Installing Yandex as a start page on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge many users face after buying a device. By default, Google or Xiaomi’s own search engine often sit on MIUI, but Russian users are more comfortable working with the familiar interface of Yandex. The problem is that the manufacturer does not always make this process intuitive: the configuration paths differ depending on the shell version (MIUI 12/13/14), the phone model (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T) and even the installed browser.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to make Yandex the homepage of Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing system restrictions, setting up through Mi Browser and third-party applications. We will focus on the nuances for new versions of MIUI 14, where the manufacturer has tightened security policies. If you previously tried to change the start page, but you failed, here you will find a solution.
Why is it so hard to change the start page on Xiaomi?
In recent versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12.5), Xiaomi has blocked direct access to changing the homepage in the standard Mi Browser browser.
- 📊 Increased traffic to Xiaomi search engine (by default search.xiaomi.com)
- 💰 Monetizations through advertising in the browser (built-in banners and pop-ups)
- 🔒 User experience control (limiting customization)
However, you can bypass these restrictions – this will require either the installation of a third-party browser (for example, Yandex.Browser or Chrome), or manual editing of configuration files (for advanced users).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European/International firmware) some methods may not work due to regional restrictions, in which case you will need to change the region to "Russia" in the phone settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region).
Method 1: Installation of Yandex via Mi Browser (official method)
This is the easiest way to do it, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, but it has a limitation: Yandex will only open when you launch a new tab, not as a full-fledged homepage.
Install the latest version of Mi Browser from Google Play|Open the browser and clear the cache (Settings) → Clear the data)|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (to load the Yandex page)-->
Instructions:
- Open the Mi Browser (Blue Globe icon with the white letter "Mi").
- Enter ya.ru in the address bar and wait for the page to load.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
- Go to the Home page section.
- Select the Current page option (the URL ya.ru should be displayed).
- Save the changes and restart the browser.
If you don't have Home Page in your settings, your version of MIUI is hiding it, so go to Method 2.
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If Yandex does not open after saving, try manually entering https://ya.ru in the Home Page field and click Apply.
Method 2: Using Yandex.Browser as the main
The most reliable method is to install Yandex.Browser and make it the default application, which will allow not only to open Yandex when you start the browser, but also to integrate the search into the system (for example, through a widget on the home screen).
Steps:
- Download Yandex.Browser from Google Play.
- Open the application and allow all permissions (notifications, file access).
- Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
- Select Yandex.Browser from the list.
- Return to the browser, open the menu (three lines) → Settings → Home page.
- Set the switch to the Yandex position.
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| 🔹 Full integration with Yandex services (mail, maps, disk) | 🔸 Takes up extra space in memory |
| 🔹 Synchronizing bookmarks and history between devices | 🔸 Can be in conflict with system updates MIUI |
| 🔹 Built-in ad blocker (Turbo-mode) | 🔸 Requires regular updates |
⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) F5, Redmi K60) post-refresh MIUI browser settings are reset by default. To avoid this, disable automatic updates of system applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Auto-update.
Method 3: Manual editing of a configuration file (for advanced ones)
If the first two methods didn't work, you can manually prescribe Yandex in system files, which requires root rights or use ADB (USB debugging), which is suitable for users who are ready for experimentation.
Instructions via ADB:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global captive_portal_server ya.ru
- Reset the device.
For users with root:
- Open Root Explorer or any file manager with root access.
- Cross the path. /data/data/com.android.browser/shared_prefs.
- Find the file. com.android.browser_preferences.xml.
- Edit the line <string name="homepage">https://ya.ru</string>.
- Save the changes and restart the browser.
What if after editing the file, the browser stopped working?
Method 4: Yandex widget on the main screen
If you do not need to open Yandex in your browser, you can add a search widget directly to the desktop. This will speed up access to search, but will not replace the home page in the browser.
How to add a widget:
- Keep your finger free on the main screen.
- Select the widgets in the menu that appears.
- Find Yandex (the icon with the letter "I") in the list.
- Drag the Yandex Search widget on the screen.
- Customize the size and appearance (options are available: search bar, icon, large weather widget).
The advantage of this method is that you can access search instantly without opening your browser, but you still need a separate application to navigate to sites.
Method 5: Reset browser settings to factory
Sometimes the previous browser settings conflict with the new ones, in which case a full reset of the Mi Browser to factory state will help, which will delete all bookmarks and history, but will return the ability to customize the home page.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Mi Browser on the list and tap it.
- Choose Warehouse.
- Click Clear Data and confirm the action.
- Restart the browser and reset the homepage (see Method 1).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12) the browser data reset also resets sync settings with Xiaomi account.Before the procedure, make sure you have a backup of the bookmarks (export them to Settings → Imports/Exports).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, you're going to have problems, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them.
- 🔄 Yandex opens, but then redirects to Xiaomi Search Reason: in the browser settings, the option Redirect to safe search is enabled. Disable it in the Mi Browser Settings → Confidentiality → Secure search.
- 🚫 No way to change the homepage Solution: Update MIUI Up to the latest version or install Yandex.Browser as the main one (see Method 2).
- 📱 After resetting the resets, the Guilt lies on the MiuiDaemon service, which resets the user settings. Disable it through ADB Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemon Careful: This may disrupt some system functions!
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If none of these methods worked, check to see if your phone has enterprise firmware installed (for example, for business users), which often blocks system settings from changing, check with the device administrator, or reflash the phone to a standard MIUI.