How to make the default app on Android Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS provide users with ample opportunities to customize the interface. However, standard system behavior often forces the use of pre-installed programs that may not suit the experienced user with their functionality or design. Changing the default applications is the first step to personalizing the device, allowing you to replace the standard browser, keyboard or caller with more convenient analogues.

The setup process can seem confusing because of the deep nesting of the menu in the firmware of the Chinese manufacturer. Android security requires confirmation of actions when changing important system components to prevent the accidental installation of malware. In this guide, we will detail where hidden settings are located and how to correctly manage the priorities of launching programs.

It is important to understand that resetting or changing the default settings affects the operation of the entire operating system. Incorrect configuration can cause links to stop opening and calls to come through the usual interface. Therefore, before making changes, it is recommended to carefully study the algorithm of actions for your particular model Redmi or POCO.

Setting up the browser and search engines

The most frequent request of users is to replace the standard browser. Android allows you to choose which application will open links from messengers and other programs. To do this, you need to go to the settings section, where you store data about the preferences of the system. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

You need to find the application management item, which stores all the information about the programs installed on the device, find the current default browser (often Chrome or Mi Browser) in the list and click on it. The menu that opens will have a button to clear the default settings, and then the system will prompt you to select a new application the next time you click on the link.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning your browser settings, do not open links immediately. First install the desired application and run it at least once so that the system correctly registers its capabilities.

An alternative way to get to the desired result faster is to try to just open any link from notes or messages. If the settings have been reset, the screen will display a selection box asking "What to open?" Choose the desired application and click "Always" to pin the selection.

Some users prefer to use specialized browsers with built-in ad blockers. Once installed, the system may not immediately offer it as the main one, in which case manual configuration through the Default Apps menu, where you can explicitly specify priority for processing HTTP and HTTPS requests, helps.

Managing Call and SMS Applications

Replacing the standard caller and messaging app is a more demanding task, as these functions are critical to communication. Many users install third-party number detectors or SIM-enabled messengers, and the system must provide permissions to correctly transfer incoming calls to the new application.

Xiaomi's security settings have a separate permission management module. Go to Permissions and find Other Permits, and find your new call app and allow it to be displayed over other windows and access the call log, and without these permissions, the program can start but won't see the incoming call.

• 📞 Open the settings and go to the "Applications" section».
• 🔍 Select “App Management” and find the program you want.
• ⚙️ Click on “Other permissions” and activate all necessary items.
• ✅ Return to the main settings menu and select “Default Apps».

To work with SMS Android has a strict security policy: only one application can be the main message handler. SMS through the new program, the system will automatically request confirmation of the removable application.

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If after changing the application for calls, the sound or vibration has disappeared, check the settings for accessing the microphone and vibrator in the Privacy section.

It’s worth noting that on some global versions of HyperOS, the menu may be renamed “Privacy Settings”; the search logic remains the same: looking for access rights management and priority actions. If you use corporate profiles, make sure that the device administrator allows you to change applications.

Setting up the keyboard and entering text

The keyboard is the tool we use most often, and replacing a standard Gboard or Sogou keyboard with an alternative like SwiftKey or Yandex Keyboard requires activation on a special menu, and simply installing an app is not enough, you need to allow the system to use a new input method.

Go to the language and input settings. Here you'll see a list of available keyboards. Switch the switchboard in front of the installed application to the active position. The system will issue a warning that a third-party keyboard can access the input data. This is the standard security measure of Android, and if you trust the developer, feel free to confirm the action.

Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard

Once activated, select a new keyboard as the main one. Click on Current Keyboard and select the app you just activated from the list, and any typing field will see a new bar with the same design and features.

⚠️ Note: When installing keyboards from unknown sources, the system may block them from working. Use only verified applications from the official Google Play store or GetApps.

You should pay special attention to autocorrection and vocabulary settings. After changing the keyboard, it will take some time for the machine learning algorithms to adapt to your printing style. In the early days of use, there may be small delays or errors in text prediction.

Priorities for Files and Multimedia

When you open files in different formats (photos, videos, documents), Android suggests you select an application. Often users randomly select "Only once" and the system asks each time how to open the file. To avoid this, you need to assign a priority application for each file type.

The default application management menu often doesn't have a detailed breakdown by file format. It's called "last one right." If you want the gallery to open in Google Photos instead of the standard MIUI viewer, find any image, click on it and select "Open with it." In the window that appears, select the app you want and click "Always."

For video files, the situation is similar. If you have a powerful video player, like VLC or MX Player, make sure that it intercepts all popular formats. In the settings of the player itself, there is often a feature called "Associate with formats", which automatically prescribes the necessary priorities in the system.

• 🎵 For music: Select a player when you first start an audio file.
• 🎬 For video: Use the Open with Help menu for video files.
• 📄 For documents: assign PDF-reader.

If you want to reset all file associations at once, you can do this by clearing the data from the Android system service, but this will bring all settings back to factory settings, and you will have to re-select the applications for each file type when you first start.

Resetting default settings

There are times when the settings are lost and the phone is not behaving correctly: links are opened in the wrong browser, or files are run in the wrong programs. In this case, the way to do a full reset of the default application settings is to do this, which is safe for your personal data (photos, contacts), but will return system preferences to the original state.

To reset, go to the Apps section in the settings. In the upper right corner, find the menu (three dots) or the More button. In the drop-down list, select Reset Application Settings. The system will request confirmation of action, as this will affect all installed programs.

Once reset the next time you run any type of content, the system will behave like a new device, asking for your preference, and it’s a great way to fix bugs that have arisen after updating your firmware or installing conflicting software.

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Resetting app settings does not delete your personal files, but resets all of your “Always” choices to open files and links.

Nuances of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14

With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has slightly changed the logic of working with permissions and priorities. the interface has become more minimalistic, and some items have been moved to the Security section.

Newer versions of the software have a more aggressive mechanism for freezing background processes. If you install an alternative application for calls or messages, be sure to add it to the battery exclusion list, otherwise the system may automatically close it and you miss an important call, because the sleeper application will not be able to intercept the incoming signal.

Also worth noting is the change in widgets and shortcuts. After upgrading to HyperOS, some shortcuts may stop opening specific application sections if the internal structure of the packages changes, in which case it is recommended to remove the old shortcut from the desktop and create a new one through the widget menu.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS has increased control over clipboard access, and apps can request access to copied text every time, which is a security measure, but can be annoying with frequent use.

For advanced users, fine-tuning is possible through hidden menus. However, using engineering codes or ADB commands to change system files by default is not recommended, as this can disrupt the integrity of the system and lead to loss of warranty.

To sum up, the flexibility of Android allows you to turn any Xiaomi smartphone into a unique tool that fully matches your habits, the main thing is to be attentive to the requests of the system for confirmation of access rights and not ignore security warnings.