Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones use the Mi Browser browser, an app with pre-installed services, advertising and limited privacy settings. Many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave for their speed, synchronization with other devices or no unnecessary inserts. However, changing the browser by default to MIUI often raises questions about where to look for settings, why some links still open in the Mi Browser, and how to completely remove it from the system.
In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to make another browser the main one on Xiaomi, including hidden settings. MIUI, Bypassing restrictions for certain types of links (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp), as well as solutions for cases where the system ignores your choice. MIUI 14 and newer, where the logic of working with browsers has changed.
Before you start settings, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed on the device. If not, download it from Google Play or through the device. APK-file from an official website (e.g. Chrome or Firefox) MIUI: path of adjustment → The phone. → Version. MIUI. It depends on what steps are needed next.
1. Standard method: default settings in MIUI
The most obvious method is to use the built-in app menu by default.It works on most Xiaomi devices, but has limitations for some types of links.
Open Settings and go to the Application section → App management. In the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select the default Apps. Here, find the Browser and tap it.
In the list of available browsers, select the desired one (for example, Chrome or Firefox). The system will prompt you to confirm the choice - agree. Now all web links from other applications (for example, from Gmail or Twitter) must open in the selected browser.
However, this method does not guarantee a 100% replacement. Some system links (such as from Settings or Mi Account) can still open in Mi Browser, due to the fact that Xiaomi rigidly links some of the functions to the proprietary browser.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, the default item of the Application may not be in the Application Management menu. In this case, use the alternative methods described below.
2. Alternative method: resetting application settings
If the standard method didn’t work or the browser you wanted doesn’t appear in the list, try resetting the default application settings, which often helps when the system forgets previously selected settings.
Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, then click on three dots (⋮) and select App Reset. Confirm. After reset, repeat the steps from the first section, and now the browser you want should appear in the list.
This method is also useful if after updating MIUI settings reset and all links open again in Mi Browser. However, note that the reset affects all the default applications (calls, SMS, maps, etc.), so they too will have to be configured again.
Install an alternative browser from Google Play
Check the MIUI version in your phone settings
Make a backup of important bookmarks from Mi Browser
Close all open tabs in the current browser-->
3. circumvention of restrictions for specific applications
Even after changing your default browser, some apps (like Telegram, WhatsApp or Instagram) may ignore your choices and open links to Mi Browser.This is because they use their own link processing mechanisms.
To fix this, open the settings of the problem app (e.g. Settings → Apps → Telegram) and find Open Supported Links or Open by default. Disable this option or select Ask Always. Now, when you click on the link, the system will suggest you choose a browser.
For Telegram and WhatsApp, you can also use internal settings:
- Open the app and go to Settings → Data and memory.
- Find the Open links in an external browser and enable it.
- Select the browser you want from the list.
If this option is not available, try clearing the app cache (in MIUI settings): sometimes it resets incorrect link processing settings.
Why do some links still open in Mi Browser?
4.Use of ADB to Force Browser Change
If previous methods didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to manually set the default browser, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.
First, turn on Developer Mode and USB Debugging:
- Go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
Connect the phone to the computer, install it. ADB-drivers and execute the command:
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browserThis command will reset the default browser settings. After that, repeat the steps from the first section.
If you want to completely remove Mi Browser (not recommended for inexperienced users!), use:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browserMIUI
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 13/14) Mi Browser is protected from removal, in which case the team will return the Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. Alternative – disable the application through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Shut down.
5. Features for MIUI 14 and newer
Since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has tightened its control over the default browser, and even after changing its settings, some system links (such as those from Security or the Mi Cloud) are forced to open in Mi Browser, due to the company’s policy of integrating services.
To get around this, you can use a link interceptor, an app like Better Open With or Link Bubble, which allows you to manually redirect links from any source to your browser, install one of these apps, give it permission to access settings, and set up redirect rules.
Another option is to use a browser that supports custom tabs (such as Kiwi Browser or Firefox Nightly), which can replace the system viewing windows, which helps bypass the limitations of MIUI.
| MIUI version | Method of changing the browser | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 and older | Through Settings → Applications by Default | System links can be opened in Mi Browser |
| MIUI 13 | Reset application settings or ADB required | Mi Browser cannot be removed without root. |
| MIUI 14 | ADB or link interceptor | Forced Opening of System Links in Mi Browser |
| HyperOS (new models) | Through Settings → Applications → Opening by Default | There are fewer restrictions, but Mi Browser remains in the system. |
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If after changing the browser links from Google Search still open in Mi Browser, clear the data of the Google application in the MIUI settings. This will reset the search engine cache and force it to query the browser again.
6. Solving problems after changing the browser
Sometimes, after a browser change, the default problem is that links don't open, errors appear, or the system returns to Mi Browser. Let's look at typical problems and their solutions.
Problem 1: Links don’t open at all.
This can occur if the browser selected does not support processing of certain types of links (e.g. intent: or market:).
- 🔄 Install a different browser (e.g. Chrome instead of Firefox).
- 📱 Check if security is blocking. MIUI Opening links (in security settings, disable Link Checker).
- 🔧 Reset the default application settings (see Section 2).
Problem 2: The system ignores the browser choice.
If, after all the manipulations, links still open in Mi Browser, the reason may be:
- 🛠️ Update MIUI, Resetting settings (check the firmware version).
- 🔒 Security policy (on some Xiaomi models for corporate users, the browser is strictly tied to the system).
- 📦 Conflict with other applications (e.g. Clean Master or Security may block changes).
In a pinch, try disabling Mi Browser via Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Disabling. This won’t remove it completely, but will prevent automatic link opening.
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Nana MIUI 14 and newer, the most reliable way is a combination of resetting application settings + utilization ADB Forcing a browser change, this minimizes the risk of returning to Mi Browser after rebooting.
7 How to get Mi Browser back
If after experiments you decide to return to the branded browser, do the following:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Applications → Browser.
- Select Mi Browser from the list.
- If it is not listed, reset your application settings (see Section 2).
If you have previously disabled or removed the Mi Browser via ADB, you can only return it by reinstalling the firmware or resetting the phone to factory settings. In most cases, this is not necessary, since the MIUI system functions continue to work without a browser.
Remember that the Mi Browser is closely integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem: it is used to log in to Mi Account, view news in Mi Feed and update the system. its removal can lead to incorrect operation of these functions.