How to change the browser when opening links to Xiaomi: full instruction

Are you tired of all the links to your Xiaomi automatically opening up in the standard MIUI browser? Want to use Google Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser as your primary? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and other brands. The fact is that MIUI firmware aggressively promotes its own browser, even if you installed another.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your default browser on Xiaomi devices, from standard system settings to workarounds for stubborn versions of MIUI. You’ll learn why settings are sometimes reset after an update, how to fix your browser forever, and what to do if the system ignores your preferences. And we’ll reveal a few hidden tricks that work on even the latest versions of the firmware (including MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14).

Why Xiaomi ignores the default browser choice?

MIUI firmware has historically been known for its persistence in promoting its own services, and even if you manually choose Chrome or Edge in your settings, the system can:

• 🔄 Reset choices after rebooting or updating;
• 📱 Open links in MI Browser from some apps (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Community);
• ⚙️ Block changes in settings for specific types of links (e.g, http:// vs https://).

The reason lies in Xiaomi’s policy: the company integrates its own services (search, advertising, cloud) into MIUI and is interested in users using them, for example, the MI Browser browser has enabled by default:

• 📊 Collection of data on visited sites (even in a “private mode");
• 📢 Pop-up advertising on the main page;
• 🔍 Redirecting Search to Bing or Xiaomi’s Internal Search Engine.

Fortunately, there are ways to get around these limitations, from the simple to the radical, and let's start with the obvious.

Method 1: Standard browser setting by default

In most cases, it's enough to do a simple procedure in your Android settings, but MIUI sometimes hides these options or makes them unavailable.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Slip on Browser.
4. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If you don't have a Browser item on the menu, your version of MIUI is blocking that path. Go to the next one.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Close all background apps |Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone |Disable the battery optimization for the browser-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with a MIUI 13) after selecting a browser, the system may display a notification saying, "Some features may not be available." That's OK -- just click OK.

If the links are still opened in MI Browser after these actions, the problem may be:

• 📲 Specific applications (e.g. Facebook or Telegram ignore system settings);
• 🔄 Cache system (sometimes helps to clean the cache Settings) → Memory. → Clear the cache);
• 📱 Regional settings (on Chinese firmware) MIUI Browser selection is often blocked).

Method 2: Forced change through "Open with the help"

If the system settings don't work, you can trick MIUI into remembering your choices when you open a particular link, which works even on blocked firmware:

1. Copy any link (e.g. https://google.com).
2. Plug it into the search box on the home screen or in any messenger (for example, Telegram).
3. Click on the link and hold your finger until the context menu appears.
4. Choose to open with the help of...
5. In the list of applications, tap on the desired browser and mark Always (or Use by default).

This method works in 80% of cases, but has nuances:

⚠️ Note: On some devices after this method MIUI This may show a notification: “For better performance, use the MI Browser." It can be turned off in Settings. → Notifications → MI Browser.

💡

If a link opens in MI Browser from only one app (like Instagram), try clearing that app's cache in Settings → Apps → [Title] → Memory → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Change

For advanced users who are ready to connect a smartphone to a computer, there is a reliable method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even where other methods are powerless.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools;
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers);
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the name of your browser package (for example, for Chrome it is com.android.chrome).
5. Follow the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global browser_default_package com.android.chrome

Once done, restart your smartphone. This method is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI, but requires re-execution after resetting the settings or major updates of the firmware.

Method 4: Bypassing the MIUI Security Center

Recent versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12.5) introduced a hidden default application management mechanism through the Security Center, a technique that is little known but often works where others are powerless.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security Center (the shield icon on your desktop).
2. Go to Optimization → Battery → Selection of applications.
3. Find the MI Browser list and turn off AutoRun and Secondary Running for it.
4. Go back to the Security Center’s main menu and select Application Management.
5. Find your browser (like Chrome) and enable all permissions for it, including Display on top of other apps.
6. Reset the device.

This works because MIUI prioritizes active permission applications in the Security Center, and once the MI Browser autorun is disabled, the system begins to "see" alternative browsers.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40) After these actions, you may not be able to open links from Mi Community.

Method 5: Remove MI Browser (root only)

The most radical method is to completely remove the standard browser, which is only possible on devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights.

If you are prepared for risk, follow the instructions:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (the path may vary depending on the model).
4. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiBrowserGlobal_bak).
5. Reset the device.

After that, MIUI will no longer be able to open links in the standard browser and will be forced to use an alternative.

• ⚠️ Some system functions (such as checking for updates) may not work properly;
• 🔄 After updating the firmware browser can recover;
• 📱 On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) This method often results in bootloop (a looped boot).

💡

Deleting MI Browser is a last resort.Be sure to back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool before doing so.

Problem Solving: When Nothing Works

Sometimes, even after all the manipulation, MIUI persists in opening links in a standard browser.

If you've exhausted all options, you'll have to reset your settings to factory settings, and you'll have to:

• 📱 Make a backup copy of the data;
• 🔐 Write down logins/passwords from accounts;
• 📁 Save photos and files to your PC or cloud.

After resetting, install an alternative browser and select it by default before your first Internet connection, which will increase the chances that MIUI will “remember” your choice.

FAQ: Frequent questions