Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones come with a pre-installed set of apps, dominated by its own Mi Browser. Many users prefer to use alternative solutions such as Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera, because of the more user-friendly interface or advanced synchronization features. However, simply installing a third-party application is not enough – you need to force the system to specify which links to open in it.
The process of changing the browser by default may differ depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. In some cases, the system may hide direct settings or obsessively suggest returning the native application. Understanding the mechanisms of Android in conjunction with Xiaomi's branded add-ons will allow you to quickly solve this problem without unnecessary difficulties.
In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to set up, including workarounds for situations where the standard menu does not work. You will learn how to permanently get rid of opening links in the wrong application and make using your smartphone as comfortable as possible. It is critical to reset the settings of a particular application if the browser change button is inactive.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
The decision to replace the Mi Browser with an alternative is driven not only by personal preferences but also by performance considerations: The native app often contains embedded news feed and ads that consume RAM and traffic. Third-party browsers like Firefox or Brave offer stricter privacy settings and out-of-the-box ad blockers.
Google’s ecosystem is also the most stable in the Chrome ecosystem, synchronizing passwords, history and bookmarks between your computer and your phone instantly and without errors. For users who work in multiple accounts, the ability to quickly switch profiles in third-party browsers is an indispensable feature that Mi Browser implements less conveniently.
It is important to note that replacing a standard application does not affect the operation of system components, but can speed up the opening of external links from messengers. When you click on a link in Telegram or Viber, the system should instantly start the rendering engine of your choice. Using an optimized browser reduces latency and improves the display of heavy web pages.
Basic method through system settings
The easiest and most correct way to change settings is to go deep in the system menu. The MIUI and HyperOS interfaces may vary slightly visually, but the logic remains the same. You need to open the main settings menu of your smartphone and find the section responsible for managing applications.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Go to Settings of the main menu of your device.
- 🔍 Find and click on the App item, then select Application Management.
- ⚙️ In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the three-point icon and select the Default Apps.
- 🌐 In the list that opens, find the Browser string and tap it.
- ✅ From the list, select the desired application, for example, Chrome or Yandex.
Once you do this, the system will remember your choice, and all the links you click on in any other program will automatically open in the browser you choose, and if the app is not listed, make sure it is installed correctly and has all the permissions you need.
☑️ Checking browser settings
Change browser settings with HyperOS and MIUI 14
In the latest versions of Xiaomi shells, the company has introduced additional layers of protection against changing system parameters. If the standard path does not lead to a result or the selection point is missing, try an alternative method through search. In the search for settings, type the word "browser" or "default".
Often, the system suggests you go straight to the menu. If you're using HyperOS, look at the Additional Settings section. There may be a duplicate application management menu. In some firmware regions, the path may look like Settings → Additional → Default Apps.
⚠️ Note: If after selecting a new browser, the system itself returns the setting to Mi Browser after a few seconds, this may indicate a version conflict or damage to the cache of the system service.
It’s also worth checking if the Safe Browse or Battery Optimization feature for the browser you want to use is enabled. Aggressive power saving can block background activity needed to intercept links. Add your browser to the exclusion list or select No Limits mode in the battery settings.
Why is Mi Browser always coming back?
What to do if the selection button is inactive or hidden
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the browser selection field is gray or absent. This often happens if a new application does not request basic permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find your new browser and check the Permissions section.
Make sure you have permissions to access storage (for downloads) and, if required, access the clipboard. Without a minimum set of rights, Android may consider the app unready as its primary. Also try to clear the data from the Mi Browser app itself: Settings → Apps → Mi Browser → Clean → Clear everything.
There's another nuance about administrator rights or corporate profiles: If you have remote applications or advanced antiviruses installed on your phone, they can block you from changing your system settings.
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If nothing works, uninstall the Mi Browser updates. Go to Settings → Apps → Mi Browser → three dots at the top → Remove updates. This will roll the browser back to the factory version, which often unlocks the choice option.
Comparison of popular browsers for Android
Choosing an alternative is a personal matter, but it’s important to understand the strengths of each solution, and here’s a table to help you compare the key characteristics of popular browsers available on Google Play.
| browser | Synchronization | Blocking ads | RAM consumption | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Full (Google ID) | Basic | High. | Better compatibility of websites |
| Yandex Browser | Yandex ID | Built-in (Turbo) | Average. | Voice assistant, turbo mode |
| Opera Mini | Opera ID | Tall. | Low. | Saving traffic, compressing data |
| Firefox | Firefox Account | Through additions | Average. | Open source, privacy |
For owners of weak devices with a small amount of RAM (RAM), lightweight versions such as Opera Mini or Chrome Go are better suited. They consume less CPU resources and load pages faster on networks with low speed. For Xiaomi flagships with a power reserve, you can choose any heavy browsers with many tabs.
Remember, multiple browsers don't take up much space, but you can split them up, like one for accounts and one for anonymous surfing, and the key is to prioritize them properly so that the links open in the window you want to see.
Clearing the cache and resetting link opening settings
If you have changed your browser, but links are still opened in the old one or offer a choice each time, you need to reset file associations. On Android, this is done through the menu of a particular application. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find the browser that is currently opening by mistake (such as Mi Browser or Chrome) and click on it and select Open by default. In this menu, click Remove Default Settings or Reset Settings.
Then, the next time you click on any link, the system will ask you again than to open the file. Select the browser you want and click "Always." This action will force the system registry to overwrite the links. If the problem persists, restart the device, as some MIUI services cache these settings in memory.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your default settings will not delete your history, passwords or bookmarks. This action only affects the system priorities of opening files and links. Your personal data in the browser will remain safe.
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Resetting your link opening settings in a competitor app is the most effective way to make the system “forget” the old choice and accept the new one.