Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone running MIUI defaults to the company’s Mi Browser browser, an application with integrated services, but not always user-friendly. Many prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave because of faster speed, synchronization with other devices or enhanced privacy features. However, changing the default browser on Xiaomi devices often raises questions about where to look for settings, why some options are not available, and how to circumvent shell restrictions.
In this article, you will find the latest instructions for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware), understand the nuances of system applications and learn how to get your smartphone to open links in your browser of choice - without unnecessary clicks and redirects, special attention is paid to the problems that users face after updating or resetting.
Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Redmi 8?
Unlike pure Android, MIUI is actively promoting its own services, including Mi Browser.
- 🔄 Automatic Reset: After some system updates, the default browser may reset to Mi Browser even if you have previously changed it.
- 🚫 Limited choice in settings: In some versions MIUI List of available browsers in the menu "Default Apps" reduced or hidden.
- 🔗 Link Redirection: Even after changing the browser, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Community) can open links in Mi Browser.
- 📦 Remove alternative browsers: System "Optimizer" sometimes suggests removing underused browsers, which can lead to loss of choice.
These features are related to Xiaomi's policy, but they can be bypassed. The main thing is to understand that the default browser setting is in the browser. MIUI It consists of two stages: selecting an application to open links and setting up the processing of specific types of content (for example, HTML-Missing one of them often leads to the fact that the links are still opened in Mi Browser.
Preparation: What to do before changing your browser
Before you change your browser by default, follow a few preliminary steps to avoid typical problems:
- Install an alternative browser from Google Play or through APK-File. Popular options: 🌐 Google Chrome – sync with Google account, support for extensions (on Android limited). 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – open source, advanced privacy settings. 🛡️ Brave – Blocking Ads and Trackers Out of the Box". 🔍 DuckDuckGo – focus on privacy, without data collection.
Update MIUI
MIUI 11
Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI
Clear the cache.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache
If you install a browser through an APK (like Firefox Nightly or Kiwi Browser), enable permission to install from unknown sources: Settings → Apps → Special Permissions → Install Unknown Apps → Select a browser or file manager.
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If it doesn’t appear in the default app list after you install an alternative browser, reboot your smartphone.This often solves the problem of caching system settings.
Step-by-step: how to change the browser by default
The process varies depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme is maintained.
Method 1: Through Settings → Applications (MIUI 12–14)
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
- Slip on Browser.
- In the list that appears, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox). If not, see the Problem Solving section below.
- Confirm the choice by clicking Set by default.
After that, all links from messages, emails and other applications must open in the browser of choice. However, some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Community or Mi Video) may ignore this setting.
Method 2: Through the settings of a particular browser
Some browsers (such as Chrome or Brave) offer to set themselves by default right in their interface:
- Open an alternative browser.
- Go to its menu (three dots in the upper right corner).
- Select Settings → Browser by default (in Chrome) or a similar item.
- Click Set by Default – the system will redirect you to the MIUI settings, where you will be left to confirm the selection.
This method is more convenient because it does not require you to find the right partition in the smartphone settings, but it does not work for all browsers (for example, Firefox does not have such an option).
Method 3: For specific content types (HTML, HTTP/HTTPS)
If links still open in Mi Browser after changing your browser, check the settings for specific file types:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Apps → Open by Default.
- Find HTML, HTTP and HTTPS in the list.
- For each type, select the desired browser.
This move is critical for Redmi 8, as MIUI separates settings for the browser as an application and for handling web links as content types.
Solving typical problems when changing browsers
Even after setting up correctly, Redmi 8 users may find that links still open in Mi Browser.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The browser does not appear in the "Default" list | The application is not registered in the system as a browser or installed with errors | Reinstall your browser. Clear the Settings cache → Applications → App management → [Your browser] → Storage → Clear the cache. Reboot your smartphone. |
| Mi Community or Mi Video links open in Mi Browser | Xiaomi system applications have a strict binding to the Mi Browser | Open a problem application (e.g. Mi Community) and find the "Open Links to" option in its settings and select the browser you want. If you don't have an option, use it. ADB (see next section). |
| Settings are reset after the MIUI update | Mi Browser Restores as Default Browser After System Updates | After updating manually check settings (Settings → Apps → Default Apps). Turn off automatic update Mi Browser in Google Play. |
| When you click on the link, the browser selection appears, despite the default settings | Conflict between browser settings and link opening | Check both sections in Settings → Applications → Default Apps (see Method 3 above). |
If none of these methods worked, your version of MIUI may have firmware limitations, and ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for advanced users, will help.
How to use ADB to change the default browser?
How to prevent Mi Browser from opening links
Even after changing the default browser, Mi Browser can automatically open some types of links (for example, from push notifications or system applications).
- Turn off notifications for Mi Browser: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Notifications → Disable everything.
- Freeze the app (if you don’t use it at all): With ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser or through apps like App Inspector (root rights required).
Set up a redirect.
- In Mi Community: Profile → Settings → Open links in → Select a browser.
- In Mi Video: Similar in the app settings.
Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi 8: comparison
The choice of browser depends on your priorities: speed, privacy, synchronization or additional features. Consider popular options with the features of the Redmi 8 (4 GB of RAM, Snapdragon 439):
| browser | Advantages | Deficiencies | Is it good for Redmi 8? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Sync with Google account (bookmarks, history, passwords) Supports most web standards, Light mode to save traffic. | High RAM consumption (may slow down in other applications) Data collection for personalized advertising. | ✅ Yes, but it can slow down with a lot of tabs. |
| Mozilla Firefox | Open source, privacy focus, extension support (e.g. uBlock Origin) synced through your Firefox account. | Slower than Chrome on weak devices. Some sites display incorrectly. | ✅ Yes, if confidentiality is important. |
| Brave | Built-in ad and tracker blocking, torrent client support, ad-view rewards (BAT). | Less optimized for weak devices, and some sites block access due to aggressive tracker blocking. | ⚠️ Conditionally, it can brake under high load. |
| DuckDuckGo | Maximum privacy (no history, blocking trackers), built-in VPN (premium) Minimalist interface. | Limited functionality (no extensions, weak synchronization) Some sites are not displayed correctly. | ✅ Yes, if privacy is the priority. |
| Kiwi Browser | It's based on Chrome, but with extension support (like on PCs), ad blocker built in, night mode and settings for weak devices. | Less known, less frequent updates. Some extensions may not work. | ✅ Optimized for budget smartphones. |
For Redmi 8 with its modest specs (Snapdragon 439, 4 GB of RAM), Kiwi Browser or Firefox in memory saving mode will be optimal. Chrome is suitable if you do not open dozens of tabs at the same time. Brave and DuckDuckGo should only choose privacy priority, as they can run slower.
What to do if the settings are reset after the update?
One of the most common problems on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is resetting the browser by default after the MIUI update. This is due to the fact that system applications (including Mi Browser) regain their rights when updating the firmware.
- 🔄 Automatic check: After each update MIUI manually check your default browser settings, which will take less than a minute, but will eliminate the unexpected.
- 📵 Turn off updates for Mi Browser: Open Google Play. Find Mi Browser. tap three dots in the top right corner and uncheck the box from Auto Update.
Use Tasker or MacroDroid
- Create a task that, after restarting or updating the system, will install the desired browser by default.
- Special Opportunity Permit and ADB will be required.
Install custom firmware
LineageOS
Pixel Experience
Mi Browser
Requires unlocking the bootloader and firmware skills.
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If you experience setting resets often, create a shortcut on your desktop to quickly navigate to the Default Apps menu. Use the Shortcut Maker widget or an app like Shortcut Maker to do this.
If the problem is repeated too often, consider using a browser that can run on top of the Mi Browser. For example, Hermit Lite or Lightning Browser do not require installation by default – they open links in their interface through workarounds.
Security: Risks of changing the default browser
Changing your browser to Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a harmless procedure, but it can affect some aspects of the security and stability of the smartphone.
⚠️ Note: If you remove or freeze the Mi Browser through the ADB or root access, some system functions may stop working, such as: Authorization to Mi Account via a browser, opening links from Xiaomi push notifications, Mi Cloud services, not removing the Mi Browser completely, but only limiting its rights.
Other potential risks:
- 🔓 Data Leakage: Some alternative browsers (especially the little-known ones) may collect more data than Mi Browser. check the app's permissions in Google Play before installing.
- 🐌 Performance: Browsers like Chrome or Brave can consume more RAM, which will lead to brakes on Redmi 8 (especially when multitasking).
- 🔄 Conflicts with MIUI: In rare cases, changing the default browser may cause errors in system applications. For example, Mi Video may stop opening web content.
If you notice suspicious behavior after changing your browser (such as redirects to unknown sites or high battery load), return the Mi Browser by default and check the system for viruses using Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.