Changing the standard browser is one of the first tasks that new gadget owners solve. Many users immediately after buying a device face the inconvenience of preinstalled Mi Browser or outdated Chrome, if you are accustomed to using alternatives. Android operating system allows you to flexibly customize the environment, but manufacturers often hide these settings deep in the menu.
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones know that the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has its own application management features. The system can aggressively impose its own services, ignoring the user's choice when opening links from messengers. In this article, we will analyze not only the standard algorithm of actions, but also the nuances characteristic of Chinese brands.
The right configuration will save you from having to choose a program to click on a link every time, which saves time and makes interaction with the interface smoother. Below is a detailed guide that will help you to consolidate the desired software as the main one.
Preparation for the change of the standard annex
Before you make changes to system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative software is already installed on your device. Without the application file itself, the system will not be able to offer it as a candidate for the role of the main browser. Download the desired browser, such as Firefox, Opera or Yandex, through the official Google Play store.
Once installed, it is recommended to run the program at least once, so that the operating system registers all the necessary components and permissions. Some browsers themselves suggest becoming the main one when they first start, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem, such requests are often ignored without manually configuring the menu.
It’s also worth checking for updates for Android and the shell. In older versions of MIUI, the path to settings may have been different, and in newer versions of HyperOS, the menu logic has been reworked. The current software ensures that the items described below are exactly where they are indicated.
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Before going to bed, close all working applications so that the system does not cache old preferences when opening links.
Search for the Default Applications section in MIUI and HyperOS
The Chinese shell interfaces can confuse even the experienced user because of the abundance of menus. The path to the desired configuration depends on the version of the operating system, but the general logic remains similar. You will need to go to the main settings menu of the device, which is indicated by the gear.
In most current firmware versions, the item you want is inside the App section, but in some regions or on global versions, it can be placed in a separate menu Additional or immediately in the list of general settings.
If the search for settings does not work, use the built-in search bar at the top of the settings screen. Enter the request "default" or "default apps", and the system will redirect you to the desired subsection. This is the fastest way to get to your goal, bypassing complex nested menus.
Why can the item be called differently?
Step-by-step: installing the browser
Once you've reached the menu, you'll see a list of categories of apps that the system can run automatically. Find a line called "Browser" or "Web browser." Clicking on this item will open a list of all the programs installed on your smartphone that can display web pages.
In the window that opens, select from the list the browser you plan to use all the time, such as Chrome, DuckDuckGo or Vivaldi. The system will immediately apply the changes, and next to the selected option, the corresponding label will appear.
☑️ Checking the browser installation
Now, when you try to open any link from Telegram, WhatsApp or notes, the system will automatically launch the tool you choose. If this does not happen, perhaps a specific source application has its own restrictions that require separate settings.
Setup inside the browser itself
Some modern browsers have their own priority capture mechanisms. Once you set the primary selection through your Android settings, it is recommended to go to the settings of the application itself. Often there is a “Make the default browser” item, which duplicates the system command, but can also activate additional service functions.
Within the menu of your favorite app, look for a "General" or "System" section, where you can have a switch that handles a certain type of link, and this is especially true for browsers with advanced functionality, such as Brave or UC Browser, that are looking to intercept traffic control.
You can also set up link openings from other apps in this section, and make sure you check the box or switch in the active position for the Open Supported Links option, which ensures that the system doesn't ask you what to open every time you open it. URL-address.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Standard browser | The main application for web surfing | Settings → Applications → By default |
| Opening of links | Permission to intercept URLs | Application settings → By default → Opening links |
| Supported types | List of protocols (http, https) | Inside the "Open Links" menu |
| Resetting preferences | Return to factory selection settings | Settings → Applications → Resetting preferences |
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Double check in the system settings and in the menu of the application itself provides a 100% guarantee of correct link operation.
Problem Solving: When Choices Are Reset
Xiaomi users often face a situation where the system returns the Mi Browser as its main one after an update or reboot, an aggressive policy of optimizing memory and promoting the company’s own services, and to combat this, you need to prevent the system from automatically controlling this setting.
Go to the application settings, look up the MI browser (or similar system application) in the list. Go to the default option inside the application card and click on the "Clear default settings" button. This action will "forget" the forced system selection.
⚠️ Note: After cleaning the system browser settings when you first start links, the system can again offer a choice. Be careful and immediately tick Always, choosing your favorite browser so as not to repeat the procedure.
Another reason for resetting may be the work of the Accelerator or the memory cleaner. In the Security app, check the settings for autostart and background work. Allow your main browser to run in the background so that the system does not “kill” its processes, considering them inactive.
Specifics of working with several profiles
If your device uses multiple Google accounts or has Second Space enabled, the settings may not sync between them. In MIUI, Second Space actually creates a clone of the system with its own independent settings.
You will need to switch to each profile or space you use separately and repeat the setup procedure there.The global setup for all users at once in current versions of Xiaomi shells is often missing or does not work properly.
This is an important point for those who share personal and working smartphone use: Make sure that the work profile also has a corporate or secure browser installed by default if required by your organization's policies.