How to Make Google Chrome the Main Browser on Android Xiaomi: The Complete Guide to 2026

Introduction: Why doesn’t Chrome become the default browser on Xiaomi?

You downloaded Google Chrome on your Xiaomi smartphone, but the system persistently opens links in the standard MIUI or Mi Browser browser? This is a typical problem for users of devices with MIUI firmware, where the manufacturer aggressively promotes its own services. Even after explicitly choosing Chrome in the default settings, links can open in an unwanted browser - especially if they come from system applications like Mi Video or Mi Community.

The reason is the MIUI architecture: the firmware uses deep integration of system applications, where some components (like the web link handler) are tightly tied to the Mi Browser. Also, after system updates, default settings can be reset — this is not a bug, but Xiaomi's deliberate policy to keep users in its ecosystem. But there are ways to get around these limitations, and we'll go through them in as much detail as possible.

In this article you will find:

• 🔧 Step-by-step instructions for MIUI 14/13/12 (Relevant to the Redmi Note 12/11/10, POCO F5/X5, Xiaomi 13/12 etc.)
• 🛠️ Methods of circumventing system constraints (including: ADB for advanced users)
• ⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• 📊 Comparison of browsers on speed and security (table)

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start settings, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 📱 Google Chrome installed – download it from Google Play (do not use it) APK From third-party sources!!! The version should be no lower than 120.x (Check out the Chrome Settings → About the programme).
• 🔄 Updated. MIUI — Some browser bugs are patched. For the latest firmware version, see Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔓 Chrome Restrictions Disabled – Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Chrome and allow all rights (especially Open Links and Display on top of other windows).

If you use POCO Launcher or third-party shells, switch to the standard MIUI launcher temporarily, which will eliminate conflicts when you set up, and check if there are apps like Dual Apps or Second Space that can duplicate browser settings.

Method 1: Standard browser change by default (for most users)

This method works on MIUI 12-14 without root rights and is suitable for 90% of users.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. Select Google Chrome from the list, and if you don't have one, go back to Prep and check the installation.

After that, the system will offer to confirm the selection, but here is a caveat: MIUI can ignore these settings for some types of links (for example, from Mi Home or Mi Fit).

• 🔗 Open any link (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp) and in the window that appears, select Chrome by ticking Always.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it will reset the cache of system link handlers.

Important! If you still open links in Mi Browser after doing this, you have MIUI system limitations on your device. Go to Method 2.

Method 2: Bypassing MIUI restrictions through ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard method doesn't work, you'll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system setup tool that requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but it's 100% effective.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with ADB Tools (download platform-tools for your OS).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Turn on Debugging. USB).

Now run the following commands in the terminal (command line) of the computer:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the drivers and the cable.)

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

(Clears the Mi Browser settings.)

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

(Forcedly installs Chrome by default.)

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d"https://google.com"

(The test team must open Google in Chrome.)

If it went well, reboot your phone, and now even system apps will open links in Chrome.

⚠️ Attention! Use! ADB It can cause system failures if you type commands at random. ADB without understanding their purpose, also after the update. MIUI The settings may be reset - they will have to be repeated.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (alternative to ADB)

If working with ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized utilities that automate the process. For example, the Default App Manager app (available on Google Play) allows you to flexibly manage default handlers without a command line.

Instructions:

1. Install Default App Manager.
2. Open the application and give it ADB rights (the application itself will prompt you to enable debugging).
3. In the list, find the browser and select Google Chrome.
4. Apply the changes and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is the visual interface and the ability to roll back changes, but some functions (for example, resetting handlers for system applications) may require root rights.

Other useful utilities:

• 🛠️ SetEdit – for editing system settings (requires root).
• 🔧 App Cloner – if you want to duplicate Chrome with separate settings.

💡

If you still open links in Mi Browser after using Default App Manager, try manually clearing the cache of the com.android.browser system application through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache.

Why do links still open in Mi Browser? Common problems and solutions

Even after you set up Chrome correctly, some links can persist in Mi Browser, which is because MIUI uses alternative handlers for certain types of content.

If none of the methods worked, the radical solution is to disable the Mi Browser via ADB:

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

This will remove the system browser from the list of possible handlers, but may cause errors in the operation of some MIUI functions (for example, web views in the settings).

⚠️ Attention, disabling system applications through ADB may disrupt firmware stability. Before executing a command, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Browser Comparison: Why Chrome is Better than Mi Browser

Many Xiaomi users prefer Google Chrome to the standard Mi Browser not only for habit, but also for objective reasons.

Chrome also supports WebRTC and AV1-Video codecs, which is important for streaming services like YouTube or Netflix, but Mi Browser can also be useful for viewing local content (such as Mi videos). TV Stick, as it is better optimized for Xiaomi devices.

💡

If you are interested in privacy, after you switch to Chrome, turn off the option “Improving Search and Navigation” (Settings → Privacy → Use the page preload service).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions