How to make Google the default browser on Android Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive behavior from the branded MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. The system seeks to use its own Mi Browser browser to open all links from messengers and applications, ignoring your choices. This is annoying, especially if you are used to synchronizing history and passwords in the Google Chrome ecosystem.

Changing the default browser isn’t just about changing an icon, it’s about setting up Android’s depth settings. The right configuration allows links from Telegram, Viber, or email clients to open in the app you want, and the setup process can vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to force Google Chrome or any other browser to be the main tool for web surfing, you will learn how to bypass the system restrictions and prevent automatic resets after the update.

Why Xiaomi is changing the browser by default

Xiaomi is actively promoting its services, and Mi Browser is part of this strategy. In some regions, especially in India and China, the pre-installed browser contains aggressive advertising and news feeds that generate revenue for the manufacturer, which is why the system can periodically “forget” your choice or force you to offer a return to the standard solution.

Technically, Android has an app priority: If a user does not default, the system will go to the app that has the highest trust rating or is system-based. In the case of MIUI shells, the system browser is often a product from Xiaomi, not Google.

⚠️ Note: After major system updates (OTA) App settings may be reset. It is recommended to recheck browser selection immediately after the firmware update.

In addition, some optimization apps built into the phone may label third-party browsers as “unoptimized” or “battery draining”, which indirectly affects their priority in the system.

Basic configuration through the application menu

The easiest and most obvious way to change preferences is to use the standard Android settings menu, which works on most current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS. However, the path to the desired item can be hidden in the depths of the menu.

First, you need to open the basic settings of the device, then you need to find the section responsible for managing applications, depending on the firmware version, it can be simply called "Apps" or "Applications and notifications."

Inside this section, you need to find the "Default Apps" item, and that's where the key setting that determines which application will run when you click on an HTTP or HTTPS link resides.

Once you log in to the Default Apps menu, select Browser. You'll see a list of all installed browsers. Choose Chrome or any other option you want. Now the system will know your priority.

Resetting preferences for links (Method through links)

Sometimes the standard menu doesn't work properly, or the choice isn't saved, and in these cases, deeper customization through link management helps, a method that allows you to forcefully break the connection between file types and Mi Browser.

Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the app you want to make the primary one, like Google Chrome, on the list. Click on it to open the management page.

Inside the app menu, look for the "Default Open" or "Default Launch" section, and here you'll see the "Open Supported Links" switch.

• 🔗 Click on "Supported Web Addresses" for detailed settings.
• ✅ Make sure all domains (e.g. google.com, youtube.com) are marked as "Open in this application".
• 🔄 If the button is not active, try clearing the app cache first.

Now do the same for Mi Browser, but in the "Open Supported Links" section, select the "Always Ask" option or disable link opening altogether, which will cause the system to ignore the built-in browser when clicking on links from other programs.

Configure via the default menu in HyperOS and MIUI 14

In the new versions of the HyperOS shell and MIUI 14, the default application logic has been slightly changed to comply with the Google Play Protect standards.

Open Settings → Applications → App settings. The top right corner of the screen often hides a three-dot menu. Click on it and select "Other Settings" or immediately look for "Default Apps" at the top of the list.

This is a summary table of all types of actions, and we're interested in the "Browser" line, and if you click on it, you'll see the current choice. If there's a Mi Browser, just tap the title and replace it with Chrome.

It is important to note that some global firmware versions may call it something else, such as "Default apps," and the principle of operation remains the same: find the category of web navigation and change the priority.

⚠️ Warning: If after selecting a new browser, the system immediately returns the old choice, it is possible that the phone has an antivirus application from Xiaomi (Security), which blocks changes.

Forced installation via ADB (For Advanced)

If the GUI doesn’t save the settings, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging tool, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic command line knowledge.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI" or "Version". OS". Then in the extended settings, turn on "Debugging by USB".

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command to install the default package.

adb shell pm set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

In this command, com.android.chrome is the Google Chrome package ID. If you use another browser, you'll need to know its exact packet ID, which is the most reliable method, since it prescribes settings directly to the registry.

Once you've done the command, restart the device. Check if the messenger links are now opening in the browser you want. ADB often helps on custom firmware or stripped-down versions of MIUI.

Solving problems with automatic resetting

Users often complain that settings reset themselves after a while, and this may be due to the operation of the Memory Cleanup feature or aggressive battery optimization, the system believes that you rarely use Chrome, and tries to "accelerate" the phone by removing its background processes and priorities.

To fix the result, go to the battery settings for the browser you select. Set the "No Limits" mode, which will prevent Xiaomi from unloading the browser from memory and resetting its privileges.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
• 📱 Find your browser in the list (e.g. Chrome).
• ⚙️ Select "No Limits" mode for background work.

It’s also worth disabling ads in Xiaomi System Applications (MSA), as it sometimes blocks the application selection windows, forcing the user to accidentally agree to standard actions.

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Tip: If you have a launcher from a third-party manufacturer (Nova, Lawnchair), browser settings by default are better checked in the Android system menu, and not in the launcher settings to avoid conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main conclusion: For stable operation of Google Chrome on Xiaomi, it is not enough to simply install it. You need to manually assign it to the Default Apps menu and allow all types of links to be opened in the settings of a particular application, as well as disable power saving for the browser.