Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where when you move from a messenger or application, the browser that you planned to use is not the same as the one you were going to use. For example, instead of Google Chrome or Yandex Browser, links automatically run in the standard Mi Browser, this is due to the fact that the MIUI or HyperOS operating system by default firmly prioritizes the system application for processing Internet traffic.
There are a number of ways to address this, from simply changing the settings on the menu to completely resetting your app preferences. It's important to understand that the system remembers your last choice, but if you've ever accidentally clicked "Always" for an inappropriate app, it's harder to change this behavior without resetting. In this article, we'll look at all the current techniques for Redmi and POCO models.
Below are step-by-step instructions to help you regain control of your browsing experience, and we’ll look at both the standard settings and deeper methods for managing system priorities that are often ignored by ordinary users.
Why links are opened in the wrong browser
The main reason lies in the mechanism of Android Intent: when an application (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) receives a link, it sends a request to the system to open it. Xiaomi’s operating system checks the list of installed browsers and selects the one that has the highest priority or was marked as “Default”.
Often users give the wrong priority. When you first install a new browser, the system may ask, "How do you open a link?" If at that point you click "Always" opposite Mi Browser, the system will remember this choice forever until you forcefully reset the settings. In some cases, aggressive battery optimization is to blame, which "sleeps" your favorite browser, not allowing it to intercept the request.
It's also worth noting that some apps have their own internal "link-open" settings, which can ignore system settings and force the built-in WebView or a specific browser specified in their own settings, especially for social networks and news aggregators.
How to choose the default browser in Xiaomi settings
The easiest and safest way to fix this is to manually specify which application should be considered the main one for the Internet, which works on all current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS.
To start, you need to go to the application management menu. Find the Settings icon on your desktop and go to the Apps section. Here you will need the App Settings (or App Management depending on the firmware version) and in the list that opens, find the Default Apps button, which is usually at the top menu or at the bottom of the screen.
In the list that opens, look for the browser option. Click on it and the system will prompt you to choose one of the installed applications. Choose your preferred option, such as Chrome or Firefox, and then all links from most applications will be opened through the chosen tool.
☑️ Checking the default settings
Resetting default settings to correct errors
If a simple priority change didn't work, you're stuck with a conflicting cache or an erroneous flag that was set earlier, and you're going to reset your default settings, and this action won't delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but it will return all your application choices to their original state.
Follow the following steps:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the browser that is currently opening “wrongly” (often Mi Browser).
- 🗑️ Click on the “Delete by Default” or “Reset by Default” button at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure for your primary browser if it also displays incorrect behavior.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting the next time you open any link, the system will ask you again which application to use. Be careful and select "Always" to pin the result.
Sometimes you need to reset the settings of the application itself from which you click (for example, Viber or VK). Go to the settings of this application, find the default option and clear it. This will cause the messenger to ask the system again about the preferred browser.
Why is Mi Browser always coming back?
Managing Application-specific link management
Modern versions of Android (starting with version 11) and Xiaomi shells have an advanced feature for managing open links for each application separately, which allows you to flexibly configure which sites should open in the browser and which – inside the application itself.
Let’s take a look at an example of setting up for a popular messenger or social network:
- Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find an app that links to the wrong place (like Instagram).
- Go to the "Open by Default" section (or "Start by Default").
- Select the “Open Supported Links” option and make sure the switch is active.
- Click on “Add Link” or “Supported Web Links” to see the list of domains.
Here you can manually add domains that must be opened in an external browser, but most often the problem is solved by switching the mode to Always Ask or selecting a specific browser to the submenu if the system offers this option for this type of links.
| Action. | Where to find out. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Change of the main browser | Settings → Applications → By default | Global Shift for All Links |
| Resetting a specific annex | App settings → [Name] → By default | Resetting the selection for only one program |
| Domain management | App settings → [Name] → Open links | Fine-tuning for specific sites |
| Clearing the data | App settings → [Name] → Clear | Full reset (including logins) |
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If you use work chats frequently, set up opening corporate links (such as jira.company.com) in the browser with saved passwords, and entertaining content in private mode or another profile.
Mi Browser problems and system limitations
Xiaomi smartphone owners know that Mi Browser (or Mint Browser) is deeply integrated into the system. In some regions (for example, Russia, India, Europe) on global firmware, it can be removed, but in Chinese versions or older builds, its removal is impossible without root rights.
If standard methods don’t help get rid of Mi Browser, you can try a more radical method through the hidden settings menu. Enter the code ##6484## (engineering menu) in the “caller”, but be careful: changing the parameters here can affect the stability of the work. A safer way to use ADB computer-based.
For advanced users, a method of disabling the component via ADB is available. Connect the phone to your PC, enable debugging over USB, and enter a command to hide the system browser (without removing it completely so as not to disrupt the integrity of the system):
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browserThis command makes the system browser invisible to the system, and it will be forced to use your installed Chrome or Yandex.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Do not disable system components whose purpose you do not know, this can lead to a cyclic reboot).
Frequent questions and additional settings
Even after successful setup, nuances can arise, such as some links that can be opened in the News or Browser app without a choice, often because links lead to internal pages of Xiaomi services or use specific protocols.
It's also worth checking the settings of smart features. MIUI has a "Game Acceleration" or "Second Space" feature, which can have its own isolated browser settings. If the problem only occurs in one of the profiles, check the settings there.
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The key to success is consistency. First, reset the bad browser, then assign the default good browser, and then test the result.
Remember to update your browser regularly. Older versions may not handle new types of links (Deep Links), which will cause the system to try to find an alternative by running a standard tool.