Owning a modern smartphone involves using a variety of apps to navigate the Internet, and users often face a situation where links from messengers or social networks are opened in the system browser Mi Browser, which may not suit the functionality. Many owners of Redmi and Xiaomi devices prefer more familiar solutions such as Chrome, Yandex or Opera, but the system by default ignores their choice, this is due to the features of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, which tend to keep the user in their ecosystem of services.
Fortunately, you can change this setting by regaining full control over which application handles web links. The procedure is simple enough, but requires care, since menu items can be called differently depending on the firmware version. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to install your preferred browser, and also consider solving the typical problems that users face when trying to circumvent system constraints.
Before you start settings, make sure that the browser you choose is already installed on the device and has all the necessary permissions to work. If the application has just been downloaded from Google Play Market or GetApps, it may take a few seconds for the system to fully activate it. In some cases, it even requires one browser to start and install it as a start page so that it correctly appears in the list of available options.
Why Xiaomi’s system imposes its browser
Xiaomi is actively developing its own services, and the Mi Browser is an important part of this strategy, providing access to news feeds, videos and other built-in features. That is why after resetting or first turning on the device, it is designated as the main tool for browsing the web. Users often notice that even after choosing another application, after a while the system may again suggest returning to the standard option when updating the interface.
Complicating matters, recent versions of the HyperOS shell have made application prioritization algorithms more aggressive, analyzing usage rates and can automatically switch standards if it thinks the user spends little time on third-party browsers, but forced installation through system settings allows users to capture user choices and ignore automated recommendations.
⚠️ Note: In some regions of the global firmware versions, the browser change point may be temporarily hidden or renamed. If you don’t find the settings below, try changing the device region in the “Additional” menu to “India” or “USA”, perform the settings, and then return the original region.
Understanding the logic of the shell helps you navigate the menu faster. MIUI and HyperOS are built on Android, so the basic principles of application management remain unchanged despite visual changes. The main thing is to know where the right switch is hiding, since manufacturers often hide it in the depths of the menu to “protect” from random changes.
Preparation for the change of the main browser
Before you make changes to your system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative application is fully ready to go. It is not enough to just download the installation file; the browser must be authorized if you want to sync and have access to the network. This is especially true for browsers with built-in turbo modes or ad blockers that require initial database downloads.
☑️ Checking browser readiness
It is also worth checking for updates to the browser app itself. Older versions may not show up correctly in the list of system applications or may not support some modern Android Intents protocols that are used to transfer links from other programs. Updating to the latest version guarantees compatibility with current versions of MIUI.
An important step is to clear the cache of a standard browser if it has been used before, which won't delete your bookmarks, but will help the system rebuild file associations faster. Sometimes a cache conflict leads to the phone continuing to persistently open links in the old application, ignoring new settings.
Why do I need to clean up the data before changing?
Instructions: Configure via the application menu
The most reliable and versatile way to change the default browser is to use the application management menu, which works on the vast majority of Redmi Note, Redmi K and Xiaomi flagship series, regardless of the Android version. The algorithm of actions may differ slightly visually, but the logical chain remains consistent throughout the ecosystem.
To start, open the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find a section called Apps or Apps and Notifications. In some firmware versions, this item may be hidden inside the option menu if the Easy or Older mode is enabled, so make sure to use the standard interface mode.
Inside the section, find the default App. It can be at the top of the list, or it can be hidden under a three-dot button at the top right of the screen. When you click on this, you'll see a list of categories: phone, messages, camera, and of course browser.
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The way to setup: Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser. This is the fastest way to change a priority application without installing additional software.
You'll see a list of all browsers you've installed. You'll want to choose which browser you want to use all the time, like Chrome or Yandex. Once you've selected, the system can display a pop-up warning that the app will access the links -- confirm the action. From now on, all web addresses will be opened in the selected application.
Alternative method through notification settings
If the standard path through the app menu is unavailable or hidden by the manufacturer for some reason, you can use advanced notification settings, which often works as a backdoor in cases where the HyperOS interface blocks a direct change of standards, which requires a little more action, but gives the same result.
Go to Settings and select Notifications. In this section, look for the Notification Manage option or Notification Settings. Here we need to find the browser app itself that we want to make the primary one. In the list of installed programs, find, for example, Google Chrome and click on it.
Inside the notification settings of a particular browser, scroll down to the Additional or Default section. This is where the Open Supported Links switch may be hiding. Make sure it's activated and you select the Open in this application option. This compulsorily registers the browser as a web protocol handler.
| Method of setting up | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risk of discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Apps menu | Low. | Tall. | Low. |
| Through notification settings | Medium | Medium | Medium. |
| Resetting all preferences | Tall. | Maximum | Absent. |
Using this method is especially useful if you have installed a new browser, but it does not appear in the selection list when you click on a link.Forced activation through notifications "wakes up" the relevant system services and registers the application as a valid recipient. URL-address.
What to do if the choice is not saved
Sometimes users are faced with an annoying situation when after a phone reboot or system update, the settings are reset and the links are reopened in the Mi Browser.This can be caused by a caching error of system settings or a conflict between several installed browsers, each of which tries to intercept priority.
The first step in solving this problem is to completely reset your application preferences. This will not delete your data, photos or contacts, but will return all system choices (than open photos, videos, links) to the factory state. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, click on the menu (three dots) and select Reset App Settings.
⚠️ Note: After resetting your application settings, you will have to re-choose what to open certain types of files (e.g., file types, PDF Be prepared for the system to ask you your preference when you first start each file type.
After resetting immediately, before opening any links, re-instal the default browser through the menu described in the second section of the article. It is important to do this first so that the system captures your choices before any other application tries to “capture” the protocol.
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If resetting didn’t help, try removing the Mi Browser updates via the About Me or Three Dots menu in the app settings. Sometimes rolling back to the factory version of the system browser removes conflicts with newer versions of Chrome or Yandex.
Features of work in the shell of HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, which gradually replaces MIUI on new Xiaomi devices, the menu structure has changed. Logic remains the same, but the visual design and item names can confuse accustomed users. HyperOS has increased its emphasis on security, so the system can more often request confirmation when changing standard applications.
HyperOS has more detailed permission control, so when you choose your default browser, you can ask for permission to access the clipboard or your activity history, and don't ignore those requests if you want your browser to work properly, especially if you're using tab sync with your computer.
The new shell also changes the algorithm for working with the cold start of applications, so if the default browser was not launched long ago, the system can delay opening a link for a fraction of a second until the application wakes up, which is not a mistake, but a feature of optimizing power consumption in HyperOS.