Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of tools for navigation on the Internet, but system restrictions often dictate their rules. After the first switch on a new device or reset settings, you notice that all links from messengers and applications open in a standard browser, which may not suit you with functionality or design. Change this situation is quite simple, but in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, the process has its own nuances that must be taken into account for the correct operation of the system.
Choosing the default browser isn’t just a matter of personal preference, it’s an important setup that affects speed and security. When you install a third-party app like Google Chrome or Yandex, the system doesn’t always automatically switch to it. You’ll need to manually prioritize that links from WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber are opened in the program you choose, rather than in the system’s Mi Browser, which will eliminate unnecessary actions and speed up access to information.
In this article, we will discuss a detailed algorithm of actions that will suit most current models, from Redmi Note to the flagship series of Xiaomi. You will learn where hidden settings of applications hide, how to forcefully change the standard and what to do if the menu does not allow you to choose the right option at once.
Why it is important to choose a convenient browser on Xiaomi
The standard browser preinstalled on Xiaomi smartphones is often criticized for intrusive advertising and excessive news in the feed. Users prefer to install lighter and more functional solutions that provide better synchronization with desktop versions and have convenient download managers.
In addition, third-party browsers often offer more advanced security and tracker locking features, which is especially true in today's environment. When you make a particular browser the main one, the system redirects everything. HTTP-It's a way of making requests through it, which creates a single ecosystem of your data, and it's especially important for those who use password and history synchronization between their phone and their computer.
It's worth noting that some apps can behave strangely if not given a clear priority. For example, social media login forms can open in a built-in window that doesn't store login data. By installing a reliable tool like Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge as the primary one, you guarantee that all web services will work smoothly.
- 🚀 Speed: Optimized page rendering engines load content faster than standard solutions.
- 🛡️ Security: Advanced protections against phishing and malicious scripts are often built into popular browsers.
- 🔒 Privacy: The ability to use extensions to block ads and trackers at the system level.
Preparation: installation and updating of software
Before you start changing your system settings, make sure that the app you want is already installed on your device. If you just bought a phone, it may not have the browser you want, so the first step is to download it from the official Google Play Market store or GetApps. Make sure you download the original app from the developer to avoid introducing malicious code.
It’s also critical to check for updates to the operating system. In older versions of MIUI, the settings menu may have been different, and newer versions of HyperOS offer a more logical structure. Go to the phone’s settings and check the updates section to rule out interface bugs that may interfere with app selection.
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Before changing settings, make sure you have a stable internet connection, as the new browser may require data synchronization or component updates when you first start.
Once installed, remember to open the app at least once, so that the system registers it as active and offers initial settings, such as importing bookmarks or selecting a search engine. Without first running, the selection point may simply not appear in the list of available options.
Step-by-step: change browser in MIUI and HyperOS
The setup process in Xiaomi shells is quite logical, but requires careful consideration when choosing menu items.The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific firmware modification, but the overall algorithm remains uniform across all the brand's devices.We'll look at a universal path that fits most scenarios.
To start, open the main settings menu for your smartphone. Find a section called Apps or Apps and Notifications. This is where you manage all installed programs, access rights, and default settings. In some firmware versions, this section may simply be called App Management.
Inside this menu, you'll need to find the "Default Apps" item, which is usually located at the top of the list or inside an optional menu with three dots in the corner of the screen, and clicking on it will show you a list of action categories for which you can choose your preferred app.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Find the browser or web browser category in the list, and when you click on it, the system will give you a list of all browsers you have installed, select the browser you want from a list like Chrome or Opera, and then all links will automatically open in the selected program.
Customization through Search and Alternative Methods
If you can't find the right item in the deep settings menu, you can use the built-in search. This is often faster, especially on devices with a lot of installed applications, where the menu structure can be overloaded. At the top of the settings screen, there's a search bar where you can type in keywords.
Enter the request “default browser” or simply “default” and the system will highlight the desired partition, which will immediately open the application selection window, which is especially useful if the interface was changed during the update or if you use a custom theme that hides standard elements.
There's also an alternative way to do it through a specific application, where you can click and hold the icon of any browser on your desktop, select About and find the Default Launch button there, but this way doesn't always allow you to immediately select priority, it just shows your current status.
- 🔍 Search: Use the search bar in the settings for quick access to the desired menu.
- ⚙️ Application Info: Check the status in the information section about a specific browser.
- 🔄 Reset: If necessary, you can reset the default settings of all applications in the same menu.
What to do if the browser is not on the list?
Solution: if the browser is not selected
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the system ignores the choice or constantly returns the standard Mi Browser.This may be due to the fact that the system has already set a strict priority for certain types of links, in which case you need to check the settings of the specific applications through which you most often click on links.
For example, Telegram or WhatsApp have their own link opening options, so make sure that you don't check the "Open in the built-in browser" box, and you should check if the backup limit for the new browser is worth checking, which can force the system to close it.
⚠️ Note: If after selecting a new browser, links still open in the old one, try clearing the data of the old application» → «Mi Browser» → «Memory» → «Clear all the data. That would reset his privileges.
In rare cases, the problem is access rights. Make sure the new browser is allowed to work with the clipboard and open windows on top of other applications. Without these permissions, some deep links may not properly hand over control.
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If standard methods don’t help, temporarily removing or disabling the built-in Mi Browser often forces the system to use an alternative.
Comparison of popular browsers for Android
The choice of a primary browser depends on your needs: someone cares about speed, someone about integration with the ecosystem. Below is a table that will help you decide on the choice if you have not yet decided which application to make the main one on your Xiaomi.
| browser | The main advantage | RAM consumption | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Full integration with Google account | High. | Great. |
| Yandex | Built-in translator and Alice | Average. | Through the Yandex account |
| Mozilla Firefox | Privacy and support for extensions | Average. | Through a Firefox account |
| Opera | Built-in VPN and traffic savings | Low. | Through the Opera account |
Each of these options has its own strengths: Google Chrome is ideal for those living in the Google ecosystem, while Opera will appeal to users who value traffic savings. Firefox will be the choice for those who care about data privacy.
Don't be afraid to experiment. You can always go back to your settings and change your choices if your current browser doesn't suit you. Android's flexibility allows you to change your preferences at any time without losing data.
Cleaning the settings and returning to the original state
If you want to reset all your default app settings to factory ones, such as after selling your phone or to fix bugs, you can do this in the general menu. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Reset App Settings.
This operation will not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but will return all system preferences to the original state, after which, when you first click on the link, the system will again ask you which application to use to open.
⚠️ Note: Resetting app settings will also disable notifications for some programs and return permissions to the “requested first run” state.
Regularly reviewing installed apps and settings by default helps keep your smartphone in good shape.Remove unused browsers so as not to clutter the selection list and not waste battery resources on background processes.