How to Open Mailto Links in Gmail by Default (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Mac)
Click an email address on a website and Outlook or the Mail app pops up, when you actually use Gmail? You can make mailto links open in Gmail by default, so clicking any email link opens a new Gmail compose window with the address filled in. Here’s how to open mailto links in Gmail in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on Windows and Mac, and on Android and iPhone.
Quick answer: In Chrome, open mail.google.com, click the handler icon (two overlapping diamonds) at the right end of the address bar, and choose Allow. Then set Chrome as your default app for MAILTO links in Windows or macOS. From then on, every email link opens in Gmail.
Table of Contents
What are mailto links?
A mailto link is a web link that starts with mailto: instead of https://. Instead of opening a page, it opens your email program with a new message to that address, and sometimes a subject and body filled in too, for example mailto:editor@example.com?subject=Hello (see MDN’s guide to mailto links (external site)). Try it with the email link on our contact page. By default, Windows opens these in Outlook or the Mail app, and Macs open Apple Mail.
How to open mailto links in Gmail in Chrome
- Open Gmail at mail.google.com in Chrome and sign in.
- Look for the protocol handler icon (two grey overlapping diamonds) on the right side of the address bar, next to the bookmark star.
- Click it, choose Allow so mail.google.com can open all email links, and click Done.
Don’t see the diamond icon?
- Make sure you’re on the Gmail page itself, not another Google page.
- Go to chrome://settings/handlers (Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional permissions → Protocol handlers) and turn on Sites can ask to handle protocols.
- Check that mail.google.com isn’t listed under “Not allowed to handle protocols”. If it is, remove it and reload Gmail.
Make Chrome your default email app
Chrome can only pass email links to Gmail if your computer sends mailto links to Chrome first.
- Windows 11: open Settings → Apps → Default apps, search for MAILTO under “Set a default for a file type or link type”, and choose Google Chrome.
- Windows 10: open Settings → Apps → Default apps → Email and pick Google Chrome.
- Mac: open the Mail app, go to Mail → Settings → General, and set Default email reader to Google Chrome.
Open mailto links in Gmail in other browsers
- Microsoft Edge: works like Chrome. Open Gmail, click the handler icon in the address bar and allow it, or check edge://settings/content/handlers. Then make Edge the default for MAILTO links.
- Firefox: go to Settings → General → Applications, find mailto and choose Use Gmail. If Gmail isn’t listed, open Gmail first so Firefox can register it.
- Safari: Safari can’t send email links to Gmail on the web by itself. Use Chrome or Firefox as described above, or install a small helper extension.
Open email links in the Gmail app on your phone
- iPhone and iPad: install the Gmail app, then go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Email (or Settings → Gmail → Default Mail App on older iOS versions) and choose Gmail.
- Android: Gmail is usually the default already. If another app opens, go to Settings → Apps → Default apps or clear the other app’s “Open by default” setting.
Frequently asked questions
Why do mailto links still open Outlook?
Your computer’s default email app is still Outlook. Set Chrome (or your browser) as the default app for MAILTO links, and allow Gmail as the handler inside the browser.
Can I use a different Gmail account for mailto links?
Gmail opens in the account you’re signed in to first. Switch accounts in the compose window if needed, or sign in with your preferred account first.
How do I stop mailto links opening in Gmail?
In Chrome, go to chrome://settings/handlers and remove mail.google.com from the allowed list.
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Ah I knew there must be a way to do this! Thanks so much! I have a personal gmail account, but I am thinking about moving my business email from another place to google too, but links not opening in gmail is a bit of a pain. So glad it’s possible!
Thanks i got a great idea how can i open Gmail default i think it a very hard but you make me very easy.
this option in google chrome setting ? My google chrome is error so i can not do it :(
wow,really that is very brilliant. i was very anxious with it before,Now i think that will not be very difficult for me.
I liked your post. It was helpful for me. Keep on posting and sharing with us.
pleasant blog entry. You have plainly portrayed about mailto. I didn’t have much thought regarding mailto. Much appreciated again for imparting this post.
Mailto is always a very helpful thing, it saves time.
We should not open mailto links in Gmail. As it is problematic in Gmail.
nice blog post. You have clearly described about mailto. I did not have much idea about mailto. Thanks again for sharing this post.