How to change the default browser to Xiaomi MIUI 11

Xiaomi’s MIUI 11 shell offers users plenty of personalization options, but some system settings are hidden deeper than you’d like. One of the most sought-after features is changing the default browser, especially given that the built-in browser is often overflowing with news feeds and advertising notifications that annoy many smartphone owners.

Replacing a standard tool with a more convenient one, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, not only speeds up your browsing experience, but also synchronizes bookmarks with your computer. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of configuration in detail, as well as the nuances of security that can block your actions.

Xiaomi’s link-processor application change has its own features, different from pure Android.You have to go through several layers of the security menu to get full control over what software will open when you click on hyperlinks in messengers and social networks.

Why you should abandon the standard Xiaomi browser

The standard browser, preinstalled on Redmi and Poco smartphones with MIUI 11 shells, is often criticized for its aggressive monetization policy, it imposes news feeds on the user that cannot be completely turned off, and periodically shows banner ads even on the start page, which reduces the overall usability of the device.

In addition, third-party browsers often have more advanced security and phishing protection features. Xiaomi’s built-in browser collects significantly more telemetry data about the sites visited than is necessary for proper operation.

Another important aspect is performance: Heavy news modules consume RAM and battery power in the background. Once you install a lightweight and optimized browser, you will notice that pages start loading faster and the system runs smoother, especially on models with a small amount of RAM.

Preparation for the installation of an alternative observer

Before you start changing your system settings, make sure your device already has the browser you want, and if you plan to use Google Chrome, it’s probably already on the system, but you need to activate it.

If you use other apps, such as Brave or DuckDuckGo, you should pre-download them and install them through the Google Play Market Store. Without an established alternative, the system will not offer you a choice when trying to change defaults.

It is also recommended to update all system components to the latest version, which minimizes the risk of errors when switching services, and check for updates in the settings section for phone information.

Step-by-step: change through the security menu

Unlike standard Android, MIUI 11 has permissions and applications management as its default security section, designed to protect inexperienced users, but often hinders advanced smartphone owners. To get started, open the Security app (a lightning icon on a green background).

Inside the app, find the Settings section, which is usually represented as a gear in the upper right corner of the screen. Scroll down to the default App, and that's where the switch we want to use is hidden.

Click on the Browser. The system will open a list of all browsers installed on the device. Select from the list the one you want to use as the main one, for example, Chrome. After that, all links will open in the selected application.

Configure through the Android system menu

There is an alternative path that leads to the same settings, but through the classic operating system menu, which may be more common for those who have previously used smartphones from other manufacturers.

In the settings list, find the App section and select Application Management. In the upper right corner of the screen, there is a three-dot menu, which you click on, select the default App option.

Here you'll see a list of action categories. Find the Browser bar and click on it. A dialog box will open to confirm your choice of a new application. The system can warn you that a third-party application will access links, which is a standard warning.

Solving Access and Permits Issues

Sometimes, after a default browser change, links stop opening or the system constantly suggests that you choose the application again, which may be due to the aggressive work of MIUI energy saving, which "kills" background processes.

To avoid this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find your new browser in the list and go to its settings. Make sure that the Battery (or Energy Saving) section selects No Limits mode.

Also check permissions. In the same app settings menu, select Permissions and make sure the browser is allowed to open links. If it is prohibited, the system will ignore your default choice.

⚠️ Attention: If the security system MIUI Issues a risk warning when installing a browser from a third-party source (APK-- file, make sure you only download the file from the official developer's website. Ignoring this rule can lead to malware installation.

Cache cleanup and default reset

If you decide to go back to the original state or the browser change went wrong, the settings can be reset, which often helps to eliminate errors when links open in an "empty" window or the wrong application is launched.

To do this, log back into the Default App menu via security or system settings. Click on Browser and select MIUI Browser in the list that appears, or click Reset default if this option is available in your firmware version.

Additionally, it is recommended to clear the cache of the old browser before finally rejecting it. Go to Settings → Applications, find the old browser, select Memory and click Clear Cache. This will free up space on the disk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Note: When using Incognito modes in any browser, remember that your ISP and network administrator still see the visited modes. IP-For complete anonymity, additional tools are required, such as: VPN.