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

Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones default on the Mi Browser, which isn’t always a good fit for users. Many prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and advanced features. However, the default browser change on Xiaomi devices has its nuances — especially after the MIUI 14/15 updates, where the manufacturer tightened restrictions.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to make Chrome the primary browser on Redmi, POCO Xiaomi (including the 2023-2026 models) and why settings are sometimes reset after a reboot. MIUI Rootless and what to do if Chrome disappears from the list of available browsers.

Important: the instructions below are tested on MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese firmware versions), and if you have a POCO Launcher or custom firmware, some steps may differ.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the browser change by default?

The manufacturer imposes restrictions for a reason. Here are the key reasons:

• 🔒 Monetization via Mi Browser: a branded browser displays ads and collects data for targeted ads (even in “safe mode").
• 🛡️ Security: MIUI Mi Browser is more phishing-proof thanks to its built-in Mi Security scanner.
• 📱 Integration with Xiaomi services: the browser is closely linked to Mi Account, cloud storage and Quick Apps.
• 📉 Google’s competition: Google services blocked in China, Xiaomi pushes its own solutions.

Starting with MIUI 12.5, changing the default browser required additional actions, such as disabling battery optimization for Chrome or manually assigning through App Settings. In MIUI 14+, the algorithm is even stricter: the system can automatically return Mi Browser after updates.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Xiaomi 13T) After resetting to factory, the browser is defaulted to Mi Browser, even if Chrome was installed as the main one. MIUI.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you assign Chrome to your default browser, follow these steps:

Install the latest version of Google Chrome from Google Play

Update MIUI to the latest stable version (check Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Turn off battery optimization for Chrome (instruction below)

Delete the cache and data of Mi Browser (optional, but recommended)-->

Pay special attention to battery optimization. By default, MIUI limits Chrome's background activity, which can interfere with its default browser.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Chrome in the list and tap it.
3. Choose Battery Optimization → No restrictions.
4. Enable the AutoRun option (if available).

Also check if your device has regional restrictions, for example, on smartphones for the Chinese market (China ROM), the default browser change can be completely blocked without flashing to the global version of MIUI.

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If after assigning Chrome by default, links still open in Mi Browser, try clearing the default application settings in Settings → Applications → Default Apps → Reset.

Method 1: Standard change through MIUI settings

This is the simplest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-15.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Find the Browser section and tap it.
4. In the list of available browsers, select Google Chrome.
5. Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or OK.

If Google Chrome is not listed, follow these steps:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📥 Update Chrome to the latest version on Google Play.
• 🗑️ Clear the Mi Browser cache and data in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔧 Reset the default application settings (see the tip above).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T) post-update MIUI 14.0.6+ The default application may be hidden, in which case use method 2 with the setting by opening the link.

Method 2: Assign Chrome through Opening a Link

If the standard method doesn’t work, try this workaround:

1. Open any application that has a hyperlink (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Tap any link (e.g. https://google.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Google Chrome.
4. Activate the switch Always or Use by default.

If the browser selection window does not appear:

• 🔗 Try another link (for example, https://youtube.com).
• 📌 Make sure Chrome is not locked in Special Access settings → Displaying on top of other applications.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

On devices with MIUI 14+, this method can only work after pre-resetting the default application settings (see the tip in the previous section).

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll need to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires connecting your phone to your computer, but is guaranteed to work even on locked firmware.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Enter the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd role add-package com.android.chrome android.role.BROWSER
5. Reboot the phone.

If after the reboot the settings reset, execute an additional command:

adb shell cmd role remove-package com.android.browser android.role.BROWSER

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra after use ADB It may be necessary to reset the cache of the section /data Do this only if you are confident in your actions!

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ADB-The method is the most reliable, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always check the syntax before running.

Problem Solving: Chrome is Resetting or Not Working

Even after a successful browser change, you may encounter problems, and here are some of the most common solutions.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Availability of updates for MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
• 🔍 Does Mi Security block changes (check Settings) → Security).
• 🛠️ Is there a custom firmware with modified Android policies installed.

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi: what to choose instead of Chrome

If Google Chrome still doesn’t want to become the default browser, consider alternatives that integrate better with MIUI:

• 🦊 Firefox: supports extensions, has built-in tracking protection. Some firmware is assigned by default without problems.
• 🌐 Brave: Blocks ads by default, faster than Chrome on weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A).
• 🔵 Microsoft Edge: syncs well with Windows, there is an immersive reading mode.
• 📱 Kiwi Browser: Based on Chromium, but optimized for Android and works better on the Internet MIUI.

Use the same methods as Chrome to assign an alternative browser, for example, Firefox is often defined by the system as a full-fledged browser and does not require additional ADB commands.

If you want maximum performance, look at Bromite, a fork of Chromium with Google remote trackers, which consumes less memory than Chrome and conflicts less with MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi