Modern smartphones like the Redmi 9 Pro come with a pre-installed suite of apps, including the MI Browser browser.However, many users are used to the interface and functionality of other programs such as Google Chrome, Yandex or Opera. Standard system setup often ignores the owner's preferences, automatically opening links in the native app.
Changing this setting is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the security and speed of the Internet. Chinese browsers sometimes sin over-advertising or telemetry collection, replacing them with proven analogues allows you to control your data.
In this guide, we will detail the process of changing the default browser on the MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro. You will learn where the desired menus hide, how to circumvent the system limitations and what to do if the standard path does not work.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to your system settings, it is recommended to make sure that the alternative browser is already installed and updated to the latest version via Google Play.
Preparation of the device and installation of alternatives
Before you change your system settings, make sure the new web surfing tool is physically present in the device's memory.Redmi 9 Pro runs on Android with a MIUI shell that allows you to install apps from third-party sources, but it's better to use the official Play Market store.
Find the browser you want on the Google Play menu. The market leaders are Chrome, Firefox and Edge. After downloading and installing, take your time to open the app immediately. The system can request permissions to access files or location - this is normal for the initial configuration.
It’s important to understand the difference between just an installed app and the default app. Until you change the settings in the Settings menu, the system will continue to use MI Browser to open links from instant messengers and other programs.
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Use the Lightweight Apps feature in the Play Market if your Redmi 9 Pro is full.They take up less space and consume less RAM.
Make sure the new browser has all the necessary rights. Often users ignore permission requests, and then wonder why pages aren't loaded or downloads aren't saved. Check if access to the storage is activated to save files.
Standard path through MIUI settings
The main method of changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro is hidden in the depths of the system menu. The MIUI shell has its own logic of grouping parameters, which may differ from pure Android.
First, open the main settings menu by finding the gear icon. Scroll down to the App section. This is where the keys to managing all the software installed on your smartphone are stored. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called "Apps and Notifications."
Inside the section, find Application Management or immediately go to the default App subsection. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, EU or China), but the logic remains the same. If you don't see the right item right away, search by settings.
☑️ Checking before shift
Click on the Browser bar. You'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed. The system will highlight your current choice, usually MI Browser. Tap the icon of the new app you want to make the primary.
⚠️ Warning: If after selecting a new browser, links continue to open in the old one, try clearing the Settings app cache through the App Management menu.
Alternative method through the application menu
Sometimes a direct path through the general settings fails or the menu item is hidden by the manufacturer, and in such cases the application-specific management menu comes to the rescue, a method that is more “aggressive” but often more effective for the Redmi 9 Pro.
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. In a long list, find the browser you want to assign to the primary browser (like Chrome). Click on it to open the app information page.
In the menu that opens, find the default Start or Open default option. If it's active (not grey), click on it. Here you'll see the default Use button or the switch. Activate it.
- 📱 Click on the gear icon in the app menu.
- 🔍 Find the "Additional" or "Default" section».
- ✅ Select the option “Open supported links».
- 🔄 Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
If the system says that the application does not have default settings, then it has never launched or registered as a browser. Try simply opening it through the icon on the desktop, and then repeat the procedure.
Why can the item be inactive?
Setup inside the browser itself
Modern browsers have their own security and customization mechanisms, and once you've assigned an application to the system, go to its own settings, and often there's an extra status switch.
Open Google Chrome, for example. Click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings. Scroll down to the default browser. If you did everything right on the system, there will be an "Change" button or a message that Chrome is being used by default.
In some cases, especially after the MIUI update, the system may reset preferences, the browser may ask to return to its primary status, and do not ignore such requests if that is your choice.
Please note the Privacy section inside your browser, and changing your browser is a great way to check if it’s synced with unwanted accounts or saved passwords in the manufacturer’s cloud, if you don’t want to.
| Parameter | MI Browser | Google Chrome | Opera |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-blocker | Partially. | Requires extensions | Built-in |
| Traffic saving regime | There is. | Lite mode | There is. |
| Synchronization | Mi Account | Google Account | Opera Account |
| RAM consumption | Average. | High. | Low. |
Solving problems and resetting settings
Xiaomi's technique is known for its tendency to return settings to factory values after some updates or memory cleaning.If the link reopens in MI Browser despite your efforts, a preference reset will be required.
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset App Settings or Reset Preferences. This won't delete your data, but will return all default destinations to their original state.
After that, repeat the procedure of choosing a browser again. Often it is a complete reset of preferences that helps to “drive” into the system’s head that MI Browser is no longer needed as the main tool.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the application "Settings».
- 🔄 Remove system browser updates if possible.
- 📵 Turn off the internet before changing to avoid synchronizing old settings.
- 🔒 Check the access rights in the “Security” mode».
In rare cases, third-party antiviruses or optimizers that block changes to system files are causing the problem. Try temporarily disabling them.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your application settings can change the behavior of other programs, such as choosing an app to call or open photos.
Features of working with links in MIUI
The MIUI shell has specific link processing.Some system applications, such as News or Music, can ignore the user's choices and forcibly open links in their built-in web view or native browser.
To combat this, you need to go to the settings of a particular app that is “stubborn.” Find an app list like the Explorer app. Go to its settings and find the default Open box. Make sure it doesn’t tick the “Open Supported Web Links” box for the MI Browser itself.
It’s also worth checking your security settings. The Security app (green zipper icon) sometimes hides limitations on the background of browsers, which can prevent them from running correctly on the link.
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Xiaomi system apps often take precedence over custom settings.To fully transition to a new browser, it may be necessary to disable or "freeze" MI Browser via ADB, but it requires skills.
If you use Second Space mode, the browser settings are independent there, and you will have to repeat the selection procedure for each user profile you create.