How to Open PowerPoint Links in Chrome on iPad
Question details
The user wants to configure their iPad so that external hyperlinks embedded in a PowerPoint presentation automatically open in Google Chrome instead of the default Safari browser.
- Product
- PowerPoint for iPad
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Clicking external web links while viewing or presenting a slideshow on an iPad.
- Observed behavior
- By default, PowerPoint routes clicked hyperlinks to Safari, but the user prefers to view web pages in Google Chrome.
Ensure that you have installed the Google Chrome app from the Apple App Store and that your device is running iPadOS 14 or a newer version, as earlier versions do not support changing the system default browser.
Set Google Chrome as the Default Browser in iPadOS Settings
Because PowerPoint for iPad relies on system-wide settings to determine how web links are handled, changing the default iPad browser to Chrome will ensure all presentation links open there.
Apple introduced the ability to change your default web browser starting in iPadOS 14. By adjusting this setting, any app that generates a web link request—including Microsoft PowerPoint—will route the request to your newly selected browser.
Go to your iPad's Home Screen and tap on the 'Settings' app (the gear icon).
Scroll down the left-hand sidebar menu until you find the list of installed third-party apps. Tap on 'Chrome'.
On the right side of the screen, tap 'Default Browser App'. Select 'Chrome' from the list. A checkmark will appear next to Chrome to confirm your selection.
Open the PowerPoint app, load your presentation, and tap on a hyperlink. It will now automatically launch Google Chrome instead of Safari.
View and Present Slides Easily with WPS Office on iPad
WPS Office is a powerful and free alternative for viewing, editing, and presenting slides on your iPad. Like other native apps, it fully respects your iPadOS default browser settings, ensuring your hyperlinks open exactly where you want them to.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Search for 'WPS Office' in the Apple App Store and download the application to your iPad.
- 2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Office and open your .pptx file directly from your local files, iCloud, or Google Drive.
- 3. Interact with Links: While viewing your slides, simply tap any embedded hyperlink. WPS Office will instantly open the web page using your iPad's default browser (like Chrome).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PowerPoint links still open in Safari after changing my iPad settings?
Sometimes the iPad requires a quick app refresh to register the new default settings. Force close the PowerPoint app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, then reopen it. If the issue persists, try restarting your iPad.
Can I set Chrome to open links only for PowerPoint but keep Safari for everything else?
No, iPadOS does not currently support setting default web browsers on a per-app basis. Changing the default browser to Chrome will affect all applications on your iPad.
How do I add a hyperlink to my PowerPoint presentation on an iPad?
Select the text or image you want to link, tap 'Insert' on the top menu ribbon, select 'Link', and type or paste the website URL. Tap 'Done' to save the hyperlink.
