How to make the browser the main one on the Xiaomi Redmi phone

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive behavior from MIUI or HyperOS, which seeks to bring the user back to pre-installed apps. Even if you successfully installed Chrome, Yandex.Browser or Opera, after a while, links from instant messengers reopen in your native Mi Browser. This is annoying, especially if you are used to synchronizing history and passwords in another ecosystem.

The problem is not a failure, but an aggressive policy of the manufacturer, which promotes its own services. However, the Android operating system, on which the shell runs, allows you to rigidly fix the choice of the user. In this article, we will discuss how to properly set the priorities of applications and block the automatic replacement of the browser by default.

The setup process doesn't require root rights or complex ADB manipulation, but it does require carefulness when you go through menu items. We'll look at the standard algorithm of actions, and how to circumvent the restrictions that can occur on different versions of firmware. Your task is to once clearly indicate to the system which application to open for web links.

Why the system changes the browser by default

Users often notice that after a system upgrade or memory cleanup, settings are reset, because MIUI and HyperOS have mechanisms in place to prioritize the company’s native applications, periodically check for updates for their own services, and can silently return them to their core status.

Also, many users accidentally reset their own settings by clicking "Open" instead of "Always" when they launch a link, and it's important to understand the difference between these actions. A one-time launch doesn't lock the app as the main one, it just opens the current page.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a pop-up with the “Safe Browser” suggestion from Mi Browser, don’t agree to activate the protection unless you want the system to try to implement it as a primary tool again.

It’s also worth mentioning that some third-party launchers or optimization programs may conflict with the system settings of file associations. If you have a memory cleaner installed, check its settings.

Understanding the logic of the shell helps avoid errors. The system always tries to return you to the "native" habitat, so after each major firmware update, it is worth rechecking the application settings.

Preparing for setup: Delete or disable Mi Browser

Before you lock a new browser, it is recommended to minimize the impact of the old one. Complete removal of the system browser without root rights is impossible, but it can be disabled or hidden, this will prevent accidental launches and reduce the load on RAM.

To start, go to the settings and find the application management section, and you have to be careful not to disable critical system components, and we're interested in the Xiaomi web browser.

• 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
• 🔍 Find the Mi Browser list (or just the browser»).
• 🛑 Click the Disable or Remove Updates button if the first button is not available.
• 🧹 Clean up app data to reset all time preferences.

If the "Disable" button is inactive, you can use the app hide feature. To do this, press the browser icon on your desktop and choose to hide. This will not remove the application, but will remove it from view and reduce the likelihood of accidental use.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete system files through a file manager without superuser rights – this can result in a cyclical device reboot (bootloop).

After this, the system will lose the ability to quickly switch to its native browser when settings fail, and you can now safely install and configure your preferred web client.

Installation of a new browser and initial setting

Now that the path is clear, you need to install an alternative: download Google Chrome, Yandex, Firefox or any other browser from the official Google Play Store.

The first launch of a new browser is a critical moment. When you first open the application itself will request permission to use as the main one, usually a pop-up with the question "Use as the default browser?"

It is important to choose the option “Always” or “Yes” if the system offers a choice between “Just now” and “ongoing action”, and if you miss this moment, you will have to manually adjust the associations through the system menu.

Also in the settings of the browser itself, it is worth checking whether synchronization is enabled, this will allow you to not lose bookmarks and passwords in the event of a reset of the phone settings.

Manually installing the browser by default through Android settings

If you don't automatically request it, or if you accidentally close the window, you need to manually prescribe the path in your Android settings, which is the most reliable method and works on all versions of MIUI.

The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logical chain remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for managing applications by default.

1. Go to the settings of your smartphone.
2. Select the Appendix (or “All Apps”).
3. Find the Application Management menu (three dots in the corner or a separate tab).
4. In the menu that opens, select the Applications by default.
5. Press Browser.
6. In the list that appears, select the one you need (e.g. Chrome).

When you select the name, you'll see a blue checkmark, which means that the system has recorded your choice, and now all links from Telegram, WhatsApp and other programs will open in the app you select.

Some versions of the firmware may have different paths. Alternative: Settings → Additional settings → Default apps. If you don't find the right item, search by settings by typing the word "browser."

Specifics of settings on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells are constantly updated, and the menu layout can change. On older versions of MIUI (10, 11, 12), the settings are deeper in the app menu. On new versions, especially with the advent of HyperOS, Xiaomi has made access easier, but added more promotional offers.

Users of MIUI 13 and 14 often find that after cleaning the RAM, the system again offers to choose a browser, in which case blocking notifications from the system browser helps.

The table below shows the differences in the paths to settings for different firmware versions:

Global ROM owners face fewer intrusive offers than Chinese ROM users, and if you have a Chinese version, it is recommended to reflash the phone to the global version or install Google services correctly.

Solving problems: if settings are reset

There are times when, even after manual installation, the system persists in returning the Mi Browser, which can be caused by Recycle Bin, which resets the cache of system applications.

To solve this problem, you need to prevent the system from automatically optimizing your browsers. Go to the battery settings and find the section "Battery consumption by applications."

Find your primary browser (like Chrome) on the list, and click on it and select Unlimited mode, which will prevent the system from putting the app to sleep and resetting its priorities to save energy.

It’s also worth checking for updates for the browser itself.The outdated version of the app may conflict with new Android security protocols, leading to a reset.

⚠️ Warning: If nothing helps, try removing Security updates in your application settings. Sometimes it is this system module that forcibly changes your browser.

Additional recommendations and optimization

Once you have fixed the choice, it is recommended to configure the browser itself for comfortable work. Turn on traffic saving mode if you use mobile Internet often, or set up an ad blocker.

Xiaomi users also find it helpful to customize gestures, for example, in some browsers you can swipe on the bottom of the screen for quick search, which is more convenient than looking for an app icon.

Do not forget to periodically clean the browser cache, but do it through the settings of the application itself, and not through the system “cleaner” so as not to reset authorization on sites.

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Tip: Install your new browser’s search bar widget on your desktop, making it more common and reducing the chance of accidentally opening Google or Mi search systems.

Following these steps, you will be able to fully personalize your smartphone and get rid of intrusive services, making the use of the device comfortable and familiar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Main conclusion: For reliable fixation of the browser on Xiaomi Redmi, it is not enough just to install the application - you need to manually select it from the Default Apps menu and prevent the system from limiting its background operation.