How to set up the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all the ways and nuances

By default, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 smartphones use the proprietary MIUI Browser browser to open web links. However, many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera because of the faster speed, synchronization with other devices or advanced features. Switching the browser by default to Android seems an easy task, but on devices with a MIUI shell, this process has its own peculiarities.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your default browser to Redmi Note 9, including standard system settings, circumventing MIUI restrictions, and solving common bugs, and how to check which browser is currently defaulting, and why some links still open in MIUI Browser even after the changes.

If you are faced with a situation when after installing a new browser links from messengers or mail persistently open in a standard application, do not rush to blame the firmware. Most often the problem lies in incorrect application settings or conflicts with Xiaomi services. We will show you how to fix it without resetting the settings.

═══

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 can not change the default browser?

MIUI is known for its aggressive approach to integrating its own services, and even if you have installed Chrome or another browser, it may ignore your choices for several reasons:

• 🔄 Automatic Restore of Settings: MIUI Sometimes resets default settings after updates or reboots.
• 📱 System application conflict: some services (e.g. Mi Link or Mi Share) are being forced to use MIUI Browser.
• 🔒 Manufacturer's restrictions: on some versions MIUI Browser change option by default hidden or blocked.
• 🔄 Cache and application data: old settings can be stored in the cache, preventing the use of new.

Also, on the Redmi Note 9 with Android 10/11 and later versions of MIUI, the default algorithm for selecting apps has changed. Now the system can offer dynamic choices — that is, asking which app to use each time you open a link — makes it harder if you want to secure one browser permanently.

Before you go to the settings, make sure that:

1. You have the latest version of your browser installed (download it from Google Play).
2. You do not use modified firmware (such as custom ROM) that can break standard features.
3. The device has enough free memory – sometimes systems reset settings due to lack of resources.

═══

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

This is the most obvious and versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 9. However, in MIUI, the path to these settings may be different from pure Android.

Follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the home screen or in the notification panel).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select the Applications by default.
4. Tap the Browser line (or Open web links in new versions of MIUI).
5. From the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not on the list, make sure it is installed and updated. Sometimes apps don’t appear in this menu if they were installed from third-party sources (not from Google Play).

Delete the current browser cache |Update the alternative browser |Check for MIUI |Reboot the device-->

Important! Once you have selected your browser, the system may ask you to confirm the action, and if the option is not saved, try restarting your smartphone, which sometimes helps you apply the changes.

═══

Method 2: Configure via the "Open by Default" menu in the browser

Many browsers (such as Chrome or Opera) have a built-in feature to assign themselves to the default app, a method that may work even if standard MIUI settings don’t allow you to change the browser.

Instructions:

1. Open the browser you want to make the primary (e.g. Chrome).
2. Tap on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down and find the default browser section (in Chrome) or make the primary browser (in Opera).
4. Click on the Make browser by default – the system will redirect you to the Android settings, where you need to confirm the choice.

If the button is inactive or absent, it may mean:

• 📵 The browser is already the default browser.
• 🔧 Settings MIUI Blocking the change (see section on circumvention of restrictions) MIUI).
• 🔄 You need to update your browser to the latest version.

💡

If after changing the browser links from some applications (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) still open in MIUI Browser, check the settings of these applications - there may be a separate option for choosing a browser.

═══

Method 3: Bypassing MIUI restrictions through application settings

On some versions of MIUI (especially on the Redmi Note 9 with Android 10), standard browser swaps may not work due to Xiaomi's policy, in which case manual configuration through the app menu will help.

Follow this instruction:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Browser list and tap it.
3. Choose Open by default (or Default settings).
4. Click Clear the default settings.
5. Go back to the app list, find your browser (like Chrome) and repeat steps 3–4.
6. Now, the next time you open the link, the system will offer to choose a browser - specify the desired one and tick Always.

A critical nuance for Redmi Note 9: if after these actions links still open in MIUI Browser, check the settings of Mi Link and Mi Share - these services can force the standard browser. Disable them in Settings → Connections and Sharing.

═══

Method 4: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If all previous methods failed, the advanced way is to change the settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but is guaranteed to work even on the most stubborn versions of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB Redmi Note 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on the phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
3. Run the command to reset your current browser settings: adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.browser (replace com.android.browser with com.mi.globalbrowser if you use MIUI Browser).
4. Now install the new browser by default (e.g. Chrome): adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/org.chromium.chrome.browser.ChromeTabbedActivity
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the command does not work, check that your browser’s package name is correct, and you can find out through the App Inspector app (available on Google Play).

💡

The ADB method is the most reliable, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. Use only proven instructions!

═══

Table: Browser comparison for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

If you haven’t already chosen an alternative to MIUI Browser, compare the main browsers by key parameters:

For the Redmi Note 9, we recommend Google Chrome or Opera – they are better optimized for devices with 4-6 GB of RAM and support all MIUI features (for example, Quick Ball and navigation gestures).

═══

Solving typical problems when changing browsers

Even after a successful browser change, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 users may experience problems.

Problem 1: Links from some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) open in MIUI Browser.

⚠️ Note: Some apps have their own settings for link processing. For example, on Facebook you need to go to Settings → Application settings → Browser and select an External browser.

Problem 2: After updating MIUI, the browser is reset to standard.

This is a well-known feature of Xiaomi firmware. To avoid resetting:

• 🔄 After the update, immediately check the browser default settings.
• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Auto-update.

Problem 3: You can’t select a browser in the settings – the option is inactive.

In this case, it will help:

1. Removal of updates for MIUI Browser (Settings) → Annexes → MIUI Browser → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates).
2. Using the method with ADB.
3. Reset application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Three points (⋮) → Resetting application settings).

═══

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9