Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive behavior of the system, which insists on using the built-in Mi Browser every time a web page is launched. This can be annoying, especially if you are used to synchronizing with a Google account, advanced functionality and the familiar Chrome interface. Changing the priority application is not just a matter of aesthetic preference, but also a way to optimize the work of links from other programs.
The default browser change procedure in the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS has its own nuances, different from pure Android. The system can hide the necessary switches or require a pre-reset settings of another application. It is critical to understand that without taking the preliminary step of cleaning the system browser data, the selection point may simply not be available to click. In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios, including workarounds for older versions of firmware.
Before you start manipulating, make sure that the Google Chrome app is already installed on your device and updated to the latest version through the Play Store. Lack of current software can lead to incorrect display of items in the menu or errors when trying to open links from messengers. Let's consider how to permanently rid yourself of unnecessary system questions.
Why Xiaomi imposes its browser and how to get around it
Xiaomi’s policy is to maximize the use of its own services, which allows you to collect analytics and display ads in embedded applications. Mi Browser is a system component deeply integrated into the shell, so simply removing its icon from the desktop does not change the logic of the operating system. Applications like Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp continue to send requests for opening links to the system processor.
Users often mistakenly believe that it is enough to install Chrome and the system will automatically rebuilt. However, in the Android ecosystem with heavy launchers like MIUI, the application that was selected first or is a default system solution is prioritized. To redefine this rule, you need to manually specify to the system which interface should be used to handle HTTP and HTTPS requests.
Ignoring this step means that even after installing third-party software, links continue to open in a minimalist window with limited functionality, which is especially inconvenient if you need extensions, incognito mode with full isolation, or synchronizing passwords through the Google cloud.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g., the global version for Europe), imposing your own browser may be less aggressive due to the law. DMA, However, in versions for Russia, India and China, this feature remains active by default.
Preparing for the default browser change
Before you change your system settings, you need to make sure that the target application (Chrome) is fully ready to work. Often the problem is not the settings of the system, but that the browser itself was not launched at least once after installation. Android does not register the application as “ready to use” until the user has completed the initial setup inside it.
It’s also worth checking for updates to the MIUI shell or HyperOS. In older versions of firmware, the application selection algorithm might have worked differently, and the presence of fresh security patches ensures that the settings menu will match the current screenshots and instructions.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
While the browser doesn’t need special permissions like accessing contacts or a microphone at once to work, the lack of basic permissions to access the network can cause an error when trying to make it the main one. Make sure that the Chrome app management menu doesn’t have a background restriction or traffic savings that can block link verification.
The main way through application settings
The most reliable and standard method of changing a priority application is through a deep system settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of Android (11, 12, 13 or 14), but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing all installed programs.
Follow the step-by-step algorithm:
- 📱 Open your smartphone settings and go to the Apps (or All Apps) section).
- 🔍 At the top of the screen, find and click on the default App (in some versions it is hidden inside a three-dot menu in the corner).
- 🌐 In the list that opens, look for the Browser line, and it will indicate the current application (most likely Mi Browser).
- ✅ Click on this line and select Chrome in the list that appears.
If after selecting Chrome, the system does not save the setting or the selection point is inactive (gray), this means that the previous browser (Mi Browser) has a strict priority, in which case you need to move to the next section of the instructions, which describes the forced reset method.
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If you can’t find the “Default Apps” item, use the search bar at the very top of the settings menu and enter the phrase “default” – the system will open the desired menu itself.
Forced change through data cleanup
In cases where the standard switch is not working or missing, the method is used "association reset." The essence of the method is to make the system "forget" that it has a default browser at all. Then, the next time you click on any link, Android will be obliged to ask the user than open the URL.
To implement this method, perform the following actions:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the Mi Browser (can be simply called the "Browser" with a compass icon).
- Go inside the application and find the default or Open by default option.
- Click the Reset button (or Clear by default).
After you reset, go to your desktop. Now find any link in your messages or notes and click on it. The system should give you a pop-up asking "What to open?". Select Chrome and be sure to click Always (or Set as default) to capture the selection.
⚠️ Note: Clearing your system browser data can delete your bookmarks and history if they are not synced with your Xiaomi account. Make sure you don’t need this information, or export it in advance.
Settings inside Google Chrome itself
Remember, Chrome itself also has internal settings that can conflict with system settings or help with integration, and first of all, when you start it after you install it or reset it, the browser itself can request permission to become the primary one. Don't ignore that request.
In addition, Chrome has a feature inside that allows you to redirect links from other apps.
- 🔗 Open Chrome, click on three dots in the corner and select Settings.
- ⚙️ Go to the Apps section (or find the "Open Links in this App" item").
- 🟢 Make sure the Open Supported Links switch is activated.
This setup ensures that if you copy a link to the clipboard or click on it in another app, the system will know that Chrome is ready to process this content. In versions of Android 12 and above, link management has become more detailed, allowing you to choose which domains to open automatically.
What happens if Chrome disappears from the list?
Comparison table: Mi Browser vs Google Chrome
Understanding the differences between an embedded solution and a third-party product helps you understand why many users are looking to replace a standard browser.
| Characteristics | Mi Browser | Google Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization | Only the Mi Account. | Google Account (Mail, Maps, Passwords) |
| Advertising | Present in the news feed | Not available (only in the content of the site) |
| Expansion | Not supported. | Support through third-party solutions |
| Integration | Deep in MIUI | Deep into the Google ecosystem |
As you can see from the table, choosing Chrome has the advantage of a single ecosystem, especially if you use an Android smartphone as your primary device for work and study. The lack of an intrusive news feed in the start window also has a positive effect on download speed and traffic consumption.
Typical Problems and Conflicts
Even after you have completed all the instructions, there can be situations where the system behaves unpredictably, for example, some links (especially internal links of Xiaomi stores or apps) can be forced to open in Mi Browser regardless of your settings, this is due to the fact that the firmware developers have prescribed strict associations for certain protocols.
In such cases, installing third-party link managers or using wrapper apps that intercept a request helps. However, for 95% of users, just make sure that Chrome is the default choice in the App menu. If the problem persists, try removing Mi Browser updates to the factory version, which often resets all imposed priorities.
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The main secret to success is the combination of resetting default settings for Mi Browser and manually selecting “Always” when you first start a link after a reset.
Remember that MIUI updates can return old settings. After a major firmware update (for example, version 13 to 14 or a transition to HyperOS), it is recommended to re-check priority applications, as the system can reset them to factory values for the sake of "stability."