How to set up the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: full instructions with nuances

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the inconvenience of automatically opening links in the standard Mi Browser browser - even if you prefer Google Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser.The reason lies in the aggressive MIUI policy that imposes branded applications. However, you can change the default browser on the Redmi Note 8 Pro - and we will tell you how to do it correctly, given all the pitfalls of the firmware MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and MIUI 14.

Complicating the problem is that the path to settings may differ from one version to the other, and some browsers (like DuckDuckGo) don’t appear in the list of options at all. In addition, after updating the system, settings are sometimes reset and you have to repeat the procedure. In this article, you will find relevant ways for all scenarios, from basic browser replacement to solving problems when the desired application does not appear in the selection menu.

We will pay special attention to the hidden restriction of MIUI on some browsers (for example, Brave or Opera), which may not appear in the list due to the lack of support for the INTENT protocol for link processing, and we will show how to circumvent this restriction without root rights and third-party utilities.

Why can’t Redmi Note 8 Pro change the default browser?

The main reason is the MIUI architecture, which prioritizes Xiaomi’s branded apps. Even if you’ve installed Chrome or Firefox, the system may ignore your choices for several reasons:

• 🔹 Lack of support INTENT: Some browsers (such as Brave or Opera Mini) do not register a link handler. http/https Android does not appear on the list.
• 🔹 Limitations MIUI: In firmware before MIUI 12.5 List of browsers artificially shortened – only those that have passed the certification Xiaomi.
• 🔹 Settings cache: After the system update, the Settings cache may contain outdated data, which is why the changes do not apply.
• 🔹 Conflict with Light versions: If you have both browser versions installed (e.g. Chrome and Chrome Lite), the system may confuse them when choosing the browser.

Another nuance is dynamic browser change, for example, if you click on a link on Telegram, it can open in Mi Browser even if Chrome is chosen by default, because individual applications have their own link processing settings.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 11 and below some browsers (such as Firefox Focus) cannot physically become the default browser due to lack of processing support INTENT-In this case, only a system update or manual installation will help. APK modified-permitted.

Method 1: Standard browser replacement through Android settings

This is the easiest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12.5 and later, and the instructions are relevant for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and other popular browsers:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Slip on Browser.
4. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Google Chrome).

If your browser does not appear in the list, follow the following steps:

• 📌 Remove the Settings app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📌 Reset the device.
• 📌 Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version on Google Play.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Clear the cache of the Settings app

Reboot your smartphone

Check the version. MIUI (must be at least 12.5)-->

On MIUI 13/14 firmware, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser

⚠️ Warning: If the changes do not apply after selecting the browser, check if the Mi Browser device is installed as a system application. In this case, it can only be turned off (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Browser → Disable, but not completely remove.

Method 2: Manually assigning the browser through the application settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try assigning the browser to default directly in its settings, a method that is particularly useful for Firefox and DuckDuckGo, which sometimes don’t appear in the shared list.

Instructions for Google Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select the default browser.
4. Click Make the default browser and confirm the choice.

For Firefox, the path will be:

Firefox → ⚙️ Settings → General → Default Browser

If the default browser button is inactive or absent:

• 🔧 Check if the browser has permissions to process links (Settings) → Annexes → [Your browser] → Permits → Opening of links).
• 🔧 Delete browser data (Settings) → Annexes → [browser] → Warehouse → Clear the data) and restart it.
• 🔧 Re-install your browser (sometimes reinstallation from the official site, not through Google Play helps).

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If the browser doesn’t appear on the list even after reinstalling, try downloading it from APKMirror’s site – sometimes versions from Google Play have limited functionality on Xiaomi devices.

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (advanced method)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to a PC, but it is guaranteed to work even on older versions of MIUI.

Steps to change your browser through ADB:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Redmi Note 8 Pro: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)

If you want to force a browser without a dialog box, use the command:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package, such as org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause other default settings to reset (such as launcher or call app).Before executing commands, back up important data via Settings. → Memory. → Backup.

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Mi Browser (standard)

Microsoft Edge

Other-->

Method 4: Disable Mi Browser for Forced Switching

If Mi Browser keeps opening links despite your settings, it can be disabled completely, which will force the system to use an alternative browser.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser on the list.
3. Tap Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Remove Updates).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After disabling Mi Browser, all links will automatically open in the browser you chose by default.

• 🚫 Some system functions (e.g., checking for updates) MIUI) You may require Mi Browser and may not work properly.
• 🚫 If you disable the Mi Browser, it will not be able to turn it back on without resetting settings or flashing it.
• 🚫 On the firmware MIUI 14 Disabling system applications can lead to errors in the work of Xiaomi Cloud.

Problem Solving: The browser is not saved as the main browser

Sometimes, after a reboot or MIUI update, the browser settings are reset. Here's how to fix it:

• 🔄 Resetting application settings: Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Reset application settings This will return all default settings to factory, after which you can re-select the browser.
• 🔄 Cleaning up the Google Play Services cache: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Sometimes a failure in Google services interferes with the correct work of link processors.
• 🔄 Access rights check: Make sure the browser has permission to display on top of other applications (Settings) → Annexes → [browser] → Additionally. → Displaying on top of other applications).

If the problem recurs after each MIUI update, try turning off automatic system application updates:

Settings → About Phone → System Update → ⋮ → Settings → Auto-Update Apps (disable)

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On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 13/14, the default browser reset issue is often related to background activity of the Mi Browser app. To avoid this, add it to Battery Optimization (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Mi Browser → Not Optimize).

Alternative solutions: launchers and third-party utilities

If none of these methods have worked, consider the following options:

• 🌐 Use an alternative launcher: Install Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher – these let you link to specific browsers through a long click on the icon.
• 🔗 Link Interceptor Apps: Utilities like Open Link With or Better Open With allow you to choose a browser for each link manually.
• 🛠️ Modified Firmware: On Forums XDA Developers have patches for MIUI, That removes the browser change restrictions. MIUI EU Allows you to freely choose any application by default.

For the most advanced users, there is a radical method - removing the Mi Browser via TWRP. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recavator, which is not recommended for beginners.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a browser on Redmi Note 8 Pro