How to Clear Always Open With on Android

Android devices are designed to provide users with a high level of customization and flexibility when it comes to apps. However, sometimes Android devices may become less responsive or slow down when opening files or links, especially if they become overwhelmed with too many "Always Open With" options.

If you’re among those users who experience this issue, don’t worry! This blog post will provide you with several methods to help clear the "Always Open With" option on Android and get your device up and running faster.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

  • An Android device
  • File Manager app
  • A web browser
  • Third-party app (optional)

What Requires Your Focus?

  • Backing up your data
  • Clearing app cache and data
  • Using a file manager app
  • Disabling default apps
  • Uninstalling third-party apps

Different Methods to Clear “Always Open With” on Android

Method 1: Clear the Default Option

If you want your phone to stop asking whether to open a file with a particular app, you can easily clear this preference. Follow these quick steps:

  1. Locate the file you want to open on your Android device and select it.
  2. Choose the app you want to use to open the file once.
  3. Your phone may ask you whether to use this app for all files of this type. Select "Just Once."
  4. Your phone will now remember your choice and no longer ask you which app to use to open this file type.

Pros:

– Quick and easy

Cons:

– You need to repeat this process every time you try to open a file with a new app.

Method 2: Clear App Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and data for a particular app can help you remove the always-open-with option for the app. Follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings and select "Apps."
  2. Find the app showing the "Always open with" option, then click on it.
  3. Select "Storage and Cache" or "Clear Data."
  4. Select "Clear Cache."
  5. Restart your device, then check whether the problem is resolved.

Pros:

– Removes extra file associations from apps

Cons:

– Also clears app data and preferences settings

Method 3: Using a File Manager App

You can use a file manager to clear the "always open with" option. The following steps demonstrate how to remove a file association in the ES File Explorer file manager:

  1. Download and install the ES File Explorer app and launch it on your device.
  2. Navigate through the folders to where the file is located.
  3. Long press on the file to display a context menu.
  4. Select "More," then "Open With" from the dropdown list.
  5. Choose the app you want to associate with the file and select "Just Once."

Pros:

– Lightweight app with minimal advertisements

Cons:

– Sometimes crashes and clutters with too many added features

Method 4: Disable Default Apps

You can disable a default app and reset all its preferences so that the "Always Open With" option disappears. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to Settings and select "Apps."
  2. Find the app you want to remove from the list of defaults, then click on it.
  3. Select "Open by Default."
  4. Select "Clear Defaults."
  5. Restart your device and check if the problem is resolved.

Pros:

– Disables apps entirely and improves device performance

Cons:

– May limit device functionality for some apps

Method 5: Uninstalling Third-party Apps

If the "always open with" option is frequently appearing when opening apps or files, it is possible that a third-party app may be causing the issue. To resolve this problem, you can uninstall these apps using these simple steps:

  1. Go to Settings and select "Apps."
  2. Find the app causing the issue and click on it.
  3. Select "Uninstall" to remove the app.
  4. Go back to "Apps" and clear cache and data for the app that the third-party app was using.
  5. Restart your device and check if the issue is resolved.

Pros:

– Removes the app that’s causing the issue

Cons:

– Losing functionality of the app (if it’s required).

Why Can’t I Clear "Always Open With"? And Fixes

  • Cache and Data Issues: When cache and data build up in apps, the "Always open with" option may or may not work as expected. The easiest way to resolve this issue is to clear your app data and cache.
  • Older Android Version: In some cases, older Android versions may not support new features such as "Clear Defaults." Therefore, you need to make sure you have an appropriate Android version to use this feature.
  • Corrupted Files: Sometimes, the files that Android devices try to open may be corrupt or infected with malware, causing the "Always Open With" option to appear. You can scan your device for viruses and malware using anti-virus apps.

Implications and Recommendations

  • Backup your data regularly.
  • Ensure you have updated Android version installed.
  • Clear your device’s cache and data frequently.

5 FAQs about Clearing “Always Open With” on Android

Q1: How do I stop Android apps from opening automatically?

A: You can stop Android apps from opening by going to your device’s settings, selecting "Apps," and then disabling the "Allow Automatic Activity Launch" option.

Q2: Why is there no "Clear Defaults" option?

A: If there’s no "Clear Defaults" option, then your device likely doesn’t have an appropriate Android version. Please update your device to the newer version of Android.

Q3: Can I remove an app and still keep its data?

A: Unfortunately, no. Removing an app also clears its data, so you will lose your preferences, saved data, and other app-related information when you uninstall it.

Q4: What cache do I need to clear on Android?

A: You can clear the cache for your system apps, downloaded apps, and browser from your device’s settings menu. Please note that different Android versions have different options.

Q5: How can I prevent "Always Open With" from appearing on Android?

A: To prevent "Always Open With" from appearing on your device, set a default app and make sure you don’t select "Just Once" or "Always" when opening a new app. This will ensure that your device won’t show the "Always Open With" option for that particular app.

Final Words

The "Always Open With" option on Android can disrupt the user experience by slowing down the device and causing confusion. Thus, it is important always to ensure that you follow the correct steps to remove the "Always Open With" option. In this blog post, we have provided you with the best methods to handle this issue, keep your device’s operations smooth and fast, and enhance your experience with Android.