How to Set the Default App on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to change the standard behavior of the system. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS are highly customized, but sometimes standard settings can confuse the user. You installed a new launcher, browser or messenger, but the system persists in running old programs?

This is because Android has a very strong default on the default apps that take up right after the first installation or update, and to change that order, you need to do a series of steps in your security and application management settings. In this article, we’ll look at everything from simple browser choices to complex ADB and hidden services.

Understanding how MIUI handles application launch priorities will help you avoid chaos, and we'll look at not only standard methods, but also solutions for situations where the selection menu simply doesn't appear. Get ready to dive into the deep settings of your device.

Why does the system choose the application itself?

The Android operating system that powers Xiaomi devices uses the logic of file association and action. When you click on a link, the system looks for an app that claims to be a processor. HTTP-If there are more than one of these apps, Android should know which one to launch first.

Usually, when you first start a new browser or video player, a pop-up pops up asking you to choose "Just now" or "Always." If you accidentally choose "Always" or the system has updated security standards, the choice is fixed, and you can only change this through special menus hidden from the eyes of the average user.

There is an additional layer of protection and optimization in the MIUI shell that can block the change of standard applications if they are not certified by the manufacturer, which is done for the sake of stability, but often interferes with advanced users, so it is important to understand the difference between system constraints and user settings.

Where to find the default application settings

Finding the menu you want in Xiaomi can vary depending on the firmware version. Most of the time, the path is through the general system settings. You need to open Settings, then go to the App section and select All Apps.

However, the key menu is not in the list of all programs, but in a special subsection. In the upper right corner of the screen (or in the three-point menu), the default Settings button often hides, and this is where the startup priority is adjusted for the main categories: calls, messages, browser and camera.

If your version of HyperOS or MIUI 14 doesn't have this item in the general menu, try searching for it by settings. Type "default" or "standard applications" into the search bar, and the system will redirect you to the desired hidden section where you can reset or change priorities.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Global) ROM) The menu may be called "Default Apps" and in the Chinese version (CN ROM) It can be hidden deeper in the menu "Additional settings".

Instructions for changing the browser and calls

Changing your browser is the most common task. To make Chrome, Firefox or Yandex the main one, go to Settings → Apps → Default settings → Browser. Here you will see a list of installed web browsers. Just tap the right one, and it will become a priority for opening all links.

Replacing a call is more complicated. MIUI systems often block third-party dialers (like Google Phone or Truecaller) from being installed as primary ones unless the device is certified for that region. If after selecting a new call from the default settings menu → Phone, the system issues an error or returns a standard one, you will need additional activation via ADB.

For a shift. SMS-The process is similar to the manager: select the item Appendix for SMS And then you specify the messenger you want, and then all the text messages will come to the program you've chosen, not the standard Xiaomi service.

How to Reset the Default Settings

If you're confused about settings or want to return everything as it was, there's a full reset feature that won't delete your data, but will make the system ask again what to open files and links. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps.

Find an application that is currently an undesirable standard (like the standard Mi browser) in the list. Click on it, select Default and click Clear Default Settings. Then, the next time you run the link, the system will prompt you to select the program again.

There's also a global application preference reset. It's in the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → (three dots) → Reset App settings. This feature will bring all permissions and priorities back to factory status, which is useful for troubleshooting.

Solving problems with Google Assistant and Search

A common problem with Xiaomi is that you can’t change the search engine in a widget on your desktop or when you call a voice assistant. Standard search is often tightly tied to Google or Yandex services depending on the firmware region.

To change a widget, you usually have to click on the widget or go to its settings (cogs), you can choose Google, Yandex or No Search, but if the widget is system and not editable, the only way out is to delete it and install the widget from a third-party launcher or other browser.

Google Assistant is more complex: it's deeply integrated into the system. If you want to use another voice assistant, you'll have to disable Home Activation or OK Google Voice Activation in the Google app settings to avoid conflicts.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google system components may cause navigation and other services that rely on voice input to malfunction.

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Useful tip: If you don’t like the standard MIUI launcher, install the Nova Launcher or Lawnchair. Once installed, the system will prompt you to choose it by default when you press the Home button.

Advanced customization through ADB (for experts)

In cases where MIUI blocks the change of call or SMS to third-party (a common problem on global firmware with Chinese roots), you have to use a computer and debugging over USB. You will need the ADB Tools package and the developer mode on the phone is enabled.

Connect your phone to your PC, allow debugging, and type a command to view current package installers or handlers. To force an application to be assigned, you use the pm set-default-package command (not working on all Android versions) or clear the preferences via pm clear.

For example, to reset preferences for a call, you can use the command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.incallui

But a more reliable method is to remove updates to a standard application or shut it down completely so that the system is forced to choose an alternative.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.dialer

After that, when an incoming call is made, the system will automatically launch the only app available – your new call.

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Use of the ADB-Teams are the only guaranteed way to get around the lock MIUI When changing the system call to Google Dialer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)