Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to change the standard behavior of the operating system. MIUI shells and the new HyperOS are deeply customized, but sometimes hide basic settings under the menu layers. The user may wonder: how to make a Xiaomi phone by default so that devices use the apps that are convenient for you personally, and not preinstalled by the Chinese manufacturer?
Android’s system logic allows for flexible management of program priorities, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process has its own characteristics related to aggressive battery optimization and system protection, and understanding how to assign the default applications will help avoid confusion when opening links, calling or sending messages.
In this guide, we'll take a look at the nuances of customization, where to look for hidden switches and how to force a system to use Google Chrome, Telegram or any other messenger instead of standard counterparts, a fundamental knowledge that anyone who wants to have complete control over their gadget needs.
Assigning applications for calls and messages
The most common scenario that requires intervention is to replace the standard caller or SMS program. Many users prefer Google interfaces or third-party solutions like Truecaller, and to stop asking you every time you call which app to run, you need to fix the choice in the settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, where you can find the key button to control the behavior of the system. In the upper right corner of the screen (or in the menu of three points), select "Default Apps", which is where you decide which software will handle incoming calls.
Find the category "Phone" or "Phone dial" in the list, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the Dialers installed. You can select the option you want. Now, when you receive a call, the system will automatically activate the selected application, ignoring the stock interface MIUI.
⚠️ Note: When changing the application for SMS Make sure the new program has all the necessary permissions to read contacts and send messages, otherwise notifications may not come.
The same procedure is used for messages. In the same menu, select the category "SMS". If you use Google Messages with RCS support, make sure to make it the main one, which will ensure that chats work correctly and high-quality media are transmitted.
Set up a web browser and open links
Internet surfing is one of the main functions of a smartphone. The standard Mi Browser browser is often overloaded with news feeds and advertising, so many people immediately put Chrome, Firefox or Yandex. To open links from messengers and social networks in their usual environment, you need to change the settings. HTTP/HTTPS protocol.
In the Default Apps menu, find the browser option, and the system will offer a list of all installed web browsers, and once you choose the right one, all hyperlinks will be automatically redirected to it, eliminating the constant choice of action when you click on a link from WhatsApp or Viber.
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If the browser does not open after selecting, try clearing the Settings app cache through the application management menu to reset possible system caching errors.
However, sometimes a particular application (such as Instagram or TikTok) insists on opening links within itself, ignoring your browser choice. To solve this problem, you need to go to the settings of the infringing application itself. Find the desired social network in the list of installed programs, go to Open by Default and select the option “Always Open in this application” or, conversely, disallow it if you want links to open in an external browser.
It's important to understand the difference between a global browser and a link handler. A global browser is used when you type in an address yourself. A link handler is activated when you click from other programs. In HyperOS, these settings have become more granular, allowing you to assign different browsers to different types of activities.
Control of keyboard and voice input
Text input is something that the user interacts with all the time. A standard Gboard or Sogou keyboard (in Chinese) may not be suitable for functionality. To replace it with SwiftKey or another, one installation is not enough.
First, install a new keyboard from Google Play. Then go to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and Enter. There are two steps to do: select the current keyboard in active mode and configure the input methods. Remember to include the new keyboard in the list of available ones, otherwise the system will not see it.
- 🔑 Click on “Keyboard Management” and activate the switch opposite the new app.
- 🔑 In the section "Current keyboard" select the one just installed.
- 🔑 For voice input in the “Voice input” section, you can also choose your preferred service, for example, Google instead of Xiaomi.
After this, when you connect an external Bluetooth keyboard or touch the screen, the selected interface will appear in the input field, and the system will remember this choice for all applications where you need to enter text.
☑️ Checking input settings
Specific settings for HyperOS and MIUI 14
In recent firmware versions, Xiaomi has introduced additional layers of protection and personalization. In HyperOS, the settings menu has become more logical, but some items have been moved.
Special attention should be paid to the functions of “Second space” or “Mode for children.” If you use these features, the default settings of the applications in them may differ from the main profile, you will have to repeat the selection procedure in each created space separately.
| Function | Location at MIUI 12/13 | Location in HyperOS |
|---|---|---|
| Default applications | Settings → Applications | Settings → Applications → Management |
| Removal of standard applications | Long tap on the icon | Settings → Applications → Management (Deletion) |
| Google Assistant | Settings → Google | Settings → Google → Settings for applications |
| Voice assistant | Settings → Mi AI | Settings → Xiaomi AI |
The new shells also feature a smarter recommendation system, which means that if you don't use the default app for a long time, the system can suggest that you return the default one, and turn off those notifications in the system's notification settings if they annoy you.
Problems with assistants and smart start-up
A common problem for Xiaomi owners is the conflict between the Google Assistant and the built-in Mi AI (or Xiao AI). (long press) power button or swipe from the corner can start the wrong assistant you need.
To make Google Assistant the primary one, go to the settings of the Google app itself. Find Google Assent → All settings → Languages or Device Assistant. This should have button launch active. In some regions and firmware versions, this setting may be hidden.
Secret code for resetting preferences
If the power button still calls the Chinese assistant, try turning it off in the Security → Optimization app (in some regions) or simply deny it access to the microphone, leaving this privilege only to Google.
⚠️ Warning: Disable system components such as Mi AI, This may cause some camera or gallery functions that are linked to these services to fail.
Resetting application settings by default
Sometimes the system fails: links don't open, calls don't go through the interface, or you're just confused about the destinations, and then the way to do this is to reset your application preferences completely, and it won't delete your data, photos, or contacts, but it will return all launch settings to factory settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Click on the menu (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Reset App Settings. Confirm the action.
- 🔄 All your preferences for opening files will be reset.
- 🔄 Apps will stop being “default” and the phone will start asking you again when you start actions.
- 🔄 It often helps if you stop working. NFC or NFC annexed.
After the reset, you’ll have to re-experience the setup process described at the beginning of the article, which is a good way to shake up the system if it starts to behave strangely after the firmware update.
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Resetting application settings is a safe operation that often solves problems with incorrect program launch and freezes of the action selection interface.