Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where links from messengers or social networks are opened in the standard Mi Browser app.This built-in solution from the manufacturer can be annoying with excessive advertising, news feed or simply an unusual interface. Many users prefer more functional or minimalist alternatives such as Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Mozilla Firefox.
Fortunately, the Android operating system, even with the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, allows you to flexibly manage application priorities. You can assign any installed web browser to the main one for processing Internet links at any time, this process takes literally a few seconds and does not require root rights or complex manipulation of system files.
In this article, we will take a look at the algorithm for current firmware versions, not only the standard way through the settings, but also solve possible problems if the system refuses to change the choice. Understanding how the application manager works in Android will help you feel more confident when setting up your gadget.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
Xiaomi’s standard browser is often criticized for being intrusive, can open a news feed at each launch, consume a significant amount of RAM, and display banner ads in the interface, and replace it with a lighter alternative that can significantly speed up your smartphone and make surfing the Internet more comfortable.
In addition, third-party solutions often offer better synchronization with desktop versions. If you're used to saving passwords and history in a Google or Yandex account, using their native browsers on your phone will provide instant access to all tabs from your computer, which is especially important for productive work.
Security is another critical aspect: Third-party developers like Mozilla or the Chrome team often release security updates faster than shell manufacturers integrate them into their system applications.Using a current page rendering engine protects against phishing and malicious scripts.
- 🚀 Speeding up page loading with optimized engines.
- 🛡️ Increased protection of personal data and blocking trackers.
- 🔄 Easy synchronization of bookmarks between all devices.
- 🎨 Flexible configuration of the interface and extensions.
It’s also worth noting the impact on autonomy: Heavy system applications with background processes can drain the battery faster than optimized counterparts. By disabling the Mi Browser from link processing, you reduce its activity in the background, which will positively affect the time of the device.
Preparation: installation of an alternative annex
Before you start setting up your system, you need to make sure that the alternative application is already installed on your device. Without the APK file installed, the system will not be able to offer you a choice when trying to change defaults.
Once installed, it is recommended to run the new application at least once. Many browsers request storage access (for downloading files) or geolocation permissions when they first start, and consent to these requests is necessary for future work.
☑️ Ready to change browser
It is important to make sure that you only download applications from trusted sources. Using modified versions of popular browsers can lead to data leakage. Official repositories guarantee the integrity and security of the program code.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the standard Mi Browser completely if you are not sure of your actions. Some system widgets or search functions in global search may depend on it.
Main way: Configure through the application menu
The most reliable and versatile method of reprioritizing Android is deep in the system settings. The interface may vary slightly between MIUI and HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find a section responsible for managing all installed programs.
Go to the main smartphone settings menu. Find the Apps (or Apps and Notifications) item. Inside this section, we are interested in the All Apps section, which displays the full list of installed software, and here we will look for the exact application we want to make the main one.
In the list that opens, find your new browser (like Chrome or Yandex). Click on it to open the app card. At the top of the screen, you'll see the default Open button (sometimes hidden in the three-dot menu in the corner).