How to Detect the Default Browser on Xiaomi Phone: All Ways from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15

The default browser on Xiaomi is the tool that automatically opens web links from instant messengers, emails or other applications. However, many users do not even know which browser is installed “default” on their device. This is especially true for owners of smartphones with MIUI firmware, where the manufacturer often pre-configures its own services — for example, Mi Browser or Xiaomi Browser Pro. But what if you installed Google Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser and want to check whether the change worked?

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to determine the default browser on Xiaomi, including hidden system settings, development commands and even log analysis. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of different versions of MIUI (12 to 15), as well as popular models - Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others. If you have ever encountered that links open in the wrong browser, or just want to optimize the operation of the device - this guide is for you.

1. Standard method: through application settings

The most obvious method is to look at the default application settings, which in MIUI may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic is maintained. Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Scroll down to the Browser item – the current default browser will be listed here.

If you see Mi Browser or Xiaomi Browser Pro on this menu but want to use Chrome or another browser, just tap on the item and select an alternative from the list. Note: some system applications (such as Mi Browser) may be blocked for change on some models - we will talk about this below.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with firmware for the European region (EEA) Default browser list may be limited due to policy GDPR. Alternative methods will be used (see section 3).

If the list does not have the browser you want, make sure it is installed and updated to the latest version, for example, Google Chrome should be downloaded from Google Play, not from third-party sources.

2. Verification through opening test reference

The quick way to check the default browser is to simply open any web link, and you don't even have to connect to the Internet.

1. Open any application with support for links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Click on any web link (e.g. https://example.com).
3. See which app is opened.

If a link opened in an unexpected browser, the settings are lost. For example, many POCO F4 users complain that after upgrading to MIUI 14, links begin to open in Mi Browser, even if Chrome was previously selected, this is due to the fact that the system automatically resets some settings after major updates.

If the test link opened in the right browser, but you still doubt it, try another way, through the developer settings (about it below), sometimes the system can show one browser in the settings, and actually use another.

3. Hidden settings: a method for experienced users

MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to see the default browser, including system processes, which is suitable for those who are willing to dig a little into the developer menu.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings

Additional → For Developers

Default applications for developers

Application default settings

browser

This method shows the real browser by default, including system processes that can be hidden in the standard menu. For example, on some Redmi models with MIUI 13, Chrome is displayed in the usual settings, and in the developer menu, Android System WebView, which handles all links.

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If the developer menu does not have the option “Default Apps”, try updating the firmware or using it. ADB-teams (section 4).

Note that some versions of MIUI (especially on budget models like the Redmi 10A) may not have this section, so move on to the next one.

4. ADB-Teams: for advanced users

If the standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it gives you 100% accurate results.

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer (you can download from the official website of Android Developers).
2. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → For developers. Activate the USB debugging switch.

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "android.intent.category.BROWSABLE"

This command will display a list of all the apps that can handle web links, as well as the current default app.

As a result, you will see something like:

BrowserActivity{...}: com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main




Default: com.mi.globalbrowser/.ui.MainActivity

Here, Default points to the current default browser. In the example above, it's Mi Browser (com.mi.globalbrowser), despite Chrome also being installed.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you type the wrong commands. ADB, If you are not sure of your actions!

If you want to force a browser change via ADB, use the command:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome

(Replace com.android.chrome with the browser package you want).

5. Analysis of system logs (to diagnose problems)

If the default browser behaves unpredictably (for example, links open in Chrome, then in Mi Browser), you can analyze the logs of the system, which will help to identify conflicts between applications.

1. Install the Logcat Extreme or MatLog app on your phone (available on Google Play).
2. Run log records.
3. Open a test link (for example, from Telegram).
4. Stop the post and search the logs for the strings with the keywords: android.intent.action.VIEW browser resolveActivity

In the logs, you will see which application processed the intention to open the link.

I/ActivityManager: START u0 {act=android.intent.action.VIEW dat=https://... flg=0x10000000 pkg=com.android.chrome} from uid 10123

Here pkg=com.android.chrome indicates that the link was opened in Chrome. If different packages appear in the logs (com.mi.globalbrowser, org.mozilla.firefox, etc.), then the system conflicts when choosing the default browser.

Comparison of default browsers on different Xiaomi models

Xiaomi installs different browsers by default depending on the model, region and firmware version, and the table below provides a comparative analysis:

As you can see from the table, on budget models (for example, Redmi 10A), the browser is often blocked by default for change, this is due to Xiaomi’s policy to optimize resources on weak devices.

If your model didn’t make it to the table, check the firmware region in settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version). For example, China ROM always uses Mi Browser by default and doesn’t allow you to change it without root rights.

Make sure that the browser you want is installed from an official source (Google Play)

Check the default settings in the "Applications" menu

Test opening a link from the messenger

Activate Developer Mode for Additional Options

Use it. ADB, if the standard methods have not worked-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after changing the default browser, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Links open in one browser, then in another, and the reason is the conflict between Mi Browser and the alternative browser. Solution: clear the cache of both browsers in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🚫 You can't change your browser by default (button is inactive) Reason: firmware restriction (especially on models for China or with China) ROM). Solution: Install global firmware or use it ADB.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI The browser dropped to the standard. The reason is that the system resets some settings after the updates. Solution: Re-installe the default browser.
• 📱 The default browser is not saved after a reboot. Cause: Optimizer work MIUI, Solution: Add the browser to the auto-clean exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the application settings to factory:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset App Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. After restarting, re-set the browser by default.

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On Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (China ROM), the browser cannot be changed by default without root rights or flashing to the global version of MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions