How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi

Modern smartphones Xiaomi Redmi and POCO line come with a pre-installed shell MIUI or new HyperOS, which has its own standards of system applications. Often users are not satisfied with the standard browser Mi Browser, which can impose news feeds or consume excess resources. There is a natural desire to replace it with a more familiar Google Chrome, Yandex or any other engine.

The process of changing the main application to open links is not always obvious, since Android device manufacturers often hide these settings in the depth of the menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the desired switch is located, how to circumvent possible system limitations and what to do if the desired browser is not in the list of available ones.

You'll learn about the subtleties of the MIUI shell that can interfere with standard installation procedures. We'll look at not only standard methods, but also ways to solve typical errors when the system ignores user choices. Understanding these mechanisms will help you customize your gadget as comfortably as possible.

Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi

The standard Mi Browser app is often criticized for aggressive advertising and excessive notifications that appear even without active use.Substituting for an alternative allows for a significant cleanup of the interface and improve the speed of loading web pages, as third-party developers often optimize their products better.

In addition, many users already have synchronized data in the Google or Yandex ecosystem. Using a native browser allows you to instantly access saved passwords, browsing history and bookmarks without resorting to complex import procedures.

• 🚀 Faster work: third-party engines often run faster than standard solutions from Xiaomi.
• 🔒 Increased privacy: Many alternatives have built-in trackers and ad blockers.
• 🎨 Flexible configuration: the ability to install themes, extensions and change the interface for yourself.

Importantly, some system links within the shell may only try to open in the native app, but in recent versions of Android and MIUI, this anchoring has become less rigid, allowing the user to independently manage priorities.

Preparation for the installation of a new observer

Before you start setting up your system, you need to make sure that the alternative app is already installed on your device. If you just bought a phone or reset your settings, there may be nothing in the memory except the system minimum.

Download your desired browser from the official Google Play store or GetApps. After installation, do not rush to open the program - first you need to let the system know that you plan to use this tool for web surfing.

There is a nuance with access rights. When you first start, the new application will request permission to notify, access to a geo-location or microphone. Give all the rights you request, otherwise, if you try to open a link from another application (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp), you may encounter an error or an empty screen.

⚠️ Note: If you install the browser not from the official store, but through APK-file, security system MIUI You may be able to block it from starting. You will need to allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.

The main way through system settings

The most reliable method of changing a priority app is in the deep Android settings menu.The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices.

Go to your smartphone settings section, find a section called "Apps" or "All Apps," which may be hidden inside the Advanced Settings category in some firmware versions.

Inside the app menu, you need to find the "App Management" or "Default Apps" option, and that's where you decide which program will respond to clicking links.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Dots (top right) → Default Apps

Find the "Browser" line in the list, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed, choose the browser you want to use all the time, and the system will remember that choice and stop asking you every time you click on the link.

Alternative method through default resetting

Sometimes you have a dashboard or your current browser on the selection menu, but it doesn't change the system, and then you have to force the reset for the current browser application.

Go to the Apps menu and find the default browser in the list (often Mi Browser or Chrome if you’ve already selected it). Click on it to open the app information page.

At the bottom of the screen, find the default or default button. Click on it, then select the option to delete default settings or reset. Then, the next time you click on the link, the system will ask you again than to open the file.

• 📱 Open "Settings» → «Annexes».
• 🔍 Find the current browser in the list.
• 🗑️ Click on “Delete the default settings».
• 🔗 Click on any link in the messenger for verification.

This method is especially effective when you want to temporarily use another browser or if the previous choice was made by accident and blocked the choice. URL-address.

Configure depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shell interface is constantly changing, and the location of menu items can vary. Owners of different models can see slightly different partition names.

On devices with MIUI 12-14, the path is most often through Advanced Settings, while the fresh HyperOS shell seeks to make navigation easier by hiding these features in settings or in the Apps section.

If you can't find the right item, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu. Type in a "default" or "browser" request, and the system will redirect you to the desired section.

Problem Solving and Typical Errors

Users often find themselves in a situation where, after all the manipulations, links still open in the old browser, which may be due to caching of actions or specific security settings.

Check if you should check the "Always Open in this App" box when you select the program. If you accidentally click "Always" for an inappropriate application, you will have to go back to the settings and reset as described above.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese versions of the firmware (CN ROM) can have a rigid binding system links to Mi Browser, which cannot be changed by regular means without flashing on the global version.

The problem may also be in the app itself that you use to navigate, for example, some messengers have their own built-in browsers. To open a link in an external app, click three dots in the corner of the messenger screen and select Open in the browser.

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Use Google Assistant voice search with the phrase “open the default app settings” to instantly get to the desired menu without much searching.

In difficult cases, cleaning the cache of the Android System service or restarting the device in safe mode to eliminate the impact of third-party launchers helps. However, in 95% of cases, it is enough to correctly prioritize the menu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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For stable operation, it is important not only to choose a browser in the settings, but also to periodically check for updates to the application itself, since older versions may conflict with new versions of Android.