How to make Google Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 3 proven methods

Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Redmi Note 7?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphones running MIUI are known for their aggressive policy against preinstalled applications. Even after installing Google Chrome, the system stubbornly returns the user to the native Mi Browser browser - and this is not an accident, but part of Xiaomi's strategy to monopolize traffic. Unlike "pure" Android, where it takes 2 clicks to change the browser, Redmi Note 7 will have to use workarounds.

Complicating the problem, different versions of MIUI (from 10 to 14) changed the algorithm for changing the browser, for example, in MIUI 12 and later Xiaomi hid the direct settings for changing the default browser, leaving only the option “Open supported links”, which means that even after choosing Chrome in the settings, some types of links (for example, from WhatsApp or Telegram) will still open in Mi Browser.

In this article, we’ll break down 3 working ways to make Chrome the primary browser on Redmi Note 7, including:

• 🔧 The official method through settings (works on the MIUI 10–11)
• 🛠️ Manual assignment for each type of link (MIUI 12–14)
• 🚀 Bypassing restrictions by ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

Method 1: Official browser change (MIUI 10–11)

If your Redmi Note 7 runs on MIUI 10 or 11, you can use the standard method, which has not yet been cut down by Xiaomi.

Instructions:

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 bar and select Google Chrome in the list.
4. Confirm your choice by clicking Ready.

After that, all links from other apps (such as Gmail or YouTube) must open in Chrome. However, there is a caveat: some system links (such as from Settings or Mi Account) will still be redirected to Mi Browser, due to the fact that Xiaomi has rigidly prescribed a handler for internal URLs.

⚠️ Note: If the links still open in Mi Browser after changing your browser, check if the settings have reset after rebooting the device. MIUI 11 automatically returns factory values.

Make sure Chrome is installed and updated|Close all background applications|Turn off battery optimization for Chrome|Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->

Method 2: Manual assignment for each type of link (MIUI 12–14)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi removed the ability to change the browser globally, replacing it with customization for each type of link separately, which means that you will have to manually specify Chrome as the handler for HTTP, HTTPS, and for links from specific applications.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Chrome.
2. Tap on Open by default (or default settings in MIUI 14).
3. Turn on all available switches: 🌐 HTTP-reference 🔒 HTTPS-reference 📱 Links from other applications (if any)

Mi Browser

turn off

This method requires patience: after each MIUI update or reset, the procedure will have to be repeated, and some applications (such as Facebook or Instagram) can ignore the system settings and open links in their built-in browser.

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If links still open in Mi Browser after setting up, try clearing the cache and data of the Settings app. This sometimes resets the hidden MIUI bindings to the native browser.

Method 3: Change browsers via ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, the most reliable, but technically challenging, method is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to manually specify Chrome as the default browser at the system level, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

What you'll need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi Note 7
• 🛡️ Installed Google Chrome (required latest version)

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version line until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

USB debugging

• Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
• Activate the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute commands: adb devices adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.settings adb shell settings put global shell settings http_proxy:0 adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
• Reset the device.

Once these commands are executed, MIUI will no longer be able to automatically return the Mi Browser as the default browser, but some system links can still be opened in the native browser. This method is most effective, but requires caution: improper use of ADB can lead to system failures.

⚠️ Attention: If after completion ADB-commands the smartphone began to work unstable (for example, stopped opening settings), perform a reset to factory settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting. It'll bring all the parameters back to their original state.

Why does MIUI block the browser change?

Xiaomi is not just making it harder to change the default browser, but Mi Browser is integrated into the MIUI ecosystem and performs several key functions:

• 📊 Collecting data on user behavior (anonymized statistics to improve services).
• 🔗 Processing internal links (for example, clicking on Mi Account or Mi Cloud pages).
• 🛡️ Security: Mi Browser has built-in protection against phishing and malicious sites, which Xiaomi positions as an advantage.
• 💰 Monetization through advertising displays and affiliate programs (for example, cashback when shopping through the browser).

In addition, in some regions (such as China), Google Chrome is officially blocked, so Xiaomi is forced to offer an alternative. Even in global firmware, MIUI retains its binding to the Mi Browser to unify the user experience.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use Chrome. Xiaomi just isn’t interested in making it easier. If it’s important for you to use Google services, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have such restrictions.

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Even if you set Chrome as default, some MIUI system links (like those from Settings or Mi Account) will still open in Mi Browser. This is hardcoded into the system and cannot be changed without root access.

What do you do if nothing works?

If none of the methods described have helped, there are several other options:

1. Use link wrappers: Install an app like Better Open With or Link Bubble that will intercept links and redirect them to Chrome. These apps work as an intermediary and can bypass MIUI restrictions.
2. Turn off Mi Browser: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser and click Disable. This won’t make Chrome the default browser, but at least remove the unnecessary application from the system.
3. Install custom firmware: If it’s critical for you to use Chrome without restrictions, consider running an alternative OS firmware, such as: 📱 LineageOS (Pure Android with no restrictions) 🔄 Pixel Experience (with Google Services) 🛡️ Havoc-OS (flexible configuration)

Note that custom firmware installation requires unlocking the bootloader, which leads to loss of warranty and potential security risks.

If you’re not ready for radical measures, you just have to put up with the features of MIUI or use Chrome manually, copying links from other applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing your browser to Redmi Note 7