How to Change Default Search on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often find that preset settings do not always match their habits, especially for search engines that are automatically selected by the MIUI or HyperOS shell depending on the region of sale of the device. For users from CIS countries, Yandex often becomes the standard option, while many prefer global Google or other alternatives. This situation can be changed, but the process requires understanding the differences between system search in the widget bar and search in browsers.

The need to change search engines is dictated not only by personal preferences, but also by the quality of the results. The ranking algorithms vary significantly from company to company, and what works well in one region may not be useful in another. In addition, some users tend to minimize data collection or simply want to see the familiar interface with each query. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to configure search engines on Xiaomi devices.

It’s worth noting that there’s no single “change everywhere” button, you’ll have to configure your browser, search bar, and possibly voice assistant separately. The flexibility of Android, which is the basis for Xiaomi phones, allows you to implement changes at a deep level, but requires consistent execution of instructions. Below are proven methods that are relevant to modern versions of firmware.

⚠️ Note: When changing the search engine in Xiaomi system widgets, it is sometimes required to have an installed corresponding application (for example, the Yandex or Google application) as the main one.

Difference Between System Search and Browser

Before making changes, it’s important to clearly understand the search architecture on your device. Many users confuse search built into the MIUI shell with browser settings. System search is activated when you swipe down the screen (opening a global search) or use the search bar widget on your desktop. This feature is integrated into the launcher and works regardless of which browser is open at the moment.

On the other hand, browser search is about setting up a particular application, whether it's Chrome, Mi Browser or Firefox. Changing your settings in Chrome won't affect what happens when you type a request into the bar of a widget on your desktop. These are two independent mechanisms that are controlled by different system processes. Understanding this difference will save you time and nerves when trying to get the desired result.

Often, Google is already set up in the browser, but when you swipe down, you still see the Yandex or Bing logo. This is normal behavior, not a mistake. To fully switch to your preferred service, you need to set up in both places. Only a comprehensive approach will make using your smartphone as comfortable and predictable as possible.

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Use different search engines for different tasks: for example, Yandex for services and maps in Russia, and Google for technical information and translations.

Some features, such as smart recommendations or the "news feed" in the search bar, are also tied to the engine you choose. Changing search engine can change not only the results, but also the appearance of the recommendation feed displayed before typing.

Setting up a search engine in the Chrome browser

Since Google Chrome is the de facto standard for most Android users, let's start with it.Setting up here is simple enough and doesn't require superuser rights.Open the Chrome app on your Xiaomi smartphone and tap three dots in the top right corner (or bottom, depending on the interface version) to call the menu.

In the list that opens, select Settings. Scroll down to Basic and search for Search Engine. When you click on it, you'll see a list of options available. Usually, Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia are present. If the option you want isn't on the list, you can add it manually through the Others menu by selecting Add.

To add a custom engine, you will need to know the template URL-For example, for Yandex, it looks like https://yandex.ru/search/?text=%s. By inserting this line in the appropriate field and setting a name, you can use any, even the most exotic search engine. Once selected, the new engine will become a priority for all queries entered into the browser address bar.

If you use other browsers to surf, each will have to repeat the same procedure. Modern versions of Android allow you to assign the default browser to open links from other applications, which is also worth checking in the system settings.

Changing Search Engines to Mi Browser

Xiaomi’s built-in browser, known as Mi Browser, is often the main tool for many users, especially in global firmware versions.Its interface may differ from standard Chrome, but the customization logic remains similar. Launch the app and navigate to the menu by clicking on the user profile or menu icon at the bottom of the screen.

Select Settings, and then look for Search Engine, and you'll see a list of preinstalled options. Unlike Chrome, Mi Browser can offer regional search engines based on where the phone was purchased. To change, just click on the option you want, and it'll be marked as active. The system will apply the changes instantly.

If you want to use a specific search engine that is not listed, Mi Browser is harder to do than Chrome. Often requires the use of “Unlimited” or install extensions if the browser version supports it. However, for most users, it is enough to choose between Google, Bing, Yahoo or Yandex from the list.

It is worth noting that Mi Browser actively uses its own news feeds and recommendations that can overlap search results. To minimize the impact of Xiaomi algorithms, it is recommended in the privacy settings to disable advertising personalization and collection of browsing data, which will make the results cleaner and more focused solely on your request.

How to change the search in the widget and MIUI bar

The most difficult and frequently asked question is how the search engine changes the system bar widgets (Global Search), which is responsible for what happens when you swipe down on the desktop or click on the search widget. In recent versions of HyperOS and MIUI, this feature has become more flexible, but still has limitations.

To change your settings, click and hold your finger on the empty desktop space to enter edit mode. From the bottom menu, select "Widgets" or "Add." Find the "Search" widget (it can be called Google, Yandex or just Search). When you drag and drop the widget onto the screen or click on the gear (if available), you can open settings where you can select your preferred engine.

However, most often the settings are hidden deeper. Go to Settings → Desktop → Search (the path can vary). Here you can see the switch between Google and Yandex. If there is no such switch, then your version of the firmware is rigidly tied to the region, in which case you can not change the system search without installing third-party launchers or modifying the system.

Alternatively, use app-specific widgets: Instead of a standard MIUI search bar, install a Google or Yandex search widget directly onto your desktop, which allows you to bypass system constraints and jump right to the engine you want, an approach that is often the only working solution for devices purchased in China or with a blocked region.

Use of third-party launchers for full control

If standard methods don’t work, or the MIUI interface seems too overloaded, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher, applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the desktop and search system, providing maximum flexibility.

Once the launcher is installed, Xiaomi will request permission to use the new home screen. Confirm the action and select the "Always" option, now that you swipe down or use the new lounge search box!

In most third-party launchers, you can explicitly specify which search engine or application should be opened when you enter a query.

This solution is ideal for advanced users who want to fully customize their Android, and not only do you get a search change, but you also get the ability to change icons, animations and gesture logic, and the only downside is that you have to get used to the new interface and features for a while.

⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi branded features, such as “Second Space” or specific gestures MIUI, They may stop working or work incorrectly.

To configure a search in a third-party launcher, it is usually enough to go to its settings, find the “Search” or “Search” section and select the desired application from the list of installed ones. This is guaranteed to redirect all requests to the selected browser or application, ignoring Xiaomi’s system preferences.

Solving and resolving problems

Users may encounter a number of typical problems during the setup process. For example, after changing the search engine, queries still open in the old browser. This is often due to the fact that the system does not select the default application. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Default apps and check the browser category.

Another problem is that the search widget disappears after a system update. MIUI is known for resetting widgets when major updates. In this case, you need to re-add the widget to the desktop and set up, and it is also recommended to disable automatic updates of system applications through the Mi Store if you want to keep a stable configuration.

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If the search stopped working after the update, check the permissions for the Search or Google app in the Battery and Performance section so the system doesn’t close them in the background.

If you use corporate profiles or special firmware versions (for example, developers), settings can be blocked by the device administrator, in such cases, changing the search engine is possible only after removing restrictions or obtaining root rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users for security reasons.

In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Search or Google app helps. Go to App Management, find the appropriate service, select Memory, and click Clear Cache, which will not delete your personal data, but will reset temporary files that may have caused a setting conflict.

The Impact of the Region on Available Search Features

It is important to consider that Xiaomi company divides the market into several regions: Global (Global), Chinese (China), Indian (India) and Russian (Russia). From the selected region in the settings of the phone (Settings → Additional settings → Region) depends not only the language, but also a set of preinstalled services.

When you change region to Russia or Ukraine, it automatically pulls up local services, including Yandex and local news aggregators. If you set up a region called the U.S. or Germany, Google will be the dominant search engine, and integration with local services will be minimal, a legal way to rebalance pre-installed software without flashing it.

However, changing the region can affect the operation of some applications, for example, Mi Fit or theme design may become unavailable, so it is worth changing the region carefully, understanding the consequences. For most users, the best option is to manually configure the searcher through the browser and widgets, leaving the system region corresponding to the place of residence.