Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face intrusive behavior of the operating system, which aggressively promotes its own services.When trying to open a link from a messenger or notes, the device may insist on using MIUI Browser or Chrome, ignoring user preferences. This creates discomfort, especially if you are used to synchronizing passwords and history through a Yandex account.
Changing the default browser is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a functional necessity for many. Android allows you to flexibly adjust application priorities, however, in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, this process is sometimes hidden in the non-obvious menu.
In this guide, we will discuss all the nuances of installing Yandex Browser as the main surfing tool. We will look at standard ways in settings, features of different firmware versions and methods for solving problems when the system blocks the selection of a third-party application.
Preparation of the system and installation of the current version
Before you start making system changes, you need to make sure that the application itself is properly installed and has all the necessary rights. download from third-party sources can lead to the installation of an outdated version that does not properly interact with the new Android security protocols.
After installation, take your time to change your system settings. Start your browser, accept the user agreement, and, if necessary, log in to your account, which is necessary so that the operating system recognizes the application as fully ready for service.
⚠️ Note: If you download an.apk installation file from the Internet, be sure to check the developer’s digital signature. Installing modified versions may lead to personal data leakage or account lock by Xiaomi security services.
It is also important to check for updates to the Android WebView system component, which is responsible for displaying web content within other applications, and its incorrect operation often causes the browser you choose to not open.
💡
Before setting up, open Yandex Browser at least once and go to any site so that the system registers it as an active web application.
The Standard Way Through Android Settings
The basic algorithm of actions is the same for most versions of the operating system, although the names of the items may differ slightly. You will need to log into the main menu of settings of the smartphone.
In the list that opens, you need to find the section that manages applications, and depending on the version of MIUI, it can be simply called "Applications" or "Applications and Notifications," and within that menu, you can find key system settings.
Next, you'll find the "Default Apps" item, and in some builds, it's placed in a separate submenu or hidden behind the "Additional" button, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of categories: calls, messages, browsers, and more.
- 📱 Click on "Browser" in the category list.
- 🌐 In the window that opens, select Yandex from the proposed list.
- ✅ Confirm your choice if the system requests additional permission.
After these steps are completed, all links from other programs must automatically open in the selected application. If the list is empty or the selection is not saved, energy saving settings may conflict.
Features of configuration in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells have deep roots in the integration of their own services, which sometimes leads to ignoring user settings. In new versions of HyperOS, the algorithm may differ from the classic Android.
Often the system offers to "Optimize" the browser, which in fact means limiting its background activity. This can prevent instant link opening. You need to go to the settings of a particular application through the "All applications" menu, find Yandex and select "Out-Start".
Also, you should pay attention to the section "Access to data." Make sure that the browser is allowed to access the network through both Wi-Fi and mobile Internet. Without this permission, the http protocol will not be processed correctly.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Included. | Settings -> Applications -> Yandex |
| Saving energy | No restrictions. | Battery -> Activity control |
| Notifications | Permitted. | Notification settings |
| Overhead display | Permitted. | Special opportunities |
⚠️ Attention: Global firmware in some regions has ads in system applications. Disabling personalized ads in Mi Account settings may reduce intrusive suggestions to change browsers.
Resetting application preferences
There are times when you have chosen a browser, but the system keeps opening links elsewhere or gives an error, which means that the settings cache has retained the old priority, in which case a complete reset of preferences is required.
To do this, go to the settings, then to the "Applications" section. In the upper right corner of the screen, usually there is a three-dot menu or a "More" button. In the drop-down list, select "Reset App Settings" or "Reset Preferences."
This operation is safe for your data: it won't delete photos, contacts or installed programs, it will only return all default permissions and choices to factory status, and then the first time you click on a link, the system will ask again what to open the address.
Settings -> Applications -> (Menu) -> Reset preferencesNow, when you click on a link from Telegram or WhatsApp, a selection window will appear. Be sure to tick the "Always" or "Use by default" box next to the name Yandex before clicking the confirmation button.
☑️ Post-dump check
Management of references and protocols
Modern operating systems allow applications to claim rights to process certain types of links. Sometimes Yandex Browser does not intercept links because it has not registered itself as a processor for all web protocols.
Go to the settings of the Yandex Browser application. Find the "Open by default" or "Supported links" section. This should have a list of domains and link types. Make sure the "Open supported links" switch is activated.
If there are specific sites on the list (e.g. yandex.ru, ya.ru), make sure that they are selected for the “Open in this application” action, which ensures that even specific links of Yandex services will be opened instantly, without intermediate menus.
Why do some links still open in Chrome?
Solving Link Opening Problems
Even after all the settings, there may be crashes, and often the problem is WebView version conflict, so try updating this component through the Play Market store, or, conversely, uninstall the updates if the problem has occurred after a recent update.
Another common reason is the aggressive work of antivirus or built-in protection, check if the application is in the "Blacklist" or in the mode of deep energy saving, which completely freezes its processes in the background.
- 🔄 Restart the device after all settings.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the application "Settings" of the system.
- 📲 Check for updates to the shell itself MIUI.
If nothing works, consider removing system browser updates, and sometimes the older version is less in conflict with user settings than the new version, which is full of ads and services.
💡
Sequence of actions: Install -> Default setting -> Protocol checking -> Reset preferences (if not working).