How to make the browser the main one on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Are you tired of Xiaomi automatically opening links in the standard Mi Browser browser, even though you prefer Chrome, Firefox or Edge? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and other brands. The fact is that MIUI firmware aggressively promotes branded services, including the browser, even if you do not use it.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to change your default browser to Xiaomi, from standard settings to workarounds for stubborn versions of MIUI 12-14. You’ll learn why sometimes the “Make Main” button is inactive, how to get around system limitations and what to do if the settings are reset after the update, and a unique method for models with locked default settings (for example, for European firmware).

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change browsers?

MIUI is built on Android, but has its own limitations. Unlike pure Android, where it takes 2 clicks to change the browser, Xiaomi is complicated for three reasons:

• 🔹 Mi services binding: Mi Browser integrated with Xiaomi cloud, bookmark synchronization and push notifications.
• 🔹 Limitations MIUI: In some regional versions of firmware (for example, China or India), the default browser change option is hidden or blocked.
• 🔹 Updates reset settings: After May updates MIUI 14 Many users complained that the system again assigns Mi Browser to the main.

Also, budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) sometimes don’t have the option to choose a browser because of memory optimization, but even in these cases there are workarounds, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This is the most obvious method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, but it may not work if:

• 📱 You have Chinese firmware (without Google services).
• 🔧 Settings reset after the update.
• 🚫 The option is hidden by the manufacturer (for example, on some of the POCO F3 global-fixed).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Slip on Browser.
4. In the list, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome) and if you don't have one, install it from Google Play.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check the availability of administrator rights in the browser

Restart your phone after installing a new browser-->

If the Browser item is missing or inactive, proceed to the following method.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 11T) After selecting a browser, the system can request confirmation through Mi Account. If you do not have a Xiaomi account, create it in advance.

Method 2: Reset application settings (if the button is inactive)

If the default browser does not change in the Application menu, the problem may be hidden in the system cache, in which case resetting the settings of all applications will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on three points → Reset application settings.
3. Confirm action. This won't delete data, but it will reset all default settings (including the browser).
4. After restarting, repeat Method 1.

This method often helps on devices with MIUI 13, where after the update, the browser selection is lost.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi A2 (Android One: This method does not work – use Method 4c ADB.

Method 3: Using Link Bubble (for stubborn versions of MIUI)

If the system stubbornly ignores your attempts to change the browser, you can go to the trick with the Link Bubble application (or its analogues, for example, Open Link With), which is an application that intercepts links and redirects them to the selected browser.

How to set up:

1. Install Link Bubble from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select Settings → Link Intercept.
3. Activate the option to Open links to... and specify the desired browser.
4. Enable Link Bubble Special Options Service in your phone settings.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 It works on Chinese firmware without Google Services.
• 🛡️ Doesn't require root rights.
• 🔄 You can flexibly adjust the rules for different types of links.

The disadvantage is that sometimes Link Bubble conflicts with Mi Browser and the links open twice.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

This command will disable the standard browser (ADB and USB debugging are required).

💡

If links are not intercepted after Link Bubble is installed, check if the application is blocked in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization. Add it to the exceptions.

Method 4: ADB-commands for forced browser change

This is the most reliable method, but it requires connecting the phone to a computer, and it is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including those where the settings are blocked.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 📥 Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

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. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices


adb shell pm clear com.android.browser




adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package:

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

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 after executing commands, you may need to restart in Safe Mode (press the power button). → Restarting in Safe Mode).

Method 5: Remove Mi Browser through uninstaller (for advanced)

If you're willing to radically solve the problem, you can completely remove the Mi Browser from your phone, and that's possible in two ways:

1. No root rights: Use ADB AppControl (App for Packet Management via ADB).
2. Root-rights: Delete your browser via Titanium Backup or Magisk.

Instructions for ADB AppControl:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
3. In ADB AppControl, search for Mi Browser (com.android.browser) and select Uninstall.
4. Confirm removal.

Warnings:

• 🚨 After removing Mi Browser, some system functions (such as opening links from Mi Home) may not work properly.
• 🔄 In some models (POCO F4) browser is restored after the update MIUI.
• 🔧 To restore the browser, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

💡

Removing Mi Browser is a last resort. If you are not sure about your actions, use Method 3 with Link Bubble or Method 4 with a link Browser. ADB-team.

What if after updating MIUI browser reset again?

This is a common problem: after the May or December MIUI updates, many users notice that the Mi Browser is becoming mainstream again.

• 🔄 The firmware resets the default settings.
• 📦 Update reinstalling system applications.
• 🛡️ Xiaomi is purposefully returning its services (especially on Chinese firmware).

Decisions:

1. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions on xiaomiui.net).
2. Block the Mi Browser update: adb shell pm hide com.android.browser (requires MIUI 12.5+ with unlocked bootloader).
3. Use Tasker to automatically return settings after the update (set the task to change the default browser).

On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and other flagships with MIUI 14, it helps to disable automatic updates for system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Press three points. → Disable automatic updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi