How to change the default browser to Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come pre-installed with Mi Browser, the company’s proprietary solution integrated into the MIUI shell. However, many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave because of greater speed, sync with other devices or lack of advertising. The problem is that MIUI actively resists changing the default browser by hiding settings or resetting them after updates.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to change the default browser on Xiaomi devices, from official methods through Android settings to workarounds for stubborn versions of MIUI 14/15. Particular attention will be paid to models with Android 13/14, where the selection algorithm has changed, and also consider why the system can automatically return the Mi Browser and how to prevent this.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change the default browser?

The reason lies in Xiaomi’s business model: the Mi Browser browser displays ads, collects data on user behavior (with consent, but often implicitly), and is integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem.

• 🔍 In some versions MIUI The item "Browser by default" is simply absent from the settings menu.
• 🔄 After the system update, the settings can be reset and the Mi Browser becomes the main one again.
• 📱 On budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4) browser selection blocked at firmware level.
• 🛡️ In China and India (the main markets of Xiaomi), the browser is by default strictly tied to the services of the region.

Fortunately, there are workarounds. Next are the instructions for different versions of MIUI and Android, including the gray methods for stubborn devices.

Official way: change through Android settings

On most modern Xiaomi smartphones (with Android 11 and later), you can change the default browser through the standard menu.This method works on MIUI 12.5-15, but may vary depending on the model and firmware region.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings (⚙️).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select the desired application (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If there is no default paragraph of the Annex:

• 🔎 Try an alternative path: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Default applications.
• 🔄 On some firmware (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4) You need to open an alternative browser first to appear in the list.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Open it at least once.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Turn off the automatic update of Mi Browser-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for China (firmwareware) CN) or (IN) The browser change point may be hidden due to regional restrictions, in which case only changing the firmware to a global one (Global or Global) will help. EEA).

Alternative method: resetting application settings

If the Mi Browser still opens by default after selecting an alternative browser, the problem may be in the system cache.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Put three points on it (⋮) and select Resetting App Settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete the data, but will reset all default settings).
4. Repeat the procedure for selecting the browser from the first section.

This method is particularly effective on Xiaomi with Android 10 and MIUI 11/12, where browser selection bugs were common. On newer versions (MIUI 14+), resetting may not help - more radical measures will be needed.

For stubborn devices: change through ADB (no root)

If standard methods don’t work (like the Redmi 9A or the custom-built POCO M3), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which doesn’t require root rights, but requires a computer.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times to become a developer), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: Adb devices (your device should appear).
4. Enter the command to change the browser (replace com.android.chrome with your browser package): adb shell cmd role remove-role-holder android.app.role.BROWSER com.android.browser adb shell cmd add-role-holder role android.app.role.BROWSER com.android.chrome
5. Reboot the phone.

List of packages of popular browsers:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) teams ADB If the browser hasn't changed after the command, try an alternative method with pm grant (requires root rights).

Radical method: disable Mi Browser through settings

If the Mi Browser keeps opening despite all the manipulations, it can be turned off completely. It's a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Browser (may be called simply the Browser).
3. Slip on it and select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action. The system will warn you that it may affect other functions -- ignore it.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 All links will open in the browser you previously selected.
• 🔄 Some system features (such as checking for updates) may stop working – they use a built-in browser.
• 🔙 To return the Mi Browser, turn it back on in the app settings.

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, first remove all updates for Mi Browser (the “Remove Updates” button), then try to disable again.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Xiaomi users face typical problems.

1.The browser is reset after the MIUI update

This is a well-known problem on MIUI 13/14.

• 🔄 After the update, repeat the default browser selection.
• 📵 Turn off automatic update of Mi Browser in Google Play.
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB to fix the browser (commands from the section above).

2 Some links still open in Mi Browser

This is due to apps that explicitly indicate Mi Browser to open links.

• 🔗 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Open by default and reset settings.
• 📌 For a specific application (such as Facebook), select Open Supported Links. → In this annex".

3. There is no "Default Browser" item in the settings

Typical for CN firmware (China) or older versions of MIUI.

• 🌍 Change the firmware region to Global or EEA (requires unlocking the loader).
• 🔧 Use it. ADB (section).
• 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where there are no Xiaomi restrictions.

💡

If your device is warranty, avoid methods with unlocking the bootloader or custom firmware - this will void the warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions