Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face intrusive behavior of the operating system MIUI, which forcibly promotes its own browser Mi Browser. Despite the fact that the Redmi 9 device has sufficient performance to work with any modern web browsers, the system by default opens links through the regular application. This causes irritation for users accustomed to the functionality of Google Chrome, Yandex or Opera.
Changing a standard application is not a complicated process, but it is hidden deeper in the MIUI shell than in pure Android. You will need to perform several sequential actions in the settings menu to redefined system priorities. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step, look at possible problems and how to solve them, and explain why the system can return default settings once the update is completed.
First, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed on your Redmi 9. If you just reset your phone to factory settings, first go to Google Play Market and download the software you need. Without the candidate application installed, the system will not offer you a choice, since it has nothing to switch to.
Why Xiaomi imposes its browser
Xiaomi’s policy is to monetize software services, and the browser plays a key role here: it collects data on search queries, shows news feeds and advertising recommendations, which is why when you first activate Redmi 9 or after resetting, the system insists on using the Mi Browser as the main tool for surfing.
Users often notice that even after changing settings, some system widgets or search strings in global search continue to lead to a regular application, due to the deep integration of MIUI services into the operating system kernel, system priorities can be reset after major firmware updates, which requires re-configuration manually.
In some regions, the MIUI version may have additional restrictions or a changed menu structure, but the basic principle of Android remains the same: the user has the right to choose the default application to handle certain types of files and links, the main thing is to know where the desired switch is hiding.
Preparation for changing the browser to Redmi 9
Before you start changing your system settings, you need to do a number of preparatory steps to avoid confusion and ensure that the process is successful the first time. On a Redmi 9 device with a MIUI 12 shell or MIUI 13, the menu structure may be slightly different from older versions, but the logic remains the same.
Check for updates for already installed browsers first. Often, older versions of apps may not show up properly in the selection list or may not support some modern security protocols. Go to Play Market, click on the profile, and select App Management to update all components.
☑️ Preparation of the device
It is also worth deciding in advance whether you want to completely remove the Mi Browser or simply hide it. Deleting the system application requires root rights or using special scripts through ADB, which can be dangerous for the inexperienced user.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete the system browser through third-party file managers without root rights. This can lead to errors in the system and pop-ups with critical errors.
Main method: through the MIUI settings menu
The most reliable and official method of changing the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the built-in settings menu. This method does not require installing additional software and works stably on all versions of firmware.
To start, unlock your smartphone screen and find the Settings icon (cogs). In the menu that opens, scroll down to the Apps section. This is where you focus on managing all installed programs and system permissions. Click on this to enter the management menu.
At the top of the screen, you'll see a few tabs or buttons, and we're interested in "Application Management," and then you go to the top of the screen, where you're looking at the three dots or the tripod button, and you click on that, and you'll see a drop-down menu where you want to select "Default Apps."
What to do if there is no “Default Apps” item?
You'll see a list of categories that you can choose your preferred app for. Find the "Browser" or "Web" line. Click on it. You'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed. You'll see the browser you want, like Google Chrome. Now all the links from other apps will open in your browser of choice.
Alternative method: by opening a link
There's a faster, but less obvious way to change default settings, which is useful if you don't want to wander through the deep settings menu, and it's based on the system's reactive action when you try to open a web link.
Find any active hyperlink in any application (e.g., messages, Telegram messenger or notes) click on it. If you already have a browser other than Mi Browser installed on the system, but you don't have priority, the system can offer you a choice. However, if the Mi Browser is already the default, the link will open in it.
In this case, proceed as follows:
- 📱 Open the link to start it in Mi Browser.
- 📋 Copy the address of this link (or click Share and select Copy to buffer»).
- ⚙️ Go to "Settings» → «Annexes» → «Application management».
- 🔍 Find the Mi Browser list and click on it.
- 🗑️ In the menu that opens, find the “Default Clear” button (or “Reset default settings” button»).
Once you do this, go back to the link and click on it again. This time, Android will ask you what to open the link and suggest you choose the app. Be sure to tick Always (or Default) next to your browser so you don't repeat the procedure again.
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If the default clear button is inactive (gray), it means that the browser has no default action or you are in the wrong menu. Make sure that the system application is chosen, "Mi Browser" (Mi Browser), and not the "Google Browser" label.
Comparison of popular browsers for Redmi 9
Choosing a browser is a matter of taste, but for owners of Xiaomi, parameters such as traffic savings, the presence of a built-in ad blocker and speed of work on the Helio G80 processor installed in Redmi 9 are important.
| browser | RAM consumption | Blocking ads | Synchronization | Features for MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Average. | Only through extensions (on PC or DNS) | Full (Google account) | Perfect system integration, but no built-in blocker |
| Yandex Browser | High. | Built-in (Turbo mode) | Full (Yandex account) | It compresses traffic well, is convenient for users of Yandex services |
| Opera | Low. | Built-in | Full (Opera account) | There is a traffic saving mode and built-in VPN (may require additional settings) |
| Via Browser | Minimum | Through filter subscription | Basic | Perfect for weak devices, weighs less than 2MB, very fast |
For Redmi 9, which is a budget device, optimizing RAM consumption plays an important role. Heavy browsers can be offloaded from memory faster, which will lead to tab reboots when switching between applications. Lightweight alternatives like Via or Opera Mini can provide a smoother interface.
On the other hand, if you use the Google ecosystem, Chrome will remain the most convenient option, thanks to synchronizing passwords, history and bookmarks with your computer, depending on your personal priorities: speed, privacy or convenience of sync.
Solution: If the settings are confused
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after a phone reboot or system update, the default browser changes again to Mi Browser, a well-known feature of aggressive MIUI optimization. The system may perceive frequent application change as a mistake or an attempt to hack, returning standard settings.
To minimize the risks, it is recommended not only to change the browser in the default menu, but also to limit the rights of the Mi Browser itself. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find Mi Browser. Go to the Other Permissions section. Here you can prevent the application from starting when you boot the system or accessing the clipboard, if such items are available in your version of the firmware.
⚠️ Attention: In new versions MIUI (13 and 14) has a feature called “Blitch Protection” that can automatically restore standard application settings after a crash. If persists is a problem, try turning off battery optimization for your browser of choice.
To do this, go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply Battery) and find your new browser (like Chrome) in the list. Select Unlimited mode, which will prevent the application from being forced to unload from memory and reduce the likelihood of system conflicts that lead to default resets.
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Fixing the result: To the settings are not lost, you need not only to choose a new browser, but also to prohibit the old (Mi Browser) autorun, and set the new mode of operation "Without restrictions" in the battery settings.