How to change the main browser on the Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Why Xiaomi can’t just change browsers – and how to get around it

You bought a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, installed Google Chrome or Firefox, but when you open links still launch native Mi Browser? This is not a coincidence – the manufacturer deliberately limits the ability to change the default browser in the shell MIUI. The reasons are rooted in agreements with partners (for example, with Yandex in Russia) and the desire to promote their own services.

Unlike pure Android, where it takes 3 clicks to change the browser, Xiaomi can take up to 5 different actions – from manual setup to use. ADB-In fact, after the updates, MIUI settings are often reset, and the procedure has to be repeated. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the browser to Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing the restrictions for models with a new browser. MIUI 14 and newer.

It is important to understand that even after a successful browser change, some system links (e.g. from Settings → About Phone) can still open in Mi Browser, which is due to the rigid binding of individual MIUI components to a standard browser, but for 90% of everyday tasks (social networks, messengers, mail), the alternative browser will work correctly.

Method 1: Standard browser change through settings (MIUI 12–14)

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added a semi-official way to change the browser, but with important caveats: This method works on most models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.), but may not be available on devices for the Chinese market or with custom firmware.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the browser you want to make the main one (for example, Chrome or Edge).
• 🛠️ Tap on the browser name. → Open by default → Open supported links.
• ✅ Choose Open in this application and confirm the action.

If there is no Open by default, your version of MIUI does not support it, in which case you can move to Method 2.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T) After changing the browser, links from Telegram or WhatsApp can open in Mi Browser through settings, this is due to a separate setting for messengers - it must be changed in each application individually.

Method 2: Manual browser assignment for each type of link

If the standard method doesn’t work, you’ll have to manually prescribe an alternative browser for all types of links (http://, https://, web pages), which is universal for all versions of MIUI, but takes longer.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the browser you want from Google Play (such as Chrome or Firefox).
2. Open any application that contains a link (such as Telegram or Gmail).
3. Click on the link, and you'll see a browser selection window. Check the box Always and select the app you want.
4. Repeat the action for 3-5 different types of links (e.g., from YouTube, Twitter, emails).

Android remembers your choices and will automatically open all the links in your browser over time, but to completely replace the Mi Browser, you will need to do this for at least 10-15 different sources.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Open 3-5 apps with links (Telegram, Gmail, Twitter)|Click on the link and select a new browser with the tick "Always"|Repeat for different types of links (http, https, web pages)|Restart your phone to apply changes-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after updating the system, the browser settings may be reset. To avoid this, before updating, record the browser selection through the browser ADB (see method 4).

Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If manual methods don't help, you can use specialized applications that force the browser to change by default.

• 🛠️ Default App Manager – allows you to assign a browser to all types of links without ADB.
• 🔧 SetEdit – edits system settings of applications (requires developer rights).
• 🔄 App Cloner – creates a copy of the browser with priority of opening links.

Instructions for Default App Manager:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to Special Opportunities (in your phone settings).
3. Select the browser category → specify the desired application.
4. Confirm the change and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is that it works even on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, but after the MIUI update, the settings may reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Method 4: Forced browser change via ADB (for advanced)

The most reliable method is the use of ADB-It is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Pro, but requires a computer connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser


adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package)

Reset the device.

This method is guaranteed to change the browser by default, but has risks: if you enter commands incorrectly, you can disrupt the system.

💡

Before using ADB, check the correctness of the browser package. For example, for Firefox it is org.mozilla.firefox, for Edge it is com.microsoft.emmx. You can find out the package through the App Inspector application.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

* On MIUI 14, the browser change point can be hidden in regional firmware (for example, for Russia).

What to do if the browser is reset after the update

The problem of returning to Mi Browser after the MIUI update is one of the most common.

• 🔄 Repeat the procedure for changing the browser (by any of the methods described).
• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB for fixing the browser (command: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity [browser packet]/[main activity]
• 🛡️ Install Magisk and Disable Miui Browser (requires root).

If the updates are critical for security, the alternative is to roll back the firmware to the previous version of MIUI, where the browser change is stable. For example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, MIUI 13.0.6 is considered optimal.

💡

The most reliable way to avoid a browser reset is to combine the method with ADB and disable automatic MIUI updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi