How to Make Google Chrome the Main Browser on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones out of the box offer users the branded Mi Browser browser, which is integrated into the system and often installed by default. However, many owners prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and rich functionality. Switching the default browser to Xiaomi is not always obvious — especially if you face the limitations of MIUI or preinstalled services.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to make Google Chrome the primary browser on Xiaomi devices, including models with MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and MIUI 14/15. You’ll learn how to get around common bugs (for example, when the system ignores your choices), what settings to check manually, and what to do if Chrome suddenly resets to Mi Browser. We’ll also look at hidden MIUI options that affect default browser behavior – this information you won’t find in standard instructions.

Important: the procedure may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and regional build of MIUI. If your smartphone is running on HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), part of the steps will be different - this will also be discussed separately.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change the default browser?

MIUI is known for its user-centered “care” that sometimes turns into imposing its own services, and here are the key reasons why changing the default browser can be difficult:

• 🔄 Integration of Mi Browser into the system: The browser is preinstalled as a system application and is associated with other functions (for example, quick links on the home screen or search in the system). MIUI Launcher).
• 📦 Regional restrictions: In some assemblies MIUI (For example, in China, the browser is rigidly bound to the Mi Browser by default and cannot be changed without additional manipulations.
• 🔒 Security Policy: Xiaomi blocks some default settings to “protect the user” (for example, to prevent the installation of malicious browsers).
• 🔄 Automatic resets: After system updates or resetting settings MIUI Can independently return Mi Browser to the default browser status.

In addition, MIUI 14+ and HyperOS have made the default browser algorithm more “intelligent” — it analyzes which browser you use more often, and can ignore manual settings if they contradict its logic. This is not a bug, but a feature that can be bypassed — read about this in the section on advanced settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For China (assemblies without Google services), installing Chrome as the default browser may require pre-installing Google Play Services via Google Play Services. MIUI Hidden Settings or third-party tools like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI settings, which works on most devices, but can crash on custom firmware or regional builds.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Slip on the Browser line.
4. Select Google Chrome from the list (if not, install it from the Play Market in advance).
5. Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or OK.

If Chrome is not listed despite installation:

• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 📥 Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version.
• 🚫 Check if Chrome is disabled in the application settings (Switched off section).

Install Google Chrome from the Play Market

Update MIUI to the latest version

Reboot your smartphone

Check that Chrome is not disabled in the settings-->

On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), after selecting Chrome, the system may request confirmation through a dialog box with a warning: "This app may collect your data." This is a standard MIUI warning — feel free to agree.

⚠️ Warning: If links still open in Mi Browser after changing your browser, check the Quick Links settings on the home screen.Search widget from Xiaomi can ignore global settings and open Mi Browser forcefully.Solution: Remove the widget or replace it with Google Widget.

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

If Google Chrome doesn’t appear in the default browser selection menu, the problem may be in the system cache or settings conflict, in which case resetting the application settings will help.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete application data, but will reset the default settings).
4. Reset the device.
5. Repeat Method 1 – Chrome should now be on the list.

This method also helps if:

• 🔄 Links open in Mi Browser despite Chrome selection.
• 📱 After updating MIUI browser dropped on the standard.
• 🚫 Applications (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) ignore browser settings.

MIUI 12

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

HyperOS

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

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer's settings).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Commands to execute:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and run the command line in the adb folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of the device).
3. Follow the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
4. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "http://" -n com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) after-use ADB You may need to manually reset the app cache through Settings → Memory. → Cleaning, otherwise the changes will not take effect.

Method 4: Advanced MIUI settings (hidden parameters)

MIUI hides some of the parameters that affect browser behavior, and to access them, you need to activate Developer Mode and use hidden menus.

How to enable hidden settings:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Tap the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Key parameters for changing the browser:

• 🔧 MIUI Optimization → Disable (can block browser changes).
• 🔄 Background activity → Make sure that Chrome is allowed to auto-run.
• 📱 Special access rights → Changes in system settings → Give me Chrome rights.
• 🔒 Background locking → Remove Mi Browser from the blocked list.

After applying these settings:

1. Reset the device.
2. Repeat the standard browser change procedure.
3. Check that links open in Chrome, not Mi Browser.

💡

If after all the manipulations, the Mi Browser still opens by default, try temporarily disabling it through Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Disable. This will force the system to use Chrome as a backup. Remember that disabling system applications can affect the stability of MIUI.

Method 5: Install global firmware (for Chinese assemblies)

If your Xiaomi is running on Chinese firmware (without Google services), standard browser swap methods may not work due to severe restrictions.

1. Install global firmware via MIUI bootloader or Xiaomi Flash Tool. This will delete all data, but add support for Google services.
2. Use alternative launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that allow you to flexibly configure link opening.

Step-by-step instructions for firmware:

1. Download the global firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (Download section).
2. Uncancel the file and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Open the Update app on your smartphone.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Specify the path to the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
6. Wait until the process is complete (the smartphone will reboot several times).

After the firmware:

• 📥 Install Google Chrome from the Play Market.
• 🔧 Repeat the default browser setting.
• 🔄 Check the sync with your Google account.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware of the global version on the Chinese assembly may lead to loss of warranty (if the device was purchased in China) or problems with the product. OTA-Before the procedure, back up the data through the Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Xiaomi users face typical problems.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🔍 Root rights: Some firmware requires root to force a browser change (for example, through Magisk).
• 📡 Regional restrictions: On devices for China (Redmi) K40, Xiaomi 11 et al. may require manual installation of Google Play Services.
• 🔄 Conflict with other browsers: Remove alternative browsers (such as Firefox or Opera) that can intercept default settings.

💡

If you’re using HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), standard methods may not work. In this case, try installing Chrome as the default browser through Settings → Apps → Default settings → Open supported links and manually assign all types of links (http, https) to Chrome.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions