Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS often offer users pre-installed surfing solutions. Depending on the firmware region, the main browser may be Mi Browser or Yahoo. However, for most users of the Google ecosystem, Google Chrome remains a priority, which provides better synchronization of passwords, history and extensions with the desktop version. Changing the main application for opening links is not just a matter of habit, but a way to optimize the workflow.
The default browser installation procedure on Xiaomi devices has its own nuances, different from stock Android. The shell security system can hide the necessary switches or require additional confirmations. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps necessary to ensure that links from messengers and social networks are opened in Chrome, rather than in third-party applications.
Why you should choose Google Chrome for Xiaomi
Choosing the primary tool for navigating the web determines the comfort of using a smartphone. Google Chrome has traditionally led in page rendering speeds thanks to the Blink engine. On Xiaomi devices, this is especially important, since system optimization can sometimes conflict with less popular browsers, causing increased RAM consumption.
A key advantage is deep integration with your Google account: When you change your device or reset Xiaomi to factory settings, your bookmarks, saved logins and open tabs will be instantly restored, creating a single digital environment where the transition between your Android smartphone and your computer occurs unnoticed by the user.
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Use incognito mode in Chrome to log in to sites where you do not want to save history or cookies, especially when using Wi-Fi networks.
Chrome also gets security updates faster than many built-in counterparts. For owners of Redmi and POCO, this is critical given the frequency of new vulnerabilities in web standards. The stability of scripts and the correct display of complex layout ensures that you always see the content the developer intended.
Preparation before changing the browser
Before making changes to the system settings of MIUI, you need to make sure that the browser itself is installed and updated to the current version. Often users try to assign an application that was installed long ago and does not have the necessary permissions to work in the background.
It is recommended to go to the Google Play store and check for updates for Chrome. If you use the Chinese version of firmware without Google services, you will first need to install Google Play Services and the browser itself through third-party repositories, such as APKPure or GetApps.
☑️ Preparation for setup
You should also pay attention to the presence of other browsers. If a device has many surfing apps, the system can get confused about priorities. Ideally, before setting up the application by default, it is worth removing or disabling unused analogs to avoid conflicts when opening links.
Instructions: Install Chrome with the main browser
The setup process in Xiaomi shells can vary depending on the Android version and regional menu features. Below is a universal sequence of actions that covers most use cases.
First, you need to go to the application management menu. To do this, open Settings and find the Applications section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Application Management. Next, select the All Apps tab to see the full list of installed software.
| Step. | Action. | Expected output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings | Going to the main menu of the system |
| 2 | Select "Annexes" | Opening the Software Management List |
| 3 | Find "Setting up applications" | Access to system parameters |
| 4 | Select "Default Applications" | Menu of selection of priority programs |
| 5 | Press "Browser" | List of available browsers |
In the list that opens, look for the Browser option. Click on it and the system will prompt you to select an application from the ones available. The list must have Chrome. Select it, and the system will remember this choice for all future actions related to web links.
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Once Chrome is selected as the default browser, all HTTP and HTTPS links will automatically open in that application, ignoring the built-in web views of other programs.
Setup through the application menu
There is an alternative way to change settings, which may be more convenient on some versions of HyperOS.This method allows you to control permissions and behavior of a particular application directly, without finding common system switches.
Find the Chrome icon on your desktop or app menu. Click on it and hold your finger until the context menu appears. Select the About item (or the i icon in the circle) and this will open the app card where all the important options are concentrated.
Inside the application card, scroll down to Other Permissions or Additional. There may be an Open default switch. Make sure it's activated. If the system requires confirmation of action each time you run, that option needs to be switched to Always.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't see "Open by default," you may have a stripped-down version of the shell or have power saving restrictions. Try opening any link from the messenger manually through Chrome first, and the system will suggest making it the main one.
This approach is useful if global MIUI settings are reset after a system update. Local customization of the application itself is often higher priority and lasts longer.
Solving problems with Mi Browser and Yandex
Owners of devices purchased in certain regions (India, Russia, Europe) may face a situation where the system insists on returning Mi Browser or Yandex as the main one, due to partnerships and deep integration of these services into firmware.
To solve this problem, sometimes it’s not enough to just select Chrome. You need to “forget” the previous choice. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, find the current browser (such as Mi Browser) and click Clear → Reset by default.
Why does the system change the browser again?
After resetting the old browser, the first time you click on a link in Telegram or WhatsApp, the system will force you to ask what to open the file. At that point, select Chrome and press Always. This action will overwrite the system priority.
Specifics of work in HyperOS
With the introduction of HyperOS, which replaces MIUI, the default application logic has become more rigorous but also more transparent, and the new shell is based on the latest versions of Android, where access rights management has become more detailed.
HyperOS has a separate section in its settings called the Default Apps, which is placed at the top of the settings menu, making it easier to search. → Annexes → Application management → Default applications.
- 🔹 Notifications: New system may ask for confirmation more often when changing browser for security reasons.
- 🔹 HyperOS better integrates Chrome with widgets and sidebar if synchronization is enabled.
- 🔹 Energy Efficiency: Make sure Chrome has a work permit in the background, otherwise links may not open when the screen is off.
Importantly, HyperOS has changed the way it handles links within apps. If you use Deep Links that have to open specific pages in apps, Chrome needs to be configured correctly so as not to intercept them wrongly.
Additional settings and optimization
Once Chrome is the default browser, it is recommended to perform basic optimization, which will ensure maximum speed and save battery power for your Xiaomi.
Go to the browser settings (three dots in the corner). In the Privacy and Security section, turn on Safe Browsing. This will protect you from phishing sites that are common on mobile networks.
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Turn on the “Simplified Mode” (if available) or “Traffic Saving” feature in Chrome settings to make pages load faster when a bad network signal is present.
It is also worth checking the notification settings. Browsers often request permission to display notifications from sites. In MIUI, it is better to disable this feature for all sites except necessary to avoid spam. You can do this in Settings → Notifications → Notifications from sites.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install questionable extensions or themes for Chrome from unverified sources. On Android, this could lead to the introduction of adware that will open tabs without your knowledge.
Regularly clearing your history and cache also prolongs your browser’s life. Unlike desktop versions, mobile Chrome can take up a significant portion of your internal memory if it’s not cleaned for months.