How to make a default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi Note 10 smartphones often face the imposition of standard system applications that are preinstalled by the manufacturer. The MIUI shell uses its own Mi Browser browser by default to open links from messengers, mail and other programs. This can be annoying for users who are used to the functionality of Google Chrome, Firefox or Yandex Browser with saved passwords and synchronization.

Changing this setting does not require rooting or complex device flashing. Android allows you to flexibly manage application priorities, but in the shell of Xiaomi these settings are sometimes hidden in non-obvious sections of the menu. Understanding the logic of MIUI will help quickly reassign the preferred application for processing Internet links.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that is relevant for the Redmi Note 10 model and other devices in the line, you will learn how to forcefully reset the default settings if the system “forgot” your choice, and how to completely get rid of pop-up recommendations in the standard Mi browser.

Problems of the standard MIUI browser

The standard Mi Browser app is often criticized by users for excessive amounts of ads, news feeds and push notifications that aren't always relevant. Unlike "pure" Android, Xiaomi's shell seeks to keep the user in its ecosystem, periodically returning default settings after major system updates.This creates a situation where links from Viber or Telegram are reopened in an unnecessary app.

In addition, the built-in browser can consume more RAM than optimized counterparts. Redmi Note 10 users with versions with 4 or 6 GB of memory may notice a slowdown in the interface while working several tabs in a heavy system application.

⚠️ Note: With complete uninstall-removal of the system browser through ADB (for advanced users, make sure that you have an alternative browser installed, otherwise links in messengers may stop opening altogether.

It is important to distinguish between simply changing the default browser and completely removing the system component. The first option is safe and reversible, the second requires caution. For most Xiaomi owners, it is enough to simply reassign priority in settings to comfortably use Chrome or Opera.

Preparation for changing the browser to Redmi Note 10

Before you change system priorities, make sure the desired app is already installed on your Redmi Note 10.If you plan to use Google Chrome, it is most likely already present on the system, but can be disabled or hidden. Third-party solutions such as DuckDuckGo or Brave will require pre-loading the APK installation file or installing through the Google Play Store.

It is recommended to log in in in advance to your browser to sync bookmarks and passwords, which is especially true if you are switching from another device. There are power saving features in MIUI settings that can kill the background processes of new browsers, so they are also worth configuring.

• 📲 Make sure that the alternative browser is installed and updated to the latest version via Play Market.
• 🔐 Log in to your account (Google, Yandex, Opera) to restore your history and passwords.
• ⚡ Check the battery settings so that the system does not limit the operation of the new application in the background.
• 🗑️ Clear the old browser cache if it took up a significant amount of internal memory.

Don’t ignore the preparation stage, as not having an authorization can lead to the loss of important data when switching. MIUI sometimes aggressively manages permissions, so the new browser will take time to adapt and obtain the necessary network access rights.

The process of changing the priority application in Xiaomi differs from standard Android by the presence of additional menu levels. To do this, swipe-plug from top to bottom to open the curtain and click on the gear icon, or find the Settings app on the desktop. In the settings menu, scroll down to the App section. In some versions, MIUI This can be called Applications and Notifications, and this is where all the controls of the installed software are hidden. We need a subsection that's responsible for the global actions of the system. → Annexes → Set-up of applications → When you find the default App, click on it. a list of action categories will open, such as Calls», «SMS» And of course, "Browser». Clicking on the current selection (usually the Mi Browser), you'll see a list of all browsers installed. Choose the one you want, like Chrome. Once you select, the system can request confirmation of action. Unlike some other shells, MIUI It rarely shows a pop-up asking "Use always" when you first change the settings menu, it just applies the choice, but if you open a link from another app, a dialog box may appear. What to do if the desired browser is not in the list?If you have installed a browser, but do not see it in the list of "Default Apps", try to clear the cache of the system application "Settings". → Annexes → All applications → Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. Once the reboot is over, the list should be updated.

Resetting default settings and resolving conflicts

Sometimes, a user accidentally selects Always for an inappropriate application, and now the links are opened in the wrong place, in which case you need to reset the default settings for a particular application or for the entire system, which will return the selection state the next time you run the link.

To reset, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the app that is currently misrepresenting links (like the same Mi Browser or some file manager) and go inside its settings and scroll to the bottom.

At the bottom of the application settings list, you'll find the default button or default launch. When you click on it, you'll see the Clean Default Settings (or Reset) button. Once you click, the system will "forget" your choice, and the next time you click on the link on Telegram or WhatsApp, the app selection window will appear again.

Using Reset Preferences (three dots in the corner of the app menu) is a radical method: it resets not only browsers, but also file associations (than opening photos, videos, documents), and be prepared to re-select a video player and a photo gallery.

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If the “Clear Default Settings” button is inactive (gray), then there is no enforcement action for this application, and the problem lies elsewhere.

Permits setting and battery optimization

Once you have made your new browser the primary browser, it is important to ensure it works consistently. MIUI is known for its aggressive energy savings, which can shut down the browser’s background processes, which may cause download notifications or messages from sites to fail to arrive on time.

Go to the battery settings (Settings → Battery and Performance). Find your browser (e.g. Chrome) in the list and set Unlimited mode. This will prevent the system from killing the browser process when it is not actively in use.

• 🔋 Open the application settings and select Activity Control.
• 🚫 Set the value No restrictions for background work.
• 🔔 Check the Notifications section and allow all important alert categories.

Also, check permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → [your browser] → Permissions. Make sure that access to storage (for downloading files) and location (for maps) is provided. Without these permissions, functionality will be stripped.

⚠️ Warning: Granting permission to “Above Other Windows” is necessary for voice search features and some widgets, but be careful when giving this access to unknown apps.

Proper power saving settings are critical for Redmi Note 10, as it allows the browser to load pages faster from the cache and instantly respond to opening links from other programs.

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Use Turbo or Lithium mode in the battery settings only in emergency cases when you want to maximize the life of your smartphone. In normal operation, they can block browsers.

Removing or disabling Mi Browser

Many users are looking to not just change their browser, but completely remove the standard Mi Browser to free up space and eliminate accidental launches. Unlike many other system applications, in MIUI, this browser can often be removed in the usual way, like any user application.

Try to pinch the browser icon on your desktop or app menu and select Delete. If the system allows you to do this without root permissions, the problem is solved. However, in some regions and firmware versions, the delete button may be missing or inactive.

If normal deletion is not possible, you can use the Disable feature. Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps → Mi Browser. If the Remove button is not available, there will be a Disable button. This will hide the application from the menu and prevent it from running, effectively turning it into a dead load on the disk.

For advanced users, there is a method of removing from a computer via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone over USB and typing commands into the console, which allows you to remove even those system applications that are hidden from the user.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Using the ADB command line requires care. A package name error can cause the system to run unsteady.The package name for the standard Xiaomi browser is usually com.android.browser or com.mi.global.browser, but may vary by region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)