Redmi smartphones have long proven to be affordable devices with wide functionality, but the proprietary shell MIUI often dictates its rules of use. Owners of the Redmi 7 model, running on Android, often face a situation where links from messengers or mail open in an imposed system browser that may not suit the speed or functionality. This is not just a minor inconvenience, but a system limitation that, fortunately, is easily bypassed.
The default browser change procedure for Xiaomi does not require superuser rights or complex flashing. All the necessary tools are already built into the operating system, but they are hidden in specific menu sections typical of the MIUI. Understanding the logic of these settings will allow you not only to replace the browser, but also to correctly manage other duplicate applications.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Redmi 7 algorithm, focusing on the nuances of different firmware versions, how to force a system to use Chrome, Firefox, or any other preferred surfing tool, and what to do if standard methods fail due to aggressive memory optimization.
Features of the MIUI interface on Redmi 7
The MIUI shell installed on Redmi 7 is significantly different from pure Android, familiar to owners of Pixel or Moto. It does not have a standard application menu, and the system settings are grouped differently, which often confuses beginners. System applications in the Xiaomi ecosystem are high priority, so you can not just remove them, but you can limit their functionality.
The key difference is that it has its own MI Browser browser, which is deeply integrated into the system, and it's not only responsible for surfing the web, but also for displaying the news feed, making it critical for many users to delete or disable, but the settings interface allows you to redefine this choice without losing the stability of the smartphone.
Note that Redmi 7 can have different versions of MIUI (from 10 to 12) and the location of menu items may vary slightly. However, the application management logic remains the same for all current firmware versions. It is important to carefully monitor the titles of the partitions, as translations may vary depending on the regional version of the software.
Preparation for the change of the standard annex
Before making changes to Redmi 7’s system settings, make sure the alternative browser is already installed and fully ready to go.The app must be downloaded from the official Google Play Store to eliminate security risks and ensure compatibility with your version of Android.
Once installed, it is recommended to launch a new application once, accept the user agreement and, if necessary, log in, which will allow the MIUI system to recognize the program as a full-fledged tool for working with web content. Without an initial start, the selection point may simply not appear in the list of available options.
It’s also worth checking for updates for the operating system itself. Sometimes interface bugs that interfere with app selection get patched in security patches. Make sure your Redmi 7 is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to quickly load the necessary components.
☑️ Ready to set up
Step-by-step instruction through system settings
The main way to change startup settings is to access the system settings menu, you need to open the settings and scroll through the list to the bottom where the Application section is located. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called All Applications or have an icon in the form of a gear.
Inside, find the App Management section. This shows the full list of installed software. However, we're not interested in the specific program, but the global settings. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the screen (or menu button) to call the drop-down list, and select Settings (or Additional).
In the menu that opens, find the default App. This is where the system actions are reassigned. When you click on this, you'll see a list of categories: calls, messages, navigation, and of course the browser. Select the browser category and in the list that appears, specify the desired application, such as Chrome.
What to do if there is no "Default App" item?
Alternative Method through Application Management
If the standard path through global settings fails or the selection point is hidden, you can use a more direct method through the installed program list.This method often proves more effective on Redmi 7 with the MIUI 10 shell. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
In the list, find the browser you want to make the primary (like Firefox). Click on its name to open the application information page. Here you are interested in Start by default (or Open by default). If it is active, click Clear Default Settings to reset current anchors.
Once you clear the settings, go to any chat or document that has an active link and click on it. MIUI should give you a pop-up asking which app to open the link. Choose the desired browser and click Always. This action will force the choice to be assigned to the specific program.
💡
If you click on the link, the selection window does not appear, and the link opens in the old browser, try temporarily disabling the system browser MI Browser in the application settings to force the system to ask for the choice again.
Set up actions and reset preferences
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after updating the system or installing a new application, the settings are reset and the links begin to open incorrectly again. In this case, it is useful to know where the forced preference reset button is located. It is located on the Settings path → Applications → Application Management → menu (three dots) → Reset application settings.
This operation will return all startup parameters to factory values, and then the first time you click on a link, the system will ask you again about your preferences, and it is also an effective way to solve problems when the phone forgets your choices or opens links in advertising windows.
It is important to distinguish between app resets and a full device reset. The operation in question only affects the software associations of files and links without deleting your personal data, photos or contacts. It is a secure procedure for diagnosing software conflicts.
💡
Resetting app settings is the first step in solving any problems with incorrect link launch or erroneous selection of programs in the Android system.
Comparison of popular browsers for Redmi 7
The choice of the main browser for Redmi 7 depends on your needs: someone is important synchronization with the ecosystem, someone – speed on the not the most powerful Snapdragon 632 processor. Below is a comparison of the main candidates who work optimally on this model.
| browser | RAM consumption | Blocking ads | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | High. | Expansion is required | Google account |
| Mozilla Firefox | Average. | Built-in (uBlock) | Firefox account |
| Opera Mini | Low. | Built-in. | Opera account |
| DuckDuckGo | Low. | Built-in. | No (local) |
For owners of Redmi 7 with a memory capacity of 3 or 4 GB, lightweight versions of browsers are especially relevant. Optimizing resource consumption directly affects page load speed and smooth scrolling. Heavy versions of Chrome can cause slowdowns with many open tabs.
If privacy is important to you, look out for browsers with built-in lock trackers.Standard MI Browser is often criticized for over-collecting data, so replacing it with Firefox or DuckDuckGo is a step toward improving digital hygiene.
Should I use the "Light" mode in applications?
Possible problems and solutions
During the setup process, users may encounter intrusive notifications from the Xiaomi system browser, which will offer to return it as the main one. This is the standard aggressive marketing behavior within the OS. To get rid of this, in the notification settings of the MI Browser application itself, you should disable all permissions except for critical ones.
Another common problem is opening links in the “light” versions of apps inside MIUI (WebView).If links are opened in a stripped-down window rather than a full browser, you should check the Android System WebView settings. Update this component via Google Play, as older versions may conflict with new browsers.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete the system browser MI Browser through third-party utilities without unlocking the bootloader, which can lead to errors in the widgets and news feed, just turn it off or change the startup priority.
If none of the methods works and the system ignores your choices, try clearing the Settings app cache. path: Settings → Apps → All apps → Settings → Memory → Clear. This will reset the cached settings interface data.
⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the Settings system application will not delete your personal files, but it can reset the layout of desktop icons and some interface personalizations.