How to make Google Chrome the main browser on the Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Why Chrome is not the default browser on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which is automatically assigned to the main one for opening links. Even after installing Google Chrome, the system can ignore it as a priority option. This is due to MIUI’s aggressive policy to promote its own services – the browser, mail, music player and other applications of the brand have privileges over third-party counterparts.

The problem is compounded by newer firmware versions (especially MIUI 13/14), where default settings are hidden deeper and some options are blocked at the system level. For example, after resetting or updating the software, Chrome can fly from the position of the main browser, and links will open again in Mi Browser. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to link Chrome to the system, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi is not interested in simplifying this process – it is profitable for the company to keep users in the Mi Services ecosystem. Therefore, standard methods (via the Default Apps menu) do not always work. Below are proven solutions for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 and other Android 10-14 devices.

Method 1: Standard settings through "Default Applications"

This is a basic method that works on most devices, unless MIUI blocks changes.Such as it works on Android 10-12 and MIUI 12-13.Newer versions (such as MIUI 14 on Android 13/14) may need to further disable battery optimization for Chrome.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type "Browser" and select Mi Browser.
• 🔗 Tap on the item "Open supported links" → "By default" → "Google Chrome".
• ✅ Confirm the choice by clicking "Always" or "Use by default".

If you don't have "Open Supported Links," MIUI has hidden it, in which case you go to Method 2.

Install Google Chrome from Google Play | Update MIUI to the latest version |Close all open tabs in Mi Browser |Disable VPN (may block changes)

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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 9) after selecting Chrome, the system still opens links to Mi Browser. This is a firmware bug - you can fix it only by resetting the application settings (see Method 4).

Method 2: Forced assignment via Chrome settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try initializing the browser change directly from Google Chrome, which bypasses some of the limitations of MIUI, as it asks for Android-level permissions rather than firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Google Chrome and tap three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Settings → App Settings (or “Chrome App” in newer versions).
3. Go to the "Default Browser" section and click "Make the default browser".
4. The system will redirect you to the MIUI menu – select Google Chrome and confirm.

If links still open in Mi Browser after these actions, check:

• 🔄 Is the "Light Mode" mode included in the Settings → Special features (it resets default settings).
• 🛡️ Does the antivirus block? MIUI Changes (turn it off temporarily in Settings) → Security).
• 📦 Are there any updates installed for Mi Browser via GetApps (they can overwrite settings).

💡

If Chrome doesn’t appear in the default browser list, try reinstalling it by pre-deleting all app data in Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage → Clear Data.

Method 3: Use ADB-switch-off

For advanced users who have not worked previous methods, there is a radical way to change the settings through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will help bypass the limitations of MIUI, but requires connecting the phone to a PC.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices Wait for the serial number of the device to appear.
4. Run the command to reset browser settings by default: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause the firmware to work in an unstable way if you type in the wrong commands. Do not execute commands that you do not know the purpose of. --user 0 com.miui.browser will completely remove Mi Browser, which may disrupt the work of Xiaomi system services.

Method 4: Reset application settings (if nothing helps)

If all previous methods failed, the radical solution is to reset the application settings, which will return all applications to the default state, as after the first setup of the phone, and the disadvantage is that you will have to reconfigure the permissions for other programs (messengers, social networks, etc.).

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Resetting application settings.
2. Confirm the action by clicking "Reset settings".
3. After restarting your phone, immediately open Google Chrome and assign it to the default browser (see Method 1).

What happens after the dump:

• 🔄 All app permissions (camera, microphone, etc.) will reset.
• 📱 Notifications for applications will be turned off (you will have to configure again).
• 🔗 The default browser settings will return to Mi Browser, but now it can be changed.
• 🔒 Passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices will be saved.

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Resetting your app settings is not resetting your phone to factory settings! Your files, photos and contacts will remain intact.

Method 5: Remove Mi Browser via Root (for power users)

If you are willing to go to extreme measures and your phone has an unlocked bootloader with Root rights, you can completely remove the Mi Browser.This is guaranteed to solve the problem, but deprive you of the system browser that is used for some Xiaomi services (for example, push notifications).

Instructions for Root Users:

1. Install a file manager with Root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (or /system/app/MiBrowser for older versions).
3. Delete the MiBrowser folder or rename it to MiBrowser.bak.
4. Reboot the phone.

Alternative method through ADB with Root rights:

adb shell


su




pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser




exit




exit

⚠️ Note: Removal of system applications may result in inability to obtain OTA-updates or failures MIUI. For example, on some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) After removing Mi Browser, read mode in other applications stops working. TWRP.

Additional Tips for Chrome Stable Work

Even after successfully assigning Google Chrome to the default browser, MIUI may be trying to put Mi Browser back on the top of the list.

• 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for Chrome: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Chrome → Battery. Select "No restrictions".
• 🚫 Stop Mi Browser from automatically updating: Open Google Play → Find Mi Browser, tap three points. → "Turn off auto-update".
• 🔒 Turn off notifications from Mi Browser: Click on the Mi Browser icon on the home screen → "Application information. Go to Notifications and deactivate all switches.

If you often encounter MIUI resetting browser settings, try:

• 📵 Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that does not have a binding to the Mi Browser.
• 🔄 Check your default settings regularly after updates MIUI (They're often dropped).
• 🛡️ Use Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools to disable unnecessary system applications without Root.