Setting up the browser start page on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone is a task that many users face after buying a device. By default, the manufacturer installs its own MIUI services or affiliate pages, but not everyone is comfortable using them daily. Yandex as an alternative offers the usual interface, quick access to mail, weather and other ecosystem services - especially relevant for Russian users.
In this article, we will discuss three working methods to make Yandex the starting page on Redmi 9: through the settings of the Google Chrome browser, the standard MIUI Browser, and the universal method through system parameters. Each option is illustrated with screenshots and accompanied by explanations - even if you are new to setting up smartphones, following the instructions will take no more than 5 minutes.
It’s important to note that on Xiaomi with MIUI firmware, some system restrictions can block default changes. We’ll explain how to get around them without risking the device’s warranty or stability. And at the end of the article, you’ll find answers to common questions: why settings don’t save, how to return a standard page, and what to do if Yandex opens incorrectly.
Why is Yandex more convenient than the standard MIUI page?
Before we move on to the settings, let’s understand how the Yandex start page compares favorably with Xiaomi’s default solutions:
- 🔍 Search results are adapted for Russian-speaking users – takes into account regional features, better understands the requests for Cyrillic.
- 📧 Quick access to mail, maps, translator and other Yandex services without additional clicks.
- 🌐 Personalization: You can customize the weather widget, news feed and even background image.
- ⚡ Download speed is higher thanks to optimized servers in Russia.
By comparison, the standard MIUI Browser page often redirects to Chinese services (e.g. Baidu), while Google Discover in Chrome shows latency news that is not always relevant to the Russian user. On Redmi 9 with MIUI 12 firmware and later, Yandex integrates without conflicts with the system, if we follow our guide.
However, there is a caveat: if you use a lightweight version of Chrome (such as Chrome Lite), some settings may not be available, in which case we recommend installing the full version of the browser from Google Play.
Method 1: Configure with Google Chrome
The most reliable method is to configure the start page directly in Google Chrome, which works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T) regardless of the MIUI version.
Instructions:
- Open Google Chrome (if you don’t have a browser, install it from Google Play).
- In the upper right corner, tap three points (⋮) → Select Settings.
- Go to the Start page (in some versions, the path may look like Settings → Home page).
- Activate the switch Enable the home page.
- In the Site Address field, enter https://ya.ru or https://yandex.ru.
- Save the changes and restart the browser.
After that, when you open a new tab or start Chrome, Yandex will automatically load. If the page is not updated, clear the browser cache (Settings → Privacy → Clear data).
The latest version of Chrome is installed|The "Home Page" option is enabled"|Yandex Address entered without errors|Browser cache cleared after changes-->
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi 9, you can use default protection to protect against changes. If Chrome opens the standard page again after saving the settings, try method 2 or 3.
Method 2: Change the Start Page in MIUI Browser
The standard MIUI Browser browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9 also allows you to set up the start page, but the algorithm is different from Chrome.
- 📱 Nana MIUI 12/13 path: MIUI Browser → Settings (⚙) → Homepage.
- 🔄 Nana MIUI Section 14 may be called the Start Page and may be located in the General Submenu.
Step-by-step:
- Open MIUI Browser (Blue Globe icon)
- Slip on three dots at the bottom of the screen → Settings.
- Select the Home Page (or Start Page).
- In the field URL enter https://yandex.ru.
- Click Save and restart the browser.
If you don't have a Home page, your version of MIUI Browser doesn't support it.
- 🔧 Install Yandex.Browser from Google Play – it will automatically make Yandex the start page.
- 🔄 Or use method 3 (system settings).
What to do if MIUI Browser resets settings?
Method 3: Universal method through system settings
If the previous methods did not work, you can resort to system settings, this method is suitable for all browsers, but requires care:
- Open the phone settings (cog icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Apps → Application management.
- Find Chrome or MIUI Browser in the list and tap on it.
- Select Default → Clear the default settings.
- Return to the browser and reset the start page (see method 1 or 2).
This method resets all “fixed” actions for the browser, which sometimes helps to bypass the limitations of MIUI. However, be careful: cleaning the default settings can affect the opening of links from other applications (for example, from Telegram or VK).
Google Chrome|MIUI Browser|Yandex.Browser|Other-->
| browser | Support for Yandex as a Starting | Whether cache cleaning is required | It's working on MIUI 14. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Yes. | Sometimes. | Yes. |
| MIUI Browser | Depends on the version. | Often | Partially. |
| Yandex.Browser | Yes (default) | No. | Yes. |
| Firefox | Yes. | Sharply. | Yes. |
⚠️ Note: On some Redmi 9 firmware (especially Chinese versions), system settings can block changes to the start page due to Xiaomi policy.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi Redmi 9 users may face difficulties.
1.Yandex is not saved as a start page
Reason: conflict with MIUI updates or browser cache.
Decision:
- 🧹 Clear the browser cache (Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
- 🔄 Reinstall your browser (such as Chrome).
- 📵 Disable battery optimization for the browser (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select your browser → No restrictions).
2.Yandex page is opened incorrectly
If you see a blank page or error instead of a search bar, check:
- 🌐 Internet connection (Yandex may be blocked by some) VPN).
- 🔒 Date and time settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Date and time → Autodetermination).
- 🛠️ Disable adblockers (such as AdGuard) that can filter Yandex content.
3. After the smartphone is restarted, the settings are reset
This is typical of MIUI Browser on MIUI firmware 12.5 and below.
- 🔧 Install Yandex.Browser and make it the default browser.
- 📲 Use Google Chrome with Disabled Updates via Play Market.
💡
If you use Yandex.Mail or Maps frequently, add their widgets to the home screen. To do this, click and hold the blank space on the screen → Widgets → Find Yandex widgets.
Additional Optimization Tips
To work with Yandex on Redmi 9 was as convenient as possible, use these recommendations:
- 🔐 Synchronization: Sign in to Yandex account in your browser to save bookmarks, history and settings on all devices.
- 🌙 Dark theme: Enable it in the settings of Yandex (Settings) → Appearance → Dark theme for comfortable use at night.
- 📲 Quick access: Add Yandex shortcut to the home screen: open the site in the browser → ⋮ → Add to the main screen.
- 🚀 Turbo mode: In Yandex.Browser activate Settings → Turbo mode to speed up loading on slow Internet.
For users who often search for information on the go, it is helpful to set up voice search:
- Open yandex.ru in your browser.
- Put it on the microphone in the search box.
- Allow access to the microphone when a request appears.
On Redmi 9 with MIUI 13/14, Yandex voice search is more stable than the built-in Xiao AI assistant, especially for Russian.
💡
If you use Yandex.Browser, all settings (including the start page) are synchronized automatically when you log in to your account, eliminating the need to reconfigure after you reset your phone.