Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones often face the intrusiveness of the built-in MI Browser browser, which the default system suggests to use to open links. However, many users prefer the familiar and functional Google Chrome, which provides better synchronization with the account and advanced security features. Changing the standard application in the shell of MIUI requires several consecutive actions, as the system seeks to keep the user in its ecosystem.
The process of installing Chrome as the primary surfing tool is not complicated, but requires attention to the details of the settings menu.The MIUI shell has its own default application logic, different from stock Android. Below we will discuss in detail all the steps from the initial setup to solving possible conflicts that may arise on the Redmi 8 device.
Before you make any changes, make sure you have an up-to-date version of Google Chrome from the Google Play Store, which ensures that all features are stable and that there are no compatibility errors with the Android 9 or 10 system components that Redmi 8 is based on.
Primary settings at first start
The easiest way to make Chrome the primary browser is to launch it immediately after installation or update. When you first open it will suggest that it become the primary means to browse the Internet, and the system dialog box will appear on the screen asking about the choice of the default application.
In this window, you'll see a list of available browsers, including MI Browser and the newly installed Chrome.You need to select Google Chrome and click on the Always or Default button. This action sets priority for all future links.
⚠️ Note: If you accidentally click on "One Time" or choose another application, the system will remember this choice, in which case you will have to manually reset the settings through the system menu, which we will discuss in the next sections.
However, if the selection window didn’t appear automatically, or if you’ve previously prioritized another application, you’ll need to manually use the system settings.This is a standard procedure for MIUI that allows you to flexibly manage device behavior.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Change settings through the application menu
If you don't have an automatic request, you need to go to the deep settings menu with the operating system. On Xiaomi smartphones, the path to the desired option may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains unchanged. First, open the standard Settings app on your Redmi 8.
In the settings that open, scroll down to the App section. In some versions of the shell, this item may be called Applications and Notifications, and that's where the management of all installed programs and their rights is concentrated.
Next, find and select the default App, which is responsible for what programs will open links, calls, messages and media. MIUI often hides this item in the sub-menus, so be careful.
In the category list, select the Browser, you will see a list of all the browsers you have installed, tap the name of Google Chrome to make it the primary one, and then all the links from messengers and social networks will open in it.
- 📱 Open Settings on the main screen.
- 📂 Go to the Apps or Apps and Notifications section.
- ⚙️ Select the Application paragraph by default.
- 🌐 Click on the Browser category and select Chrome.
Resetting the settings of an existing browser
There are times when the system sticks to the previous choice and does not allow you to switch to Chrome, in which case the best way to reset the default settings of the current browser is to return the system to a state where it again asks you about preferences on the next click on the link.
To do this, go back to the Default Apps menu → Browser. If you already have MI Browser or another browser selected, click on it. The menu that opens may have a button to Clear Default Settings or Reset. Press it to remove the anchor.
Why does the system not allow you to change the browser?
An alternative reset method works through the management of a specific application. Find all MI Browser apps (or the one that is the main one right now), click Open by default and select Remove Settings. This action is secure and does not delete your bookmarks or history.
After performing the reset, try to open any link, such as from a message in Viber or Telegram.The system should again give a selection window where you can pin Google Chrome permanently.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Settings → Applications → Application Management | Removal of priority |
| Choosing a new one | Settings → Applications → Applications by default | Installation of Chrome |
| Clearing the cache | Settings → Applications → Chrome → Memory | Error elimination |
| Verification of updates | Google Play → Profile → Management | Up-to-date version |
Solving the MIUI shell problems
The MIUI shell on Redmi 8 is known for its features that can interfere with the normal operation of third-party applications.Sometimes Chrome may not appear in the list of available browsers, even if it is installed. This is often due to access restrictions or hidden system settings.
Check if the Chrome app is disabled. Search the App menu for Google Chrome and make sure the Enable button is not active (if it is active, press it).
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the system MI Browser is completely, even if you don’t need it.This can lead to errors in the work of the widgets of the news feed or system links that are rigidly tied to Xiaomi components.
If the problem persists, try to clear the data from the Chrome app itself. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Chrome → Memory → Clean. Choose Clear everything, but remember that this will delete saved passwords and history if they are not synced with your Google account.
Features of the work of links in applications
Even after installing Chrome by default, some apps may ignore this choice and open links in the built-in web browser, a behavior that is common for social networks and instant messengers that tend to keep the user inside their interface.
To fix this, you need to change the settings inside the apps themselves. For example, in Telegram you need to go to Settings → Data and memory → Open links and select In the system browser. Facebook or Instagram also have options to disable the built-in browser in the account settings.
On WhatsApp, links are opened by default in the system browser, but if you're using WhatsApp Business or modified versions, check your privacy settings. On Redmi 8 with its RAM capacity, it's important that heavy built-in app browsers don't overload the system further.
- 🔗 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Open links.
- 📸 On Instagram: Settings → Security → Built-in browser (disable).
- 💬 In Viber: Settings → Confidentiality → Use of an external browser.
- 📱 On Facebook: Settings and privacy → Media → Open links externally.
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To speed up Redmi 8, turn off auto-start heavy browsers in the Auto-Start menu, leaving only Chrome active if it is critical for background tasks.
Additional performance settings
Once you’ve made Chrome the primary browser, it’s recommended that you optimize it to match the specifications of Redmi 8.The device is equipped with a Snapdragon 439 processor, which can have trouble with heavy modern sites if you don’t configure the browser correctly.
Go to the settings of Chrome itself (three dots in the corner → Settings).Look for Special Opportunities or Performance. Make sure Simplified Mode is enabled (if available in your version) or page preloading is disabled to save traffic and RAM.
It is also useful to clear the DNS cache. To do this, type chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar and press Clear host cache. This will help speed up the opening of sites if you notice that the browser is thinking long before loading the page.
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Properly configuring Chrome on Redmi 8 not only changes the default browser, but also significantly extends the device’s battery life by disabling the background processes of heavy competitors.
Regularly update your browser through Google Play. Developers are constantly releasing security and optimization patches, which are especially important for devices with less powerful hardware. Make sure that too many tabs do not work in the background - MIUI can aggressively unload them from memory.