How to change the main browser to Xiaomi: the full guide

Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone involves constantly working with web content, whether it’s watching news, socializing or online shopping. However, after the first activation of the device, users often find that all links from messengers and applications open in a standard browser that may not suit the functionality or design, this is because the Android system and the MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS) automatically assign priority to the preinstalled application.

Changing the default browser is not just a matter of personal preference, but also a way to improve security and speed of the Internet. Many users prefer to use Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera because of the synchronization with the history on the computer, but the system stubbornly ignores these settings without the right configuration. Understanding how to manage this parameter gives complete control over the digital experience.

In this guide, we will go into detail all the possible ways to change a priority web surfing app. We will look at standard methods through system settings, manual application management, and solving common problems when the selection menu simply does not appear. You will learn to customize your device to work exactly as you need it to.

Why does the system choose the browser itself?

The Android operating system, which runs Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, has a built-in mechanism for processing Internet links. When you click on a hyperlink on Telegram or WhatsApp, the system checks the list of installed applications that can open web pages. If there is only one candidate on the list or one of them is marked as the default application, the transition occurs instantly without further questions.

The problem arises when the user installs a new, more user-friendly browser but forgets to inform the system, in which case MIUI continues to use the old way, ignoring new features, which can lead to inconveniences, for example, if the new browser already saves all passwords, and opens pages in a clean, empty application.

⚠️ Note: Some global versions of Xiaomi firmware pre-installed a browser with aggressive advertising, its removal or ignoring in favor of an alternative is standard practice for comfortable use.

In addition, different versions of the shells can interpret application requests differently: in older versions of Android, the choice had to be confirmed each first run, whereas in modern versions of HyperOS, priority is fixed rigidly until the user manually changes.

Standard method through system settings

The most reliable and versatile method of changing settings lies in the depths of the system menu, which is relevant for all current models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and older devices. The algorithm of actions is the same for most versions of MIUI and HyperOS, although the names of items may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware.

To start, you need to open the main settings menu, usually represented by the gear icon, then you need to find the section responsible for managing installed programs. Depending on the version of the interface, it can be simply called “Apps” or hidden inside the “Apps and notifications” item. This is where the key switch that controls link behavior is located.

Once you log into the Default Apps menu, you'll see a list of categories: phone, messages, camera, and of course browser. By clicking on Browser, the system will suggest a list of all installed web browsers. Choosing the right option from this list forcibly changes the priority for the entire system. Now all links will open in the selected application.

It is important to note that in some cases, the system may require a confirmation of access rights or re-authorization in your Google or Xiaomi account after changing the system settings, which is a normal security procedure to ensure that the device owner makes changes.

Management through a menu of specific applications

There's an alternative, often faster, way to change settings that doesn't require you to wander through the system menu, which is especially useful if you've just installed a new browser, like DuckDuckGo or Brave, and you want to make it the primary browser right away. The logic here is the opposite: we're configuring the application, not the system.

Open your smartphone settings and go to the App Management section. Find the browser you want to take over. Inside the app menu, we're interested in the Default or Default section. There may be a "Do not open links" restriction or a reference to another browser.

By changing this option to “Open supported links” or “Always ask,” you give the system permission to use the software for web surfing. The next time you click on a link from the messenger, the smartphone may ask, “What to open?” At which point you need to select a new browser and click “Always” to fix the result.

This method gives you more flexibility, for example, you can set up an app so that it only opens certain types of links, leaving the rest for another browser, which is useful for separating workspace and personal space on one device.

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If after choosing a new browser, links still open in the old one, try clearing the cache of the old application in the Memory section in its settings.

Features of the configuration in HyperOS and MIUI 14

With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has changed the interface logic somewhat to seek greater ecosystem alignment. With newer firmware versions, the settings menu has become more compact, and some items have been moved or renamed to make navigation easier. Users who have migrated from older versions of MIUI should be more careful when searching for the right options.

In HyperOS, the default application management is often placed in a separate subsection at the top of the settings menu, next to the search. If there is no direct reference to the browser, look for the category “Privacy Protection” or “Security” where link access settings can be duplicated, part of a new security philosophy where the system actively controls which applications access data.

The new versions also include a “tablet mode” or adaptive interface that can affect how the browser selects when using foldable devices or when connecting to an external monitor, in which scenarios priorities can be reset and have to be reset for a specific display mode.

⚠️ Note: After upgrading to HyperOS, the default application settings may be reset to factory settings.

Another feature is more aggressive memory management. If you choose a third-party browser as your primary browser, but it is rarely used by the system for background tasks, MIUI can unload it from memory. To avoid delays when opening links, add the browser you select to the battery exception list.

What to do if the browser choice is not saved

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where seemingly all the settings are correct, but the system persistently returns the old browser, this can be caused by a software failure, a version conflict or the features of a particular launcher, in which cases a deeper diagnosis and manual intervention in the settings are required.

The first step should always be to clean the cache and data of the Settings or Security app itself, which manages these priorities, which will not delete your personal data, but reset temporary configuration files that may have been corrupted, and after this procedure, the phone will restart and the settings will apply correctly.

It's also worth checking if Safe Mode or any ad restriction profiles are enabled that may block certain browsers from running.Some antiviruses installed on Xiaomi can intercept link management for security reasons, deeming a new browser suspicious.

If the problem persists, try to remove updates to the Android System WebView system component, which is responsible for displaying web content within applications, and its incorrect operation often causes the system to fail to correctly identify or launch the browser it chooses.

Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi

Choosing a primary browser is not just a technical setup, but also a matter of convenience. There are many solutions available on the Android platform, each with its own strengths. For owners of Xiaomi smartphones, options such as battery saving, built-in ad blockers and interface speed are important.

The most popular choice remains Google Chrome.It syncs perfectly with a Google account, has a built-in translator and high page rendering speed.However, it is known for its high RAM consumption, which can be critical for low-end Redmi or POCO models with a small amount of RAM.

The alternative is Yandex Browser, which is highly optimized for Russian users, offering a built-in voice assistant, Turbo mode to save traffic and easy work with Yandex services. For many Xiaomi users in the CIS, this is becoming the preferred option due to deep integration with local services.

• 🚀 Speed: Brave and Firefox Focus offer top speed by locking trackers.
• 🛡️ DuckDuckGo and Tor Browser provide anonymity, but can run slower.
• ⚡ Savings: Opera Mini and UC Browser is a very compressive traffic, which is useful in a weak mobile Internet.

For devices with AMOLED-The big factor is the dark theme, and almost all modern browsers support Dark Mode, but the implementation is different. Some use darkening to all interface elements, others only to content, which affects the autonomy of the device.

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There is no perfect browser: the choice depends on your priorities – speed, privacy or synchronization with the ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)