How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: detailed instructions

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro is a popular smartphone with a shell MIUI, which defaults on the branded browser Mi Browser. However, many users prefer alternative solutions: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera. In this article, we will discuss how to change the default browser to Redmi Note 6 Pro, taking into account the features of the version of MIUI and possible system limitations.

It is important to understand that the process can vary depending on the firmware version: on older builds (MIUI 10-11), the algorithm is one, and on new ones (MIUI 12+) - another. Also, it is worth considering that Xiaomi sometimes blocks changes some system settings without additional manipulation.

If you’ve just purchased the Redmi Note 6 Pro or upgraded your firmware, we recommend that you check the current version of MIUI in the settings first, which will help you avoid errors when executing instructions. Ready to get started?

Why you should change the default browser to Redmi Note 6 Pro

The branded Mi Browser has a number of features that not everyone likes, and here are the main reasons Redmi Note 6 Pro owners prefer alternative browsers:

• 🔍 Data collection: Mi Browser is known for sharing analytics with Xiaomi, raising concerns among privacy-conscious users.
• ⚡ Performance: Alternative browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox Focus) often run faster on weaker devices.
• 🔄 Sync: Google or Mozilla browsers are better integrated with their company’s ecosystems (bookmarks, passwords, history).
• 🛡️ Security: Some users believe that Chrome or Firefox offer more reliable protection against phishing and malicious sites.

In addition, Mi Browser often imposes ads and unnecessary notifications, which annoys many, for example, when you open a new tab, banners with offers from Xiaomi or partners may appear, alternative browsers do not have this drawback or allow you to disable similar elements in the settings.

If you’re actively using Google services (like Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive), Chrome will be a logical choice thanks to deep integration.

Preparation: Verification of MIUI and installation of an alternative browser

Before you change your default browser, make sure that your Redmi Note 6 Pro has an alternative browser installed. If not, download from Google Play:

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Type the browser name (e.g. Google Chrome) in the search.
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.

Also check the MIUI version, as it depends on the next algorithm of actions:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 12.5.3).
3. Remember or write down this information.

If you have MIUI 12 or newer, the process of changing the browser is simplified; older versions (MIUI 10-11) may require additional configuration through the Application Settings. In rare cases (for example, on Chinese firmware), the browser change is blocked by default, as we will also discuss.

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If you can’t find the right browser in the Play Store, try downloading it. APK-file from the official developer site (e.g. Google Chrome) Make sure that installation from unknown sources is enabled in Settings → Security

Method 1: Change the default browser via MIUI settings (relevant to MIUI 12+)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added more flexible settings to select the default apps.

1. Open Settings on your Redmi Note 6 Pro.
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. Find the Browser item and tap it.
5. In the list that appears, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not on the list, make sure it is installed and updated to the latest version. Sometimes after installation, you need to restart the device to make the application appear in the default settings.

On some versions of MIUI, the path may be slightly different, for example, on MIUI 12.5, the desired partition may be along the path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Cog sign (Settings) → Default Apps

Install an alternative browser from the Play Store

Check the MIUI version in your phone settings

Restart the device after installing the browser

Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version-->

Method 2: Change the browser by opening a link (universal method)

If there is no explicit default option in the MIUI settings, you can use an alternative method:

1. Open any browser (such as Chrome) you want to make the primary browser.
2. Go to any website (e.g. google.com).
3. Click on three dots in the browser menu and select Settings.
4. Find the default App or Make the default browser.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen – the system will prompt you to confirm the choice.

This method works on most Android versions, including the Redmi Note 6 Pro. If the item is missing, try opening a link from another app (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp):

1. Copy any link (e.g. https://ya.ru).
2. Insert it in a message in Telegram and click on it.
3. In the window that appears, select Always and specify the desired browser.

After that, all links will open in the selected browser. However, this method does not change the system settings, so in some cases (for example, when you open links from MIUI Launcher) Mi Browser can be launched again.

Method 3: Forced browser change via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (like Chinese firmware or heavily customized versions of MIUI), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Note: improper use of ADB can cause system failures. On the Redmi Note 6 Pro with firmware below MIUI 12, this method can cause errors in the browser if you do not follow the exact sequence of commands.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB (enable)
2. Connect the Redmi Note 6 Pro to your computer USB-cable.
3. Open the command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (it should appear its name).
4. Run the command to change the browser (replace com.android.chrome with your browser package): adb shell pm set-default-browser com.android.chrome
5. Reboot the phone.

List of packages of popular browsers:

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Use ADB only if other methods have failed. After applying the commands, check your browser: some features (for example, opening links from MIUI Launcher) may require additional settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your default browser to Redmi Note 6 Pro, users experience typical errors. Let's look at the most common and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If, after changing your browser, links from some applications (such as Facebook or Instagram) continue to open in Mi Browser, this is due to the settings of the applications themselves. Go to the social network settings and manually specify the default browser.

• 🔄 Settings reset after rebooting: This is typical for some versions MIUI 10-11. The solution is to disable battery optimization for the selected browser or use it. ADB.
• ❌ No browser in the list: Make sure the browser is installed and updated. If the problem persists, clear the Settings cache → Annexes → Settings (three points) → Clear the cache.
• 📱 No links are opened from MIUI Launcher: This is a shell limitation. Try using another launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).
• 🔒 Blocked browser change on Chinese firmware: In this case, only reflashing to the global version will help MIUI use ADB.

If neither method worked, check if the phone has apps like “Security” or “Optimizer” from Xiaomi that can block changes, go to their settings and turn off features like “Default Protection” or “Application Optimization”.

Some Redmi Note 6 Pro firmware (especially Android 8.1) may require manual editing of system files via Root. However, this is a risky method that we do not recommend without experience - it can lead to a brick (inoperability) device.

Additional tips for optimizing the browser on Redmi Note 6 Pro

After changing the browser by default, we recommend that you follow several steps to improve performance and security:

• 🧹 Clear the cache and data of the old browser: This will make room and prevent conflicts. → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔒 Set up sync: If you use Chrome or Firefox, sign in to your account Google/Mozilla, synchronize bookmarks and passwords.
• 🛡️ Install ad blocker: Firefox is suitable extension uBlock Origin, Chrome – AdGuard.
• 📶 Turn off background activity: This will save battery power.Path: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select your browser → Limit background activity.

If you often open the same sites, bookmark them or the home screen. In Chrome, this is how you do it:

1. Open the right site.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select Add to the main screen.

For the Redmi Note 6 Pro with 4 GB of RAM, we recommend limiting the number of open tabs in the browser to 5-7 to avoid slowing down. You can also turn on the “Light version” mode in Chrome (in settings) if the device is slow.

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If the browser is slow, try disabling animation in MIUI: Settings → Additional → For developers → The scale of the animation window (turn off).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions