How to make the default application on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: a complete guide with the nuances of MIUI

On Xiaomi Redmi 9T with the MIUI shell, the default application installation has its own features - the standard Android settings here are often hidden behind branded menus or require additional manipulation. If you tried to assign Google Chrome to the main browser, and the system persistently returns the Mi Browser, or want to replace the standard Calls app with Truecaller - this guide will help you understand all the nuances.

Unlike pure Android, where the default application selection is through Settings → Apps, Redmi 9T is based on the MIUI version (12, 13 or 14) and the application type. For example, for SMS and calls, the algorithm is different from the browser or gallery destination. We will analyze all scenarios from basic to advanced, including solving problems when the desired application does not appear in the list or is reset after an update.

Importantly, some restrictions are imposed by Xiaomi’s policies, such as the inability to completely remove system applications like Mi Browser without root rights, but even in such cases there are workarounds, which you will learn about below.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9T can’t assign the default app?

The problem lies in three key factors:

• 🔹 Branded shell MIUI: Xiaomi is modifying the standard Android settings by transferring some of the features to its own menus (for example, Settings). → Annexes → The default management may not be available).
• 🔹 System Restrictions: Xiaomi apps (Mi Browser, Gallery, Calls) take precedence and sometimes block the selection of third-party alternatives.
• 🔹 Version. MIUI: V MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 the settings interface is different. MIUI 13 "Default Apps" moved to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Cog badge.

Another common reason is the system settings cache. If you previously assigned the default application and then deleted it, MIUI may forget about it and not update the list of available options. This is solved by resetting the cache through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Settings (application) → Storage → Clear cache.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9T firmware-based ROM (Chinese version) some default settings are locked without binding to the Mi Account. Check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — If it says “China”, you will need to change the region or install global firmware.

How to assign a default browser (Chrome, Firefox, DuckDuckGo)

On Xiaomi Redmi 9T, replacing the standard Mi Browser with Google Chrome or another browser requires two steps: first, disable the priority of the system application, and then assign a new browser.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Default Applications (or Default Management in the MIUI 13).
3. Scroll to the Browser section and tap it.
4. In the list, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome), if you don't have one, install the browser from Google Play and repeat the steps.

If after these actions, Mi Browser still opens by default:

Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage

Disable Mi Browser Auto Update on Google Play

Reboot the phone

Install the browser through APK (For example, from the APKMirror website, if it is not displayed in the Play Market.-->

On some firmware, Xiaomi blocks the browser change through standard settings, in which case the workaround will help:

1. Open any browser you want to make the main one.
2. Click here to click on a link (e.g. https://google.com).
3. When the window "Open with..." appears, select the desired browser and mark Always.

⚠️ Note: If you use DuckDuckGo or Firefox Focus, please note that these browsers may not support all types of links (e.g. tel: for calls), in which case you will have to manually select your browser each time you open the link.

Setting up a call app (Truecaller, Google Phone)

Replacing the standard Calls app with Xiaomi Redmi 9T is one of the most problematic tasks due to the integration of the system application with the MIUI shell. For example, Truecaller or Google Phone can be assigned to the main ones, but some functions (for example, recording conversations) may not work correctly.

Step-by-step:

• 📱 Install an alternative call app (Truecaller, Google Phone or Drupe) from Google Play.
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Calls.
• 🔄 Click on Clear Cache and Reset Settings (this will delete data from the previous application by default).
• 📞 Open a new call app and allow all requests to access contacts, microphone and phone features.
• 🔗 The next outgoing call, the system will ask which application to use – choose the right one and mark Always.

If the new app does not appear in the list to select:

On Redmi 9T with MIUI 12 and below, some alternative calling apps may not support:

• 🔊 Recording conversations (due to restrictions) MIUI).
• 📞 Displaying incoming calls on a locked screen.
• 🔄 Integration with system contacts (you will have to import them manually).

Standard (Calls)

Truecaller

Google Phone

Drupe or something

I don't know what I got.-->

Change the application for SMS (Messages, Textra, QKSMS)

At Xiaomi Redmi. 9T Replace the standard Messages app with Google Messages, Textra, or QKSMS It's easier than calling, but there are pitfalls. For example, some apps don't support calls. RCS-chats (advanced messaging features) or not synced with Google Drive for backup.

How to appoint a new one SMS-attachment:

1. Install an alternative app (like Google Messages) from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Messages.
3. Click Clear the cache and Reset the settings.
4. Return to the main settings and go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → SMS.
5. Select a new app from the list.

If the new app does not appear in the list:

• 📥 Make sure it supports you. SMS on your version of Android (e.g. Google Messages requires Android 8.0)+).
• 🔄 Restart the phone after installation.
• 🛠️ Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → [Your appendix] → Permits - must be included SMS, Contact and telephone.

On the Redmi. 9T firmware MIUI 12.5 Enhanced and newer standard Messages app can automatically return after a system update.To avoid this, disable auto-update for it in Google Play or uninstall updates via Settings → Annexes → Communications → ⋮ → Remove updates.

Assigning Gallery, Camera and Other Applications by Default

For media files (photos, videos, music) on Xiaomi Redmi 9T, the default algorithm for changing apps depends on the type of content, for example, you can choose Google Photos to open photos, and for video you can choose MX Player.

General instruction:

Features for each type:

• 📷 Camera: System App Camera on Redmi 9T You can't replace it, but you can install alternatives (like Google Camera) and run them manually. APK Supported by Snapdragon 662 chipset Redmi 9T) from Celso Azevedo.
• 🎵 Music: Apps like Mi Music may conflict with Poweramp due to playback background. To avoid duplication of notifications, disable autoplay for Mi Music in Settings → Annexes → Mi Music → Auto-start.
• 🎥 Video: MX Player requires additional codecs to play some formats (e.g, AC3). Download them in the application settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Photos as your default gallery, please note that it doesn’t support hidden folders (.nomedia) as flexibly as the standard Xiaomi Gallery. To hide files, you’ll have to manually add a.nomedia file to folders.

Problem Solving: App resets or doesn’t appear in list

If after the application is assigned by default, it is reset to the system or does not appear in the list at all, the reasons may be as follows:

To diagnose the problem:

1. Check out the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Make sure the alternative app supports your version of Android (on Redmi 9T it’s Android 10 or Android 11, depending on the updates).
3. Try assigning the application to default via ADB (see the instructions in the spoiler above).

💡

If you often experience problems changing apps by default, consider installing custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that doesn’t have MIUI limitations, but will require unlocking the bootloader and Fastboot experience.

Additional settings: Autostart and Optimization

Even after a successful default application is assigned, it may not work properly due to background MIUI limitations, for example, Google Messages may not receive SMS in the background, and Truecaller may not show call notifications.

To avoid problems:

• 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for the app: Go to Settings → Battery. → Battery optimization. Select All apps and find the right one (like Google Messages.
• 🚀 Allow Autostart: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Your app.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management.
2. Find the app and enable all types of notifications.

For apps like Truecaller or Google Phone, it is also recommended to:

• 📱 Provide access to Contacts, Microphone and Phone in permission settings.
• 🔄 Regularly update the application – in new versions, bugs with work on the app are often fixed MIUI.
• 📡 Enable background data access (for applications requiring synchronization).