Why the standard MIUI browser is not always convenient and how to replace it
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro comes pre-installed with MIUI Browser (formerly known as Mi Browser), which automatically becomes the default app for opening web links. However, many users are faced with its features: aggressive advertising in the news feed, limited privacy settings or an uncomfortable interface compared to alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave.
Changing your default browser to Redmi Note 9 Pro is a simple procedure, but with nuances depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the updates installed. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, including bypassing possible system limitations, and give recommendations on choosing the best browser for your tasks - whether it is speed, security or traffic saving.
It is important to note that on some firmware, Xiaomi blocks the change of standard applications through the settings menu, offering instead “recommendations” for using branded services, and we will show how to circumvent this restriction by legal methods without root rights.
Preparation: which browser to choose for Redmi Note 9 Pro
Before changing the browser by default, you should decide on an alternative. Here are the key selection criteria for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, taking into account its technical characteristics (Snapdragon 720G processor, 6 GB of RAM in the top version):
- 🔥 Speed and Optimization: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (based on Chromium) show better performance on medium hardware.
- 🛡️ Privacy: Firefox Focus or Brave block trackers by default and do not collect history.
- 📶 The most important traffic is the Opera Mini or UC Browser compresses data, which is relevant for limited tariffs.
- 🎨 Customization: Vivaldi or Kiwi Browser offer flexible interface settings.
For most Redmi Note 9 Pro users, Google Chrome is the best choice – it’s pre-installed on many devices (even if it’s not displayed in the menu), syncs with your Google account, and supports extensions. However, if you’re interested in privacy, look at Brave: it blocks browser-level ads and speeds up page loading by cutting off unnecessary scripts.
Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings
This is the simplest method that works on most versions of MIUI 12-14.
- Open the Settings menu (the gear icon on the desktop).
- 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 of available applications, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).
If the browser you want is not on the list, make sure it’s installed from Google Play. Sometimes, after installation, you need to reboot the device to make the app appear in the selection menu.
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 9 Pro firmware (especially regional versions for China) may not have the default App.
Method 2: Change browser by opening a link (alternative method)
If the standard path doesn’t work, you can “cheat” the system by making it offer browser choices when you open the link:
- Install an alternative browser (such as Chrome) from Google Play.
- Open any application that has web links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
- Tap any link (e.g. https://xiaomi.com).
- In the window that appears, select Always and specify the desired browser.
This method works even on “locked” firmware, where there is no default App menu. If the selection window does not appear, try to clear the Settings app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear cache).
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If links are opened in MIUI Browser despite the choice of another browser, check the settings of a particular application (for example, Telegram has a separate item "Open links in...").
Method 3: Using ADB for forced change (for power users)
If the previous methods didn't work, you can use the ADB commands (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but you don't need root rights.
- Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi Note 9 Pro: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You became a developer" appears.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
USB debugging
ADB-driver
platform-tools
adb devices(Serial number of the device must be displayed).
com.android.chrome
adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.BROWSER com.android.chrome(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package name).
Once you have completed the command, restart your smartphone. This method is guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI, but it requires caution - the wrong ADB commands can disrupt the system.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Resets some security settings. After the procedure, we recommend disabling Debugging. USB developer-menu.
Problem Solving: Why the browser doesn’t change
Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the Redmi Note 9 Pro persistently opens links to MIUI Browser.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The browser does not appear in the selection list | Application not installed or disabled | Check in Settings → Applications if it is enabled. Reinstall your browser. |
| Links open in MIUI Browser despite choosing another | Cache system or application conflict | Clear the Settings cache and restart the device. |
| No "Default Applications" clause | Regional firmware (for example, for China) | Use Method 2 or ADB. |
| After the MIUI update, the settings reset | Resetting default settings | Repeat the browser selection procedure. |
If the problem persists, check if your device has optimized applications (such as Security or Clean Master) that can block changes to system settings. Turn them off temporarily and try again.
What if MIUI Browser cannot be turned off?
Optimize the new browser on Redmi Note 9 Pro
After changing the browser by default, we recommend configuring it for maximum performance on the Redmi Note 9 Pro:
- ⚡ Speed up download: In Chrome, turn on Light Mode (Settings) → Light Mode, in Firefox – Turbo Mode.
- 🔒 Security: In Brave, activate Shields (block trackers and ads), in Edge – InPrivate-mode.
- 📱 Saving Charge: Turn off background synchronization in your browser settings if you don’t use it.
- 🌐 Localization: In Chrome, disable Offer page translation if it doesn’t work properly.
For the Redmi Note 9 Pro with 6GB of RAM, it is optimal to limit the number of open tabs to 10-15 to avoid slowing down. In Chrome, this can be done through the OneTab extension, and in Firefox, you can manually close unnecessary tabs.
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On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 13+ firmware, it is better to use browsers based on Chromium (Chrome, Edge, Brave) - they are optimized to work with modern web standards and consume less resources than Firefox or Opera.