Reddit is one of the most visited websites worldwide, with over 50 million daily active users. The platform’s popularity stems from its highly engaged communities and crowdsourced content. However, while Reddit’s official mobile app works fine, many users prefer third-party Reddit apps for a better experience. When browsing Reddit on your phone, you’ll often come across links to Reddit posts, comments, and subreddits. By default, these links open in the Reddit app. If you use an alternative client like Apollo or Boost instead of the official app, this can be annoying.
Luckily, it’s possible to make Reddit links open directly in your preferred third-party Reddit viewer on both iPhone and Android. Read on to learn how to configure this and enjoy seamless Reddit browsing across apps.
Why Use Third-Party Reddit Apps on Mobile
Here are some of the key benefits offered by third-party Reddit clients:
Smoother performance: Alternative apps like Apollo and Boost crash less and have faster, more responsive interfaces.
Customization: They allow changing themes, layouts, gestures, fonts, and more to tailor the experience.
Extra features: Additional functionality for power users like advanced filters, multi-account support, content curation, and more.
Fewer ads: Third-party apps show less intrusive ads or let you remove them entirely.
Cost savings: Most core features are free, with optional premium upgrades, compared to the official app’s paid Reddit Premium.
Overall, third-party Reddit apps provide mobile users with a better, more feature-rich Reddit experience.
Setting Default Apps on iPhone and Android
To make your chosen third-party Reddit app open links automatically, you need to set default apps on your device.
On iPhone, default apps are configured in Settings > General > Default Apps.
On Android, default apps are set in Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
You can set defaults for various functions like web browsing, opening links, and more. We need to change the default app specifically for opening Reddit links.
Make Reddit Links Open in Apollo on iPhone
Apollo is one of the most popular third-party Reddit apps for iOS. With its clean interface, excellent gestures, and robust feature set, many find it far superior to the official Reddit app.
Here’s how to make Reddit links open directly in Apollo instead of the Reddit app on your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on General and then choose Default Apps.
- Under the Browser App section, tap on Reddit Links.
- On the next screen, choose Apollo from the list.
- Close Settings. Now, all Reddit links should open directly in Apollo by default.
You can follow the same steps to set other alternative Reddit apps like Narwhal or BaconReader as the default handler, too.
Make Reddit Links Open in Boost on Android
Over on Google Play, Boost for Reddit is one of the highest rated and most downloaded third-party Reddit apps for Android. Here’s how to configure Reddit links to open in Boost automatically:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap on Apps.
- Choose Default Apps.
- Under the Opening Links section, select Reddit Links.
- On the next screen, pick Boost for Reddit from the list.
- Close Settings. Going forward, Reddit links will launch directly in Boost.
You can select other Reddit apps like RiF, Sync, or Relay in the default apps menu as well.
Troubleshooting Guide
Here are some tips for troubleshooting issues getting Reddit links to open in third-party apps:
- Double check you selected the right app in Default Apps settings.
- The third-party Reddit app must be installed for it to appear as an option.
- On iPhone, you may need to manually associate Reddit URLs with the app in Settings first.
- Check app-specific settings for any rules that force links to open in the official Reddit app.
- Try resetting the default app and reselecting your preferred Reddit client.
- Update your third-party Reddit apps in case it’s a bug causing links to not open properly in them.
- As a last resort, uninstall any other Reddit apps so your chosen client is the only option.
- You can manually copy the Reddit link URL and paste it into your preferred Reddit app, too.
Make Reddit Links Open in the App of Choice on PC/Mac
The above settings are for mobile devices. But you can also configure Reddit links to open in third-party Reddit apps on the desktop.
Chrome
- Right click links and choose “Open in…”
- Install the Reddit Redirect extension
Firefox
- Click links while holding CTRL to pick the app
- Use the Open in App add-on
This allows seamless browsing no matter what device you’re on. The same custom Reddit experience across mobile, desktop, and tablets.
Why Open Reddit Links in Third-Party Apps
Here are some key benefits of routing Reddit links directly into your preferred third-party Reddit application:
- Continuity – Browsing flows smoothly without context switching apps.
- Usability – Opens content instantly rather than needing to share/research in the app.
- Navigation – The link opens properly in a chosen app instead of the mobile web view.
- Features – Additional functionality like filters and themes stays consistent.
- Settings – Your configured preferences and customizations apply automatically.
- Consistency – The same viewing experience across devices and platforms.
- Control – Choose your ideal Reddit client instead of sticking with the official one.
In short, opening links directly in third-party Reddit apps enhances the overall Reddit browsing experience on mobile and beyond.
Recommended Third-Party Reddit Apps
While you can use any alternative Reddit app you like, here are some of the most recommended options to try:
iOS
- Apollo – Extremely polished with great visuals and gestures.
- Narwhal – Fast and responsive, great for power users.
- BaconReader – User-friendly interface, easy to navigate.
- Slide – Lightweight yet full-featured.
Android
- Boost – Highly customizable and fast.
- RiF (formerly RiF is Fun) – The time-tested app has many options.
- Sync – Beautiful interface and easy content viewing.
- Relay – Great quality of life features.
Try out a few different clients to see which Reddit experience you prefer. Then, set it as the default handler for Reddit links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about opening Reddit links in third-party apps:
Do I have to pay for third-party Reddit apps?
Most feature premium unlocked versions, but their core functionality is free.
What if I want Reddit links to open in multiple apps?
Unfortunately, you can only set one default app. But you can manually open links in other clients, too.
Can I set different apps for subreddits or users?
A few advanced Reddit clients may offer custom rules, but there’s no global subreddit filtering for defaults.
What about links inside Reddit apps?
Those typically open within the app itself. We’re focused on external links here.
Is there any risk to using third-party Reddit apps?
They’re generally safe if downloaded from official app stores. As always, check reviews and permissions first.
Conclusion
If you use an alternative Reddit app on mobile, configuring it as the default handler for Reddit links provides a smoother browsing experience. You can keep your preferred settings, filters, and customizations consistent across links.
Setting default apps only takes a minute on both iPhone and Android. Try out some of the excellent third-party Reddit options to enhance how you access the platform’s endless content on mobile and beyond.