How to make the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: Full instructions

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphones often face intrusive behavior of the operating system MIUI, which aggressively promotes its own services.When you try to open a link from a messenger or social network, the device can forcefully launch the built-in Mi Browser, ignoring your preferences. This is annoying, especially if you are used to the functionality of Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera with their synchronization and extensions.

The problem isn't with the hardware of your Redmi Note 4, it's with the software limitations of the shell. The default system prioritizes your product, and simply installing an alternative app doesn't make a difference. In order for links to open in your chosen app, you have to make a number of specific settings that aren't always obvious on the menu.

In this guide, we will discuss all possible ways to solve the problem: from standard Android settings to deeper manipulation of application rights in MIUI. You will learn to bypass system limitations and make your smartphone work as convenient for you, and not for the developers of firmware.

Why Xiaomi imposes its browser

Xiaomi is building its own ecosystem, where its own apps play a key role in data collection and monetization. The built-in browser on Redmi Note 4 often contains news feeds and ad units that generate traffic for the company. That is why the system seeks to open any external link through this tool, even if the user previously installed other options.

Android allows you to assign apps by default, but the MIUI shell has its priorities. Often, after updating the firmware or cleaning the memory, the settings are reset, and the phone starts offering Mi Browser again. Understanding this logic helps to more effectively combat intrusiveness.

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If you just updated your firmware on Redmi Note 4, your browser settings may have reset. Check them again immediately after you first turned them on.

It's worth noting that you can't completely abandon a system browser without root rights, because it's part of the system partition, but we can minimize that by redirecting all open requests. URL-This will make using your smartphone more comfortable and safer.

Preparation for setting up: installing an alternative

Before you change your system settings, make sure that your Redmi Note 4 already has the desired application installed. Without an installed alternative, the system simply will not offer you a choice.

It is recommended to choose proven solutions that are regularly updated and support modern web security standards.

• 🌐 Google Chrome – the benchmark of speed and sync with Google account.
• 🔴 Yandex Browser – optimized for Russian networks and has built-in turbo mode.
• 🛡️ Mozilla Firefox is a great choice for those who value privacy and extension support.
• ⚡ Opera Mini is ideal for saving traffic on older versions of Android.

After installation, take your time to open the application. First, give the system a few seconds to index the new software. In some cases, MIUI requires an initial start to register with the system.

Standard Method Through Android Settings

The easiest and safest way to change priorities is to use the built-in Android settings menu, which works on most Redmi Note 4 firmware versions, from MIUI 9 to MIUI 10/11. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the OS version.

You have to go to the settings section and find the app item, and it can be called differently in different menu localizations, but the logic remains the same. We look for link behavior management.

Settings → Applications → All Apps → (Mean three points) → Default Apps

In the list that opens, look for the browser, click on it, and the system will tell you to choose from the available options. If you see only Mi Browser, then the alternative application is incorrectly installed or hidden. Choose the option you want, such as Chrome.

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After selecting a browser in the “Default Apps” menu, all links from other programs will open automatically, without unnecessary questions.

If the default apps list doesn't have a browser option, try searching for it in the settings. Type the word "browser" or "default" into the search bar at the top of the settings screen. This often helps get to the desired menu faster.

Resetting the default settings for Mi Browser

Sometimes you've chosen a new browser, but links still open in the old one. That means that Mi Browser previously had a hard-line "Always" priority. To fix that, you have to reset that choice.

Go to the application management menu and find the Mi Browser itself in the list. We need to clear its status as the main link handler. This action will not remove your bookmarks, but will return the choice the next time you click.

• 🔍 Find the Mi Browser (may be called simply “Browser” with a compass icon).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the settings on the first click, the system will ask you again than to open the address. Be sure to select "Always" to fix the result.

This procedure is especially useful if you accidentally clicked "Always" on the wrong app before. On the Redmi Note 4, with its small amount of RAM, such "sticking" settings are common.

Setup link opening in specific applications

Newer versions of the MIUI shell have a detailed setup for each application separately, allowing you to flexibly manage which programs can intercept links, for example, you can allow Telegram to open links only in Chrome, ignoring system preferences.

To do this, go to the settings of a particular application that uses links (for example, Viber or WhatsApp). In the “Other permissions” or “Open by default” section, you can specify your preferred browser, but most often this is configured globally for the entire system.

If standard methods don’t work, you can use the menu path mapping table for different MIUI versions on Redmi Note 4:

Use this table as a guide. The interface may vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EU). If you do not find the right item, try searching by settings.

Problem Solving: If the settings are not saved

Owners of the Redmi Note 4 sometimes complain that after the reboot, the phone again “forgets” the browser choice and returns the Mi Browser.This can be due to the aggressive operation of the energy saving system, which “kills” background processes or resets the configuration.

First, check if the autorun limit is worth it for your selected browser. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your browser (like Chrome) and make sure the Autorun switch is on. Also in Battery and Performance, add the browser to the exceptions.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the system Mi Browser completely without root permissions. This can lead to errors in the system, as some components are not available. MIUI tied to his libraries.

If the problem persists, try to clear the cache of the Settings and Google Play Services app. Sometimes the conflict of cached data prevents the correct application of new rules for the use of the cache. URL-reference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Customizing the Redmi Note 4 to your needs is a creative process that allows you to squeeze the most out of the device. The right browser will make surfing the Internet easier, faster and safer. Don't be afraid to experiment with MIUI settings to create the perfect environment for yourself.