How to open email links inside your mail program

The issue

Some users may find that clicking an email link on a webpage does not open their email application as expected. In some cases, nothing happens when the link is selected. In others, the browser may prompt the user to choose an email program.

This typically occurs when the browser is not configured to handle email links or when no default email application has been set on the device.

This is typically a setting in your browser and is not a problem with the website.

Browsers where this may occur

Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Firefox
Safari (Mac)
Opera

How to fix this

Chrome

In the address bar enter chrome://settings/handlers.
Turn on Sites can ask to handle protocols.
Choose a default mail program when prompted.
Refresh the page and try the email link again.

Edge

In the address bar enter edge://settings/content/handlers.
Turn on protocol handlers.
Choose a default mail program when prompted.
Refresh and try the email link.

Firefox

Open Settings.
Go to General.
Scroll to Applications.
Find mailto and choose a mail program.

Safari (Mac)

Open the Mail app.
Select Mail in the top menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Default email reader, select your preferred mail program.
Close and reopen Safari, then test the email link.

Safari uses the default mail application set on the device. If no default is selected, email links may not open.

Opera

In the address bar, enter opera://settings/handlers.
Ensure protocol handlers are enabled.
Choose a default mail program.
Refresh the page and test the email link.

Additional help

If the issue continues after modifying these settings, contact the Digital Strategy Team at Georgia State University for assistance.

Keywords: email links, mailto, email, browser settings, web browsers, email program, chrome, microsoft edge, firefox, opera, safari, default mail app, troubleshooting