How to install Yandex search by default on Xiaomi: all ways

Are you tired of your Xiaomi automatically opening Google every time you search? Want to bring back the usual Yandex with its convenient snippets, weather and current news for Russia? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI, the branded shell of Xiaomi. Even after installing the Yandex browser, the system stubbornly ignores your preferences and returns to the standard search engine.

In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to make Yandex the default search on Xiaomi, including:

• 🔧 Configuring through system parameters MIUI (rootless)
• 🌐 Change the search engine in the Mi Browser browser and Yandex.Browser
• 📱 Bypassing restrictions for models with Google Discover preinstalled
• 🛠️ Solving problems when settings are reset after an update

All the instructions are relevant for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).If you use a device with HyperOS (2026), pay attention to some nuances - we have taken them into account, too.

Why Xiaomi is trying to return Google instead of Yandex?

The problem lies in the commercial agreements between Xiaomi and Google, where most of the brand’s smartphones are sold with a pre-installed package of Google services, including search, even for models for the Russian market, where Yandex is traditionally popular.

• 💰 License obligations: Xiaomi pays Google to pre-install its services, so the system actively promotes them.
• 🔄 Automatic updates: After update MIUI Google Play Services Search Settings Can Be Reset.
• 📱 Firmware: In global versions MIUI (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) There is no built-in search engine selection option.
• 🔍 Home screen search bar: Google Search widget often blocks changing standard search.

Interestingly, the Chinese versions of MIUI (without Google services) don’t have that problem — Baidu is the default, and it’s easy to replace it with Yandex.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T pro POCO F5) And then you're going to have to do it again after you reset to the factory, and that's because of Google policy, not because of a bug in the manual.

Method 1: Change default search through MIUI settings

This is the easiest and most secure method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14.It does not require superuser rights (root) and takes no more than a minute.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
2. Slip on the Browser item and select Yandex.Browser (if installed).
3. Go back and select Search in the browser → Yandex.
4. For reliability, restart the smartphone.

If the browser's Search item is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI does not support it. In this case, move to Method 2.

Install Yandex.Browser from [official website](https://browser.yandex.ru)|Update MIUI to the latest version|Remove the Google app cache (Settings → Apps → Google → Storage → Clear cache)|Disable Google Auto Update (Play Market → Settings → Auto Update of apps → Do not update automatically)

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Method 2: Configure Yandex in the browser (if the system method does not work)

If MIUI does not have a search engine selection option, you can force Yandex to be set inside your browser.

• 🌍 Mi Browser (standard Xiaomi browser)
• 🦊 Yandex.Browser
• 🔍 Google Chrome (with limitations)

For Mi Browser:

1. Open your browser and enter in the address bar about:config.
2. Find the search.engine.default parameter and change its value to https://yandex.ru/search/?text={searchTerms}.
3. Save the changes and restart the browser.

For Yandex.Browser:

1. Open the browser → Menu (three dots) → Settings → Search.
2. Select Yandex as the default search engine.
3. Activate the option to use Yandex to search on the home page.

For Google Chrome:

Unfortunately, Chrome on Android does not allow you to manually add Yandex to the list of search engines.

1. Install the Search Engine Changer extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. In the extension settings, specify the Yandex URL: https://yandex.ru/search/?text=%s.
3. Now, when you enter a request in the address bar, Chrome will open Yandex.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) After updating Chrome, the search settings are reset, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure or use Yandex.Browser.

💡

If you change your settings and search still opens in Google, try disabling the Google App (Settings → Apps → Google → Disable), which may disrupt some services, but will solve the search problem.

Method 3: Delete Google Search via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can force Google Search to disable via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – this works even on locked devices without root, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in ADB: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
4. Reset the device.

After that, the Google Search widget will disappear from the home screen, and the system search will no longer be redirected to Google. To return everything back, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Attention: On devices with HyperOS (2026 The pm hide command may not work due to new restrictions. In this case, use the adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.

Method 4: Use of alternative launchers

If you're tired of struggling with the system limitations of MIUI, you can completely replace the standard launcher with a third-party one.

• 🔍 Install Yandex search by default for all widgets.
• 📱 Remove Google’s Intrusive Services from the Home Screen.
• 🎨 Set up the appearance for yourself.

The best launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – Supports search bar customization.
• 🔧 Action Launcher – allows you to link Yandex to a gesture or button.
• 🌐 Microsoft Launcher – has built-in support for Yandex.
• 📱 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher.

How to set up:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. In the launcher settings, find the Search or Widgets section.
3. Select Yandex as the default search engine.
4. Install the launcher as a standard app for the home screen.

Disadvantages of this method: some functions MIUI (For example, Second Space or App Lock may not work properly. POCO-devices when using third-party launchers, access to POCO Launcher.

Method 5: Manual editing of configuration files (for experienced)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, and allows you to permanently replace Google with Yandex at the system level, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Cross the path. /system/etc/ and find the generic.xm file or default_permissions.xml.
3. Open the file in the text editor and find lines from com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.
4. Replace them with: <permission name="android.permission.DEFAULT_SEARCH_PROVIDER" package="ru.yandex.searchplugin" />
5. Save the changes, set the rights 644 and restart the device.

After that, Yandex will become the default search at the system level, but be prepared for the fact that after the MIUI update, changes may reset.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before changes, back up through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

Problem Solving: What to do if Yandex is reset after the update?

Many users find that after updating MIUI or Google Play Services, the search settings are reset.

• 🔄 Turn off Google Auto Update: Go to Play Store → Settings → Auto-Update Applications. Choose Not to Auto-Update.
• 📵 Freeze Google Search: Use App Freezer (root required) or Shelter (to isolate apps).Add com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox to the list of frozen apps.

Use Tasker to automatically restore settings

1. Create a task that, after restarting the device, executes the command: am start -a android.settings.SEARCH_SETTINGS
2. Set up automatic selection of Yandex via AutoInput (Tasker plugin).

If you use Xiaomi.eu (unofficial firmware), the problem of resetting the search is solved easier: in the settings of this build there is a separate item for choosing the search engine by default.

adb shell dpm set-device-owner ru.yandex.admin/.AdminReceiver

(Pre-installation of Yandex.Device Administrator is required).-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Yandex on Xiaomi