How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphone based on MIUI often comes with a pre-installed browser Mi Browser, which automatically becomes the default application for opening web links. However, many users prefer alternative solutions — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera — because of their speed, sync with other devices or lack of advertising. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the default browser, including hidden settings Android 8.1 Oreo (on which Redmi Note 5 runs), as well as solutions for cases where standard methods do not work.

It is important to understand that the procedure may differ depending on the version of MIUI (9 to 14) and the availability of root rights. We will look at options for both “pure” Android and firmware with modifications from Xiaomi. If you have previously tried to change the settings, but the system ignores your choice – in the article there is a section to solve this problem by resetting applications by default.

Before you start, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed on the device. If not, download it from the Google Play Market or official website (for example, chrome.google.com for Chrome). Also check that there is enough free space on the smartphone: some browsers (for example, Firefox) require up to 200 MB to work correctly.

Why you can’t just change your browser by default through settings

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 with MIUI, users often face a situation where the system ignores attempts to change the default browser.

• 🔄 Automatic resetting of settings: MIUI Resets applications by default periodically after updates or reboots.
• 🛡️ System protection: Xiaomi blocks some parameters from changing for "security" (according to the manufacturer).
• 📦 Pre-installed services: Mi Browser is integrated into the system and has privileges higher than third-party applications.
• 🔧 Android 8.1 Limits: There is no universal menu for changing your browser (unlike Android 10)+).

Also, if you have previously clicked Always when you open links in an app (like WhatsApp or Telegram), the system can continue to use the old settings even after you explicitly change your browser, in which case you need to manually reset each app separately.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 12 and above, some menu items may be called differently or in other sections. For example, in new versions, the default path to app settings has changed from Settings to Settings. → Applications for Settings → All settings → Annexes → Application management.

Method 1: Standard change through Android settings

This method works on most Redmi Note 5 devices without root rights, but may require additional action if MIUI resets.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps (or Reset App Settings in some versions of MIUI).
4. Tap on the item Browser (or Opening web links).
5. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not on the list, it does not support web link processing. Try reinstalling it or updating it to the latest version.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → [Your browser].
• 🔓 Make sure that permissions are enabled to Open Links and Display on top of other apps.
• 🔄 Restart the device after the changes.

Browser installed and updated|Browser permissions included|The system is not in energy saving mode|There are no restrictions for the application in "Security"-->

If you still open links in Mi Browser after these actions, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Reset all applications by default

When the system ignores your browser choices, it often helps to completely reset the default app settings, which will remove all previous anchors (for example, for YouTube, Gmail or messengers) and allow you to reconfigure link opening.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Default Settings).
3. Confirm the action by clicking Reset settings in the window that appears.
4. After reset, open any web link (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).
5. In the window that appears, select the desired browser and mark Always (or Use by default).

After the reset, MIUI may try to return the Mi Browser as its primary. To avoid this, immediately after setting up, open Settings → Accounts and Sync and turn off the Xiaomi Settings Sync option (if it is active).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting apps by default will also remove the bindings for other activities, such as: Open maps (Google Maps or Yandex.Maps); play music (Spotify, YouTube Music); Open files (Google File Manager.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If standard methods do not work, you can apply ADB-This requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but it's guaranteed to change the default browser:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux).
2. Turn on Redmi Note 5 Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!

Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

Open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and execute the commands:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

Then:

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.browser

(This will reset the settings for Mi Browser).

And finally:

adb shell pm set-default-browser com.android.chrome

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package, see the table below).

If you don’t know your browser’s batch name, look for it in the list:

After completing the commands, restart Redmi Note 5 and check if links are opened in the selected browser. If not, try repeating the command or check if MIUI Optimizer is blocking changes (more on this in the next section).

1. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers from the official website.

2. switch USB mode to File Transfer (MTP) in the notification curtain.

3. Use another USB-cable (preferably original).-->

Method 4: Disabling MIUI Optimizer for stable operation

One of the reasons why Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 resets its browser by default is the MIUI Optimizer background service, which "optimizes" the system but often interferes with user settings to turn it off:

1. Activate Developer Mode (if not already enabled, see previous section).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find options: MIUI Optimization (or MIUI Optimization) - disable it. Limit background processes - set No limits. Do not save actions - disable (if enabled).

Reset the device.

After disabling MIUI Optimizer, try re-installing your default browser through standard settings (Method 1). Now the changes should persist even after the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimizer can lead to: Increased battery consumption (on the 5-10%). Slower animations in the interface, delays in opening some system applications, and if you have problems after you turn off the optimizer, return the settings back.

Problem Solving: When Nothing Works

If none of these methods helped, check the following points:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Outdated firmware versions may contain bugs. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Your browser] → Memory and press Clear cache.
• 🔧 Administrator rights: Some browsers (e.g. Firefox Focus) require additional permissions. → Annexes → [browser] → Permissions and enable all necessary options.
• 📱 Factory reset: Last resort if the problem is caused by corrupting system files. pre-backup data!

If you suspect that the problem is due to viruses or malware, check with Google Play Protect or antivirus (such as Malwarebytes):

1. Open Google Play Market → Click on the profile icon → Play Protect → Scan.
2. Remove suspicious apps that may block setting changes.

Additional settings for convenience

After a successful browser change by default, we recommend setting the following parameters for optimal operation:

• 🔒 Sync: Enable bookmark and history sync in your Google account (for Chrome) or Firefox (for Firefox) to allow you to access data from other devices.
• 🚀 Traffic savings: In your browser settings, activate Light or Turbo (in Opera) to reduce mobile Internet consumption.
• 🛡️ Ad Blocking: Install the uBlock Origin extension (for Firefox) or enable the built-in lock in Brave Browser.
• 🌙 Dark topic: Turn on night mode in the browser settings to reduce the load on the eyes.

For Google Chrome, it’s also helpful to turn off background sync to save battery power:

1. Open Chrome → click on three dots → Settings.
2. Go to Google Sync and Services.
3. Turn off the Background Synchronization option.

💡

If you often open links from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), after changing the browser by default, reconfigure the opening of links in each application separately. To do this, open any link in the messenger and select the desired browser in the window that appears.

FAQ: Frequent questions