How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note comes with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which is not always good for users. Some prefer Google Chrome for syncing with your account, others choose Firefox because of the enhanced privacy features, and still others install alternative browsers like Brave or Opera to save traffic. But just installing a new browser is not enough – you need to make it the default browser, so that all links open automatically in it.

In this article, we will discuss how to change the standard browser to Redmi 8 Note, taking into account the features of the shell. MIUI. You'll learn what settings to change, how to avoid common errors, and what to do if the system doesn't let you choose another browser. MIUI 10–14 and does not require root rights.

Why you should change the default browser to Xiaomi

The pre-installed Mi Browser has several drawbacks that force users to look for alternatives:

• 🔒 Data collection: Xiaomi’s browser transmits information about visited sites to the company’s servers, raising privacy concerns.
• 🚀 Low speed: Compared to Chrome or Firefox, Mi Browser is often slower, especially on weaker devices.
• 📱 Advertising in the interface: even in the settings without advertising sometimes appear banners and promotional materials.
• 🔄 Lack of synchronization: no built-in synchronization of bookmarks and history with other devices.

Alternative browsers offer:

• 🛡️ Better data protection (e.g. Firefox Focus blocks trackers by default).
• ⚡ Fast work with optimized engines (Chrome uses Blink, Firefox – Gecko).
• 🔗 Cross-platform sync (bookmarks, passwords, history available on all devices).
• 🎨 Flexible interface configuration (dark theme, gestures, extensions).

If you’re not sure, we recommend testing multiple browsers before making one your primary browser, such as Brave blocking browser-level ads, and Opera has a built-in VPN.

Preparation: Install an alternative browser

Before changing the default browser, you need to install at least one alternative, which can be done through Google Play Market or third-party sources (for example, APK-Let's look at both options.

Method 1: Installation via Google Play

This is the easiest and safest method:

1. Open the Play Market app.
2. In the search bar, type the browser name (such as Google Chrome or Firefox).
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open the browser and perform the initial setting (login to the account, import bookmarks, etc.).

Method 2: Installation through APK-file

If the browser you want isn’t in the Play Market (like Kiwi Browser or Chrome beta), you can install it manually:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website of the browser or a verified source (for example, APKMirror).
2. Before installing, allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Install Unknown Applications. Select the browser or file manager you will install the APK through. Activate the Switch Allow installation from that source.

APK-file

💡

Before installing an APK, check the hash amount of the file (MD5/SHA-1) on the developer’s website to protect against fake versions with viruses.

Once you have installed an alternative browser, you can start changing your default settings, and make sure that the new browser opens and works consistently.

Step-by-step: how to change the browser by default

On the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note, the default browser change process depends on the version of MIUI. In newer versions (starting with MIUI 12), the algorithm has been simplified, but in older versions, additional actions may be required. Consider a universal method that works on all versions.

Step 1: Open the application settings

Go to the main settings of the smartphone:

1. Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the home screen or in the notification panel).
2. Scroll down and select the App section.
3. Click on Application Management (or All Apps, depending on the MIUI version).

Step 2: Select the current browser by default

In the list of apps, find Mi Browser (or another browser that is currently used by default):

1. Enter Browser or Browser in the search bar.
2. Tap the Mi Browser app.
3. In the window that opens, click on Default (or Open Supported Links).

Step 3: Resetting the default settings

Here you need to disable the current browser as the default application:

1. Click Clear Default Settings (or Reset).
2. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Install an alternative browser |Open Settings → Applications |Look for the current default browser |Reset the default settings-->

Step 4: Assign a new browser by default

Now you need to specify which browser to use to open links:

1. Return to the application list (Settings → Applications → Application Management).
2. Find the browser installed (such as Chrome or Firefox).
3. Slip it and select by default (or Open Supported Links).
4. Activate the Open Supported Links switch.
5. In the window that appears, select Always or Only once (we recommend Always).

Problem 2: Links open in Mi Browser despite the change

If, after all the manipulations, the links are still opened in the standard browser:

• 🔗 Check the settings of individual applications: In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Browser is the default. In Gmail: Settings → General. → Open web links. 🚫 Turn off Mi Browser (if not using): Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser.Push Disable (if the button is active).
• 📌 Use Open with Help: When you open a link, hold it with your finger. In the menu that appears, select Open with Help and specify the browser you want. Always tick.

Problem 3: There is no alternative browser on the list

If the installed browser does not appear in the default settings:

• 🔍 Check if your browser supports link opening: Some lightweight browsers (like Firefox Focus) don't register as link handlers. Install the full browser (like Firefox instead of Focus). 🔄 Reinstall the browser: Delete the current version. Download APK from the official website and install again. 📦 Use "App Cloner": If the browser does not want to register as the main one, clone it using the App Cloner app. In the clone settings, specify that it must open default links. ⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware for China (China) ROM) The default browser change is locked at the system level, and in this case, only flashing to the global version will help. MIUI or custom recovery installation. To make an informed choice, compare the main browsers on key parameters: speed, security, battery consumption and additional features. Features of the battery consumption of Google Chrome ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ (collection) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Google Account: Dark theme, translator, voice search Mozilla Firefox ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (tracker lock-up) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Firefox Account) Extensions, phishing protection Low Opera ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ (built-in VPN) ⭐⭐⭐ (Opera Account) VPN, Advertising blocker, news feed High (due to the VPN) Brave ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (blockage of ads and trackers) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Brave Sync Rewards for viewing ads, Tor mode Low Kiwi Browser ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Chrome-based, but with improvements) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Google Account) Built-in extensions, Night Mode Average On Xiaomi Redmi 8 Note with its modest 4GB of RAM best perform Firefox and Brave – they consume fewer resources than Chrome, and offer better privacy protection. If you want to sync with desktop, choose Chrome or Firefox. For maximum anonymity, Brave with Tor mode is suitable. VPN — How to return Mi Browser back If after experimenting you decided to go back to the standard browser, do it simply: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Find the current default browser (like Chrome). tap it and select Default. → Clear your default settings. Go back to the app list, find Mi Browser. Select Default. → Open supported links → You can also reset all application settings to factory: Go to Settings → System system → Setting reset. Select App Settings Reset. Confirm action. ⚠️ Note: Resetting app settings will delete all default election data not only for the browser but also for other applications (e.g., a music player or gallery). After changing the browser by default, we recommend that you perform several actions to improve performance and security: 🔒 Set up sync: In Chrome: Settings → Entrance to Chrome → Synchronization. Firefox: Settings → Firefox account. ⚡ Turn on traffic savings: In Opera: Settings → Save traffic. in Chrome: Settings → Lite mode. 🌙 Activate Dark Theme: Most browsers enable Dark Mode in the appearance settings. Redmi 8 Note also allows you to enable System Dark Theme in Settings → Screen. → Dark subject. 🛡️ Install ad blocker: Brave has ad blocker enabled by default. Firefox can install the uBlock Origin extension. If you frequently open the same sites, add them to the home screen as shortcuts: Open the desired site in the browser. Click on the menu (three dots) and select Add to the home screen. Confirm shortcut creation. 💡To speed up page loading on the slow web, in Chrome, enable the “Page Preload” option in your privacy settings. FAQ: Frequent questions about changing your browser to Xiaomi: Can you completely remove the Mi Browser with the Redmi 8 Note? No, Mi Browser is a system application and can not be removed without root rights. However, it can be disabled in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Browser → Disable it. It hides it from the menu and prevents automatic link opening. MIUI Did the browser default to reset? with major updates MIUI (For example, from version 12 to version 13, some settings are reset. After updating, you need to reassign the default browser as described in the instructions above. Also check if settings in individual apps (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) have reset, how to get links from some apps to open in another browser? Some apps (e.g. Instagram or Twitter) have their own settings for opening links. To change them: Open the settings of the problematic application. Find the Open Links section or the default browser. Choose the browser you want or select Ask each time. If you don't have that option, try opening the long tap link and manually selecting the browser from the Open with the help menu. Is it safe to install browsers from APK? Installation APK It is safe if the file is downloaded from the official developer site or a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror: 🕵️‍♂️ Fake. APK It may contain viruses or spyware. 🔄 Unofficial assemblies may work unstablely. Recommendations: Check the hash amount (MD5/SHA-1) of the file. Don't download APK from questionable sites. Use antivirus to check the file before install. How to reset all browser default settings? To return all application settings to factory (including the browser), follow these steps: Go to Settings System → Settings → Settings Reset. Select App Settings. Confirm action. This will reset: Default settings for all applications. App permissions. Background restrictions for applications. After resetting the browser, reset by default.