How to make the default app on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have an advanced MIUI shell or a new HyperOS that offers users many alternatives to perform standard tasks. Often when you install a new browser, music player or file manager, the system continues to persistently open links and files through standard utilities. This is because Android has a clear hierarchy of priorities, and without manual intervention, the device does not know which software you prefer to see as the main one.

Understanding how to make the default app on Xiaomi is critical to making it comfortable, allowing you to automate routine processes: links will open in the right browser, music will run in the selected player, and calls will be processed by a third-party call with improved number definition. In this article, we will discuss in detail the setting algorithms that are relevant for all current models, from budget Redmi to flagship series.

The setup process does not require root rights or a computer connection, but it does require careful navigation through menus. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same across the ecosystem. We will look at not only standard methods, but also solutions for complex cases where the system blocks the change of priorities.

Primary Management in MIUI and HyperOS

The Android operating system that underpins Xiaomi firmware uses the concept of "intents" to process user actions. When you click on a link, the system sends a request to all applications that claim to be able to open web pages. If you previously chose the "Always" option, the system remembers this choice and no longer asks. It is this mechanism that needs to be reconfigured.

Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell has its own security add-ons that can hide some standard menu items or override them. For example, aggressive battery optimization or built-in antivirus can prevent third-party launchers or calls from running if they don't get the appropriate permissions.

A key control is the Applications section, where you store all the settings for each package you install, and you can force the selection cache to be cleared, which is often the only way you can get the system to ask you about your preferences again, and without this procedure, changing your default settings by default may not be possible.

• 📱 The system remembers the user’s last choice with the “Always” label, ignoring other installed programs.
• ⚙️ Resetting app settings doesn’t delete your data, but returns all system priorities to factory values.
• 🛡️ Xiaomi Defender Can Block Third-Party Utilities from Launching if They Are Not Added to Exclusion List.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use dubious apps from the Play Market that promise to "accelerate" the change of priorities. Built-in system tools are more than enough, and third-party software can only disrupt the stability of the interface.

It is important to distinguish between “default start” and “auto start”. The first refers to the type of content that is opened (links, photos, files), the second refers to the start of the program when you turn on the phone. For our problem, we are interested in the first type of settings, which is controlled by system managers.

Setting up browsers and opening links

The most common scenario that users face is the inability to open a link from a messenger or social network in an alternative browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Brave. Instead, links open in the built-in MIUI Browser, which many consider redundant. To fix this, you need to change the settings "Discovery by Default".

Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list, find the browser you want to make the primary (e.g. Chrome). Click on it to open the app information page. Here you will need to find the "Default" or "Open by Default" option. If this option is active but it is prohibited, it should be removed.

However, simply turning on the browser you want isn't enough. Often the system "clings" to the old choice. You need to find the current default browser (often "Browser" or "Mi Browser") in the list of applications, click on it and select the "Clear Default Settings" button. Then the next time you click on any link in Telegram or WhatsApp, the system will give a selection window where you need to tick "Always" for the new browser.

There is also a global setting that allows you to assign a browser to the entire system at once, bypassing the choice for each type of link, a feature that is especially useful if you are using specific browsers with ad blocker or night mode features.

• 🌐 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Default Apps".
• ✅ Select "Browser" and specify your preferred application from the list.

If after performing these actions, links still open in the wrong place, check whether the battery optimization for the new browser is turned on. Sometimes the system "kills" the background process of the browser, and when you try to open a link, it simply does not have time to start, giving priority to the system utility.

Change of launcher: Replacement of the desktop

Replacing a standard desktop with a custom launcher (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher) is a popular way to personalize Xiaomi. However, this is where users most often encounter the intrusive "Select Launcher" window, which appears every time they turn on the screen or unlock if they do not configure correctly.

To secure the new launcher, after you install it and set it up initially, press the Home button. The system will ask which application to use. Select your new launcher and press Always. If that doesn't happen and the system continues to return the standard desk, you need to act through the settings menu.

In some versions of HyperOS, the path to setup may be hidden. Go to Settings → Desktop. If there is an "App Management" or similar option, check if there is a restriction there. Also, go to the launcher settings (long tap on empty space or through the application menu) and find the "Status" or "Information" section where there may be a forced assignment button.

Special attention should be paid to access rights: a new launcher must have permission to "Map on top of other applications" and access to contacts if the call widgets must work correctly. Without these permissions, the system can read the launcher nonstop and reset it.

If you encounter a situation where the phone cyclically reboots after installing a launcher, boot into Safe Mode (clamping the shutdown button at start), uninstall the problematic app and try an alternative. Not all launchers are compatible with Xiaomi's hard memory optimization.

Call settings, SMS and multimedia

Many users prefer standard calls like Truecaller, Google Phone or Yandex.Callers because of their improved spam databases, and in order for the phone to use them for incoming and outgoing calls, you need to assign them by default in the appropriate section.

The algorithm of actions is similar to the setting of the browser: Settings → Annexes → Default applications → Phone. Select the app you want. It's the same way. SMS-If you use Google Messages to work RCS (Chat features, this step is mandatory, otherwise messages may come to the standard "yellow" call.

With multimedia, it's more complicated. Android doesn't always have a global setting, "Always open video in VLC." It's a first choice. When you first run a video file from the file manager, the system will ask you what to open it. Choose a player and hit "Always." If you make a mistake, you'll have to go to the settings of a competitor application (like "Gallery" or "Video") and clear the default settings.

To set up music playback when connecting a Bluetooth headset or USB-The default choice mechanism is also used for headphones, and often when you connect a new headset, you ask about the sound control app, and it's also important to keep your choice in mind and to fix your preferred player.

• 📞 For the call: Settings → Annexes → Default applications → Phone.
• 💬 For SMS: Settings → Annexes → Default applications → SMS.
• 🎵 For music: Opens automatically when you first start a file or through the settings of a particular player.

Always check the function after the change.

Managing file associations

File associations are the link between a file extension (e.g., pdf.mp4.docx) and the program that opens it. On Xiaomi, it's run by the file manager system, but the user can reassign those connections, which is especially true for office documents and specific video formats.

To change the program to open a specific file type, find a file in any manager. Click on it. If the system suggests selecting an application, select the one you want and click "Always." If the file opens immediately in an unnecessary program, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the program that opens the file incorrectly, and click Clear Default Settings.

For PDF-There are often conflicts between the built-in viewer, Google PDF If you want documents to always open in Adobe, make sure it has all the necessary permissions to access the storage. Without that, the system can ignore the choice and use a more "secure" built-in viewer.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when resetting settings for the system application Files or Explorer.This can cause the phone to stop understanding what to open the basic formats and will constantly give an error".

There is a nuance with archives (.zip.rar) in MIUI, the built-in archiver often intercepts opening such files. To use a third-party archiver (such as ZArchiver), you not only need to assign it to the default, but also disable the built-in archiving plugin in the system settings, if such an option is available in your firmware version.

Resetting all application settings: a radical method

If manually configuring each application doesn't help, or if the system crashes, priorities get confused and the phone is behaving unpredictably, you can perform a full reset of application settings, which will bring all file associations, browsers and launchers back to factory status.

To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Click on three dots in the corner of the screen and select Reset App Settings. The system will warn you that permissions and default settings will be reset. Confirm action. After that, the phone will behave as soon as you purchase in terms of selecting programs.

This is effective, but it takes time to reconfigure all preferences, so you have to re-allow the camera, microphone, and geolocation for all the programs you use, but it's guaranteed to eliminate any software priority conflicts.

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Expert Tip: Before performing a full application reset, take screenshots of important permissions or just remember which apps you gave access to contacts and microphone to quickly restore security after the procedure.

Once reset, the system will start collecting usage statistics again, and there may be slight delays in selecting applications during the first hours of operation, as the predictive predictive mechanism (if enabled) will relearn your habits.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even following the instructions, users may encounter situations where the settings are not saved, often because the candidate application is not optimized to work in the background of MIUI. The system kills its process, and the next action it does not count as an active candidate for launch.

The solution lies in the battery settings. Go to Settings → Battery → Check the activity of applications (or a similar path in your version). Find the problem application and set the "No Limits" mode. Also turn on auto-start for this application.

Another problem is that there are multiple applications with the same functions but different manifests, for example, two file managers may declare file types differently, in which case only a full uninstall-restall priority application helps after cleaning the system cache.