How to put Google Chrome browser by default on Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones default on the company’s Mi Browser browser, an app with pre-installed services, advertising and limited privacy settings. Many users prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and lack of intrusive advertising. However, simply installing Chrome from the Play Market is not enough: the system continues to open links in its native browser.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to make Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI 14 (relevant to the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others), also consider typical errors (for example, the gray paragraph “Browser” in the settings) and alternative solutions for Chinese versions of firmware without Google services.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the browser change by default?

MIUI firmware artificially limits the choice of browser because of:

• 💰 Monetization: Mi Browser shows ads and promotional content of Xiaomi partners, which brings the company revenue.
• 🔒 Traffic Control: A branded browser is integrated with system services (e.g., mipush for notifications).
• 📦 Pre-installed services: In Chinese versions of firmware (China) ROM) Google is not available, so Mi Browser is the only option out of the box».
• 🛡️ Xiaomi claims its browser is better at protecting against phishing (although independent tests disprove this).

Since MIUI 12, the company has tightened its policy that even after installing Chrome, the system can automatically reset the default settings when you update or reboot. This is not a bug, but a conscious decision by the developers.

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

This method works on most global firmware versions (Global ROM) with Google services preinstalled, and is suitable for Redmi 10/11, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T and later.

1. Install Google Chrome from the Play Market (if not already installed). Open it at least once so that the system registers the app.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Click on the Browser option (if not, see the section on the lack of option).
5. Select Chrome from the list (if not, reboot your phone and repeat the steps).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) post-update MIUI 14.0.4, the browser may be missing, due to a firmware bug, so the solution is to roll back to the previous version or use Method 3.

Method 2: Resetting silences through Chrome app settings

If the Default Apps menu doesn’t have a browser option or Chrome doesn’t appear in the list, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Chrome and tap it.
3. Choose Open by default (or Silence in older versions of MIUI).
4. Click Clear Silences (if the button is inactive, then Chrome wasn’t the default browser yet).
5. Now open any link (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) and the system will suggest you choose a browser, specify Chrome and tick Always.

🔹 Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) after resetting the silence, a notice may appear saying, "Mi Browser is recommended for safety"; it can be ignored - it is a marketing ploy, not a real threat.

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If you change your browser, you still open links to Mi Browser, try turning it off: go to Settings → Apps → Mi Browser → Disable. This will force the system to use Chrome.

What to do if there is no “Browser” option in the settings?

The lack of the option to change the browser is a common problem on:

• 📱 Chinese versions of firmware (China) ROM) Googleless.
• 🔄 Devices after reset to factory settings (silence settings are reset).
• 🛠️ Smartphones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 📦 Pre-installed models MIUI European region (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite) EE).

Solutions for each situation:

Method 3: Forced browser change via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for all versions of MIUI, including Chinese ones, but requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official Android website).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and allow debugging (on the smartphone screen will appear a request).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and go to the adb folder (e.g., cd C:\platform-tools).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Run the command to reset browser silences: adb shell pm clear com.android.browser
5. Now install Chrome with the default browser: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you type in the wrong commands. Do not edit other settings with adb if you are not sure of their purpose. --user 0 com.android.browser will completely remove Mi Browser, which may disrupt some system functions.

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ADB-The method is the only reliable way to change the browser on the Chinese versions MIUI But it requires caution: wrong commands can lead to data loss or a device building up.

Additional settings for comfortable work with Chrome

After a successful browser change, it is recommended to:

• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for Chrome: go to Settings → Battery → Select apps and select “No Limits” for Chrome.This will prevent tabs from closing in the background.
• 📥 Set up sync: Sign in to your Google Chrome account to save bookmarks, passwords, and history on all devices.
• 🛡️ Activate phishing protection: In Chrome settings, enable the option “Safe browsing” (Chrome) → Settings → Confidentiality and security).
• 🌐 Install extensions: If you need ad blockers (e.g. uBlock Origin), use Kiwi Browser (based on Chromium) – it supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

🔹 Advice for owners POCO: In series devices POCO (for example, POCO F5) Frequently encountered bugs when after updating MIUI browser settings are reset. To avoid this, before updating:

1. Make a backup of settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Turn off automatic MIUI update in Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto Update.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, users face challenges.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi) 12C) after-use ADB You may lose access to your mobile network, in which case, restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button). → «Restart Safe Mode and return network settings to factory.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions