How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphones often face intrusive embedded software. The standard Mi Browser browser, preinstalled in the shell of MIUI, may not suit users with its functionality or an excess of advertising. There is a natural desire to replace it with a more familiar and convenient analogue, for example, Google Chrome or Yandex Browser.

The default application change procedure in Android seems simple, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem it has its own peculiarities. The settings interface can hide the necessary points, and the system sometimes aggressively returns the user to the native product. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly assign a new browser to the main tool for opening links.

When you set up the right way, you automate your device, and when you click on a link in your messenger or email, it should open in the app you choose, which saves time and eliminates the extra clicks you make on your program every time you run it.

Preparation for the change of the standard annex

Before you make changes to the system settings of Xiaomi Redmi 5, you need to make sure that the alternative software is already installed on the device.The system will not allow you to select an application that is physically absent in the memory of the smartphone.

Once installed, it is recommended to run the new program at least once, so that the Android operating system completes the initial setup and registers the application as ready to go, sometimes when the first run, you ask for permissions to access memory or location.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure your new browser is fully compatible with the version of Android installed on Redmi 5. Older versions of the operating system may not work properly with the latest browser builds.

It’s also worth checking for updates for the browser itself, as developers often release patches that improve stability on specific phone models, and the current version guarantees fewer errors when integrating with the system.

Search for the settings section in the MIUI shell

The MIUI shell interface on Redmi 5 may vary depending on the firmware version (Global, China, Stable or Developer), but the search logic remains the same. You need to get to the main settings menu of the phone, which is indicated by the gear ikon.

Inside the settings menu, scroll down to the App or All Apps. In some versions of MIUI, this section may be called Application Management, and that's where all the tools for running the installed software are concentrated.

Then the system will offer a few options, and we're interested in Settings, which is usually located in the upper right corner of the screen or as three dots, and you click on it, and you open an additional settings menu.

• 📱 Find the App item in the main settings menu.
• ⚙️ Go to the Settings section inside the application menu.
• 🔍 Look for the option associated with the default apps.

If you can't find the right item, search inside the settings. Type in the word "browser" or "default", and the system will highlight the desired partition, which greatly speeds up the navigation process in the confusing menu.

Default application setting

In the app settings menu that opens, you need to find the Other Settings section, which is where you can find the settings that govern how the system behaves when processing different types of files and links, and this item often goes unnoticed by users.

Select the default App option. You'll see a list of categories for which you can assign your preferred software. We're interested in the Browser bar. Opposite it will be the current application, most likely Mi Browser.

Click on the current value. The system will give you a list of all the browsers that are installed that are capable of processing web links. Choose from the list the one you want to make the main one, for example, Chrome or Firefox.

⚠️ Warning: After selecting a new browser, the system may request confirmation of action. If a pop-up with the question "Use by default?" appears, be sure to check the box "Always" so as not to select the application again each time.

Now all links from other apps will open automatically in the selected program, this applies to messengers, social networks and email clients, the changes take effect instantly and do not require a reboot of the device.

Resetting the settings of an existing browser

Sometimes the system remembers the old choices and doesn't change the settings through the standard menu, which requires a forced default reset of the current browser, which will return the system to a state where it will ask you about the choice the next time you click on the link.

To do this, go back to the Apps → All Apps menu. Find the default browser (such as Mi Browser) in the list. Click on it to open the app card.

At the bottom of the screen or in the three-dot menu, find the default button. If it's active (not grey), click on it and select Reset. This action will remove the link binding to that particular application.

After the reset, try to open any link. The phone should prompt you to select an app for that action. Choose a new browser and confirm your default use. This is guaranteed to shift priority.

Comparison of popular browsers for Redmi 5

The choice of browser is a personal matter, but for owners of Xiaomi Redmi 5 has its own nuances. The model came out a few years ago, so heavy modern browsers can work slower.

Below is a table comparing the main features of popular browsers that you can install on your smartphone, which will help you make an informed choice in favor of speed or functionality.

For Redmi 5, with its limited RAM by modern standards, lightweight versions of browsers are excellent candidates: they consume less resources and leave more freedom for other tasks.

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Use the Traffic Saving or Lite browser mode if your Redmi 5 is slower when you open heavy sites.

Pay attention to the presence of embedded advertising. Some browsers, even popular ones, can display banner ads in the news feed, which annoys many users. Built-in blockers solve this problem.

Removal of the Mi Browser System Browser

Many users want not only to change the browser, but also completely remove the standard Mi Browser to free up space and remove unnecessary processes. MIUI System applications are often protected from routine removal.

Try going to the app settings and clicking Delete. If the button is active, you're lucky enough to get rid of it in the standard way. If the button is inactive or absent, you'll need a more sophisticated approach.

To remove system applications without Root rights, you can use a computer and utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a secure method that allows you to remove pre-installed software for the current user without disrupting the system.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

This command will remove the browser for the main user. It is important to understand that the files will physically remain in the system partition, but they will no longer appear in the menu and take up space in the user storage.

⚠️ Be very careful when removing system components through ADB. Removing mission-critical system applications can lead to unstable phone performance or cyclical reboot.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to simply turn off the browser in the settings, this will hide its icon and prohibit background work, which is almost equivalent to deleting for the average user.

Possible problems and solutions

Unforeseen situations may occur during the setup process, such as when you change your browser, links stop opening at all or open in an empty window, most often due to a cached data conflict.

Try clearing the cache and data of the new browser. Go to Settings → Apps, select your new browser and click Clear → All data. After that, reconfigure it as the main one.

Another common problem is the return of settings after the system update. MIUI is known for resetting user preferences to factory preferences after major updates, in which case the default browser selection procedure will have to be repeated.

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If links open in the wrong app, check if you have multiple browsers with the same priority installed and reset the settings for all of them.

Also worth checking permissions. Make sure the new browser is allowed to open links. Some versions of Android have a separate Open Supported Links setting that must be activated for the selected app.