How to Change Your Default Browser to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI 14 and 15

Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their aggressive promotion policies, including the pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which automatically becomes the default application for link opening. Even after installing Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, the system persists in bringing the user back to the original solution, not by accident, but as part of Xiaomi’s strategy tomonetize traffic through advertising and affiliate programs.

Unlike pure Android, where it takes 2 clicks to change the browser, Xiaomi can take up to 5 steps, depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware. For example, on European versions (MIUI EU) the algorithm is simpler than on global or Chinese ones. And on devices with MIUI 15 (2026), the logic of changing the browser has changed again compared to MIUI 14.

System constraints add to the confusion: some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 for the Chinese market) block the ability to change browsers without root rights. In this article, we will examine all the current ways for 2026, including workarounds for stubborn firmware.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start settings, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 📱 Alternative browser installed: download Chrome, Firefox or Edge from Google Play (Chinese firmware may require manual installation) APK).
• 🔄 Updated firmware: check the relevance MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Update the system. MIUI 13 The algorithm of changing the browser is different.
• 🔓 Restrictions are disabled: on some models (for example, POCO F5) The default change lock is in place for “children’s” accounts or guest mode.

If you use Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (China ROM), note that without root rights or flashing on the Global/EU ROM, you can not change your browser, in which case only installing a launcher from a third-party developer (for example, Nova Launcher), which ignores the default system settings, will help.

Method 1: Standard change through settings (MIUI 14/15)

This is the official method that works on most Xiaomi devices with global or European firmware, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (2026):

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
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. Slip on the Browser line.
5. In the list, select the desired application (e.g. Chrome).

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities.
2. Select the Applications by default → Browser.

Important: On some models (such as Xiaomi 13T) after changing the browser, the system can automatically return Mi Browser when opening links from WhatsApp or Telegram.

Method 2: Resetting Silences for Specific Applications

If, after a standard browser change, links from messengers still open in Mi Browser, you need to reset the default settings for each application separately.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Telegram in the list and tap it.
3. Choose Open by default → Clear the silences.
4. Return to Telegram, open any link and select the desired browser in the dialog box.

Repeat similar actions for:

• 💬 WhatsApp
• 📧 Gmail or MIUI Mail
• 📱 Facebook, Instagram, TikTok

💡

If after resetting the silences, the browser selection dialog does not appear, try a long click on the link in the messenger and select "Open in the browser"

On devices with MIUI 15 (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), an additional step may be required: disable the function of Optimize links in the browser settings.

1. Open Mi Browser.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally.
3. Turn off the link optimization option (or Smart Opening on English firmware).

Method 3: Using ADB for Forced Shift (for Advanced)

If system settings are blocked (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can apply ADB-This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling the developer mode.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Download ADB Tools on your PC and connect your phone over USB (select File Transfer Mode).

Step 2: Execution of commands:

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

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 the browser package you want:

• 🌐 Chrome: com.android.chrome
• 🦊 Firefox: org.mozilla.firefox
• 🅴 Edge: com.microsoft.emmx

Warning: improper use of ADB can cause system failures. On China ROM, this method can cause Mi Account to be blocked due to Xiaomi's security policy.

Method 4: Installation of a custom launcher (bypass)

If all the previous methods didn't work, the radical solution is to install a third-party launcher.

• 🇨🇳 Devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM).
• 🔒 Models with locked settings (e.g. corporate phones).
• 🛠️ Advanced users who want complete control over silences.

Recommended launchers:

How to set up a launcher to change the browser:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. Open the launcher settings (usually a long press on the desktop → Settings).
4. Find the default Silences or Applications section and assign the desired browser.

💡

The launchers don't replace the system settings of MIUI, but create a layer on top of them, which means that when you remove the launcher, the silence will return to the Mi Browser.

Problems and Solutions: Why the browser is not changing

Even after completing all the instructions, Xiaomi users often face typical problems.

⚠️ Note: If after restarting the phone, the browser is reset to Mi Browser, this is a sign of the active auto-recovery function in the mobile phone. MIUI. Turn it off in Settings. → Annexes → Special access → Auto-Recovery and Remove Mi Browser from the List.

Problem 1: There is no “Default Apps” option in the settings.

Decision:

• 🔍 Check the version. MIUI: on MIUI 12 and below the other path - Settings → All settings → Annexes → Silence.
• 🌍 Change the firmware region: some features are hidden in Chinese or Indian versions.
• 📲 Use the search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type in “default browser".

Problem 2: Links from WhatsApp or Telegram are opened in Mi Browser, despite the change of silence.

Decision:

• 🔄 Reset the silence for the messenger (see Method 2).
• 🔗 In the messenger settings, disable the option "Open links within the application".
• 📥 Remove the Mi Browser cache in Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Memory. → Clear the cache.

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the browser reset.

Decision:

• 🔄 Repeat the silence setting (see Method 1).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update of Mi Browser in Google Play.
• 📦 Install an alternative launcher (see Method 4).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi