How to make Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Xiaomi smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 7 model, come pre-installed with Mi Browser's own browser. For many users, this becomes a starting point, but experienced Android owners often prefer the functionality and synchronization of Google Chrome. The standard browser change procedure on these devices has its nuances due to aggressive optimization of the MIUI shell.

The system can insistently suggest returning old settings or blocking clicking on external links if the right sequence of actions is not followed. In this guide, we will detail how to force and correctly designate Google Chrome as the main application for processing Internet links, you will learn to bypass built-in restrictions and customize the system to your habits.

The process does not require root rights or complex manipulations. ADB-We'll look at the standard methods through the settings menu and additional ways to clean the preference cache if the standard path doesn't work. This will ensure that all links run smoothly through the engine you choose.

Preparation and updating of system components

Before you change system priorities, you need to make sure that the versions of the applications are up to date. Redmi Note 7 often has older versions of Google Chrome that may not show correctly in the list of available browsers. Open the Google Play Store and check for updates for all installed applications.

The Android System WebView component is the one that is responsible for opening links within other applications, such as instant messengers or social networks, and if it is outdated, the system may ignore your default browser choice.

  • 🔄 Update Google Chrome to the latest version via Play Market.
  • 🔍 Check for updates for Android System WebView.
  • 📱 Make sure the browser itself is installed and not hidden in folders.
  • 🗑️ If necessary, remove unnecessary browsers to avoid confusion.

After the update, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the MIUI system to re-index the installed applications and display them correctly in the settings menu, and only after these preparatory steps, it makes sense to move to a configuration change.

Setup through the main Android settings menu

The main way to change application priorities is in the depth of the system menu. On the MIUI shell, the structure may be different from stock Android, so it's important to follow the exact path. Open the Settings app on your Redmi Note 7.

In the settings list, look for the Apps section. In some firmware versions, it can be called All Apps or have a robot icon. Inside you are interested in the Application Management section, which opens the full list of installed software.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse this section with the settings of a separate Chrome application. You need a system menu for managing all programs, not the internal menu of the browser itself.

At the top of the App Management screen are three dots (action menus). Click on them and select Other Settings. This is where the global settings of the system, including the choice of default programs, are hidden. This is a key point that users often miss.

📊 Which browser do you use most often?
Google Chrome
Yandex Browser
Opera
Mi Browser
Safari

Direct installation of Chrome as the main browser

In the Other Settings menu, find the default App. The system will offer a list of categories: phone, messages, browser. Click on the Browser bar. You will see a list of all the programs installed on the device that can open web pages.

Choose Chrome from the list, and the system can alert you to changing your standard behavior, and show you a screen with the benefits of Xiaomi's native browser, ignore the ads, and confirm the choice, and then all links from other apps must open in Google Chrome.

If the system doesn't save the settings after you've selected them, or if it resets them to Mi Browser over time, try the following method, which is more radical, but effective in cases where MIUI is too persistent.

☑️ Checking the default settings

Done: 0 / 1

Resetting default settings for forced replacement

Sometimes the system stores old associations of files and links that block the setting of a new priority, in which case a complete reset of the default settings for all applications helps, and this will not delete your personal data, photos or contacts.

Go back to Settings menu → Applications → Application Management → Other settings. At the bottom of the screen, find Reset Default or Reset Application Preferences. Confirm the action.

Once you reset the first time you click on any link (e.g., SMS or WhatsApp), the system will ask you what to open the link. Choose Chrome and be sure to click Always or Default. This will fix the choice rigidly.

What happens when you reset your default settings?
When this operation is performed, the system removes all user associations. This means that when you first run certain types of files or links, the phone will again ask which program to use. Notification settings for some applications may also reset, but the data inside them will remain intact.> Solve the problems with opening links in Mi Browser Even after setting up, Redmi Note 7 users may encounter a situation where links open in the built-in browser. Often this is due to the fact that the Mi Browser itself is prioritized or it is launched as part of the system process. To fix this, find the browser itself (the icon with the compass) in the application list of the browser (Go to its default to open it). Problem Probable Reason Links Open in Mi Browser Mi Browser has priority Clear default settings for Mi Browser System does not let you choose Chrome Chrome not installed or hidden Check the presence of the application in the list of all programs Choice resets itself Optimization error MIUI Reboot the device after settings Links do not open at all No browser selected Again go the way Settings → It’s also worth checking notification and permission settings.Make sure Google Chrome has permission to display over other windows if you’re using floating windows or split screen. After successful installation of Chrome by the main browser, it is recommended to conduct basic optimization. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 with its Snapdragon 660 processor, it is important to properly configure background processes so that the browser does not unload from memory too aggressively. → Battery and performance. Search in the Chrome list and set up Unlimited mode.This will prevent tabs from suddenly closing when switching between apps. ⚠️ Warning: Installing the No Limits mode may slightly increase battery consumption, as the system will be prohibited from forcibly closing the browser, but this will ensure that previously opened pages load instantly. For maximum performance, it is also useful to clear the browser cache if you have sliced data from the old device. → Annexes → Chrome → Memory. → Clear the cache. Don't confuse it with the Clear All Data button, which will delete your passwords and history. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I remove the Mi Browser from the Redmi Note 7 completely? ADB-Unlock commands to system unblock the built-in browser cannot be removed, however, it can be disabled in the application settings or simply ignored by setting Chrome by default. Deleting system components can lead to unstable shell operation MIUI. Why After Updating MIUI Major updates often overwrite configuration files and return standard values set by the manufacturer. This is Xiaomi's normal behavior. After each major firmware update, the default browser selection procedure will have to be repeated again. Does browser choice affect the work of news widgets on the desktop? Yes, the Google widget or left-hand newsfeed usually uses the browser installed on the system as the main one to open articles. If you change your browser, but the news opens in the old one, try clearing the cache of the Google app. Is it safe to use third-party launchers with a browser replacement? Safe. Replacing the default browser and installing a third-party launcher are independent processes. They don't conflict at the Android system level, so you can freely combine Chrome with any interface. 💡Properly setting application priorities on Xiaomi requires resetting the old default settings for the Mi Browser so that the system stops imposing its use.