Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 7 model, come with a pre-installed suite of apps that may not suit every user. The standard MIUI Browser browser is often criticized for intrusive advertising and overconsumption of resources, which forces device owners to look for alternatives. Installing a third-party browser like Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera is just the first step toward personalizing the gadget.
However, simply downloading an app from the Play Market store does not guarantee that the system will automatically start using it to open links. In the Android operating system, which runs the MIUI shell, there is an application priority. To open links from messengers, social networks and other programs in the browser you choose, you need to manually change the system settings. This process requires care, since the settings menu in different versions of the firmware can look different.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail all the steps of changing the default browser to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. We will look at the standard algorithm of actions through the system menu, touch on the nuances of working with access rights and analyze possible errors that users face. Following the instructions, you will be able to optimize the operation of your device and make using the Internet more comfortable and secure.
Choosing the best browser for Redmi Note 7
Before you start to set the technical settings, it is worth deciding which application will become the main one. The market for mobile browsers is huge, and the choice depends on your personal needs: speed, having a built-in ad blocker, saving traffic or synchronizing with the desktop version. For Redmi Note 7, which is based on the Snapdragon 660 processor, optimization and no “bloating” of the interface are important.
Many users prefer Google Chrome for its deep integration with the search giant’s ecosystem and the ability to synchronize tabs with a computer. Others choose Yandex Browser for its adaptability to Russian conditions, built-in voice assistant and Turbo mode, which compresses traffic. There are lighter alternatives, such as Via Browser or DuckDuckGo, which are focused on privacy and minimal RAM consumption.
It’s important to consider that some “heavy” browsers may be slower to run on devices with limited free storage. If your Redmi Note 7 has a version with 3 GB of RAM, choosing an application that is too resource-intensive can lead to periodic slowdowns when switching between tabs, optimization in this case is a key factor in stable operation.
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Use lightweight browser versions (Lite) if your smartphone is slow or has little free memory.
Preparation of the device for the installation of a new browser
The process of changing your browser begins long before you enter the settings menu. The first and most important condition is that you have the app itself on the system. If you just bought a smartphone or dropped it before the factory settings, you will need to download the installation file of the desired browser. Make sure your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network or has a stable mobile connection.
Go to the Play Store or GetApps app (if you're in a region where the standard Google store is not available). Type the name of your browser in the search bar. After downloading and installing, take your time to open the phone's settings menu. Android should have time to index the new app so that it appears in the list of available to choose from.
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
There's an important safety nuance: download apps only from trusted sources. Install browsers from questionable sources. APK-The files found on forums can infect your device with malicious code that will intercept your passwords and banking data.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install modified versions of popular browsers with the promise of “unlocked features.” Often, these files contain hidden miners or spyware modules that cannot be deleted by standard means.
The default browser algorithm in MIUI
The MIUI shell interface has its own specifics, different from pure Android. The path to the desired setup can vary depending on the firmware version (MIUI 10, 11, 12 or later), but the overall logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing applications. Open the Settings app on the home screen.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the App. In some versions of the firmware, this section may be called Applications and Notifications. Inside this menu, we are interested in the All Apps or Application Management subsection, and this is where the full list of installed software and system settings for their operation are stored.
Next, the actions depend on the specific version of MIUI, but most often the following way is used: find in the list or through a search at the top of the screen the option of App Settings (sometimes it is hidden in the three-dot menu in the upper right corner). In the list that opens, select the category of the Application by default. If there is no such item in the general list, try to find it through the search by settings, entering the phrase “default”.
| MIUI version | The path to adjustment | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10-11 | Settings → Applications → Application settings → Applications by default | The classic path, available in most cases |
| MIUI 12-13 | Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points → Default Apps | The item is often hidden in the additional menu |
| MIUI Global | Settings → Applications → Applications by default | Simplified menu structure for the international market |
| MIUI China | Settings → Additional settings → Default applications | It may vary depending on the regional firmware |
Once you log into the Apps menu, find the Browser bar by default, which will indicate MIUI Browser or Chrome (if it was preinstalled as a system one). Click on this line. The system will offer a list of all installed browsers that are capable of processing web links.
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If there is no “Browser” item in the “Default Apps” list, use the settings search (cog at the top right or magnifier at the top) by entering the word “browser”.
Configure access rights and permissions
Simply selecting a browser in the list is not enough to work properly; in order for a new browser to correctly open links from other applications (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp), it may need certain permissions. In new versions of Android (10, 11 and above), security has become stricter, and applications can not simply intercept links without the user’s knowledge.
Go to the App menu → App management. Find your new browser (like Yandex or Opera) in the list. Click on it to open the app card. Find the Other Permissions or Default Open section. Here you will see the "Open Supported Links" switch».
Activate this switch. The system can alert you that the application will gain access to certain types of link opening. This is a standard procedure necessary to ensure that when you click on a link anywhere in the system, the question “What to open?” no longer arises, and the choice falls immediately on your preferred browser.
What if the Open Default switch is inactive?
It’s also worth checking storage and camera access permissions if you plan to use a browser to scan. QR-Without these permissions, you will be restricted to the Permissions section of the app card and make sure that the necessary items (Camera, Files and Media) are included.
Resolving conflicts and resetting settings
Sometimes, after a default browser change, users are faced with a situation where links continue to open in the old application or the system constantly requests a choice of program, this can be due to cached data or conflicts between several installed browsers, in which cases a forced preference reset is required.
Return to Settings → Apps. In the upper right corner, click on the menu (three dots or a gear) and select Reset App Settings or Reset App Preferences. This operation will not delete your data, photos or contacts, but will return all system choices (calls, messages, browsers) to the default state.
⚠️ Note: Resetting application preferences will disable all background activity restrictions and notifications you previously set for all programs, and you will have to reconfigure which apps can and do not work in the background.
Once reset, repeat the default browser selection procedure described in the previous sections. This time, the system should "remember" your choice correctly. If the problem persists, try removing updates to the standard MIUI Browser or completely removing it if your firmware version allows you to do so without root rights.
In rare cases, a conflict can be caused by a third-party antivirus or memory cleaner app that forcibly changes security settings. Check the settings of such programs and add your new browser to the exception list or "white list".