How to make Google default on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where, after buying a device or updating the MIUI firmware (or the new HyperOS), system requests are processed by Chinese services or third-party browsers. This is especially true for global versions where a set of Google applications is preinstalled, but they are not activated as the main search tools. Users want to see Google's search bar when they unlock the screen and receive answers from this engine when they voice queries.

The setup process does not require root rights or complex system reprogramming. All the necessary actions are performed through the standard settings menu, but the location of items can vary significantly depending on the version of the shell and region. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to assign Google Chrome to the main browser, install Google search engine in the system bar and activate the voice assistant to make your smartphone work as intended for the international market.

It’s worth noting that some changes may require you to disable Mi Cloud or sync with your Mi Account in certain regions, but in most cases, it’s just enough to change app priorities. If you’ve just unpacked your device, make sure you have the latest version of Google Play services installed first, as older versions may not work properly with the new Android security protocols.

Setting up the browser by default in MIUI and HyperOS

The first and most important step is to replace the built-in Mi Browser browser with Google Chrome or any other preferred web browser. As long as the main browser is the standard application, many links from messengers and other programs will open in it, ignoring your preferences. To change this setting, you need to go to the settings section of the system where the applications are managed.

Find the App item in the menu, then select the Application Management subsection. At the top of the screen, usually under the search bar or as three dots in the corner, there is a menu of optional options. Click on it and select the default App bar. In the list that opens, find the Browser category and tap it. The system will offer a list of installed web browsers, among which you need to choose Chrome.

Once selected, the system can issue a warning that a third-party browser may have access to your data. This is a standard Android security measure that can be ignored if you trust the developer. Confirm your choice, and from now on, all links from Telegram, WhatsApp and other applications will open in the browser of your choice. If you do not see the browser in the list, make sure that it is installed and updated through the Play Market store.

It is important to understand that changing the browser by default does not automatically change the search engine inside the widgets on the desktop. The search widget located on the home screen is often rigidly tied to the launcher or a particular application. However, after installing Chrome as the main one, when you click on the desktop search icon (if it is a standard Android widget), the system most often suggests using the Google engine.

Installing Google as a Search Engine

Once the browser is set up, you need to make sure that the search engine itself also meets your expectations. Even with Google Chrome, the default can be Yandex or Bing, especially on devices designed for the CIS markets. To change this, open the browser, click three dots in the corner and go to Settings. Find the Search engine section and select Google from the list.

Special attention is required by the system search bar, which is often located in the center of the screen or in the widget. On the MIUI shell, this widget can be part of the Explorer app or a special recommendation service. Go to the settings of this widget (usually by long tap or through the launcher settings) and try to change the search provider. If this option is not available, the only solution is to remove the standard widget and install the Google widget from the widget store or through a long click on the empty desktop space.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of the firmware for the Russian and Ukrainian markets, the Mi search widget may not have a change of engine setting, in which case it is recommended to completely remove the standard widget and add the Google Search widget through the launcher widget menu.

It’s also worth checking your voice search settings. Press and hold the Home button or swipe from the corner of the screen (depending on the type of navigation) to call the voice assistant. If Mi AI or Yandex assistant opens, rather than Google Assistant, you need to reassign the action. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures (or Navigation) and select Google Assistant launch at prolonged press.

Activation of Google Assistant and Voice Control

Voice control is one of the key features of the Google ecosystem, which makes smartphone use much more convenient. On Xiaomi devices, the Mi AI voice assistant or its local counterparts are often activated by default, which do not understand commands in Russian or English in the context of Google services. To fully use smart features, you need to assign Google Assistant to the main one.

The activation process starts with installing and configuring the Google and Google Assistant app. Once installed, open the Google app, log in to your account and go to the Assistant settings. Find the Languages section and make sure you select the language you want (such as Russian or English US). Then, in the Google Assistant Devices section, make sure your phone is activated.

Next, reassign system triggers. In modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, this is done through the Settings menu → Additional settings → Expand memory and buttons (the name may vary). Find the item "Running Voice Assistant" and select Google Assistant. Now, with a long press of the power button or swipe, Google will launch from the corner, allowing you to manage the smart home, put reminders and search for information.

Solving problems with widgets and launcher

One of the most common problems users have is the inability to replace the standard news feed to the left of the home screen (Google Now) with the Chinese recommendation feed or vice versa. In the global firmware on the left, Google Discover is usually located, but on devices for the Chinese market (CN ROM) there is Mi Video or a browser. If you have a global version, but the tape does not work, try clearing the cache of the Google app.

To access the widget settings, you often need to swipe right to the end and click on a gear or three dots in the corner of the tape. If there are no settings there, perhaps the widget is blocked by the system, in which case you can use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which allow you to fully customize the behavior of the search bar and news feeds, making Google the centerpiece of the interface.

Users also often complain that settings are reset after a reboot, which may be due to aggressive battery optimization that kills Google's background processes. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, search Google and Chrome, go to Save Charge and select No Limits option, which will prevent the system from unloading these applications from memory.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers on MIUI App opening animations may be missing or gesture controls may not work properly. To resolve the problem, enable the "Enable additional animations" option in the developer settings or use official themes that support third-party launchers.

Specifics of working on different versions of Android

The setup procedure may vary depending on the operating system version. On Android 13 and Android 14, which underpin the new HyperOS shells, Google has increased control over system settings, making it easier to integrate its services. However, on older versions, such as Android 11 or 12 based on MIUI 12.5, some menu items may be called differently or hidden deeper.

Android Go Edition devices (Budget models Redmi and POCO) use lightweight versions of apps like Google Go instead of regular search, in which case the default setting will offer the light version. This is normal behavior designed to save RAM, but if you want full functionality, you will have to manually install the full version of applications, which can reduce the performance of the device.

Owners of custom firmware devices (such as Xiaomi.eu) have more freedom, and they often have Chinese services removed by default and a full Google Framework implemented. If you switch to such firmware, the probability that Google will work out of the box is 99%, and manual configuration may only be required to change the search region.

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If after all the settings, the search still gives Yandex results, check whether the Yandex application is installed as a system. In some regional firmware, it can not be removed, but you can turn it off in the application menu, hiding the icon and banning work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The right setup for Google on Xiaomi is a combination of choosing the main browser, setting up the launcher widgets and turning off the power saving for Google services. Only a comprehensive approach guarantees stable operation.