Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi 8, provide users with incredible freedom of choice of software. Often after buying or resetting the device suggests using the pre-installed Mi Browser app to go online, but many owners are accustomed to the functionality of other solutions. The question of how to change the default browser on Android becomes especially relevant when the system begins to obsessively offer to open a link in a standard application instead of the usual one.
The process of changing the default browser on the MIUI shell that is installed on Redmi 8 may be slightly different from pure Android, but it remains quite logical and accessible even for inexperienced users. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps necessary to assign Chrome, Yandex Browser or any other application to the main surfing tool. You will learn not only about standard settings, but also how to avoid typical problems when the system ignores your choices.
Before you start making changes, make sure that the desired application is already installed on your device through the Google Play store. If you just purchased a smartphone or updated the operating system, first download the right software. Only after successful installation, you can move to system settings, where you redistribute priorities between programs.
Why the system offers Mi Browser
Xiaomi is known for its ecosystem of services, and the Mi Browser is an integral part of the MIUI shell on models like the Redmi 8. Developers make it a default priority because it is optimized to work with their ad servers and news feeds. This is standard practice for many Android smartphone manufacturers looking to keep users inside their services.
However, for many users, pre-installed solutions may seem redundant or overloaded with features that are not used in everyday life. For example, the Mi Browser often contains an in-built ad blocker and news aggregator, which can annoy those who prefer minimalism, which is why it becomes necessary to force the system to switch to using alternative software.
⚠️ Note: Forced removal of the Mi Browser system application without root rights or use ADB-commands may lead to unstable operation of some shell functions MIUI, So it's safer to just change the priority of the launch.
It is worth noting that the presence of several browsers on one device does not create conflicts if the startup settings are correctly configured. Android allows you to have as many web browsers as you want, but only one of them will open links automatically when you click on messengers or social networks. Understanding this logic helps to avoid confusion during the further operation of the gadget.
Preparation for the change of the standard annex
Before you make changes to the system settings of Xiaomi Redmi 8, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps.This ensures that the process goes smoothly, and you will not encounter a situation where the link does not open at all. First of all, make sure that the alternative browser is fully installed and updated to the latest version.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
It is also important to check whether the current browser is blocking background activity, which is characteristic of aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. If you plan to use the new browser as the main one, it needs to be allowed to work in the background so that notifications and downloads function correct.
Another important aspect is cleaning the cache of the old browser if you have used it before and it has not worked correctly. Accumulated temporary files can sometimes cause conflicts when the system tries to determine a new path to open links.
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It is recommended to export bookmarks from the old application before changing the browser, so as not to lose important links when switching to new software.
Step-by-step instruction through system settings
The main method of changing the priority application is in the deep settings of the Android system. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, the path can vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same for all devices in this line.
First, open the settings menu on your smartphone and scroll down to the App section. In some firmware versions, this item may be called Apps and Notifications or just App Management, and we need to get to the menu that lists all the installed programs.
Next, look for a button or menu item called the Default Apps. In MIUI, this item is often hidden inside the Application Management menu, at the top of the screen, or in the optional menu (three dots). If you don't see this item right away, search by settings by typing in the "default" phrase.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → (Menu) → Default AppsIn the list that opens, look for the Browser category, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed, and if you choose the browser you want to use all the time, the system will immediately change the browser, and all the links will start to open in the app you select.
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After selecting a new browser in the system settings, all hyperlinks from other applications will automatically open in the selected program without additional questions.
Setup through the application menu
There is an alternative way to change the settings that works not through the global settings of the system, but through the management of a particular application, which is convenient if you want to configure the access rights and behavior of the selected browser on Redmi 8 in detail.
Go to the Apps section in the settings and find your new browser (e.g. Chrome or Opera) in the list. Go inside the app card. Here we are interested in Open by Default or Run by Default.
In this menu, you'll see the default Use switch. If it's off, activate it. There may also be a button to Remove default settings for the old browser, which will help reset previous priorities if the system "remembered" the old choice too tightly.
| Parameter | Description of action | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Open supported links | Allows the application to intercept clicks on the URL | Included. |
| Use by default | Makes the application a priority for the type "Browser" | Included. |
| Working in the background | Allows background activity for notifications | No restrictions. |
| Auto-start | Allows you to start when you turn on the phone | Included (optional) |
After making the changes, it is recommended to restart the device so that all Android services correctly update their link routing tables, which is especially important for Xiaomi, where the power saving system can cache old process settings.
Resolving Link Opening Problems
Sometimes you seem to have everything set up, but links still open in Mi Browser or the system constantly asks how to open the URL.This is a common problem associated with caching actions or conflicting versions of applications on Redmi 8.
If the system continues to ask a question every time you click, find the old browser in the application list, go to its settings and click the Remove default settings (or Reset preferences) button, which will force the system to forget about the previous choice and accept the new settings.
⚠️ Note: When resetting the default settings for all applications, you will have to re-select programs to open certain types of files (for example, PDF or video, so be careful.
Another reason might be that the Mi Browser app itself has Forced Link Opening enabled. Go to the Mi Browser settings, find the Privacy and Security or Additional section, and disable the option that forces it to be the default browser. Sometimes the app protects itself from being replaced.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Android System service helps. To do this, in the application settings, turn on the display of system processes (three dots in the corner → Show system), find the Android System and clear its cache. Don't confuse it with cleaning data, this can reset network settings.
What do you do if nothing helps?
Comparison of popular browsers for Redmi 8
Choosing a browser is an individual matter, but for owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 with its Snapdragon 439 processor and 3-4 GB of RAM, optimization and speed are important. Not all modern browsers feel equally good on this hardware.
- 🚀 Google Chrome is a benchmark of compatibility, perfectly synced with the account, but can consume a lot of RAM with many open tabs.
- ⚡ Opera Mini is the perfect choice for saving traffic and working on weak networks, has a built-in data saving mode, which prolongs autonomy.
- 🛡️ Brave – focuses on privacy and blocking ads out of the box, which reduces the load on the processor when browsing heavy sites.
- 🌐 Yandex Browser – well optimized for the Russian-speaking segment, has a Turbo mode to speed up page loading, but contains many built-in services.
When choosing, consider that some browsers have an aggressive notification policy. On MIUI, it is better to choose those applications that respect the system settings of notifications and do not try to bypass them, this will keep the notification curtain clean and reduce irritation from unnecessary visual noise.
Also, look for extension support. If you need specific features like uBlock Origin ad blockers or password managers, you’d better opt for Firefox or Kiwi Browser, which support installing add-ons from desktop stores.