How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones run on the MIUI shell, which is known for aggressively promoting its own services. One of these services is the built-in Mi Browser browser, which is set by default to open web links. However, many users prefer alternatives: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Yandex.Browser - because of greater speed, synchronization with other devices or lack of advertising.

The problem is that since MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has hidden direct access to the default browser change in standard settings, which is done to keep users in the Mi ecosystem, but you can get around the restriction in several ways, from official to bypasses through ADB. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models) based on Android 10/11 with any version of MIUI.

If you just bought a smartphone or updated your firmware, chances are that all links from instant messengers, emails and social networks automatically open in Mi Browser — even if you installed a different browser. This is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI. But don't worry: you can change the default browser without root rights and complex manipulations.

Why does MIUI block browser change by default?

Xiaomi has integrated the Mi Browser into the system at the firmware level, giving it the status of a system application.

• 🔹 The browser cannot be completely deleted without root rights (only disable).
• 🔹 It is automatically assigned by the link processor http:// and https://.
• 🔹 MIUI Ignores the standard Android app selection dialogue for web links.

The main reasons for this approach are:

1. Monetization: Mi Browser displays ads and collects data about user preferences (even if you turn off personalization).
2. Ecosystem: Xiaomi is committed to keeping users in its services, including the Mi Cloud cloud and theme store.
3. Security: According to the developers, the built-in browser is better protected from phishing (although this is a controversial claim).

In practice, this leads to the fact that even after installing Chrome or Firefox, links continue to open in Mi Browser, but there are workarounds, from simple to technically complex.

Method 1: Official method through application settings (MIUI 12.5 and later)

In the latest versions of MIUI, Xiaomi has returned the default browser change option, but hidden it deep in the settings.

Step 1. Open Settings and go to the Applications → Application Management section.

Step 2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.

Step 3: Find the Browser and tap it. If that item is missing, go to Method 2.

Step 4: In the list of available browsers, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox) and confirm the choice.

If you still open links in Mi Browser after these actions, follow these additional steps:

• 📌 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📌 Clear the Mi Browser cache in Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📌 Remove Mi Browser Updates (if the Remove Updates button is active).

Install an alternative browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) from Google Play

Close all open tabs in Mi Browser

Clear the Mi Browser cache in the app settings

Reboot your smartphone (optional, but recommended)

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⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially global versions for Europe) may not have the default browser option.This is due to Xiaomi's regional policy.

Method 2: Reset application settings (works on 90% of devices)

If the official method didn’t work, try resetting the default app settings, which will force the system to request browser selection again the next time you open the link.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action (a password or pattern lock may be required).
4. After reset, open any web link (e.g. from Telegram or WhatsApp) and the system should show the browser selection dialog.
5. Select the browser you want and mark Always (or Use by default).

This method works because resetting removes all attachments to file types (including http/https).

• ❌ Reset default settings for all applications (for example, music player, gallery).
• ❌ Next update MIUI The settings may reset again.

💡

If the browser selection dialog does not appear after reset, try opening the link in private mode (incognito) or through Google Assistant (say: “Open example.com”).

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced ones)

If the first two fail, the most reliable (but technically challenging) method is the ADB command, which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but is guaranteed to solve the problem.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

Step 1. Enable Developer Mode on Redmi 9:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Step 2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and follow the commands:

adb devices

(The device should appear in the list)

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

(This will reset the Mi Browser settings)

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

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package, see the table below)

Step 3: Reboot your smartphone. After that, all links should open in the selected browser.

Packages of popular browsers for ADB:

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can cause the system to malfunction if entered incorrectly. Do not use this method unless you are sure of your actions. MIUI The settings may be reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Next Post How to Turn Off Mi Browser Fully

Even after the default browser change, the Mi Browser continues to run in the background, consuming resources and showing notifications to turn it off completely:

Step 1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.

Step 2. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, delete the updates first).

Step 3. Turn off autostart:

1. In the same Mi Browser menu, select AutoRun.
2. Turn off all permissions (notifications, background work, etc.).

Step 4: For complete removal (requires root rights):

• Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
• Find /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (or MiBrowser for Chinese firmware).
• Delete the folder or rename it (e.g., in MiBrowserGlobal.bak).

After the shutdown, Mi Browser will stop:

✅ Consuming battery in the background.

✅ Showing Advertising in Notifications.

✅ Automatically open links (if you have already changed your browser by default).

💡

Disabling the Mi Browser won’t remove it completely — it will remain in the system as a dead app, but it will reduce the CPU load and increase battery life.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Redmi 9 users are faced with common errors.

Problem 1: Links from some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) still open in Mi Browser.

Decision:

• 🔧 Clear the cache of a problem app (like Facebook).
• 🔧 In the application settings, find the Open supported links item and disable it.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB for compulsory browser assignment (Method 3).

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the settings reset and the Mi Browser opens again.

Decision:

• 🔄 Repeat the steps from Method 2 (Resetting the application settings).
• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (If the update has caused more problems than benefits).
• 🔄 Install Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically reset settings after the update.

Problem 3: The default browser list does not have the one you want (e.g. Firefox Focus).

Decision:

• 📥 Make sure the browser is installed and updated.
• 📥 Check if it supports link processing (some “light” browsers don’t register as processors) http/https).
• 📥 Try installing a different version of your browser (e.g. Firefox Beta instead of a stable one).

Alternative solutions: Launchers and third-party utilities

If none of the methods worked, you can go a workaround - use third-party launchers or utilities to manage applications by default.

1. Launchers with support for changing the browser:

• 🌐 Nova Launcher (there is a default App item in the settings).
• 🌐 Lawnchair (open source, flexible settings).
• 🌐 Microsoft Launcher (Integration with Windows, but limited settings).

2. Utilities for the management of silence:

• 🛠️ Default App Manager (allows you to manually assign link handlers).
• 🛠️ SetEdit (for advanced users, works with system settings).
• 🛠️ App Cloner (you can clone the browser and assign a clone by default handler).

3. Cloud services:

If you need to open links in a particular browser, but changing the silence does not work, use cloud services:

• 🖱️ Pushbullet (redirects links from PC to phone to selected browser).
• 🖱️ Join (analogue of Pushbullet with advanced settings).
• 🖱️ Chrome Remote Desktop (if you want to open links to your PC, not your phone).

These methods do not solve the problem at the system level, but they allow you to bypass the limitations of MIUI without complex manipulation.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions