How to make a default browser on the phone Android Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the imposition of branded services, including the built-in browser MI Browser.This program, although it has its advantages, often annoys users with news feed advertising and excessive permissions. Fortunately, the Android operating system makes it easy to change the priority application for opening links.

The process of replacing a standard application with a third-party one, such as Google Chrome, Opera or Yandex, takes only a couple of minutes. However, the paths to settings may vary slightly between MIUI and HyperOS firmware versions, and we will discuss the universal methods that work on most current models.

Changing default settings is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the security and speed of a device. Third-party browsers often offer more advanced ad blockers and synchronization with desktop versions. Let's look at how to properly reconfigure the system.

Why you should change the standard browser to Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s standard browser is deeply integrated into the system, which sometimes leads to unpredictable behavior when clicking on links from instant messengers. Users often notice that links open in the “light” version or with a delay. Installing an alternative browser solves the performance problem.

Third-party apps also offer enhanced privacy, embedded solutions often collect telemetry and display personalized ads in the news feed, and switching to specialized products allows you to control your data.

Here are the main reasons why users change their default settings:

• 🚀 Speed: Specialized page rendering engines often run faster than stock.
• 🛡️ Security: regular updates of phishing sites in popular browsers come out more often.
• 🚫 Lack of Advertising: Many alternatives have built-in blockers that don’t exist in the MI Browser.
• 🔄 Synchronization: easy access to history and passwords from a computer through a single account.

⚠️ Note: When you install a new browser from unknown sources, the system may issue a security alert. Make sure you only download the app from the official Google Play store or GetApps.

Preparation for the installation of a new observer

Before you change your system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative app is already installed on your device. Without the second option, Android will not offer a choice. Go to the app store and download the desired browser.

After installation, take your time to launch it. First, check if it is already a default priority. To do this, go to the phone settings. The path can look like Settings → Applications → All apps. Find your new browser on the list.

Make sure the application has all the necessary permissions to work properly, especially network and storage (for downloading files), some features, such as Geolocation, can only be requested on the first run.

It is important to understand the difference between just installing an app and the default app. The former may hang in the background, but links will still open in the old program until the system is manually reconfigured.

Main way: Configure through the application menu

The most reliable way to change priorities on Xiaomi is in the deep menu of app settings, which works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS, regardless of the regional version of the firmware. First, open the general settings of the smartphone.

Find the Apps section and go to All Apps. At the top of the screen you'll see three dots or a menu icon, but we're interested in a list, scroll through it, or search to find the browser you just installed.

Click on the app icon. In the app information menu that opens, look for the default option (or Open by default). That's where the key setting is hidden. If it says "Not set," click on this line.

The system will offer a list of file types or actions. Select Supported Links or simply activate the "Open Supported Links" switch. Now, when you click on a URL, the system will ask or immediately open this browser.

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If there is no default option, try clearing the app cache in the same settings menu, then restart the phone and try again.

Once this feature is activated, the old browser will stop running automatically.You can even delete it if you don't need it, although the system MI Browser is often impossible to remove without root permissions, only disable.

Default reset method

Sometimes a new browser is installed, but the phone persists in opening links in the old one, which means that the priority is firmly assigned to the previous application, in which case the default settings reset for all applications helps.

To do this, go back to the main menu of app settings. In the upper right corner, click on three dots (or gear) and select Reset App Settings or Reset All Preferences. This action is safe: it won't delete your data, photos or contacts.

What exactly happens after the reset:

• 🔄 All file associations will be reset.
• 🔔 Notifications for all applications will be reintroduced.
• 🌐 When you first click on a link, the system will ask you how to open it.
• ⚙️ They'll reset the call settings and SMS default.

After this operation, the first time you click on a link from WhatsApp or Telegram, the system will give you a selection window. Choose a new browser and click "Always." Now it will be the main one.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting app preferences will return notification settings to factory settings. You may need to re-turn off the audio for some games or instant messengers.

Features of configuration in MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS

In the newer versions of Xiaomi’s shell, the logic of the menu might have changed. In HyperOS, settings search became smarter. You can just type in the default browser or default apps search, and the system will redirect you to the desired section.

Also, the new firmware has a feature called "Recommended Apps," and if you've installed a new browser but haven't set it up, the system may, after a while, suggest making it the primary browser.

The table below shows the differences in the paths to settings for different firmware versions:

Owners of Global ROM devices are usually easier to find these settings, as the interface is fully translated and standardized. Users of Chinese versions (CN ROM) with installed Russian sometimes have to navigate by icons.

Problem Solving: If the settings are not saved

There are times when the phone is rebooted, the settings fly off and the links open again in MI Browser. This can be caused by the aggressive operation of the Battery Saver energy saving system. The system "kills" the background processes of the new browser, considering them unnecessary.

To fix this, find the battery and optimization in the settings. Add a new browser to exceptions or select the "No Limits" mode for this application, which will allow it to work stably in the background and intercept links.

Another reason is the conflict of versions: If you upgraded to Android but the browser is still the old version, protocol errors can occur. Always keep apps updated through the Play Market.

Also check if you have any software that can reset the application registry settings every time you clean it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main secret of success is not just to install the application, but to explicitly activate the “Open supported links” item in its settings inside the Android system.