Owning an Android device gives users freedom to choose tools, but Xiaomi’s MIUI operating system is known for its aggressive methods of keeping their attention in native apps. When you first pick up a new smartphone, it is already “tied” to the Mi Browser browser, which opens every time you click on a web link in instant messengers or mail. This can annoy those who are used to Chrome functionality, Opera speed or the Yandex.Browser ecosystem.
Fortunately, it's pretty easy to change that, although shell designers sometimes hide the right switches in non-obvious menu locations. The setup process doesn't require root permissions or complex software installations. It only takes a few minutes and access to system settings to regain control of the device. In this article, we'll look at the nuances of switching to your preferred web browser.
It's worth noting that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system. On older devices with Android 10 and MIUI 12, the algorithm of actions is the same, while the latest models with HyperOS or Android 14 can have a changed menu structure. We will consider current methods that work on most modern gadgets of the brand.
Why the system imposes Mi Browser
Xiaomi’s policy is to create its own ecosystem of services, where Mi Browser is central to GetApps and cloud storage. Developers are looking to maximize the number of users of their products to monetize traffic through advertising integrations and news feeds, which is why when you reset or initial activate the phone automatically assigns the native app to the main handler of web links.
Many users don't even know they can change this setting by putting up with an uncomfortable interface or excessive advertising. But Android, as an open platform, makes it easy to redefine these priorities. It's important to understand that changing the browser by default does not remove the system application, but only changes the logic of opening links from other programs. It's a safe operation that does not affect the stability of the smartphone.
Sometimes, the system can reset choices after major firmware updates, which is normal behavior that requires repeated user intervention, and be careful when installing new applications that may request permission to open links, and controlling these permissions is a key aspect of personalizing your device to your own needs.
Preparation for the change of the main browser
Before you change your system settings, make sure that the alternative app is already installed on your device. Download your preferred browser from the Google Play store or the official developer site. Without the installed application, the selection point in the settings may simply not appear or be inactive.
It is also recommended to perform the initial configuration of the browser itself before assigning it to the main one. Sign in to sync your passwords, browsing history and bookmarks. This will avoid a situation where after changing the browser you lose access to important data. Make sure that the application is updated to the latest version to work correctly with modern web standards.
☑️ Check before changing the browser
Pay attention to the permissions that the new browser requests when it first starts up. It may need to access location, microphone (for voice search), and file storage to function properly, and if you disable these features during the installation phase, you will have to manually search for them later in the privacy settings.
Instructions: browser assignment in MIUI and HyperOS settings
The main method of changing the priority application is in the general settings section of the system. The interface may differ depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the menu responsible for managing the applications by default. Follow the step-by-step instructions below.
First, open the main settings menu for your smartphone. Find a section called Apps or Apps and Notifications. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Application Management. Inside this section, you need to look for the subsection associated with default settings.
⚠️ Attention: In the latest versions of HyperOS, the path may be hidden. If you don't see "Default Apps" right away, click on the three dots in the top corner of the screen or select "Special Opportunities».
Find the default apps. In the list that opens, select the browser category. The system will show you a list of all the browsers installed on the device. Just tap the name of the one you want to use constantly, such as Chrome or DuckDuckGo.
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After selecting a new browser, the system will no longer ask than open a link and will automatically run the selected application.
If nothing changes after selecting, try clearing the Settings cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Settings → Memory → Clean. This will reset any temporary interface errors that may prevent you from using the new settings.
Alternative method through the application menu
There's a second method that often proves more effective when the standard path doesn't work or is hidden by the manufacturer, which is to manage the permissions of a particular application, and this approach allows you to force the browser to be the primary one, bypassing the general system settings.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the browser you want to make the primary (like Opera) on the list. Click on it to open the application management page. Here you are interested in Open by Default or Run by Default.
Inside this menu, you'll see a switch to Open supported file types or Open by default. Activate it. The system can issue a warning that another application has already been assigned to the primary one, and ask for confirmation of the change. Accept the change.
- 🔍 Find the application in the list of installed programs.
- 🚀 Go to the section "Open by default».
- ✅ Activate the switch and confirm the choice.
- 🔄 Check the work by opening a link from the messenger.
This method is especially useful when you need to assign a browser application that does not have its own settings interface or was installed from a third-party source (APK-It gives you a deeper control over the behavior of a particular program on the Android system.
Comparison of popular browsers for Android
Choosing a browser is a matter of taste, but for Xiaomi owners, it is not only speed that matters, but also energy efficiency, as well as the absence of unnecessary load on RAM. Aggressive optimization of MIUI can close the background processes, so light browsers often work more stable than heavy ones.
Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of popular web browsers available on Google Play, which will help you decide which app is best for your use case.
| browser | RAM consumption | Ad-blocker | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | High. | No (extensions needed) | Google Account |
| Yandex.Browser | Average. | Built-in (Turbo) | Yandex ID |
| Opera Mini | Low. | Built-in | Opera Account |
| Mozilla Firefox | Average. | Strict (Privacy) | Firefox Account |
For weak devices with a small amount of RAM (2-3 GB), it is better to choose lightweight versions, such as Opera Mini or Via Browser. They consume less CPU resources and load pages faster in unstable mobile Internet conditions.
Problem Solving and Frequent Errors
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the system ignores the choice or constantly returns Mi Browser when opening links, this can be caused by a conflict of cached data or an error in the Intent Filter service, which is responsible for redirecting requests.
The first step in diagnosing is to clean up the Mi Browser data itself. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Mi Browser → Memory and click Clear. Don't worry, it won't delete your history in other browsers, it will only reset the system application settings.
What to do if the selection button is inactive?
The problem can also be in power saving settings. Xiaomi is known for its aggressive process killer: Go to the battery settings, find your new browser, and set up Unlimited mode, which will prevent the browser from being uploaded from memory, which sometimes affects its ability to intercept links.
⚠️ Note: If you use antivirus applications or memory cleaners, add the browser to the exclusion list, otherwise the system will force you to close it.
In rare cases, reinstallation of a problematic application helps: delete the browser, restart the smartphone and install it again. When you first start, the system often suggests that you assign it to the main one if the previous choice was reset.
Features of work in HyperOS mode
With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi began to unify the interface, making it more like pure Android, but with its own nuances. In this system, browser settings can be divided into different menus depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA).
Chinese firmware versions often lack Google Chrome preinstalled, and the system may insist on using Mi Browser or UC Browser. In such cases, installing another browser by default may require pre-installing Google Play services and logging into your account.
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In HyperOS, try searching by settings: type the word “browser” or “default” into the settings search bar to quickly find the desired menu item.
HyperOS also improves the desktop widget experience, so if you use the Tape or Search widget on the home screen, make sure that their settings also select the search engine and browser that suits your preferences, otherwise they may open links in the system app.