Modern smartphone users have long been accustomed to the fact that the Android operating system allows you to choose your preferred applications for performing standard actions. However, owners of devices from Xiaomi often face unexpected difficulties when trying to replace the preinstalled Mi Browser browser with a more familiar Chrome, Firefox or Yandex. In the shell MIUI installed on the Redmi Note 9, this process is hidden deeper than in pure Android, and requires careful approach to system settings.
The problem is not only inconvenience, but also the aggressive policy of the company, which seeks to keep the user in its ecosystem of services. The standard browser is often imposed by the system when you run links from messengers or email clients, ignoring the wishes of the owner of the gadget. To regain full control of the device, you need to perform a series of sequential actions that will redirect all web queries to the application of your choice.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for changing the main browser, explain why the system can reset settings, and how to bypass the built-in limitations of the MIUI 12 or MIUI 13 shell, relevant to the Redmi Note 9 model. You will learn where hidden switches hide and how to ensure that links will open in the application that you are comfortable with.
Preparing for the change of the standard browser
Before you start changing system settings, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed on your device. System settings will not allow you to choose an application that is physically absent from the memory of your smartphone. Download the distribution of the desired program through the official Google Play store or a trusted source if you use alternative directories.
After installation, take your time to change settings immediately. It is recommended to launch a new application at least once so that it can initialize its services and register as ready to go. This is especially important for heavy browsers with many background processes, such as Opera or UC Browser.
☑️ Ready to set up
It’s also worth checking for updates for the operating system itself. Sometimes the settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the security patch or the version of MIUI. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the system version logo to check the relevance of the software.
Search for the Application Settings section
The main set of settings for program management in the shell of Xiaomi is in a separate menu, which is often confused with the usual list of Installed applications. You need to get to the control menu, where access rights and default options are available. Open the main menu of smartphone settings and find the App item.
Inside this section, you're interested in the tab or the App Management button, and that's where the power of customization for Android, adapted by Xiaomi engineers, is hidden, and unlike the standard list, it's where system processes are usually hidden from the user's eyes, and that's where the switch we want is.
⚠️ Note: Don’t confuse the App Management menu with the All Apps menu. All Apps list only shows shortcuts, and Manage has deep permissions and permissions settings.
The interface may vary depending on whether the classic menu or the Ten is used. If you don't see the right items right away, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen. Type "default apps" or "default apps" and the system will prompt you to go to the desired section.
Why doesn't the search find the settings?
Configure applications by default in MIUI
After you log into the app management menu, look at the top of the screen, and there are tabs, one of which is called the default apps, which is a key section where you decide which software will respond to certain types of actions, such as calling, texting, or opening web pages.
Click on the Browser. You'll see a list of all the web browsers you've installed on your smartphone. The default is Mi Browser, and you'll tap the name of your desired app, like Google Chrome, and then all the links you open from other programs will start loading in the new browser.
- 🌐 Google Chrome is the most stable choice, deeply integrated into Google services and synchronizing your history with your PC.
- 🦊 Mozilla Firefox is a great option for those who value privacy and need support for extensions.
- ⚡ Opera Mini/Turbo is the perfect choice for saving traffic and working at low connection speeds.
- 🛡️ Brave – a browser with built-in ad blocking, which significantly speeds up the loading of pages.
Importantly, in some versions of the MIUI firmware for Redmi Note 9, the system may not immediately switch the selection if the new browser does not have the necessary permissions. If after selecting the browser did not work as the main one, go back to the application menu, find the browser itself in the list and check its access rights.
💡
Selecting a browser in the "Default Apps" section is the only regular way to make the system open links in the application you need without using third-party software.
Solving the problems with imposing Mi Browser
Even after a successful change of settings, Xiaomi owners may notice that the system periodically “forgets” the choice and again offers to open a link in the Mi Browser. This is due to the peculiarities of the work of advertising modules and system optimizers built into the shell. To minimize the likelihood of returning to factory settings, you should disable recommendation functions.
Go to the settings of the Mi Browser itself (usually through three dots in the corner or in the general settings of the phone by finding the app).Look for the section related to "Recommendations," "News" or "Get more from Mi." Disabling these features reduces browser priority in the system and reduces the number of pop-ups offering to "accelerate" or "clean" the page through the native tool.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Recommended value | The effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendations | Mi Browser Settings → General | Off. | Removing the news feed |
| Notifications | Phone settings → Notifications | Banned | Reduces compulsiveness |
| Access to memory | Annexes → Permits | Only a photo. | Increases security. |
| Auto-start | Applications → Permissions → Auto-Run | Off. | Saves battery life |
Another effective method is to clean up the data of the Mi Browser itself. If you don't use it at all, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Memory and click Clear. This will reset all temporary files and cache, making the application "empty" and less of a priority for the system when choosing a link handler.
Additional permission settings
For a stable alternative browser on Redmi Note 9, it is important to properly configure its resolutions. The aggressive MIUI energy saving system can "kill" the background processes of the browser, which can lead to slow or no opening of links. Go to the settings of the selected application and find the Auto Start option.
Turn on auto-start for your main browser. This will allow it to respond faster to system commands. Also in the Battery section (within the application settings), select No Limits mode. This will prevent the browser from being forced to close by the energy saving system, which is critical for the correct operation of push notifications and instant link opening.
Be sure to check the clipboard and microphone permissions if you use your browser for video calls or passwords. Modern versions of Android require explicit user confirmation of access to this sensitive data when you first run.
⚠️ Warning: Granting permission to "Above Other Windows" may be required for some browser features, but beware: this access is often used by fraudulent apps.