How to change the default browser on Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

Changing the default browser on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces after buying a device. The manufacturer installs its branded Mi Browser as the main browser, but many prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera. The problem is that the MIUI interface is not always intuitive: browser settings can be hidden in unexpected sections, and after system updates, the path to them changes.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to change the default browser for MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, including bypassing the restrictions that sometimes impose firmware. We will also compare popular browsers in speed, security and battery consumption, so that it is easier for you to choose the best option. If the settings change, the links still open in Mi Browser, at the end of the article there is a section to solve this problem.

Why you should change the default browser to Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s Mi Browser has a few features that not all users like:

• 🔍 Data collection: the browser transmits information about visited sites to Xiaomi servers (even in incognito mode), as confirmed by independent studies.
• 📦 Built-in Advertising: The homepage and search results display banners that can’t be turned off without root rights.
• ⚡ Performance: According to Speedometer 2.0 tests, Mi Browser runs 15-20% slower than Chrome or Firefox on the same devices.
• 🔋 Battery consumption: Due to background activity, the browser can consume up to 5% charge per hour when inactivity.

Alternative browsers offer:

• 🛡️ Better privacy (e.g. Firefox Focus blocks trackers by default).
• 🚀 Quick loading of pages thanks to optimized engines (Chrome uses Blink, Opera – Chromium with turbo mode).
• 🔄 Synchronization between devices (in Chrome – through Google account, in Opera – through its own service).

It is important to note that some MIUI features (such as fast home screen links or Mi Account integration) may not work properly when using third-party browsers, but for most users, these limitations are not critical.

Method 1: Change your browser through Android settings (MIUI 12–14)

This is the most versatile method that works on all modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Android 10 and newer. Instructions are relevant for firmware MIUI 12, 13 and 14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Scroll down and select the App section.
3. Tap on Application Management (or All Apps in some versions).
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select the Applications by default.
5. Find the Browser string and tap it.
6. From the list of available browsers, select the desired one (for example, Chrome or Firefox).

If the list does not include the browser you want, make sure it is installed and updated to the latest version, such as Google Chrome must be at least 110.0 to work properly with Android 13.

⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 13 and Android 12, the default App item can be directly in the main App menu, without additional transition to Application Management.

Method 2: Quickly change through an open link

If you do not want to dig into the settings, you can change the default browser right when you open the link:

1. Open any app that has clickable links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Tap any link (e.g. https://example.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Share... or Open with...
4. In the list of applications, find the desired browser (such as Chrome) and tick Always or Use by default.
5. Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

This method is convenient because it does not require a search for settings, but does not work with all types of links, for example, links from SMS or some system notifications may ignore this method.

💡

If after changing the browser links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache and data of the Settings application (Settings → Apps → Settings → Storage → Clear cache / data).

Method 3: Using ADB for forced change (for power users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to firmware limitations), you can apply the command ADB. This will require a computer and the developer mode on the phone. ADB It may disrupt the system.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version line until the notification appears You became a developer!
2. Turn on USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate the USB debugging switch.

adb shell pm set-default-browser com.android.chrome

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

List of packages of popular browsers:

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Some system features (such as fast links on the home screen) may not work properly. To get it back, follow the command: adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.settings

Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi: which to choose

The choice of browser depends on your priorities: speed, privacy or battery savings. We tested 5 popular browsers on Xiaomi 12 Pro (with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) and Redmi Note 11 (with Snapdragon 680).

Opera has shown the best result in battery savings thanks to the built-in traffic compression mode, and Brave was the most balanced in speed and privacy.

Selection recommendations:

• 🏆 For speed: Google Chrome or Brave.
• 🔒 For privacy: Firefox or Brave (with tracker lock enabled).
• 🔋 Battery savings: Opera (with turbo mode enabled).
• 📱 For weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A): Opera Mini (not in the table, but consumes only 1% charge per hour).

What to do if the browser does not change: solving common problems

Sometimes even after the default browser change, links continue to open in Mi Browser, which is due to the features of MIUI, which forcibly redirects some types of links.

Problem 1: Links from SMS or notifications open in Mi Browser

Decision:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Messages (or another app that links come from).
3. Slip on Open by default and reset the settings.
4. Repeat trying to open the link and select the desired browser with the tick Always.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the browser reset

Decision:

• Clear the Settings app cache (as described in the tip above).
• If it doesn’t work, run the command via ADB (see Method 3).

Problem 3: There is no option in the browser list

Decision:

• Remove and reinstall the browser from the Play Market.
• Check if the browser is disabled in the settings: Settings → Applications → [Browser Name] → Enable.

Additional settings to optimize the browser

After changing the browser by default, it is recommended to configure it for maximum performance:

For Google Chrome:

• 🔧 Turn on Light Mode (saves traffic and battery): Settings → Light mode.
• 🔒 Turn off synchronization of unnecessary data: Settings → Synchronization → Synchronization management.

For Firefox:

• 🛡️ Activate enhanced protection against trackers: Settings → Confidentiality → Enhanced protection.
• 📥 Set up media saving: Settings → Media → Keep it in the gallery.

For Opera:

• ⚡ Turn on turbo mode: the zipper icon in the address bar.
• 🌐 Set up Ad Blocking: Settings → Blocking ads.

It is also helpful to clear your browser cache once every 1-2 weeks to avoid slowing down. Go to Settings → Apps → [Browser Name] → Storage → Clear the cache.

💡

If you use multiple browsers frequently, install the Better Open With app from the Play Market – it allows you to flexibly configure which links to open in which browser.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi