How to make links open in Chrome on Xiaomi

The situation when clicking on a hyperlink in the messenger or social network, the Xiaomi system instead of the usual browser offers a strange list of applications or does not respond at all, is familiar to many users of the MIUI shell. This is not just a minor inconvenience, but a system feature of the Android ecosystem, which often knocks down default settings after updating or installing new programs. Most often the problem lies in the fact that the operating system “forgotten” which application should be responsible for processing web addresses.

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face this regularly, as aggressive battery optimization and specific security permissions can block standard link behavior. Sometimes the system imposes its Mi Browser browser, ignoring the installed Google Chrome, which annoys users accustomed to synchronizing history and passwords. To return comfortable use of the Internet, you need to perform a series of actions to reconfigure application priorities.

The solution usually takes no more than five minutes if you know which menus to look at. Below we will detail the algorithm of actions that will help to force Chrome to be the main link handler, and also consider more complex cases that require resetting or disabling system conflicts.

Why Xiaomi system ignores the chosen browser

The fundamental reason is Android Intents. When you click on a link, a source app (like Telegram) sends a request to the system: "Open this URL." If there are multiple apps on the system that can perform this request, Android needs to know which one to choose by default. In the MIUI shell, this choice is sometimes reset or overridden by system processes.

Often the culprit is installing the browser itself. If you recently upgraded Chrome or reinstalled it, the system may have taken it as a new app and reset old file associations. In addition, some Chinese firmware versions have built-in protection that tries to redirect web traffic through your own browser for “security” or monetization.

⚠️ Note: Do not rush to delete the Mi Browser browser if it is built into the system. ADB This can cause some system widgets to work in an unstable way.

The impact of energy saving is also worth considering: Aggressive MIUI Optimization settings can “freeze” the background processes of the browser, which makes the system consider it unavailable for opening links and looking for an alternative, this is especially true for devices with a small amount of RAM.

Basic browser settings by default

The most obvious and often overlooked step is to check the global settings of applications. Many users search for a solution in the deep developer menu, forgetting about the basic Android settings section, which is where all web queries of the system are prioritized.

You need to go to your device's settings menu first, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. Find the section that manages the installed programs.

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If you can’t find the “Applications” item in the settings, search by settings (the magnifier at the top) by entering the word “Applications” or “Default”.

We follow the instructions:

• 📱 Open the smartphone settings.
• 📂 Go to the Apps section (or All Apps»).
• 🌐 Find Application Management or immediately look for Default Apps».
• 🔍 In the list, find the Browser category.
• ✅ Select Chrome from the list offered.

After this action, the system must remember your choice, but if the click on the link still flies the selection menu, then the particular application (such as WhatsApp) has its own cached settings, which must be reset separately.

Resetting default settings for source applications

If global customization didn’t help, the problem could be in the app itself, from which you click. Android allows each app to store its preferences. For example, you could accidentally click “Always open in Mi Browser” the last time you clicked on Viber, and now the system doesn’t ask you again.

To fix this, you need to clear the default settings for the source app. This won't delete your chats or history, it will only reset the file and link associations.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find an application in the list where links do not open (for example, Telegram, Instagram).
3. Inside the app menu, find the Open by default (or “Start by default”) option.
4. Click the Clear Default Settings button (or “Reset”).

Now, the next time you click on a link in this app, the system will ask you again what to open. In the window that appears, select Chrome and be sure to click Always (or Always Use This App) to reinforce the choice.

Forced appointment via the “Open Links” menu

Modern versions of Android and the MIUI 13/14 shell have more detailed control over which links the app opens, which is useful if Chrome opens only for some links, and for others (for example, internal links stores) using another application.

Here we configure the Chrome browser itself, allowing it to intercept all web addresses:

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find and open Google Chrome.
• 🔗 Select the Opening Links (Open by Default).
• ✅ Make sure the switch is in the position to Open supported links.
• 📋 Below is a list of domains. Make sure the major ones (google.com, youtube.com, etc.) are active.

This method is especially effective when links are opened, but not in the browser you need at the moment.Forcing all supported domains in Chrome causes the system to give it priority over system solutions.

⚠️ Note: If the "Open Supported Links" option is not available (gray), it means that there is another application in the system that claims to be the main handler, in which case, first reset for another browser (for example, Mi Browser).

Table: Comparison of methods of solving the problem

To make it easier for you to choose the right way to fix a problem, we have systematized methods based on their effectiveness and complexity. Not all methods are suitable for every situation, so it is recommended to go from simple to complex.

As you can see from the table, the safest and fastest way is to set up the first setup, but if the system is stuck deep, you may need a complete preference reset, which we will discuss later.

Radical Method: Resetting all app preferences

If none of the above methods worked, and Xiaomi links still don't open in Chrome or at all, you'll have to resort to "heavy artillery." This method resets all file and link association settings for all applications at once. You'll have to re-choose over opening a certain type of file, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem.

It’s important to understand that this process doesn’t delete your photos, contacts, apps, or their data (logins, game progress) and only resets system preferences like “open PDF in Adobe Reader” or “links in Chrome.”

Settings → Applications → All Applications → (Menu 3 points) → Reset application settings

Once you've confirmed the operation, the system might freeze for a second. That's okay. Once you've finished, restart your smartphone. When you first click on any link or file, the system will ask you again how to open it. Select Chrome and click "Always."

Specific problems of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi owners often encounter unique optimization-related bugs, such as MIUI Optimization, which can block some components from working, and sometimes temporarily disabling optimization helps, although it is not recommended to do this unnecessarily.

It’s also worth checking whether Turbo or Game mode is turned on, which can limit the browser’s background activity.If Chrome is running in power saving mode, it may not have time to respond to system requests.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity.
• 📱 Find Chrome in the App List.
• ⚡ Set the mode without restrictions.

Another nuance is built-in advertising and MSA (MIUI System Ads) services, which can sometimes intercept traffic, and disabling ads in security settings can indirectly affect the stability of links.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization requires code validation and reboot, only if you are confident in your actions, as the interface may become less user-friendly.

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The main reason for the problems with links to Xiaomi is the conflict between the system browser Mi Browser and installed Chrome. Forced prioritization solves 95% of cases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)