Why Xiaomi Redmi is hard to change the default browser and what to do about it
You just installed Google Chrome on your Xiaomi Redmi, but the system persists in opening links in the standard MIUI or Mi Browser browser? That's no coincidence - that's how the manufacturer's policy works. Unlike "pure" Android, MIUI's firmware aggressively promotes its own services, including the browser, even if you've never used it.
The problem is compounded by the fact that in the latest versions MIUI 14/15 (And on HyperOS for new models, the default browser is hidden deeper than before, and sometimes the default app option is not a bug, it's a customized shell feature, but there's a way out, from manually configuring each type of link to using it. ADB-Teams for experienced users.
In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to make Chrome the primary browser on Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5, Redmi 10/11, and other models — including those where standard methods don’t work, and explain why settings can reset after the system update, and how to avoid it.
Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings
To start with, the most obvious way is through the settings menu, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS, but there are nuances depending on the firmware version.
Open Settings → Applications → Default Apps. Here you will see several categories:
- 🌐 Browser - the main point of change
- 🔗 Opening links – a separate setting for HTTP/HTTPS
- 📄 Opening web pages (sometimes duplicated)
Select the Browser and find Google Chrome in the list. If it is not available, go back to the main Apps menu, find Chrome in the list, open its settings, and turn on the option to Display in the default menu.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi in China (global versions are less common), the "Browser" option may not be available.
☑️ What to check before changing your browser
Method 2: Manually Assign Chrome to Each Link Type
If you don't have a universal switch in your settings, you'll have to assign Chrome to each type of content separately, which is longer, but more reliable -- especially for Redmi with cropped firmware.
Do the following:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Google Chrome and tap it.
- Choose Open by default (or Default settings).
- Activate all available options: 🔗 References (HTTP/HTTPS) 📄 Web pages 📥 Files. HTML (if)
Then check the work: open a link from Telegram, WhatsApp or another messenger. If Chrome does not start, then the sender application has its own settings (more on this below).
| Type of reference | Where to change settings | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular HTTP/HTTPS | Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser | The main point, but may be missing |
| Links from messengers | Settings of a specific messenger (for example, Telegram → Settings → Opening links) | Each messenger has its own switch. |
| Files.html | Settings → Applications → Application Management → Chrome → Open by default | Needed for local web pages |
| Links from email | Settings of the email client (such as Gmail) | Often ignores system settings |
Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced ones)
If the standard methods do not work, MIUI Repeat the Mi Browser, and you can use it. ADB-It requires you to connect the phone to the computer, but it gives you 100% of the result.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer options, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB)
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:
adb shell pm clear com.android.browser
adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "http://example.com"The first command resets the settings of the standard browser, the second command forcibly assigns Chrome as the link handler, the third command checks the result, and then restart the device.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for Redmi in China (CN ROM) ADB-The only way to block the teams is to install custom firmware.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Install custom firmware (extreme case)
If none of the methods worked, and MIUI stubbornly ignores your settings, then the radical solution remains: installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which will remove all the limitations of Xiaomi, but require:
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader)
- 📥 Firmware with support for your Redmi model
- 🛠️ Ability to work with TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery
The process of unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi takes up to 7 days (due to manufacturer policy) and requires an account to be linked to Mi. Detailed instructions for each model differ, but the overall scheme:
- Unlock bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.
- Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- Switch alternative firmware (e.g. LineageOS without Google services or Pixel Experience with them).
⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and may cause data loss. On some Redmi models (such as Note 10 Pro) Widevine stops working after firmware is installed. L1, Netflix and other services only show videos in the 480p.
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Before you firmware, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Also save your phone’s IMEI (you can use the MTK Engineering app for devices on MediaTek).
Why settings are reset after MIUI update and how to fix it
Many Xiaomi Redmi users are faced with the fact that after updating the firmware browser default resets to Mi Browser. This is because MIUI updates reset some settings "to factory" - especially if the update is major (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14).
To avoid this:
- 📵 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
- 🔄 Before manually updating, back up your settings via Mi Cloud or locally.
- 🔧 After the update, immediately check the default browser settings and, if necessary, repeat the procedure from Method 2.
If the updates have already been installed and the settings have reset, try the following trick:
- Remove updates for Mi Browser (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Browser → ⋮ → Remove updates).
- Clear the cache and data of the Mi Browser.
- Reboot your phone and reassign Chrome to the default browser.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after you set it up correctly, Chrome may not open links, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Links open in Mi Browser despite settings | The sender app (e.g. Facebook) ignores system settings | In the app settings (where you open the link), find the option “Open links in...” and select Chrome. |
| Chrome does not appear in the default browser list | The application is not registered as a link processor | Open Chrome, go to its settings and turn on the option “Open supported links” |
| After resetting, the settings are reset. | Mistake in MIUI or conflict with the optimizer | Turn off "Auto-Optimization" in Settings → Battery → ⚙️ → Optimization |
| You can not change the browser to CN ROM (Chinese firmware) | Xiaomi’s policy restrictions on China | Install Global ROM or use ADB |
If none of these methods worked, check if your Redmi has work profiles installed (e.g., through Digital Wellbeing or corporate policies).
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On HyperOS devices (the new 2026 Redmi), the path to browser settings may be different. Look for it in Settings → Apps → Default App Settings → Web browser.