How to change the default browser to Xiaomi with MIUI 12: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-based smartphones often come pre-installed with Mi Browser, which automatically becomes the default application for opening web links. However, many users prefer alternative solutions — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Yandex Browser — because of their advanced functionality, synchronization with other devices or lack of advertising. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the default browser, including bypassing the typical MIUI limitations that may interfere with this process.

It’s important to understand that MIUI 12’s default application selection algorithm differs from standard Android. It’s actively promoting its own services, so changing the browser directly through settings doesn’t always work the first time. We’ll look at both the official methods through the phone’s menu and alternative approaches, from using third-party utilities to manually editing system settings (for power users), and we’ll also look at why settings can be reset after the MIUI update, and how to avoid it.

Why MIUI 12 is imposing its browser and can it be bypassed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 shell is known for its aggressive policy of promoting its own apps. The Mi Browser browser is not only installed by default, but also integrated into system processes, making it difficult to replace. Here are the key reasons why changing your browser can be difficult:

• 🔄 Automatic resetting of settings: After updates MIUI The system can independently return Mi Browser to the default status of the application, ignoring the user's choice.
• 🛡️ OS-level restrictions: In some regional firmware (for example, China), the default browser change is blocked at the code level.
• 📦 Pre-installed services: Mi Browser is linked to other system components (e.g. Mi Account or Mi Cloud), making it difficult to remove it completely.
• 🔗 Link Redirection: Even if you choose a different browser, some system links (such as from Settings or Mi Video) can only open in Mi Browser.

However, it is possible to circumvent these limitations. In the following sections, we will look at working methods, from simple (through standard settings) to advanced (using ADB or third-party tools). If you are faced with a situation where after choosing an alternative browser links are still opened in Mi Browser, this is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI. The solution to the problem will help a comprehensive approach: a combination of system settings and additional utilities.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 for the European Region (EEA) Changing the default browser is usually a no-brainer. If your smartphone is purchased in China or has global firmware with restrictions, you may need to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI 12 settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in MIUI settings, which are suitable for most users and do not require additional tools.

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi smartphone.
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 that appears, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox). If it is not in the list, pre-installe it from Google Play.
6. Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

After that, all web links must open in the selected browser.

• 🔄 If after restarting the device settings reset, repeat the procedure - this is a typical "fiction" MIUI 12.
• 📌 Some system links (such as those from Mi Community or Themes) may ignore your choices and open in Mi Browser.
• 🔒 On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The default paragraph of the application may not be.

If the standard method didn’t work, go to the alternative methods described below, and also look at your firmware version: in MIUI 12.5 and later, the default application selection algorithm was slightly changed, which may have affected the availability of options.

Method 2: Using third-party utilities to force a browser change

If MIUI 12 system settings ignore your choices, you can use third-party apps that allow you to manually assign link handlers.

• 🛠️ Default App Manager (from Google Play) - a utility for managing applications by default, including browsers. MIUI It allows you to avoid certain restrictions.
• 🔧 SetEdit (requires root) – advanced system settings editor that can force a link handler to change http/https.
• 📱 App Cloner – if a problem is in a particular application (e.g. Telegram opens links in Mi Browser), you can clone it and configure the link handler separately.

Let’s look at the example of Default App Manager:

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Provide all necessary permissions (including access to application settings).
3. In the main menu, select the Browser.
4. Tap on the current browser (Mi Browser) and select an alternative from the list.
5. Confirm the changes and restart the device.

If the utility doesn’t see your browser in the list, try the following steps:

1. Open an alternative browser (such as Chrome) and manually open any web link.
2. When the system offers to select an application to open, tick Always and select the desired browser.
3. Repeat the process in Default App Manager.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SetEdit require root access, which can compromise the device’s warranty and stability, only use them if other methods fail and you understand the risks.

Method 3: Manually change settings via ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods didn't work and you couldn't get root, you can use ADB, the Android Debug Bridge debugging tool, which doesn't require superuser rights, but it uses the command line. Here's how to do it:

First of all, prepare your computer and phone:

• 🖥️ Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the version MIUI.
• 🔌 Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔗 Connect your phone to the PC by USB and select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).

Now run the following commands in the terminal (command line) of the PC:

adb devices

(This command checks the device's connection. If the phone doesn't show up, make sure the drivers are installed correctly.)

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

(Clears default settings for Mi Browser.)

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

(Replaces com.android.chrome with your browser package, for example, for Firefox use org.mozilla.firefox/.App.)

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone, and if you've done it right, the browser you've chosen will become the default app, which is especially useful for Chinese firmware, where standard settings are locked.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They may reset other default settings (such as a launcher or a call app). Once completed, check the phone's health and manually restore the settings if necessary.

💡

If your browser doesn’t change after using ADB, try first removing updates for Mi Browser via Settings → Apps → Mi Browser → Three Dots → Remove updates. This can reset its priority in the system.

Method 4: Disable Mi Browser through settings (if not needed at all)

If you don't plan on using the Mi Browser, you can disable it completely or delete it (as far as MIUI 12 allows), which not only frees up space, but also prevents automatic link opening.

Option 1: Disconnect (without root)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser on the list and tap it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Option 2: Remove updates (reset to factory version)

1. In the Mi Browser menu (see paragraphs 1-2 above), click on the three dots in the top corner.
2. Select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The browser will return to the factory version, which may reduce its "obsession".

Option 3: Removal via ADB (without root but with risk)

If the Mi Browser is not disabled, you can try to remove it via ADB:

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

This command will only delete the browser for the current user, without affecting system files.

• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (Mi Account or Themes may not work properly.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI browser can be restored.
• 📌 On Chinese firmware, this command may not work due to system protection.

Problems and Solutions: Why is the browser not changing?

Even after you have completed all the instructions, you may find that MIUI 12 is stubbornly ignoring your choices, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, your firmware may have unique limitations, in which case you should consider the following alternatives:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: In new versions (e.g, MIUI 13/14) Default application selection policies may be softer.
• 📱 Install custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience has no restrictions MIUI.
• 🛠️ Use of alternative launchers: Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) allow for flexible customization of link handlers.

💡

If you use Chinese ROM, the most reliable way to change your browser is to install a global version of MIUI via Fastboot or Recovery, which requires unlocking the bootloader, but is guaranteed to solve the problem.

Additional tips: how to avoid resetting settings?

One of the most common problems with changing your browser to MIUI 12 is automatically resetting your settings after you update your system or reboot your device, and to minimize the risk, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and disable Auto Update.This will prevent unexpected resets.
• 📵 Freeze the Mi Browser with the help of ADB: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser will disable the browser without deleting, which will reduce the risk of conflicts.
• 🔋 Add an alternative browser to battery optimization exceptions: Go to Settings → Battery → Optimize your battery, find your browser and choose Without Limits.
• 🔒 Use Tasker to automatically restore settings: The script in Tasker can check the current browser by default and return your choices if necessary.

If you often experience resets, try the following trick:

1. Install an alternative browser and make it the default application (see Method 1).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Memory and click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Re-select the alternative browser in the default settings.

This method resets the Mi Browser’s “priority” in the system, which can help to cement your choices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi