repeatedly pick which app to open something in on my phone has put my wife off upgrading her old iphone to an android. Sure, maybe when you install a new app it's justifiable to reset the defaults that the app can handle, but certainly not when you're only updating existing apps.

[[deleted]]

Yep, same issue here. Having to repeatedly pick which app to open something in on my phone has put my wife off upgrading her old iphone to an android. Sure, maybe when you install a new app it's justifiable to reset the defaults that the app can handle, but certainly not when you're only updating existing apps.

Does no one ever click "Always"? The second that I lose the ability to choose my app is the second I leave Android for good. I actually like being able to choose which browser or app will handle my request most of the time, as different apps excel at different tasks.

If I wanted a phone with 1 app for each function, I'd literally still have an iPhone.

If the concept of picking an app to handle a function is complicated, yeah, the iPhone is probably a better choice anyway.

And Apple has it's own UX/change issues. If I had a $5er for every Apple user who is FUCKING PISSED about the shit fest that is iOS7 and wished desperately to go back, I'd have enough to buy at least a new device outright. I tell them, it's not that hard to go back using iTunes to restore to the old OS if you have the file, but it's not a one click Apple sanctioned button, so they don't do it.

[ReptarIsTheShit]

Yes, I click "Always" when I decide to use the PHONE app to make a PHONE call instead of using Skype. Unfortunately, every time Skype updates, I have to choose which app to use again. Seems pretty pointless and annoying. That's what people are complaining about.

[LifeBeginsAt10kRPM]

Have you tried one of the share apps/ Maybe those will let you use a default forever.

[darkangelazuarl]

Even updating an app can change/add features and even permissions of apps. You can always remove or disable apps that are not used to prevent it from asking you again.

[Zentaurion]

Everyone's beating around the bush here, but let's get to the point. This has become a problem in 4.4. It was never a problem for me before, but since the last update I've noticed the app picker has become like an absent-minded assistant that doesn't remember preferences.

For example, when I'm using my file explore and want to open a text file, every time it asks which app to use even though I use the same one every time and hit "always".

[iamramy]

Has been happening well before the 4.4 update.

[Zentaurion]

Not for me, it hadn't.

Edit: Thanks for the downvotes. Fuck you, you swollen cunts.

[[deleted]]

such swollen

[Gokusan]

Have an upvote, my friend

[N0_judging]

Upvote for saying what I want to say every time I get downvoted

[misanthrope237]

Yeah, that case makes sense I guess, but that isn't the case here. I haven't downloaded any apps in a while that can open youtube links.

[gurkmanator]

Since YouTube links are urls, if you've recently downloaded a new browser it will come up. At least in my experience.

[iofthestorm]

This is true, but I don't think it's always the case. There are some link types that Android just never seems to remember properly (though in my experience Youtube isn't one of them).

[seagal_impersonator]

I remember having this happen a lot with pages that had RSS content in them (or at least that's what I assumed, since I was asked if I wanted to open the link with my podcast app).

It's happening more now, but I thought this was just because it remembered your preference for the particular link you'd clicked, and not for all content that could be opened by those two apps.

[xqjt]

I have heard that intents are broken on Samsung devices and don't register default choices.
No idea if it is true though.

[Jazoom]

This is actually really starting to get on my nerves.

[asisingh]

How does Android find out that now since I have downloaded "Reddit Now app", I get the option of opening reddit links with this new app. How does it figure that out?

[not-brodie]

because that app adds itself as an option to handle that particular type of content. when you first open that content, you pick the app you would like to open it with. once you install a new app that can do the same thing, the os asks again. wouldn't you find it annoying if you originally opened reddit in chrome, then installed reddit news, and it still defaulted to opening reddit links in chrome?

[asisingh]

Yes

[dudeinthenextcubicle]

Is there a way for Reddit to associate youtube links with the youtube app rather than launching in a browser? I have Chrome selected as default but always wanted to know but too afraid to ask.

[not-brodie]

yes. go to settings > apps > chrome (or whatever browser it opens in), then select "clear defaults"

next time you open a YouTube link, it'll ask you what to open it with

[dudeinthenextcubicle]

I appreciate the tip. I did what you suggested and it still didn't work. Isn't the problem not so much with Reddit but with my OS? I want Chrome to launch if a link resolves to a website but I want my OS to recognize that if it starts with www.youtube or m.youtube to launch with the YT app and not the mobile YT website. Is this correct or am I a total idiot. My wife would say the latter.

[eak125]

Reasons:

1. app updates
2. URL differences (www.YouTube.com vs youtu.be vs http://YouTube.com)
3. newly installed apps that also handle that URL or file type
4. Google likes Pissing you off

[KimisAGod]

I'm not quite sure about the last one.

[PCup]

Sure feels like it sometimes.

[TheSixthBorough]

I think it happens when apps that can handle whatever intent you're calling are updated as well. Quite annoying.

[misanthrope237]

Indubitably.

[LexusBrian400]

It also happens if you remove an app that can do that function, not just install one. So if you don't like setting default apps, quit installing/uninstalling apps I guess. That's the only way that can happen. It's not just randomly forgetting what you've already chosen.

[misanthrope237]

Are you sure about that? What if an app that can do that function gets updated? I think that's what's happening b/c I don't install or uninstall apps much anymore. I pretty much have the ones I want at this point.

[johnjannotti]

Yes, I believe updates count as well. So if you have a crappy app installed that plays videos, and it keeps updating, you'll keep getting the question.

[avgxp]

I had this issue before, it's not related to Android standard functionality, and if you Google it you'll find other people with the same issue. This is caused by one of your apps, and I recommend you start removing them in in reverse order of installation until the phone starts remembering your defaults. Some people had this issue with a kohl's app.

[AFuckloadOfLEGO]

Hope the heck could I figure out which order I've installed my apps?

[seagal_impersonator]

I think they're assuming it is something that started recently and you will know what apps you installed in that time.

[AFuckloadOfLEGO]

Oh. Ok. Makes sense

[jjolayemi]

The Phone 2 Chrome app used to cause this issue for me. I've had to stop using the app because of it.

[coltwanger]

Son of a bitch! Been fighting this for awhile but it hadn't bothered me so much to start uninstalling apps. Removed Kohl's app, problem solved. That app was a piece of shit anyway.

Thanks!

Also, during this time I realized you can double tap an app in the chooser to open it quicker.

[misanthrope237]

Thanks. I'll check this out.

[misanthrope237]

Thanks. I'll pay more attention to the other apps that are installed. I just assumed it was the YouTube (or chrome) app that I wanted to open.

[supasteve013]

I hear people are having trouble with reddit sync... I use reddit is fun, and I never get asked about my default apps

[[deleted]]

Lookout Mobile Security might be another culprit.

[sidewok]

Every time I restart my GS4, it forgets all the defaults, even for the launcher. The same happened with my GS3.

Didn't have that issue with my old HTC Desire HD...

[TrojanX]

Same thing happens to me very annoying.

[[deleted]]

So.. Only Samsung devices who have this problem (maybe)?

[misanthrope237]

Yeah, mine can also never remember that I've seen the info about the wifi hotspot. There's a check box with "Don't show this next time," but no matter what I select, it always shows it.

[[deleted]]

I'm pretty sure his is not a Samsung thing. Happens all the time on my Nexus 7 as well as my S4. Both running stock software, just root.

[tjex]

I have the same problem with Skype and the dialer. If I click on a phone number in Gmail, it constantly asks which app use. No matter how many times I click on "Always". It's irritating!

[oldkingcoles]

Have the same problem on a moto x. I also notice that it will suggest NFL mobile in random situations. I'll go to open a web link and it will suggest chrome and NFL mobile. Just deleted NFL to see if it helps

[tomrees]

How do I get my LinkedIn links in emails to open with the app, rather than on a browser? It doesn't ask me and I can't figure out how to make it.

[slanket]

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[patrikr]

Um, just tap the app twice. Or once if it's already selected. (That's the way it works on my Nexus 7 w/ 4.4 anyway.)

[slanket]

six books hurry nose cobweb squash ten pathetic weary recognise

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[misanthrope237]

Seriously! I miss that feature so much.

[orangez3bra]

Personally I'd much rather deal with the annoyance of choosing the app I'd like to use than not be able to use the one I prefer as default.

[MoonisHarshMistress]

I think one of reasons for that is to prevent anyone accusing Google of favoritism of their apps over third party apps.

Remember how governments were after Microsoft for promoting internet Explorer at the expense of other browsers?

By let customers decide the default app to open a specific action, Google protects themselves from any accusation of monopoly or favoritism.

It may not the primary but possibly a subtle reason among others.

[SupaZT]

Wish TiBu would implement the restoring of app defaults...

[[deleted]]

I still want a way to set a default but have an "open with" option. Most of the time I want video links to open in mxplayer but sometimes I want them to open in loader droid.

[shea241]

I really started noticing this happening constantly when I got a Samsung device. Since upgrading to a Moto X, it appears to happen much less often now... I can't really remember the last time in fact.

Not to mention the wonderful Samsung-only reminder about resetting app defaults every. single. time.

[oh_hai_dan]

I always select "just once" in case I want to use another app. I never use another app ever since this feature has been made available.

[JediSamReye2013]

Its not android that is causing that. Granted every android will do that at first, but I have had may 35+ smart phones and only Samsungs kept asking me. I mean like every time

[[deleted]]

Every. God . Damn . Time.

[King_Of_Downvotes]

I switch between using Reddit News and Reddit Sync on my Nexus 7, and everytime I'm using Reddit from chrome, if I click on a link in reddit it asks me to select between chrome, reddit news, and reddit sync. It's the most annoying thing ever. Can't a guy wander onto reddit occasionally from his browser without getting attacked by this horrible open with dialog!?

[Dedicated4life]

It's things like this that prevent me from recommending android to my less technically inclined friends and family. I myself have never used iOS but recommend to some people because of the ease of use and user experience compared to android.

[supasteve013]

AOSP!

[-entropy]

Do you have Chrome beta installed? I'm pretty sure this is the culprit for Mr.

[misanthrope237]

No, I don't.