How to Change the Default App in Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s current MIUI or HyperOS smartphones offer users a huge selection of personalization tools. However, sometimes the system chooses programs to open files, links or calls, which can be uncomfortable. For example, instead of the usual Chrome, links open in MI Browser, and photos open in a gallery that you don’t like. Understanding how to change the default application in Xiaomi is the key to comfortable use of the gadget.

The setup process doesn't require superuser rights or complex code manipulations. Just know where the switches are hidden in the menu. In this article, we'll go through all the ways to manage program priorities, from simply changing your browser to completely resetting all file associations, which will help you regain full control of your device's operating system.

Why you need to change the default applications

The Android operating system that runs Redmi and POCO smartphones allows you to install many alternative programs to perform the same tasks. You can have five different file managers or three browsers at the same time. The problem arises when you click on a link, the system opens the wrong software each time you want to see it. The default application is the program that starts automatically when you perform a certain type of action.

Users often face the imposition of their own services from the manufacturer. For example, MIUI can aggressively promote its browser or video player, ignoring the analogues you have installed. This is not only annoying, but can reduce performance if standard applications are less optimal. Changing the settings allows you to use lighter or functional counterparts that better suit your habits.

Also, some specific files can be opened in inappropriate programs. If you work with documents, you may need to have.docx or.pdf files open directly in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat, rather than in a simple viewer. Properly configuring these settings saves time and eliminates unnecessary clicks every time you launch a file of a certain type.

💡

Changing the default apps is the first step to personalizing Android, allowing you to ignore the system solutions that are being imposed.

Where to find application settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi's shell interface has a unique menu structure that's different from pure Android. To get to the right settings, you need to go through several layers of nesting. First, open the main menu and find the Settings icon. In the list that opens, scroll down to the App section. This is where you focus on managing all the installed software.

Inside the App section, you're interested in All Apps, and if you click on it, you'll see the full list of installed software, but if you want to change your priorities, you'll need to go to the settings menu of that section itself. To do that, look at the three dots in the top right corner of the screen, and clicking on them will open the drop-down menu where the default option of the App is hidden.

In newer versions of HyperOS, the logic could have been slightly modified to align with global standards. If you don't find three dots, try looking for a separate "Manage Applications" line right in the main settings menu. Sometimes the system updates the paths, but the principle remains the same: look for the sections related to program management and how they behave on the system.

Step-by-step instructions for changing priorities

Once you’ve entered the default App menu, you’ll see a list of action categories, and you can choose which program will be responsible for calling, sending SMS, navigating, playing music, and video. The process of changing is simple: click on the desired category, such as the browser, and select your preferred application from the list that appears.

It's important to note that for some categories, the choice may be limited, and if you don't have the app you want, it doesn't support the type of action you want or it hasn't been installed correctly. Once you've selected a new program, the system will remember that option, and now all the links from the messengers will open in the browser you choose without further questions.

Special attention should be paid to assistants and voice input. Often users accidentally assign the wrong application to process voice commands. If you use Google Assistant, make sure that the appropriate location is chosen, and not XiaoAI or other built-in service, which will ensure that the smart functions work correctly and synchronize with your accounts.

How to Reset Default Settings for a Specific Application

There are times when you accidentally selected the wrong program and ticked the "Do Not Ask Again" box, and now the system persistently opens files in the wrong software, and the selection menu no longer appears. You can solve this problem by resetting the settings of a particular application. Go back to the All Apps menu and find the program that is currently designated as wrong.

Click on the program name to enter its card. Scroll down to Default Start or Default Open. If it is active (not grey), it means that the application has set priorities. Click Reset or Delete Default Settings. This action will not delete the application data, but will only remove the status of the main one for certain types of files.

⚠️ Note: Resetting default does not delete your personal data, cache or logins within the application, but it will return the system behavior to the state when it starts the file, it will again ask you how to open it.

Once you do this, the next time you run a file of the appropriate type, the system will again give you a selection window, so you can choose the program you want and, if you want, you can pin your choice, and this is a universal method that works for browsers, galleries, video players and file managers.

Managing File Associations and Content Types

Unlike some other systems, Android doesn't always have a single menu for all file types. Sometimes settings are scattered. For example, to manage which app opens a link on a particular site (like YouTube or Instagram), you need to go to the settings of a particular application. Go to Apps → select the application → Open by default.

Here you'll see a list of supported websites. You can let the app open all supported links or select specific domains. This is useful if you want video links to open in the app and profile links to open in the browser. This flexible setup allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the system.

For file managers, the situation is similar: if you have multiple conductors installed, the system may be confused as to which one to use to view archives or documents. In each file manager's card, in the Supported File Types section, you can see which extensions they are responsible for. If necessary, reset these settings to reassign priority.

💡

Use the file manager with support for archives as the main one, so that the system automatically offers to unpack downloaded files. ZIP-files are directly through it.

Solution: if the settings are not saved

Sometimes users encounter a bug when the selected application is not saved or the system constantly resets the choice to the standard. This can be due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. The system can "kill" the background processes of alternative applications, considering them unnecessary. To fix this, go to the battery settings and select No restrictions mode for an important application.

Another reason may be access rights: Make sure that the application you choose has all the necessary permissions to work with files and the network; without basic permissions, the system can block its launch as the main one; check the permissions section in the application card and give access to the storage if it is required.

In rare cases, cleaning the Package Installer cache or the Settings themselves can be done through the Apps menu → All Apps → show system processes (three dots) → find Settings → Memory → Clear. This will return the settings menu to its original state, but will not affect your personal data.

Comparison of application management methods

To better understand the differences between the ways you manage priorities, let’s look at them in a comparative table, which will help you choose the best way to solve your problem.

As you can see from the table, most operations are safe and reversible, only cleaning these system components requires caution, and in most cases, just reassign the application in the appropriate menu.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove standard system applications through ADB Or third-party utilities, if you're not sure what they're supposed to do, and that could cause the phone to reboot cyclically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)