How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways and life hacks

Why Redmi Note 8 Pro is hard to change the default browser and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face a problem: the system stubbornly opens links in the standard MIUI browser, even if you prefer Google Chrome, Firefox or Yandex Browser. It's all about the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively promotes its own services. But there is a way out - and there are even several of them.

In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to change the default browser on your Redmi Note 8 Pro, including hidden settings, circumventing MIUI restrictions, and even radical methods for advanced users. You’ll learn why links sometimes open in an old browser, how to fix this, and what unique MIUI 12-14 bugs can interfere with the process.

Before you go to the instructions, check the version of your MIUI. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. It depends on what steps you need to follow. For example, in MIUI 13 and later, the algorithm has changed slightly compared to MIUI 12.

Method 1: Officially change browser through Android settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use Android's built-in settings, but in MIUI, this path doesn't always work as expected. Here's a step-by-step guide to the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Open your phone settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not listed, it is not installed as a system application for link processing.

• 📱 Install your browser from Google Play (if you haven’t already done so).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not update the default list of applications without restarting.
• 🔧 Clear the Settings Cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Settings, press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Install an alternative browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)| Check the MIUI version in the settings | Clear the Settings cache |Reboot your phone after installing the browser-->

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5 and later, a notification may appear: "This app cannot be selected by default." This is a shell bug, and we'll figure out how to get around it in the next section.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI Global Stable, some system applications (such as Mi Browser) can automatically reset default settings after updates.The solution is to disable auto-update for Mi Browser in Google Play.

Method 2: Bypassing MIUI restrictions through Default Applications (for MIUI 12-14)

In some versions of MIUI (especially 12.0-12.5), the standard way to change the browser does not work due to the system locking, in which case an alternative path through the Application menu by default, but with a little trick, will help.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type your browser name (e.g. Chrome).
3. Then tap it, then select Open by default.
4. Click Clear the default settings (if the button is active).
5. Now open any link (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp) and in the window that appears, select the desired browser, marking Always.

If the Clear Default button is inactive, the browser has not yet been selected as the default application for any type of link.

• 🌐 Open the link manually through another app (e.g. from Gmail or Gmail) VK).
• 🔗 Use "Open with": Click the link in any messenger and select Open with → Your browser. → Always.
• 🔄 Try again after restarting your phone.

MIUI 11 older|MIUI 12.0-12.5|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|I don't know.-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese), the Mi Browser system browser can be hard-stitched into the system, in which case only disabling the application through the system will help. ADB Or install custom firmware, and you can find more about that in the advanced user section.

Method 3: Using third-party utilities to force a browser change

If the system methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, and one of the most reliable is the Default App Manager app (available on Google Play), which allows you to manually assign applications by default, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Default App Manager from Google Play.
2. Open the application and grant it ADB rights (if required).
3. In the list, find the Browser category.
4. Select the browser you want from the list.
5. Confirm the changes and restart the phone.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 It works even on blocked versions. MIUI.
• 📱 Allows you to assign a default browser to individual link types (e.g., http and https separately).
• 🔄 You can reset the default settings for all applications with one tap.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Demands a license. ADB Some functions (but not necessarily).
• ⚙️ Some firmware may be reset after system updates.

💡

If Default App Manager doesn’t find your browser in the list, try opening any link manually (such as from the clipboard) first.

Method 4: Radical Methods – Disabling Mi Browser via ADB

For users willing to take more serious measures, there is a way to completely disable the Mi Browser system browser via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is guaranteed to solve the problem, but will require connecting the phone to a computer.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

1. Enter the command to disable Mi Browser:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

If you have a global version of MIUI, try it too:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser

Once you have completed the command, restart your phone. Now the Mi Browser will be disabled, and the system will automatically prompt you to select another browser when you first open the link.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB This can cause unstable phone operation. make a backup copy of the data before executing commands. Also note that after resetting the settings or updating. MIUI Mi Browser may be activated again.

Why links still open in an old browser and how to fix it

Even after changing the default browser, some links may persist in opening in Mi Browser or another unwanted app, because MIUI (and some apps like Facebook or Instagram) ignore system settings.

Reason 1: Cache of applications

Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) cache browser selection to reset this:

• 🧹 Clear the messenger cache: Settings → Annexes → [Name of messenger] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔗 Open the link again and select the default browser.

Reason 2: Setting up a specific application

Some apps (like Facebook) have their own settings for opening links.

• 📱 In the app itself (for example, on Facebook) go to Settings → Application settings → Open links in an external browser.
• 🔧 On Instagram, it is done like this: Profile → Settings → Sites → Open in the browser.

Reason 3: Systemic limitations of MIUI

On some versions of MIUI (especially in China), the system forcibly redirects certain types of links to the Mi Browser.

• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
• 🔧 Use Xposed Framework with App Settings (requires root).

💡

If links from ads or push notifications open in Mi Browser, it is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI. The only way to fix it is to disable Mi Browser via ADB or remove it (requires root).

Additional life hacks: how to make an alternative browser really convenient

Changing your default browser is just the first step. To make the new browser truly convenient, set it up for you:

1. Sync with Google/Mozilla account

• 🔑 In Chrome: Sign in to Google account to sync bookmarks, passwords and history.
• 🦊 In Firefox: Create a Mozilla account to sync between devices.

2. Optimization for MIUI

• 📱 Turn on the light mode (in Chrome) if the phone is slowing down.
• 🔒 Set up an ad blocker (e.g., uBlock Origin in Firefox).
• 🌙 Activate the dark theme to reduce battery load (in browser settings).

3. Quick access

• 🏠 Add the browser widget to the main screen.
• 🔍 Set up the search bar on the lock screen (in settings) MIUI).
• ⚡ Use gestures to open quickly (like swiping down the lock screen in Chrome).

4. Traffic savings

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a limited tariff, enable data compression:

• In Chrome: Settings → Light Mode.
• In Yandex Browser: Settings → Turbo mode.

💡

If the browser is slowing down on MIUI, try to disable the system animation. To do this, turn on the developer mode and set Windows animation = 0.5x, transition animation = 0.5x.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Redmi Note 8 Pro