Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 provide users with the widest possible options for customizing the interface and operating system behavior. One of the most popular settings is the ability to choose the application that will open links from other programs by default. Many device owners face a situation where links from messengers or social networks are opened in a manufacturer-imposed MIUI Browser, although the user prefers to use Google Chrome, Yandex or Firefox.
The Android operating system in the MIUI shell has its own features of managing applications by default, which may differ from pure Android. Sometimes the settings are confused after an update, or the user accidentally confirms the action “always open in this application” simply wanting to quickly review the information. Understanding how to manage these parameters is critical for comfortable use of the smartphone.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to change the main browser on your Redmi Note 9. We will look at standard methods through system settings, ways to reset preferences for specific applications and solutions for cases when the selection menu does not appear.
Why Change Your Default Browser to Redmi Note 9
Using a pre-installed browser is not always the best solution for an experienced user. Standard MIUI Browser often contains excessive amounts of advertising in the news feed and can be inferior to third-party counterparts in page rendering speed or extension support. Changing the main web surfing application allows you to integrate your smartphone into a single ecosystem if you use synchronization on a PC or tablet.
In addition, third-party browsers often offer more advanced ad blocking features, incognito mode with advanced features, and improved download management. For owners of the Redmi Note 9, it is also a matter of battery saving, as optimized engines can consume less CPU resources when processing heavy web pages.
Importantly, Android allows you to flexibly manage this setting without requiring superuser rights, so you can go back to factory settings or try a new browser at any time without worrying about the stability of your smartphone, which gives you complete freedom to experiment with the software.
⚠️ Note: When you install a new browser from unknown sources (not from Google Play Market), the system may issue a security alert. APK Only from the official website of the developer.
The main reason for the change is the habit, because if you've been using a certain interface, Bookmarks, and passwords for years on Chrome or Opera, switching to a standard browser breaks that chain of convenience, and restoring your familiar environment is the first step to making a full use of your device.
Preparation for the change of the main browser
Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative application is already installed on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9. Without a second browser, the system simply will not offer you a choice, as it will have nothing to choose from.
Once installed, it is recommended to launch a new browser at least once so that it goes through the initial setup and registers with the system as an available web browsing tool. Sometimes Android requires confirmation of rights to display over other windows or access to storage on the first run.
It’s also worth checking for updates to the app itself, and developers often release patches that improve compatibility with specific versions of MIUI. The current version of the software minimizes the risk of errors when trying to make it mainstream.
- 🌐 Open Google Play Market and find the right browser.
- 📥 Click the "Install" button and wait for the download to complete.
- 🚀 Launch the application and accept the user agreement.
- 🔍 Make sure the app icon appears on the desktop.
Instructions: change through MIUI system settings
The most reliable way to change default settings is to use the built-in menu of the system. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to get into the application management section.
To start, open the Settings app on your smartphone. In the list, look for the App item (sometimes called "All Apps"). This section stores all the information about installed programs and their rights. We're interested in the App Management subsection.
Where to find hidden settings in MIUI 12 and higher
In newer versions of the shell, the path can be slightly changed. Try searching by settings: type the word "default" in the search bar at the top of the settings screen, and the system will suggest the desired menu item.> Inside the app management menu, look at the top of the screen, and there are tabs or icons with optional options, you need a three-point icon or menu where the default App item is hidden, and you click on it and you see a list of categories (calls, messages, browser). Find the "Browser" or "Web browser" line, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all browsers you've installed, select the browser you want to use permanently, and the system will immediately change the changes, and all links will start to open in the selected application. ⚠️ Note: If the "Default Apps" item is not on the menu, your version may be MIUI hide it. In this case, go to the settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (top right) → Other settings: Resetting default settings through the application menu Sometimes direct selection is impossible because the system has "remembered" the previous selection and does not show the selection menu again, in which case resetting the default settings for the particular application that is now the main one helps. It won't delete your data, it'll just reset your startup priorities. → Annexes → Application management. Find the current browser (e.g., in the list, MIUI Browser or Chrome, if it's in charge now. Click on the app name to enter its detailed menu. Scroll down to the default block. There'll be a button to Clear default settings or Reset default settings. After clicking, the system will forget that this application is allowed to open links automatically. The next time you click on the link, any messenger will have a selection window. 📱 Go to the application management menu. 🔍 Find an application that you need to “degrade". 🗑️ Click the Default Setting Cleanup button. 🔗 Click on any link to check the results. This method is especially useful if you want to temporarily switch to another browser or if the standard one has stopped displaying certain sites correctly. Resetting is a safe operation that often solves problems with sticking. Problem solving: if the choice does not appear There are situations when after resetting the settings or installing a new browser, the selection window does not pop up, and links continue to open in the unnecessary application. This may be related to the specifics of the job. MIUI Optimizer or aggressive energy saving. The first thing you should do is check the permissions. Make sure the new browser has all the necessary permissions. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Your browser. → Permissions. Make sure there are no blocking restrictions. Also, the problem may be in the system cache. Try clearing the Settings or Security cache. To do this, in the list of applications, find system services related to settings, and select Clear cache (do not confuse with "Clear all data" so as not to bring down personal settings). In rare cases, rebooting the device helps. The Redmi Note 9 smartphone must re-scan the installed packages and register new links processing capabilities (Intent Filters), which are prescribed in the manifest of the new browser. ⚠️ Note: Do not delete the system browser MIUI This may cause some system links (for example, in the About section or when logging in accounts) to stop opening. Choosing the main browser is a matter of taste, but for owners of Xiaomi there are nuances. MIUI, Others offer better sync with Google's ecosystem.Let's compare the main options available in the Play Market.Google Chrome is the native choice for Android and provides better sync with a Google account, which is convenient for Gmail and YouTube users. Yandex Browser is popular in the CIS thanks to its built-in voice assistant and turbo mode. Firefox attracts support for extensions, which is rare on mobile platforms. Browser Synchronization Blocking Advertising Consumption RAM Google Chrome Google Account Basic High Yandex Yandex ID Built-in (Turbo) Medium Firefox Account with Medium Opera Mini Opera ID Built-in Low For weak networks or traffic savings, "Lite" or "Mini" versions are great, they compress pages on servers before sending them to the phone. However, for multimedia content and modern web standards, it is better to use full versions of browsers. 💡Use "Lite" mode in your browser settings if you have a tariffed traffic or are in a bad signal reception zone, this will significantly speed up the loading of pages. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I completely remove the standard browser? MIUI? Yes, it is possible, but it requires caution. You can delete updates and disable the application in the settings, or use ADB-We don't recommend that newbies do this, because it can disrupt some system links. Why do links open inside apps instead of in the browser? This is a feature of Android App Links. Many apps (Instagram, TikTok, Telegram) try to open links in their built-in browser to retain the user. To always open links in an external browser, you need to find the "Open Links" section in the settings of a particular application and select "Always open in the browser application." MIUI? Usually, the default browser settings are saved after the system update. However, if the update is major (for example, transition from MIUI 12 on MIUI 13), The system might reset some preferences for factory values, so you'd have to go through the selection process again. Does the choice of browser affect the speed of the smartphone? Indirectly, yes. Heavy browsers with a lot of background processes can consume more RAM than on devices with a high-end 3-4 GB RAM (as the base version of the Redmi Note 9) It can lead to more frequent closure of background applications. Lightweight browsers like Opera Mini or Via Browser are more economical. 💡Changing the default browser is a simple but important setup that makes smartphone use more personalized and convenient, returning control of the digital environment to the user.