How to change the main browser to Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones use Mi Browser by default, which is not always convenient. Users often find that the system stubbornly opens links in it, even if Chrome, Firefox or Edge are installed, the reason lies in the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively promotes its own services.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to change the default browser, from standard Android settings to workarounds for stubborn firmware versions. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden limitations of MIUI 14+, which block direct browser change in some regional versions.

Important: the procedure differs depending on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the algorithm is one, and on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5, the other. We cover all the current scenarios.

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Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change your browser?

Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell has several levels of limitations:

• 🔗 Mi Account binding: on some devices, changing your browser requires authorization in your Xiaomi account (especially in Chinese versions of firmware).
• 🛡️ Protection against traffic leakage": MIUI Blocks the change of standard applications for applications from unspecified sources (e.g, APK Chrome Beta).
• 📦 Regional restrictions: in firmware for Europe and India (marking) EEA/IN) Often disabled option to change the browser in the settings.

In addition, after upgrading to MIUI 14+, the company added a Secure Settings mechanism that resets default browser selection after rebooting.This is not a bug, but a feature - so Xiaomi tries to keep users in its ecosystem.

There are technical nuances: for example, on devices with Android 13+ and MIUI 14, the system can ignore the default settings for certain types of links (for example, tel: or mailto: always open in standard applications).

Method 1: Standard change through Android settings

This method works on most devices with MIUI 12-15, but can be blocked in Chinese firmware or on devices with corporate policies.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Click on the Browser (or the Web Link Processor in newer versions).
4. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If there is no default paragraph of the Annex:

• 🔍 Try an alternative path: Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Default applications.
• 🔄 Some of them. POCO This section is called Default Settings and is located in the main application menu.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 (Android 13) after changing the browser, a notification may appear: "System settings have changed. Restore?". Do not confirm the recovery - otherwise the browser will reset back to Mi Browser.

Method 2: Forced change through application settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try cheating the system through the settings of a particular browser, which is suitable for Chrome, Firefox and Edge.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the browser you want (such as Chrome) and tap it.
3. Choose Open by default (or Default settings).
4. Click Clear the default settings (if the button is active).
5. Go back to the main menu and open any web link (like Telegram or WhatsApp).
6. In the window that appears, select the desired browser and mark Always.

💡 Useful tip: If the browser selection window doesn't appear, try opening a link from another app. For example, send yourself a message to Telegram with text. https://google.com and tap him.

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On some MIUI firmware, the browser selection window only appears when you first open a link after resetting. If you have already chosen a browser before, clear the cache of the application that opens the links (for example, Telegram or Gmail).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Europe (marking) EEA) This method can only work after disabling the function "Optimization" MIUI" It's in the developer settings. To turn it on:

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Optimization of MIUI (disable)

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Change

If previous methods have not worked, the radical method remains – the ADB command. This requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but it is guaranteed to work even on locked firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Find out the name of the browser package you want (for example, for Chrome it is com.android.chrome).
5. Follow the default browser change command: adb shell cmd role add-package com.android.chrome android.role.BROWSER Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package.
6. Reboot your smartphone.

List of packages of popular browsers:

⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 15 after completion ADB-The command may require an additional step – manually assigning the browser through Settings → Annexes → Special access → Access to default settings. If you don't, the system will return the Mi Browser after the first reboot.

Method 4: Bypassing Restrictions through Developer Mode

MIUI 13-15 has a hidden option that allows you to bypass the browser change lock, activate the developer mode and change several settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find and disable the following options: Optimization MIUI (may be called MIUI Optimization) Verification USB-Debugging (security settings) Protection against accidental touches (sometimes blocks browser selection)

Settings → Applications → Applications by default

If the MIUI optimization option is not available:

• 🔧 Try to enter the search by settings query "optimization" (without quotes).
• 📱 On some devices (POCO F5, Xiaomi 12T) This item is hidden - use ADB-Adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

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Disabling MIUI Optimization can lead to a slight increase in battery consumption and changes in animations, but this is the only way to unlock some settings on new firmware.

Method 5: Remove Mi Browser (for advanced users)

The last resort is to completely remove the Mi Browser from the device, which is risky because it can disrupt some system functions, but it is guaranteed to solve the problem.

⚠️ Note: This method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights. On devices with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12) This will lead to a hard brick (irrecoverable breakage).

Instructions for root devices:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (for global firmware) or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser (for Chinese).
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiBrowser_old).
4. Reset the device.

Alternative method without root (only for some firmware):

• 📦 Use it. ADB-command to deactivate: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser (replace com.android.browser with the current Mi Browser package for your firmware).
• 🔄 After that, the system will automatically prompt you to select another browser when you first open the link.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Nothing Works?

Even after all the manipulations, MIUI can persist in returning the Mi Browser, and consider typical scenarios and their solutions:

If you have exhausted all options, there are two radical solutions:

• 🔄 Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) that removes all restrictions MIUI, But you'll need to unlock the loader.
• 📱 Use "wraps": some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher) allow you to force open links in the selected browser through gesture settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi