How to install Google Chrome browser by default on Xiaomi Poco: all ways

Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Xiaomi Poco?

Xiaomi Poco smartphones run on the MIUI branded shell, which is known for its aggressive policy to promote its own services. Even if you installed Google Chrome or another browser, the system stubbornly opens links in the standard Mi Browser — and this is not a coincidence, but part of the company’s business model.

Unlike pure Android, where changing the browser by default takes 2 clicks, on Poco, this process can turn into multiple climbing settings - especially if you have a version of MIUI 12-14 with limited rights for third-party applications. Moreover, after system updates, settings are often reset, and Mi Browser again becomes a priority. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods - from official to bypass - taking into account the features of different versions of the firmware.

Before you start, check your MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. It depends on which method works. For example, on Poco F5 with MIUI 14, the algorithm differs from Poco X3 Pro to MIUI 12.5.

Method 1: Standard browser change through settings (MIUI 13/14)

This is the most obvious method, but it doesn't work on all devices. In recent MIUI versions, Xiaomi has hidden the direct option of changing the browser, so the path has become less intuitive. Here's a step-by-step guide for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Settings and go to the Application section.
2. Tap on Application Management (or All Apps, depending on version).
3. In the search bar, type Chrome (or your browser name) and select it from the list.
4. Click Open by default (or Default settings).
5. Select Supported Web Links and set the switch to the Chrome position.

If there is no default Open, then your version of MIUI is blocking this method, in which case you go to Method 2.

Install Google Chrome from Google Play | Update MIUI to the latest version |Close all open tabs in Mi Browser|Reboot your phone-->

Method 2: Reset application settings (if the standard method doesn’t work)

If Chrome doesn't have the Open default option, try resetting all apps, which will cause the system to request browser selection again the next time you open the link.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Default Settings).
3. Now, when you first open a link (like Telegram or WhatsApp), the system will ask which app to use.
4. Select Chrome and tick Always.

⚠️ Note: This method resets the default settings of all apps, including instant messengers, gallery and music players, and after the procedure you will have to reset priorities for other services.

If that didn't work, the problem might be the limitations of MIUI for European firmware (EEA), in which case you might try Method 3.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the software methods don't work, you have to use ADB, which is a debugging tool that lets you manually set your system settings, and it works on all versions of MIUI, but it requires you to connect your phone to your PC and enable developer mode.

Here's what we need to do:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
3. Download ADB Tools on your PC, unpack the archive, and open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is detected, type: 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

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone. Chrome should now become the default browser. If you have a Permission denied error, then your device has ADB rights blocked, which is typical for some regions (for example, India or China).

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If ADB-commands are not working, try first to disable Mi Browser in the application settings (Stop button.

Method 4: Remove Mi Browser through uninstaller (root rights)

The Radical method is to remove the Mi Browser completely from the device, and this is only possible if you have root rights or through special utilities like ADB AppControl. Note that removing the system application can lead to unstable MIUI operation, so do it at your own risk.

Instructions for ADB AppControl:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect to the PC through ADB (as in the mode 3) and grant rights: adb -d shell pm grant com.ramdroid.appcontrol android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
3. In ADB AppControl, find Mi Browser (com.android.browser package) and click Uninstall.

⚠️ Note: Some Poco models (e.g. Poco) X4 Pro 5G) Mi Browser is linked to other system components, and deleting it can lead to errors when opening links from Mi Account or Mi Cloud. → Annexes → Show all the system → Mi Browser → Turn it on.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, the reason may be:

• 📱 Regional firmware: Application changes to systems are often blocked on devices in China or India. ROM.
• 🔒 Business policy: if the phone was issued by the company, it may be installed on it MDM-profile.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: Some informal builds (e.g. Pixel Experience) may conflict with default settings.

In such cases, there are two options:

1. Use Chrome as the primary browser manually, ignoring Mi Browser for links.
2. Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher) that allows you to assign default applications bypassing system constraints.

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On devices with MIUI 14 for the European market (EEA), the default browser change is often blocked at the firmware level, the only reliable way is to flash it to the global version or use ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions