How to make Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi

Owning a smartphone from a Chinese manufacturer often confronts the user with intrusive system solutions. The standard Mi or Xiaomi Browser browser is preinstalled deep in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, which makes you want to replace it with a more familiar and functional Google Chrome. However, simply installing an application from the Play Market does not make it an automatic handler of all web links in the system.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove or disable a standard application, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this often leads to errors in opening links from messengers. Proper configuration requires interference with the system parameters of Android hidden in the depths of the settings menu. Only a competent configuration will allow you to forget about pop-ups with a suggestion to open a link in the “inappropriate” application.

In this article, we will break down all the nuances of default switching, including bypassing shell constraints and solving typical problems. You will learn how to manage application priorities and know what any click on the envelope is. URL-The address will take you to Chrome.

Why Xiaomi does not allow you to change your browser immediately

MIUI shell is known for its aggressive policy of keeping users inside its own services. When you first install Chrome and try to open a link, the system may ignore your choices by continuing to run Mi Browser. This is because the old priority is still active in Android settings.

And then there's the Open by Default mechanism, which rigidly binds certain file types or protocols to a particular application. If the Mi Browser ticked "Always Open with this application," the system will blindly follow this instruction, ignoring the availability of alternatives. HTTP and HTTPS require separate configuration.

⚠️ Note: Attempt to completely remove the system browser through ADB or Root rights without backup may result in unstable system operation, as some components MIUI tied to his libraries.

It's important to understand the difference between the default browser in your system settings and the priority of link opening. Often these options are spread across different menus, which confuses inexperienced users. A critical step is to reset the settings of the exact application that is currently intercepting links, even if it's not the application you want to use.

Basic configuration through the system menu

The most reliable way to get Xiaomi to use Google Chrome is to manually prioritize through operating system settings.This method works on all current versions of Android 10 to 14. First, make sure that the Chrome browser itself is already installed and updated to the latest version through the Google Play Store.

Then you go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for managing applications. Here is a key parameter that determines the behavior of links.

• 📱 Open the smartphone settings and find the Application section.
• 🔍 Select All Apps or Application Management depending on your version MIUI.
• ⚙️ Find the three dots in the top right corner in the list and click on the Default Apps.
• 🌐 In the menu that opens, select the Browser and select Chrome from the list of available options.

Once you do this, the system will remember your choice, but if the Mi Browser has been set up to automatically open links before, this step alone may not be enough, which requires a deeper prioritization cleanup, which will be discussed below, and rebooting the device after changing the settings will help to consolidate the changes.

Forced resetting of application priorities

If a simple change of settings did not help and links still open in Mi Browser, you must force reset its default settings. This action will "forget" all previous user choices and make the system ask you again the next time you click on the link.

To do this, go back to the App menu. → All applications. Find Mi Browser (or the browser that is interfering with your work) and we're interested in the Default section of the app menu, which is where you can find information about what actions the app can perform without asking for it.

Settings → Applications → All applications → Mi Browser → By default → Reset Settings

After clicking the Reset default button, the status will change to "No settings set." Now, when you click on any link from Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp, the system will give a selection box with the question "What to open?". Be sure to select Chrome and click "Always".

Setup of Link Support in Chrome

Modern versions of Android and Chrome have their own link processing system, which can conflict with Xiaomi’s system settings. There are also options inside the browser itself that are worth checking for proper operation. This is especially true if links are opened, but in the wrong context or mode.

Go to the settings of Chrome itself (three dots in the corner → Settings). Scroll down to the Additionals section or look for the Open Links section. Here you can see what types of links the app supports. Make sure the switch is active.

• 🔗 In Chrome settings, go to Open Links section.
• ✅ Make sure you have a mark to open supported links.
• 🚫 If you have the option to Open in this application for specific domains, activate it.

Also worth paying attention to is the Instant Apps feature, which sometimes tries to open a link through a lightweight version of the app, ignoring the full browser, and disabling this feature in Google Play settings or in the developer settings can solve the problem.

Table of comparison of methods of setting

To help you understand the different ways Chrome is installed by your primary browser, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you choose the best method depending on your situation and the version of MIUI.

As you can see from the table, the safest and most effective method is a combination of resetting your competitor’s settings and setting priority in the system. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to completely remove the system browser gives 100% result, but requires a PC connection and knowledge of debugging.

Solving Link Launch Problems

Even after all the settings, there can be situations where specific links behave strangely, such as YouTube or Instagram links that may try to open in apps even if they are not installed, or cause an error, which is because Android associates certain domains with specific application packages.

If you encounter links opening in an empty window or an "Application Not Found" error, check the association list. The default App menu sometimes has a "Supported Links" section. Here you can manually disable link processing for Mi Browser and enable for Chrome.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install questionable browser switching apps from the store. They often contain ads and can intercept your personal data, instead of simply changing the system settings.

Also worth checking is the updates to MIUI or HyperOS itself. In rare cases, bugs in the shell can reset default settings after a security update. If the problem is massive, it is usually resolved by a patch from the manufacturer within a week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To conclude, we will answer the most popular questions that Xiaomi users have when trying to Customize their system.