Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone involves the active use of Internet services, but users often face the imposition of system applications. By default, the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS preinstalled its own browser Mi Browser, which many consider overloaded advertising and unnecessary news feeds. Users prefer to install lighter or functional alternatives such as Google Chrome, Yandex or Firefox, but after installation, the system does not always automatically switch to a new product.
Changing the primary web surfing tool requires system settings, as Android strictly controls which app should open links from other programs. Incorrect settings can lead to links from messengers or mail opening in the wrong window or causing errors. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to force the default browser on Xiaomi brand devices, eliminating system restrictions and regaining full control over navigation.
Regardless of your device model, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi, the algorithm of actions will be similar, although the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system. It is important to understand that changing these parameters affects the entire operation of the device with hyperlinks, so it is worth approaching the question carefully.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
The factory-based Mi Browser is often criticized for its aggressive data collection policies and an abundance of pop-up notifications. Many users are eager to replace it with more private solutions that respect personal space and do not overload RAM with background processes. In addition, third-party browsers often offer better synchronization with desktop versions and extended support for extensions.
Another reason for the shift is habit: If you've been using Chrome or Opera on a computer for years, keeping a single ecosystem on your smartphone makes life much easier, and synchronizing passwords, browsing histories and open tabs between devices only works when the right primary browser is selected.
⚠️ Note: When you delete or disable a system browser without first installing an alternative, some system links may stop opening correctly. Always have at least one working web application installed.
Also worth noting is performance: Third-party developers often implement more efficient traffic compression and ad blocking mechanisms, which is especially true for mobile networks. Replacing a standard application with an optimized counterpart can speed up page loading and reduce battery consumption when surfing.
Preparing the device for changing settings
Before you make changes to system priorities, you need to make sure that the alternative application is already installed and ready to go. Just downloading a file from Play Market or GetApps is not enough - you need to start the program first. When you start, the system may suggest setting it up as the main one, but this dialog is easy to skip, so it is better to act through the settings menu.
Make sure that the new browser has all the necessary permissions. Sometimes it requires access to storage (for downloading files) or location (for maps) to work properly. Check these settings in the Applications → All applications section by finding the right shortcut in the list.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
An important step is to clear the old browser cache if you've previously used Mi Browser, which will help you avoid conflicts when you switch links. Go to the app properties, select Clear Data and confirm the action. This will not delete your bookmarks if they are synced with your account, but will reset temporary files.
Instructions: Assigning the browser through the MIUI and HyperOS settings
The most reliable way to change the priority application is to use the built-in shell settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or the new HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing all installed programs.
Follow the algorithm to get to the menu:
- 📱 Open the “Settings” of the smartphone and scroll down to the “Apps” item».
- 🔍 Select the All Apps tab (or Application Management»).
- ⚙️ Click on the three-dot button in the top right corner of the screen (or the gear icon).
- 🌐 In the drop-down menu, select the "Default Apps" option».
- 🏆 Find the “Browser” line and click on it.
After you do this, you'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed, and you'll be asked to choose one of them, and you'll pick Google Chrome, Yandex, or whatever you want to use all the time, and then you'll see the icon next to the name change, confirming that this browser is now the primary browser.
What to do if there is no “Default Apps” item?
Configure via the Applications menu (alternative method)
If the standard path through the general settings menu is not available for some reason or the interface is heavily modified by the manufacturer, you can use direct access to the properties of a particular application, which allows you to manage priorities in more detail, working directly with the selected browser.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the list, find the browser you want to make the primary (like Firefox). Click on it to open the control screen. Here you will find the Default Launch or Open Default section.
Inside this section, there will be a "Use by default" switch or a "Clear Default Settings" button if another application is selected.Click on the appropriate button to reset current priorities for all file types and links. After that, the first time you click on the link, the system will ask you what to open. URL-address.
| Action. | MIUI 12/13 | HyperOS / MIUI 14 | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search menu | Settings → Applications | Settings → Applications | Program list open |
| Choosing a browser | All Appendices → Menu (3 points) | All applications → A gear. | System settings are open |
| Change of change | Default applications → browser | Default applications → browser | New priority selected |
| Confirmation | Choice from the list | Choice from the list | The system remembers choices |
This method is especially useful if you want to not only assign a new browser, but also make sure that the old one has completely lost its privileges, which ensures that no link will open in an unwanted application.
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Tip: If after choosing a new browser, links still open in the old one, try clearing the Settings app cache (via the App Management menu), but do so carefully so as not to bring down other system settings.
Problem Solving: When Choices Are Not Remained
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where Xiaomi system ignores the user’s choice and continues to run Mi Browser.This can be due to the features of battery optimization or deep system integrations, in such cases, you need to force reset the settings of file associations.
Try to find the “Reset” section in the settings (usually in “Advanced Settings” or “About Phone”). Select the “Reset App Settings” option, which will return all permissions and priorities to factory values, and then the system will ask about preferences again when you first start any browser.
⚠️ Note: Resetting app settings will remove your personalizations for all programs (e.g., selected themes, camera resolutions for instant messengers).Be ready to re-enable microphone and gallery access for important applications.
Also, the problem may be in the app itself: Make sure the alternative browser is updated to the latest version via Google Play. Older versions may not support the new Android standards required by the HyperOS shell to assign them to the mainstream.
Features of working with links in messengers
After successfully changing the default browser, it is important to check how links behave inside popular messengers such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber. Some of them have their own built-in browsers that can ignore the system settings. To open links in an external application, you need to change the settings of the messenger itself.
For example, on Telegram, you need to go to Settings → Data and Memory → Media Autoload (or Chats section) and find the Built-in Browser option. Disable it so that all links open through your chosen browser by default. On WhatsApp, a similar setting is often hidden in the Chats -> Click-through app.
This is an important nuance that many users forget about. If you set up the system, but the links in the correspondence still open in a simple window without tabs and extensions, then the setting should be changed within a particular messenger application.
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The main conclusion: the setup inside the messenger takes priority over the system. If the links open in the wrong place, check the settings of the application through which the link came.