How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, come with a pre-installed set of apps that the system considers priority. Often this applies to a web browser that automatically opens when you click on links from messengers or social networks. For many users, the standard MIUI Browser may seem redundant or less convenient compared to conventional analogues like Google Chrome or Yandex.Browser.

Changing this setting is not just a matter of aesthetic preference, but also a way to improve security and speed on the Internet. The process of changing the default browser in the MIUI shell is different from pure Android and requires going through specific settings menus. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you assign the desired application to the main one.

It's worth noting that the Android system that underpins your smartphone's firmware allows you to flexibly manage connections between apps, which means you can drop the vendor's services at any time and use products you trust more. Let's look at how to implement this on your device.

Why Change the Standard Web browser

Standard applications installed by the manufacturer are often optimized for specific shell features, but may be inferior to third-party counterparts in page rendering speed or the number of extensions available. Google Chrome, for example, provides synchronization of history and passwords with your account on your computer, which is critical for productive work.

In addition, third-party browsers often offer more advanced tools for blocking ads and trackers. Xiaomi’s built-in solutions sometimes contain excessive amounts of news and recommendations that distract from the main content browsing process.

Another important aspect is security: Large browser vendors regularly release security updates faster than smartphone manufacturers update their system components. Using the latest version of Mozilla Firefox or Opera, you reduce the risk of getting into phishing sites.

Preparation for changing system settings

Before you make changes to system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative app is already installed on your Redmi Note 8 Pro. If you just bought a phone or reset it to factory settings, only a basic set of programs can be stored in memory.

It is also important to check for updates for the operating system itself. Sometimes the menu layout may vary slightly between different versions of MIUI. Make sure your smartphone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network so that the necessary components can be downloaded quickly and error-free.

It's not superfluous to free up some RAM by closing the background applications, which ensures that the process of switching system priorities goes smoothly, without sudden freezes of the interface, and the system should respond to your actions instantly.

Step-by-step instructions through MIUI settings

The main way to change priority applications is through a deep menu of system settings. Xiaomi's interface can hide these options, so it's important to follow the algorithm carefully. First, open the main settings menu by finding the icon with the gear on your desktop or in the notification curtain.

Next, you'll need to find the partition that manages applications, which, depending on the firmware version, may be simply called "Applications" or have a more complex structure, and within this section, we're interested in the "All Apps" section, which displays the full list of installed software.

When you log in, you look at the top of the screen, and there's usually three dots or a menu icon that triggers additional options, and that's where the key function of controlling the default behavior of the system is hidden.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The Default Applications menu can be hidden under the Application Management subsection» -> «Three points on the right top» -> «Default apps. don't confuse this with cache cleaning.

In the system action list that opens, look for the browser option, 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 it won't ask you any more every time you click on the link.

Alternative method through the application menu

There is another, faster way to get to the settings that works on most Android versions, which is especially useful if you don’t want to wander through the deep MIUI settings menu.

To start, look for an icon on your desktop of the browser you want to make the primary. For example, it could be Google Chrome. Click on the icon and hold your finger for one to two seconds until the pop-up context menu appears.

In the menu that appears, select About or the icon with the letter "i" in the circle, which will take you to the settings card of this particular software product, which contains all the information about the version, memory usage and, importantly, access rights.

Scroll down the options list until you find the "Open by default" or "Start by default" line. Inside this menu, there will be a "Use by default" button. By clicking on it, you activate the selected application as a priority for opening web links.

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If after choosing a new browser, links still open in the old one, try rebooting your smartphone. This will update the system caches and apply new priorities.

Resolving possible problems and conflicts

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the system ignores the selected settings or constantly resets them.This can be due to the aggressive battery optimization characteristic of Xiaomi.

To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings for the selected application and set the "No Limits" mode, which allows the browser to work in the background and correctly process links from other programs, without this step, the functionality may be limited.

Another common problem is having multiple user profiles or guest modes, make sure you change the settings in the profile you’re working on all the time, and in guest mode, the changes may not be saved after you’re out.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the system browser completely through third-party utilities unless you have root rights. This can lead to errors in the system, as some components MIUI tied up.

If neither method works, try clearing the Settings or Google Play Services cache. Accumulated cache errors can block updating of system configuration files, and after cleaning, you will need to re-select.

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Aggressive energy savings are the main reason why the browser you choose may not open links on time. Be sure to set the battery mode for the new application.

Resetting application preferences

In cases where you're confused or you want to get it back to normal, there's a global preference reset, which doesn't delete your data, photos or contacts, but it returns all system choices to factory values. It's a radical but effective method.

To perform the reset, go to the Apps menu, click three dots in the corner, and select Reset App Settings or Reset Preferences. The system will alert you that all default actions will be reset. Confirm the action.

After that, when you click on the link for the first time, Redmi Note 8 Pro will ask you again which browser to open the page, you can select the desired option and click "Always", thereby re-recording your choice, which ensures that the old conflicting settings will not interfere.

Using this feature is also useful if the settings are lost after updating the MIUI firmware.This is a standard system maintenance procedure that helps eliminate software glitches without losing user personal data.

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Resetting your application preferences is a safe way to fix file and link association errors without affecting your personal files and photos.