Google Chrome on Xiaomi: How to Replace MI Browser in 5 Minutes

Xiaomi smartphones come with a pre-installed MI Browser browser that automatically becomes the main one for opening links. However, many users prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and advanced features. You can switch the browser by default to Xiaomi in literally several taps - but there are nuances that depend on the version of MIUI and the phone model.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to make Chrome the primary browser, from standard settings to workarounds for stubborn firmware versions, and why it sometimes forgets your choices and how to fix them. If you’re using the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, or the flagship Xiaomi 14, the manual is for everyone.

Important: After changing the default browser, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Community) can continue to open links in MI Browser. This is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI - it can be bypassed, but additional actions will be required.

Why should I replace MI Browser with Google Chrome?

Xiaomi’s pre-installed browser isn’t as bad as it’s painted: it’s lightweight, supports dark theme and ad blocking, but Google Chrome has some major advantages:

• 🔗 Synchronize bookmarks, history and passwords between all devices through a Google account. MI Browser uses Mi Account, which is less popular.
• 🚀 Speed – Chrome is optimized for modern web standards (e.g. WebGPU), whereas MI Browser often lags behind in performance tests.
• 🛡️ Chrome is updated monthly via Google Play and MI Browser is dependent on updates MIUI, lesser.
• 🔧 Extensions – Chrome can install addons from the Chrome Web Store (for example, uBlock Origin or Dark Reader), whereas in Chrome you can install addons from the Chrome Web Store. MI Browser doesn't have this feature.

Chrome is also better integrated with Google services, such as automatically offering to save passwords in Google Password Manager and syncing them to your computer, and it also works with voice search via Google Assistant directly from the address bar — MI Browser either does not have this feature or it works crooked.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (especially in China), Google Chrome may be blocked due to manufacturer restrictions. APK-file.

Preparation: Check the MIUI version and install Chrome

Before you change your default browser, make sure that Google Chrome is installed on your phone. If it is not, download from Google Play:

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Type in Google Chrome search.
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.

Also check out the MIUI version, which is where you're going to go.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version string (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5).
3. Remember or write down the number – it will be necessary to choose the right method.

If you have MIUI 12 or older, you can use the standard browser change method. MIUI 11 and below may require workarounds (we’ll talk about them later).

Method 1: Standard browser change by default (MIUI 12-15)

This is the simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones.

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section.
3. Select the Default Apps (or Application Management → Default in some versions).
4. Slip on the Browser line.
5. In the list, select Google Chrome.

Now all links will open in Chrome. To check, open any application (like Telegram or WhatsApp) and tap the link — it must start in a new browser.

Open the link from the messenger|Check if the link has opened in Chrome|Close Chrome and repeat the test|Make sure that MI Browser doesn't start-->

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global versions for Europe) after update MIUI The default browser settings are reset, so you'll have to repeat the procedure again. To avoid this, you can use method 3 (below).

Method 2: Reset app settings (if Chrome doesn’t appear in the list)

Sometimes Google Chrome doesn't appear in the default browser list, even if it's installed, this may be due to a failure in the system settings cache.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings (or Reset App Preferences).
3. Confirm the action.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Repeat Method 1 – Chrome should be on the list.

This method also helps if, after changing the browser, links still open in MI Browser.Reset does not delete application data, but returns all default settings to factory ones.

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced ones)

If standard methods don’t work (like custom firmware or Chinese versions of MIUI), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which requires a computer and a little bit of technical skill.

You'll need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Follow the command to change the browser: adb shell cmd role add-package com.android.chrome android.support.customtabs.service
4. Reboot the phone.

After that, Chrome should become the default browser. If the command didn't work, try the alternative:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.browser


adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.browser

This will disable MI Browser completely and the system will automatically switch to Chrome.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MI Browser through ADB This can cause some system functions to work in an unstable way (e.g. push notifications from Mi Community).If you notice a failure, return the settings with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.browser

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

What if the links are still open in MI Browser?

Even after changing the default browser, some apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Community) may ignore your choices, because Xiaomi has tightly tied its services to MI Browser.

• 🔄 Reinstall the problem app. Sometimes it resets its settings.
• 📱 Use alternative apps, like install Mi Video instead. VLC or MX Player.
• 🔧 Turn it off. MI Browser through ADB (As in Method 3, be prepared for possible failures.
• 📲 Set up Open Links in Apps: Open Settings → Annexes → Chrome. Select Open Links by Default. Enable all supported types (HTTP, HTTPS).

If nothing works, the last option is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that is not tied to MI Browser, but it is a radical solution that requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially de-warranty.

💡

If you often encounter forced link opening in MI Browser, try the Better Open With app from Google Play.It lets you manually select a browser for each link.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi

💡

If you often experience problems changing your browser, consider installing an alternative firmware (like the Pixel Experience) that is devoid of pre-installed Xiaomi apps and offers a “clean” Android with support for all Google features.