How to make Google Chrome the main browser on Xiaomi: 3 working methods

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based 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, changing the default browser to Xiaomi isn’t as obvious as on “pure” Android — the manufacturer often hides this option in the depth of settings or limits it to system policies.

In this article, you’ll find the most current ways to change your default browser to Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing MIUI restrictions, instructions for different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15), and solving typical problems. We’ll also look at why sometimes the Open Supported Links option in the app settings doesn’t work and how to fix it.

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

MIUI is known for its aggressive approach to “optimizing” the user experience, and unlike standard Android, where it takes 2 clicks to change the default browser, Xiaomi is complicated by several reasons:

🔄 Systemic constraints MIUI: Firmware blocks direct browser change for some types of links (for example, from system applications).
📦 Duplicate settings: Options for changing the browser can be found in different menus - from "Applications" to "Special features".
🔒 Security Policy: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) need to disable the protection MIUI, to enable the changes to take effect.
📱 Regional differences: On smartphones for the Chinese market (China) ROM) The option may not be available at all.

Also, after firmware updates, settings are sometimes reset and Mi Browser becomes the default browser again.To avoid this, it's important not only to set up Chrome correctly, but also to block automatic returns to factory settings.

📊 What browser do you use on Xiaomi?

Mi Browser (by default)

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Brave

Other

Method 1: Standard browser change through settings (MIUI 14/15)

Since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has made the process a bit easier, but the path to customization remains unclear, a method that is suitable for most modern models: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others with up-to-date firmware.

Open the Settings (⚙️) and go to the Appendix section → Application management.
Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
Slip on the Browser item and select Google Chrome in the list.
Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or OK.

If Chrome is not listed, make sure the app is installed and updated to the latest version.

☑️ Preparation before changing the browser

Install Google Chrome from Google PlayUpdate MIUI to the latest versionClose all background applicationsReboot your smartphone

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Manually Assign Chrome to All Types of Links

Even after the default browser change, some links (such as those from Mi Home or system notifications) can open in Mi Browser. To avoid this, you need to manually configure link processing for Google Chrome:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find Google Chrome in the list and tap it.
Choose Open by default (or Open supported links in older versions of MIUI).
Activate all switches for link types: 🌐 http:// and https:// 📄.html,.htm,.xhtml 🔗 VIEW (look-up)

If the Open Supported Links option is inactive or not, it means that Xiaomi has blocked it through system policies, in which case Method 3 using ADB will help.

What to do if the "Open by default" option is inactive?

That means that MIUI limits the change of the link handler for system applications. ADB-command (see Method 3) or disable battery optimization for Chrome in the app settings.

Method 3: Change browsers via ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can resort to ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but it’s guaranteed to work even on locked versions. MIUI. Attention: misuse ADB It may disrupt the system!

Instructions:

Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

ADB-driver

adb shell pm set-default-browser com.android.chrome

Reset the device.

After that, all links will open in Chrome, including system ones. If the command does not work, try the alternative:

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

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Memory → Backup. This will help restore the system in the event of a crash.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

Method	MIUI 12/13	MIUI 14	MIUI 15	China ROM
Standard change in settings	❌ It's not working.	✅ It's working.	✅ It's working.	❌ Locked down.
Manual assignment of references	⚠️ Partially.	✅ It's working.	✅ It's working.	❌ Locked down.
ADB-team	✅ It's working.	✅ It's working.	✅ It's working.	✅ It's working*

* China ROM may require unlocking the bootloader.

Problem Solving: Chrome doesn’t become the default browser

If, after all the manipulations, links still open in Mi Browser, check the following points:

🔄 System Settings Cache: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clean up and select Clear the cache settings.
🔒 Limitations MIUI: On some models (Redmi) K60, Xiaomi 13 Ultra Requires to Disable Protection MIUI safety-setting.
📱 Regional restrictions: On smartphones for China ROM) Change of browser is possible only after installation of Global ROM.
🔧 Application Conflict: Remove or Disable Mi Browser via Settings → Annexes → Delete (if the system allows).

If the problem persists, try resetting the app settings to factory:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Press three points (⋮) and select Reset application settings.
After the reboot, reset the Chrome setting.

💡

On China ROM, the default browser change is often blocked at the firmware level, and the only solution is to reflash the device on Global ROM or use ADB.

How to block a return to Mi Browser after updates

After the MIUI update, the system can reset the default browser back to Mi Browser.

Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system (⋮) and select Update Settings. Turn off Autoboot and AutoInstallation.

Mi Browser

ADB

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

Warning: This may disrupt some system functions!

App Manager

Package Disabler

If you do not want to disable the updates completely, after each update, check the default browser settings and, if necessary, repeat the procedure from Method 1 or Method 2.

💡

Create a shortcut on your desktop for quick access to your default browser settings. To do this, keep your finger in the free screen space → Widgets → Settings → Default apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi

Can I remove the Mi Browser completely?

On most models, the Xiaomi Mi Browser is a system application and cannot be removed without root permissions. → Annexes → Mi Browser → Disable or use ADB-Note that this may affect the performance of certain functions. MIUI, For example, opening links from system notifications.

Why do some links open in Mi Browser after changing the browser?

This is because of the fact that MIUI It separates link processing into “regular” (e.g., from messengers) and “system” (from notifications, Mi Home, etc.). For a full redirect to Chrome, you must: Manually assign Chrome to all types of links (see Method 2). ADB-a command to force change (see Method 3). disable Mi Browser via settings or ADB.

Will this work on POCO or Redmi?

Yes, all of the described methods are applicable to smartphones POCO and Redmi lines, as they work on the same MIUI firmware. Except for models with China ROM - they may require additional unlocking of the bootloader or flashing to the global version.

Can you make Firefox or Brave the default browser?

Yes, the process is similar to that of Google Chrome, and the main condition is that the browser must be installed and support the processing of links. For example, for Firefox, use the package org.mozilla.firefox in the browser. ADB-For Brave, please note that some alternative browsers may not support all types of links that opens. MIUI.

What if Mi Browser is activated again after resetting?

Resetting returns all system settings to factory settings, including the default browser. To avoid this: Before resetting, write down all the changed settings (for example, take screenshots). After reset, immediately repeat the browser change procedure (see Method 1 or Method 3). Use backup applications such as Swift Backup (root rights required).

If none of the methods worked, check if your device has a corporate policy set (e.g., through Mi Cloud or work profile) in which case the restrictions are imposed at the device administrator level and you will need to contact the device to remove them. IT-department of your organization or reset your smartphone to factory settings.