How to replace the standard browser on Xiaomi: full instructions

Why Xiaomi users want to change the default browser

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones come pre-installed with Mi Browser, a closed-source application that many users find less convenient than the alternatives. The main complaints are aggressive advertising in the free version, limited privacy settings and not always optimal speed. Meanwhile, in MIUI 14 and later, the default browser change algorithm has changed dramatically compared to MIUI 12, causing confusion among device owners.

In this article, we will break down all the current ways to make Chrome, Firefox, Edge or any other browser the main one on Xiaomi Redmi, POCO And Mi, from basic settings to circumventing system constraints, and we'll focus on nuances for different versions. MIUI Smartphone models, including devices with Global ROM China ROM.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you change your browser by default, follow a few mandatory steps:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update of the system in older versions (below) MIUI 12.5) may not have the necessary options.
• 🔍 Install an alternative browser from Google Play or APKMirror (if Play Market is not available). Popular options: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Brave.
• 🔄 Clear the current browser cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛡️ Check the permissions for the new browser: it must have access to the network, storage and (optional) geolocation.

If you use POCO Launcher or third-party launchers, note that some browser settings may be duplicated. For example, in POCO F5 with MIUI 14, the path to changing the browser is different from the standard Redmi Note 12.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

The simplest method works on most devices with MIUI 12.5 or later.

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Applications section → Applications by default.
3. Slip on Browser.
4. In the list, select the desired application (e.g. Chrome).
5. Confirm the choice by pressing OK or Set by default.

If there is no default App, your version of MIUI is outdated. Update your firmware or use alternative methods (see next section).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T s MIUI 14) after changing the browser, it may be necessary to restart the device so that the changes will take effect for all system links (for example, in Mi Video or Mi Music).

Method 2: Change browser through specific application settings

If the standard path didn’t work, try changing the settings directly in the browser itself:

1. Open an alternative browser (such as Chrome).
2. Go to its menu (three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select Settings → Application Settings (or the Default App).
4. Slip on the option Make the browser by default.
5. The system will redirect you to the MIUI settings - confirm the choice.

This method is especially relevant for Firefox and Edge, where the default browser change option is placed in a separate menu. In Chrome, the path may differ: sometimes the item is hidden in Settings → Main → Browser by default.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

For advanced users who can’t change the browser using standard methods, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method works even on the blocked version of MIUI (for example, on Chinese firmware).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable.

Instructions:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser


adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package (e.g. org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox). After you execute the commands, restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If the browser has not changed after executing the commands, return the standard settings with the command: adb shell cmd package reset-home-activity

Method 4: Bypassing restrictions through third-party launchers

On some MIUI firmware (especially Chinese), the browser change is blocked at the system level, in which case the installation of an alternative launcher, for example:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher (paid version allows you to assign actions for icons).
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher (integrated with Edge).
• 📱 POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi devices).

How to set up:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. In the launcher settings, find the default Application option or Actions when pressed.
4. Assign link opening through the selected browser.

This method does not change the system browser, but redirects all clicks on links to the desired application.

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If the browser still opens in Mi Browser after changing the launcher, try clearing the Android System WebView application data in the application settings. This will reset the link handler.

Method compatibility table for different versions of MIUI

Below is a summary table of the working capacity of methods of changing the browser on various versions of firmware:

If your version of MIUI is not listed in the table, check the relevance of the information on the official MIUI website or in thematic communities (for example, 4PDA).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your default browser, Xiaomi users encounter common errors.

• ❌ Browser option is not available in the settings Solution: Update the firmware or use ADB. On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) This point is often hidden.
• ⚠️ After the reboot, the browser is reset to Mi Browser Solution: Clear the Android System WebView application data and reset the settings.
• 🔄 Links from some apps open in Mi Browser Solution: In the settings of the problem app (such as Twitter or Telegram) manually specify the browser to open links.
• 📵 ADB Error: No such file or directory Solution: Make sure that the debugging is done USB It's on and Xiaomi drivers are installed on the PC. Try reconnecting the device.

If none of the methods worked, check if your device has device policies (e.g., corporate smartphones) installed. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Device Policies to do this.

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On devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can use Magisk modules to force a browser change, such as Default App Manager.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions