You click an email link in Chrome and nothing opens, or the wrong email app opens instead. The usual cause is a blocked Chrome handler, a missing Gmail permission, a wrong system MAILTO default, or an extension taking control. Start with Chrome's own handler setting, then move through the system and reset fixes only when needed.
Allow Chrome to use mailto handlers
Start here when Gmail or another webmail service never gets the chance to open email links.
- 1.Open Chrome and select More, then Settings.
- 2.Open Privacy and security, then Site settings.
- 3.Select Additional permissions, then Protocol handlers.
- 4.Choose Sites can ask to handle protocols.
- 5.For the direct route, enter chrome://settings/handlers in the address bar.
Make Gmail the mailto handler in Chrome
Use this when you want email links clicked in Chrome to open a Gmail compose window. This works inside Chrome; links opened outside Chrome may still need the computer's MAILTO default set to Chrome.
Open mail.google.com in Chrome and sign in.
Look in the address bar for the protocol-handler icon, commonly shown as two overlapping diamonds.
Select the icon, choose Allow when Chrome asks whether mail.google.com can open email links, then select Done if that button appears.
When the icon is missing, open chrome://settings/handlers and make sure mail.google.com is not blocked.
Remove a blocked or wrong webmail choice
A previous denial can make Chrome ignore Gmail, while another selected webmail handler can send mailto links somewhere you do not expect.
Open More, Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Additional permissions, and Protocol handlers.
Check the blocked or not-allowed area and the current mailto handlers.
Remove the wrong site, including mail.google.com if you blocked it earlier.
Reopen Gmail, sign in, and choose Allow when Chrome asks to let Gmail handle email links.
If this method fails, set the operating system's MAILTO default next, because Chrome can be ready while Windows or macOS still sends email links elsewhere.
Set the default email app on Windows
Windows controls the MAILTO link type, so fix that default when Chrome keeps handing email links to the wrong app.
- 1.Open Start, search for Default apps, and open it.
- 2.Search for MAILTO, or open the link-type defaults area.
- 3.Select the current app next to MAILTO.
- 4.Choose Outlook, Thunderbird, Chrome, or another installed email app that appears.
- 5.Select Set default if Windows prompts you.
Choose the default email reader on macOS
The most common Mac cause is that macOS has a different default email reader than the one you want Chrome mailto links to use.
Install the email app you want to use.
Open that app once and sign in or add an email account if the app requires setup.
Open Apple Mail and make sure Mail is set up with an email account.
In Mail, open Mail, then Settings or Preferences, then General.
Use the Default email reader pop-up menu to choose the email app. If the app is not listed, choose Select and pick it manually.
For Gmail in Chrome, choosing Chrome as the default email reader may still require the Gmail handler setup in Chrome.
Set the email app on iPhone iPad or Android
On iPhone or iPad, Chrome uses the email app selected in iOS or iPadOS default-app settings.
Update to the latest iOS or iPadOS.
Open Settings, Apps, Default Apps, and Email, then choose the email app you want.
On Android, tap a mailto link and choose the mail app when Android asks what should open it.
Tap Always to keep that choice, or tap Just once to use it only this time.
When Android keeps opening the wrong app, open Settings, Apps, choose that app, open Open by default, and select Clear default preferences. Then tap a mailto link again and choose the preferred app. Google documents this path for Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet and notes that some of these steps only work on Android 14 and up. Other Android makers use different labels, such as Samsung's Clear defaults, so follow your device maker's default-app instructions when the labels do not match.
If this method fails, install and open the email app you want to use, sign in if required, then return to the default-app setting and select it again.
Turn off extensions that hijack email links
The most common extension-related cause is a Gmail mailto extension, CRM extension, privacy extension, or link-opening extension intercepting mailto behavior before Chrome or your mail app handles it.
Open Chrome and go to More, Extensions, and Manage extensions.
Turn off suspected email, Gmail, CRM, privacy, or link-handler extensions, then test a mailto link again.
To remove an extension, select Remove and confirm Remove.
You can also right-click the extension icon next to the address bar and choose Remove from Chrome.
For Gmail, a Chrome Web Store mailto extension can be used as a third-party fallback. Review its permissions and publisher before choosing Add to Chrome and Add extension, because Chrome's built-in handler path is the primary fix.
Update or reset Chrome when handlers stay broken
Chrome's handler screen or behavior can be outdated, so update Chrome before resetting browser settings.
Open More, Help, and About Google Chrome.
Let Chrome check for updates.
Select Relaunch when it appears. If Relaunch is not shown, Chrome is already up to date.
If mailto links still fail after the targeted fixes, open Settings, Reset settings, choose Restore settings to their original defaults, then select Reset settings. Google says this does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords, but some settings return to defaults.
After the reset, return to chrome://settings/handlers, enable protocol handlers again, and set Gmail or your preferred mail handler again.
If this method fails, reinstall Chrome from the official Chrome download page, then recheck Chrome's protocol handlers and your operating system's MAILTO default.
Check work or school Chrome profiles
This fixes mailto settings that are disabled, forced, or keep reverting on a managed browser.
Open Chrome's More menu.
Look near the bottom of the menu for Managed by your organization.
Enter chrome://management in the address bar to check whether Chrome is managed.
Enter chrome://policy to review active policies.
On a managed work or school device, contact the organization that manages Chrome and ask them to allow or set the mailto handler you need.
On a personal device that unexpectedly shows management, check the signed-in profile, unfamiliar policies, unwanted programs, and extensions, then reset Chrome and restart.
Use current Chrome protocol handlers, operating-system default email-app settings, or current extensions. Older routes such as Show advanced settings, Content settings, Manage handlers, Gmail Notifier, Google Toolbar, and old Safari extension methods are not current Chrome fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do mailto links open the wrong email app in Chrome?
Chrome may be allowed to handle mailto links, but Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, or Android can still have a different default email app selected. Set the system email or MAILTO default to the app you want.
Can Gmail open mailto links in Chrome without an extension?
Yes. Enable Chrome protocol handlers, open Gmail in Chrome, then allow mail.google.com to open email links when Chrome shows the handler prompt.
Why does the Gmail handler icon not appear in Chrome?
Protocol handlers may be turned off, or mail.google.com may be blocked in Chrome's protocol-handler settings. Open chrome://settings/handlers, allow sites to ask to handle protocols, and remove Gmail from blocked handlers.
Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks or saved passwords?
Google says Chrome reset does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords, but some settings return to defaults. After resetting, set your mailto handler again.
