How to Make Google Chrome the Main Browser on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones by default use the branded Mi Browser browser, which is not always suitable for users due to limited features, advertising or a specific interface. Many prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and advanced features. However, just installing an application is not enough – you need to properly configure it as the default browser, otherwise links will open in the standard Mi Browser.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways to make Chrome the primary browser on any Xiaomi device (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) running MIUI 12-14. You’ll learn how to get around system limitations, what to do if the settings are gray, and how to avoid resetting after a firmware update. The instructions are suitable for all current models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Why Chrome is not the default browser on Xiaomi?

The problem lies in MIUI’s policy: the system aggressively promotes its services, including Mi Browser. Even if you choose Chrome in the Default Apps settings, after a reboot or update, the settings can reset.

• 🔄 Automatically reset default settings when updating MIUI.
• 🛡️ Protecting the system: MIUI It blocks the change of certain parameters for stability".
• 📦 Absence of an explicit “Browser” item in the default application menu on new versions.
• 🤖 Android Limitations: Some firmwares can’t assign a default browser for all types of links.

In addition, on devices with MIUI for the global market (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) and the Chinese version (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the process may differ due to different firmware builds.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 s MIUI 14) after resetting to factory settings, you will have to repeat the procedure again, due to Xiaomi's security policy, which resets all user settings by default.

Preparation: What to do before setting up Chrome

Before you assign Chrome to the default browser, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:

1. Install the latest version of Chrome from Google Play. Older versions may not support all features.
2. Update MIUI to current version via Settings → About Phone → System Update. Old firmware may not have the right menu items.
3. Clear the Mi Browser cache to avoid conflicts: Settings → Apps → App management → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache.
4. Turn off battery optimization for Chrome: Settings → Apps → App management → Chrome → Battery → No restrictions.

If you are using Chinese firmware (e.g., Xiaomi 13T Pro), pre-installe Google Services Framework via APKMirror, otherwise Chrome may not work well.

Install Chrome from Google Play | Update MIUI to the latest version | Clear Mi Browser cache | Disable battery optimization for Chrome | For Chinese firmware: install Google Services-->

Method 1: Assign Chrome through Android Settings (official method)

This is the easiest way to work on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, suitable for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 models:

1. Open Settings and go to the Application section.
2. Select the Applications by default (on some firmware - Silence).
3. Click on the Browser (if there is no option, see the MIUI 14 section).
4. Select Chrome from the list (if not, install the app again).
5. Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or OK.

After that, all links from messages, emails and other applications should open in Chrome. However, on some devices (for example, the POCO F4 GT), this method does not work stable - after rebooting, the settings are reset, in which case move to alternative methods.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 for the European region, the browser may not be in the default settings. This is not a mistake - Xiaomi specifically hides it so that users do not change the standard browser.

Method 2: Manually assign Chrome to MIUI 14 (if there is no "Browser" option)

On newer versions of MIUI 14 (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the default browser option may not be available, in which case use a workaround through the specific application settings:

1. Open any app that opens links (such as Telegram or Gmail).
2. Click on any link (e.g. in a message) and the system will prompt you to select a browser.
3. In the window that appears, select Chrome and tick Always (or Use by default).
4. If the window doesn’t appear, go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Chrome → Open by default and enable all available options.

This method is less reliable than the first one, as MIUI can reset settings after the update. For stable operation, we recommend combining it with the setting via ADB.

💡

If the browser selection window does not appear after clicking on the link, clear the Settings application data through Settings → Apps → Apps → Settings → Storage → Clear Data. This will reset all default settings, and the system will again prompt you to select the browser.

Method 3: Configure via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work (e.g., on POCO X5 Pro with MIUI 14), use ADB commands. This is the most reliable way to secure Chrome as the default browser.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Next, execute commands in the terminal (command line):

adb devices

(Connection check – the serial number of the device should appear)

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser

(cleaning the settings of the standard browser)

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

(Chrome browser assigns by default)

After completing the commands, restart your smartphone. Chrome will now open all links, and the settings will not reset even after the MIUI update.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for POCO F5) after-use ADB You may get a warning about "unauthorized changes." That's okay -- just confirm the action and restart the device.

Method 4: Using third-party apps (for lazy people)

If you don't want to mess with settings or ADB, use specialized utilities that automatically assign Chrome to the default browser and block resets.

• 🛠️ Default App Manager – allows you to manually select the default apps for all types of files and links. Download to Google Play.
• 🔧 SetEdit — edits Android system settings, including default settings. Requires root rights. Download XDA.
• 🔄 App Cloner creates a copy of Chrome with priority link opening. Download to Google Play.

The easiest option is Default App Manager.

1. Open the application and give access to the settings.
2. Select the Browser section.
3. Specify Chrome as the default app.
4. Activate the option to block changes (if any).

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, these applications may not work due to system limitations, in which case only the ADB method or manually configuring through link opening is left.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do If Chrome Doesn't Become the Default Browser

Even after you've set up the right thing, you can have problems, and we've collected some of the most common cases and solutions for them.

If none of these methods worked, check to see if your device has firmware installed on it (like work phones), which often blocks default system applications from changing.

Google Chrome|Mi Browser|Firefox|Opera|Other-->

Additional settings: Optimizing Chrome on Xiaomi

To make Chrome work faster and not drain the battery, set it up on this checklist:

• ⚡ Turn on Light Mode in Chrome (Chrome) settings → Settings → Light mode) to save traffic.
• 🔋 Turn off background sync: Chrome → Settings → Synchronization → Background synchronization.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week: Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🛡️ Turn off notifications from Chrome: Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Notifications → Turn it off.
• 🌐 Use it. DNS Google to speed up loading: Chrome → Settings → Confidentiality → Safe. DNS → Google.

On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or POCO F5 Pro) turn on a dark theme in Chrome to reduce battery load:

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings → Themes.
2. Select Dark or System (if the dark mode is enabled in MIUI).

💡

On devices with 6-8 GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+) keep no more than 10-15 tabs in Chrome at a time. MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, and a large number of tabs can lead to a browser reboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Chrome on Xiaomi