Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the system automatically opens links in a standard application that seems not the most convenient or functional. The Redmi Note 9 model, which runs on the basis of the MIUI shell, has its own navigation features in system settings that can confuse the inexperienced user. Changing the priority web surfing application is a basic setting that allows you to personalize the device to your habits.
The browser change procedure does not require superuser rights or complex software. All the necessary tools are already built into the Android operating system, but they can be hidden in the depth of the menu or blocked by previous default settings. In this article, we will analyze every step necessary to ensure that links from messengers and social networks open in the application you choose.
Before you start changing system settings, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed on your device. If you plan to use Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera, they should be pre-downloaded from the Play Market store and installed. Without a second application, the system simply won't offer you a choice, leaving the current option the only one available.
Preparation for the change of the standard annex
The first step is to install the software you want, and many users buy a phone with a pre-installed set of software, but often want to replace it with more familiar ones, and after downloading the APK installation file or downloading from the store, you have to complete the installation and launch the new application once.
When you first start up, most modern browsers ask for permission to work as the main tool for the Internet. The MIUI system can show a pop-up with a suggestion to change the settings right now. If you missed this moment or the window did not appear, you will need to manually through the settings menu.
It is important to understand that the standard MIUI Browser browser is often deeply integrated into the system and may take priority until you explicitly state otherwise. On the Redmi Note 9, a default setting reset is sometimes required even for a new application if the system has "remembered" the old choice. So preparation involves not only installing but also possibly pre-clearing the cache of the old application.
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Before changing your browser, sync your passwords and history in the new app so you don’t lose important data when you transition.
Search for the application section in MIUI settings
Xiaomi’s shell interface is different from stock Android, so the paths to settings can look unusual.You need to get to the main settings menu of the smartphone. To do this, swipe down the screen to open the notification curtain, and click on the gear icon, or find the Settings app on the desktop.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the section called "Applications." In some firmware versions, this item may be called "Applications and Notifications." This is where you focus on managing all installed programs, their permissions and behavior on the system.
Inside this section, we're interested in the All Apps subsection, and if you click on it, you'll see a complete list of all the software installed on your Redmi Note 9, which allows you to manage memory, notifications and, most importantly, default actions.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Resetting the current browser settings by default
Often, the system does not allow you to choose a new application, because the old one is already firmly fixed to open links. To unlock the choice, you need to reset the settings of the current main browser. In the list of all applications, find the browser that opens automatically for you now (usually MIUI Browser or Chrome).
Click on the name of the app to enter its information menu, and it displays version, memory usage, and other technical details. At the bottom of the screen or at the top menu (depending on the MIUI version) is the Default or Default Start button.
If the button is active and the browser name is written underneath, click on it. The window that opens will have a button called "Clear Default Settings" or "Reset." Pressing this button breaks the link between the file type (web links) and the particular application. Now, when you try to open the link, the system will ask you what to do.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting, all links can be opened for a short time with an application selection request.
Installation of a new browser main
Once you have cleared the settings of the old application, you can start assigning a new one. Go back to the main settings menu and find a section that can be called "Applications" or "Default Apps." In newer versions of MIUI 12/13/14, this item is often displayed in a separate menu inside the application section.
Find the browser. When you click on it, the system will offer a list of all installed web browsers. Select from the list the one you want to make the main one (for example, Firefox or Samsung Internet, if installed).
Once you select the tick or token, it will move to the new app, and from that point on, all hyperlinks, email addresses, and search queries from the widgets will be processed by the selected software, and the changes will take effect instantly and do not require a device reboot.
What to do if the browser is not on the list?
Alternative Methods through Link Management
There is another way that allows you to fine-tune the system’s response to different types of links, which is useful if the standard change didn’t work or you want certain types of links to open in different applications.
In the app information menu (as described above), look for "Default Open" or "Supported Links." Here you'll see the "Open Supported Links" switch.
Below is a list of domains. You can choose "All supported links" or specific domains (e.g., google.com, youtube.com), which gives you complete control over which addresses the browser will handle, ignoring system preferences.
| Setup parameter | Standard value | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default application | MIUI Browser | User-selected | Determines where the link will open |
| Cleaning the settings | Not implemented | Completed. | Removes the block of choice |
| Supported references | Question every time | Open in this annex | Automates the start-up process |
| Access to memory | Requested. | Permitted. | Needed to download files |
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The most reliable way is to first reset the settings of the old browser, and then manually select a new one in the Default Apps section.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users sometimes face difficulties, and one of the common problems is that there is no choice item in the menu, which can be caused by the fact that the new application was not installed correctly or damaged, in which case it is recommended to remove the browser and install it again.
Another common situation is that the system constantly returns settings back after rebooting, which may indicate that third-party optimizers or antiviruses are working to "protect" system settings. Check the installed programs to clean the memory and add the browser to exceptions.
Also worth mentioning is the link-specific problem: Some apps (like Instagram or TikTok) can force you to open links in your built-in browser, ignoring system settings, which is a limitation of the source app itself, not the Android system.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations, links open in an empty window or with an error, check if the new browser does not include the default Incognito mode or ad blockers that may conflict with security protocols.