How to Make Google Chrome Default on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which many users find overwhelmed with news and advertising. At the same time, Google Chrome remains the benchmark for speed, account sync and familiar interface for millions of people. However, simply downloading an app from the Play Market is not enough – the system will continue to open links in your native browser until you change the appropriate settings.

The default browser change procedure on the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS has its own features that can confuse the inexperienced user. The Android settings menu is often hidden or renamed here, and aggressive battery optimization policies sometimes interfere with the correct operation of third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to force Chrome to be the main tool for web surfing, so that links from instant messengers and social networks open exactly where you want.

Not only will you learn about standard methods through system settings, but how to disable intrusive notifications from the built-in browser. We’ll look at the nuances of permissions and access rights that are critical to the stable operation of Google Chrome on Chinese-brand devices. This guide will help you personalize your smartphone and make it as comfortable as possible to use it.

Why Xiaomi System Ignores Chrome After Installation

After downloading and installing Google Chrome from the Play Market store, many users are surprised to find that when you click on a link in Telegram or WhatsApp, the same Mi Browser opens. This is not a bug or a system bug, but an intentional design of the MIUI shell. Xiaomi developers by default assign their services to priority in order to keep the user inside their ecosystem and show them targeted advertising.

Android has a strict hierarchy of apps, where for each type of action (opening links, calling, viewing photos) must be specified the default handler. If you did not specify Chrome explicitly, the system will use the default value, laid down by the manufacturer. Even if you open Chrome and log in to your account, it will not make it a system browser automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Some global firmware versions may have a pop-up when you first start Google Chrome, prompting you to use it by default.Don't ignore this window and immediately click "Yes" or "Use always" if it appears. This is the fastest way, but it doesn’t work on all versions. MIUI.

Also, the HyperOS shell, which is gradually replacing MIUI, makes its own adjustments to the logic of widgets and notifications. Sometimes the system can “reset” user choices after major security updates, so it is important to understand where the right switch is hiding in the deep settings to quickly return everything to its place.

Basic setting through the application menu by default

The most correct and reliable way to get a smartphone to open links in Chrome is to use the system menu of application management. This method works on all current versions of Android, including Android 13 and Android 14, which are installed on modern Xiaomi. You do not need third-party utilities or root rights, enough care when navigating the menu.

To start, open the standard Settings app for your device. The interface may vary depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the partition responsible for managing installed programs. In newer versions of HyperOS, it is often hidden inside the Applications item, whereas in older MIUIs it can be displayed separately.

The sequence of actions should be as follows:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on the tripod or gear icon to open the additional menu.
• ⚙️ Select the Default Application (or “Default Application Management»).
• 🌐 Find the Browser category in the list and touch it.
• ✅ In the window that opens, select Chrome from the list offered.

Once you do this, the system will remember your choice.Now all hyperlinks you encounter in any other apps will be automatically redirected to Google Chrome.If you don't see Chrome in the list, make sure the app is fully installed and updated to the latest version through the Google Play Store.

Alternative method through the settings of Chrome itself

There is a second way that allows you to configure Google Chrome as the primary browser directly from its interface, which is less reliable on Xiaomi, because the system can ignore the application request, but it is convenient for quick status check. If the phone's settings menu seems too confusing for you, try starting here.

Launch Google Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to open the main menu. Select Settings. Scroll down to the Basic or Additional block (depending on the browser version) and find the default browser. If Chrome is not the main one, there will be a button or link to change this setting.

When you click on this button, the system automatically takes you to the appropriate system settings section described in the previous section, which is a kind of shortcut that saves time searching for the desired menu in the depth of the MIUI. However, if the transition does not occur, then the shell blocks direct requests from applications to change system preferences.

⚠️ Note: If after selecting Chrome in the settings, the system still opens Mi Browser, try clearing the Settings app cache. → All applications → Find the settings → Memory. → Clear cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data so you don't knock down other phone settings.

It’s also worth noting that in some regions, MIUI firmware may contain hidden limitations, and if standard methods don’t work, you may need to update the Google Services Framework components through the Play Market, as they are responsible for properly integrating search services into the operating system.

Removing conflicts and resetting preferences

There are times when a user has tried to configure the browser before, has chosen "Always open in Mi Browser" and now the system ignores the new settings, in which case you have to force reset preferences for all applications or specifically for the browser, which will return the state of the system to the time of "first on" in the matter of selecting programs.

To reset your settings for a particular application, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Mi Browser (or any other browser that opens instead of Chrome) and scroll down to Open by default. There you will see the Remove Default Settings or Reset Preferences button.

If you want to make sure that the system has forgotten all the old rules, you can do a global reset:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• ⚙️ Click on the menu (three-point) and select Reset application settings.
• ⚠️ Confirm the action. It won't delete your data, photos or contacts, but it will return all permissions and preferences to the factory.

Once reset, when you first click on the link, the system will ask you which app to use. Select Google Chrome and be sure to click Always (or Default) instead of Once, which will record the selection in the system registry.

Comparison of Mi Browser and Google Chrome

Why are so many users looking to replace the standard browser? It's not just a matter of habit. Google Chrome offers deep integration with a Google account, synchronizing history, passwords and tabs between the phone and the computer. At the same time, Mi Browser is often criticized for its abundance of news feeds and advertising in the interface.

Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of these two Android browsers:

It is important to note that Chrome uses the same Blink engine as many other browsers, providing high compatibility with modern web standards. Mi Browser, although based on similar technologies, often receives security updates with a delay. For users who value privacy, the privacy settings in Chrome are also more transparent and flexible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To sum up, replacing your standard browser with Google Chrome is a matter of personal preference and habit. The MIUI and HyperOS shell makes it simple enough to know where to look for the right switch. Following these steps, you will make your Xiaomi smartphone more user-friendly and personalized for your tasks.