How to set up a browser on Xiaomi smartphones: from basic parameters to hidden functions

The browser on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a tool for surfing the Internet, but a full-fledged web content management center that can both speed up and slow down the device. 12, POCO X5, Mi 13) and firmware versions (MIUI 14/15) browser settings can be radically different – from the pre-installed Mi Browser with integrated Xiaomi services to the ability to install alternative solutions like Google Chrome or Firefox.

The problem is that most users are limited to basic settings, unaware that the correct browser configuration can:

• 🚀 Increase the speed of loading pages on 30-50% by optimizing the cache and DNS
• 🔒 Protect personal data from trackers and phishing (especially relevant for the MIUI Global with pre-installed Chinese services)
• 🎨 Adapt the interface to your needs – from a dark theme to gestures control
• 📱 Sync bookmarks and passwords between Xiaomi devices and other platforms

In this guide, we will analyze the unique browser settings specifically for firmware. MIUI, Not found on pure Android, and we will show you how to circumvent the system restrictions for installing third-party browsers on models without Google services (Xiaomi for the Chinese market).

1. Browser selection: standard Mi Browser vs alternatives

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped by default with the branded Mi Browser browser (formerly Mint Browser), which is closely integrated with the ecosystem. MIUI. Its key features:

• 🔄 Built-in sync with Xiaomi account (bookmarks, history, passwords)
• 📱 Optimization for devices with 720p/1080p screens (adaptive interface)
• 🛡️ Protection against fraudulent websites through Xiaomi Cloud database
• 🚫 Limited extension support (unlike Chrome or Firefox)

However, the Mi Browser has some major drawbacks:

Alternative browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Brave) are free of these problems, but may conflict with energy-saving algorithms. MIUI. For example, Chrome on Redmi. 10A It can be closed arbitrarily due to memory optimization.

2.The basic setting of Mi Browser: what to do immediately after purchase

If you decide to leave a standard browser, follow these steps first:

To disable data collection:

1. Open the Mi Browser and tap on the three dots in the lower right corner.
2. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality.
3. Turn off the options: 📊 "Send data on use” (telemetry) 🔍 "Personalized recommendations” (history collection) 📍 "Location determination” (if not necessary)

To speed up the browser:

Settings → Additional → Clear data → Select “Cache” and “Cookies”

Attention, some models (POCO M4 Pro, Redmi Note 11) after cleaning the cache, the history of bookmarks may disappear. To avoid this, pre-export data through Settings → Imports/Exports.

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If after cleaning the cache sites are loaded for a long time, try to manually change DNS on 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare or 8.8.8.8 (Google) in settings Wi-Fi/mobile network.

3. Speed Optimization: How to Make Your Browser Fly

Slow browser performance on Xiaomi is often not due to weak hardware, but to the wrong settings. Here are the key parameters for speeding up:

1. Disabling animations in MIUI

Even on flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), extra animations slow down page rendering to remove them:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times to turn on the developer mode)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Disable:




- Windows animation (select "Without animation")




- Transition animation (select "Without animation")




- Scale of animation (select "Off")

2. Energy saving adjustment

By default. MIUI restricts the background activity of browsers:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management → Find a Browser → Select “Without Restrictions”

3. Use of Lite mode

For devices with 2/3 GB of RAM (Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) set up lightweight mode:

Mi Browser → Settings → General → Include “Saving Traffic”

4.Security and privacy: how to protect yourself from surveillance

The standard Mi Browser has a reputation for being a spy browser because of its integration with Xiaomi services, to minimize the risks:

Step 1. Lock down the trackers

Unlike Chrome, Mi Browser doesn’t have an ad blocker built in, but you can:

• 🛡️ Install AdGuard or Blokada (requires root rights on some firmware)
• 🌐 Use it. DNS-filtering (e.g. dns.adguard.com)
• 🔧 Manually add sites to the blacklist through Settings → Confidentiality → Blocking sites

Step 2: Encrypting traffic

In the models with MIUI Global (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Browser traffic is not encrypted by default to enable protection:

Settings → Privacy → Enable “Always use HTTPS”

Step 3: Alternative browsers with a focus on privacy

If privacy is critical, consider:

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On devices for the Chinese market (without Google Play), the only reliable way to install an alternative browser is to use the browser. APK-file from the official developer website (for example, firefox.cn for Firefox).

5. Synchronization of data between devices

One of the strengths of Mi Browser is the integration with Xiaomi account, which allows you to sync:

• 🔖 Bookmarks
• 📝 Visit history
• 🔑 Saved passwords
• 📱 Open tabs (only on devices with MIUI)

To enable synchronization:

Mi Browser → Profile (icon in the upper right corner) → Sign in to Xiaomi account → Enable “Data Sync”

To sync with Chrome or Firefox on other devices:

1. Export bookmarks from Mi Browser to.html file via Settings → Imports/Exports.
2. Import the file to another browser (e.g., Chrome via a browser) chrome://bookmarks).

Attention, models with MIUI The Chinese market (Xiaomi 13 Pro) CN) Synchronization via Xiaomi account may not work well due to limitations GFW (In this case, use third-party services like Floccus to sync your bookmarks via Nextcloud or WebDAV.

6 Hidden functions of Mi Browser: what will not be told in the instructions

Xiaomi’s branded browser has a few undocumented features that can be useful:

1. Reading mode with translation

In the models with MIUI 14+ (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5) built-in translator available:

Open the article → Tap on the book icon in the address bar → Select the translation language

2. Quick access to screenshots

If you take a screenshot of the page through a combination of buttons, it will automatically save to the folder. MIUI/screenshot/browser and will be available for editing directly in the browser through the scissors icon.

3. Blue icon (incognito with amplification)

Unlike the standard incognito mode, the blue icon (Settings) → Confidentiality → Private viewing mode) additionally:

• 🚫 Blocks screenshots of the screen
• 🔒 Encrypts the cache of pages
• 📵 Disables autofill forms

4. Built-in QR-scanner

To quickly open a link with QR-code:

Tap on the QR icon in the address bar → Point the camera to the code

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Nana POCO X3 Pro and other IR-ported devices can be used by the browser to control the hardware. Open the smart device manufacturer's website (e.g. mihome.com), and the browser will automatically prompt you to connect via the IR remote.

7. Problem Solving: The browser is not working, crashes or does not open sites

Common mistakes and their solutions:

If the browser has completely stopped running:

1. Reset the device.
2. Remove browser updates through Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Three points. → Remove updates.
3. Install an alternative browser through APK, if the standard is not restored.

Attention! On root-righted devices (Xiaomi.eu firmware), a failed removal of the system browser can lead to the crash of the launcher. ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a browser on Xiaomi