How to make a default browser on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive behavior of a system that aggressively promotes its own services. Even if you installed a convenient Google Chrome, Opera or Mozilla Firefox, links from messengers and applications can persistently open in the standard Mi Browser. This is not only annoying, but also interferes with the usual workflow, forcing you to choose the desired application manually every time.

Fortunately, the Android operating system allows you to flexibly manage application priorities, including web browsers. In this article, we will discuss how to force the browser you choose to assign to the main web browsing tool. We will look at the standard ways in the MIUI and HyperOS menus, as well as methods for resetting if the system “forgot” your choice.

The setup process takes only a couple of minutes, but saves you hours of nerves in the future. It is important to understand that menu items may differ slightly in different versions of the firmware, but the logic of the work remains the same throughout the Xiaomi ecosystem. Below is a detailed guide to help you regain control of your device.

Why the system resets browser selection

Many users notice that after another system update or installing a security patch, settings are reset, which is due to the fact that MIUI developers often integrate their services deeper into system processes. The standard Mi Browser has high privileges, which allows it to intercept links even with other installed applications.

In addition, there are so-called “smart” recommendations that may suggest opening a link in another application if the system finds it more appropriate for a particular type of content.

⚠️ Note: In some regions, global firmware versions have more aggressive advertising of their own services, so the problem of resetting the browser by default is more common there.

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Sometimes users accidentally reset their own settings by choosing the Always option for the wrong app, and then can't find a way to fix it. Understanding the mechanics of Android Intents helps avoid confusion. The system simply remembers the user's last confirmed choice with the default flag.

Note that new versions of HyperOS have different memory management algorithms, which can lead to more frequent uploading of background processes, including services responsible for file and link associations. Google also periodically changes security policies, requiring re-confirmation of access rights for system applications.

Preparing for System Settings Change

Before you get into technical manipulation, make sure the alternative browser is already installed and updated to the latest version.The older version of the app may not support some modern Android protocols, which will lead to errors when trying to make it mainstream.Go to Google Play or GetApps and check for updates.

It is also recommended to clear the default cache of the current browser if it is not working correctly. This will help avoid conflicts when switching. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired browser and select Clear cache.

It is important to have a stable Internet connection at hand, as some system services may require license checks or synchronization of profiles as soon as priorities change, especially for browsers linked to accounts such as Chrome or Edge.

Instructions: Assigning a browser through application settings

The most reliable and versatile way to change your default browser on Xiaomi is to use the application management menu. This method works on all current versions of Android, from 10 to 14, and does not require superuser rights. First, open the main settings menu of your smartphone.

In the settings list, find the Apps (or Apps and Notifications) section, and you are interested in App Management, and you will see a complete list of all the software you have installed, and you will find the browser you want to make the primary browser (like Chrome) and click on it.

The application information page will open. Scroll down to Default Start (some versions of MIUI may call it Open by Default). Click on this bar. You'll see the Open by Default switch or the Use by Default button. Activate it.

⚠️ Note: If the default button is inactive (gray), it means that the system has already hard-coded another browser, in which case you first need to reset the default settings of the current browser, which will be discussed in the next section.

Resetting application settings by default

If the previous method didn't work or the select button wasn't available, you need to do a global preference reset for all applications, which will bring the system back to factory state, where when you open a link, the phone will ask you again what to open it, which is a secure operation that doesn't delete your personal data, photos or contacts.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the upper right corner of the screen, click on three dots (the action menu) and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Preferences).

Confirm the action. After that, all previously established priorities will be deleted. Now, when you first click on a link from any application (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp), the system will display a selection box with the question “Open with help”.

In the list that appears, select your favorite browser. Be sure to click the Always or Default button under the browser list. If you just tap the icon, the choice will only apply for the current session, and the next time the question will repeat.

Features of configuration in MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS

In the latest versions of Xiaomi shells, the company has introduced additional layers of protection and personalization that can affect the operation of browsers. HyperOS has changed the structure of the menu, and some items have been renamed to unify with the ecosystem of the smart home.

In new firmware, you should pay attention to the “Recommendations” feature. The system can analyze your actions and suggest opening links in the Mi Browser if it thinks that there is an optimized viewing mode or built-in advertising. To avoid this, the Mi Browser settings recommend turning off all items related to recommendations and news feeds.

MIUI 14 and later also includes advanced memory protection that can freeze rarely used browsers. If you use Firefox or DuckDuckGo, add them to the power saving exception list. Go to Settings → Battery → Application Energy Saving and select No Limits mode for your browser.

⚠️ Note: In Chinese versions of the firmware (CN ROM) System restrictions on changing the browser may be tougher, where you may need to remove or disable the system Mi Browser via ADB, As standard methods, it is impossible to remove it from priorities.

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If you frequently use Scroll Bars or Simplified Mode on Xiaomi, make sure that the browser default settings apply in this mode as it sometimes uses separate startup profiles.

Advanced Methods: Using ADB for Experts

For users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a more radical method, the use of the ADB debugging bridge (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to forcibly remove the package responsible for the standard browser, or change the system flags, which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). Then, in advanced settings, enable USB Debugging. Connect your phone to your PC and enter a command to remove or disable your system browser:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

Instead of com.android.browser, you can use the com.miui.browser identifier depending on the model. Once you execute the command, the standard browser will disappear from the list of applications, and the system will be forced to use only the remaining options.

This method is effective when software bugs prevent you from changing your settings through the interface, but be careful: removing system components can cause some features, such as weather widgets or global search, to work unstable if they are tied to a standard engine.

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Using ADB is a powerful tool that allows you to bypass manufacturer limitations, but requires caution and understanding the structure of Android packages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)