How to make Yandex the start page on the phone Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the device to suit their habits, replacing standard Google services with more familiar domestic counterparts. One of the most popular requests is to install Yandex as the start page when you launch a browser, which allows you to instantly access news, mail and weather widgets immediately after opening the program, bypassing unnecessary transitions.

The setup process may vary depending on which browser you are using by default – built-in MIUI Browser, Google Chrome or third-party Yandex.Browser. In the Android operating system, on the basis of which the shell runs MIUI, The concept of "start page" is implemented in different ways: somewhere it is a specific URL-The address, and somewhere, the set of widgets on the home screen, and it's critical to understand that you can't just prescribe Chrome on mobile. URL Start page, like on PC, there is a mechanism "New tab".

This article will help you understand the details of the configuration of each popular browser on your Redmi.We will look at not only standard methods, but also nuances that are often overlooked, which will allow you to achieve the perfect result.

Using Yandex.Browser as the main solution

The easiest and most reliable way to make Yandex a start page is to install the browser of the same name and assign it to the default application. Unlike other solutions, here the start page with Zen widgets, weather and traffic jams opens automatically every time you launch the application, this is the native habitat for the company's services, so the integration works as much as possible.

To start, you need to download the APK installation file or download the application through the GetApps store or Google Play. Once installed, the MIUI system can suggest choosing the default browser. If this does not happen, you need to manually prioritize the system settings, which ensures that all links from messengers and other applications will open in the Yandex environment.

To consolidate the result, perform the following actions:

• 🔍 Open the smartphone settings and find the "Applications" section".
• ⚙️ Go to All Apps and select “Default Browser".
• 🌐 In the list that appears, select "Yandex".
• 🏠 Open the app and make sure that the widget board is displayed when you start up.

An important advantage of this method is synchronization of passwords and history if you use a Yandex ID account. However, it is worth considering that the browser consumes a certain amount of RAM, which can be noticeable on budget models of Redmi.

Setting up the start page in Google Chrome on Xiaomi

Many Xiaomi users prefer not to remove the standard Google Chrome, as it is deeply integrated into the Android ecosystem. Unfortunately, the mobile version of this browser does not have a direct “Run this page” setting like the desktop version. Instead, it offers a “New tab” feature that can be adapted to your needs, although a full replacement of the starting URL will not happen.

However, you can adjust the search and behavior of the new tab. Go to the browser settings through the three-dot menu and select the "Search engine" section. Here you need to select Yandex from the list of available options. Now, when you enter a request in the address bar, the results will be conducted through this search engine.

To get as close to the desired result as possible, use the Home Page feature in the Chrome settings:

• 🏠 Enable the Home Page Tumbler in Chrome Settings.
• 🔗 Select the "Input" option URL-address and https://ya.ru or https://yandex.ru.
• 🖱️ Now, when you press the Home button in the browser interface, Yandex will open.

It's worth noting that when you start cold, you can still see Google's feed, which is a policy restriction that's hard to get around without root rights, but installing a search widget on your phone's desktop partially compensates for this disadvantage, allowing you to quickly transition to the service you want.

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For the Home button to appear in the Chrome interface, it must be enabled in the settings, not just the URL. Without the switch, the button will not appear.

Working with the built-in MIUI browser

Redmi and Poco smartphones come with a pre-installed browser from the developers of the MIUI shell. It has a lightweight interface and good optimization, but often causes questions from users due to the abundance of advertising in the news feed. You can make a start page in it any site, but the procedure is hidden in the deep settings menu.

To change the settings, open your browser and click on the profile icon or three menu bars. Go to Settings, then look for General or Page Settings. This may be the Start Page option. If it is active, select Other and enter ya.ru. However, newer versions of MIUI often block this feature or replace it with a fixed news feed.

If standard methods to change the start page fails, you can try to reset the browser settings to factory:

1. Go to the settings of the phone Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the "Browser" (compass icon) in the list.
3. Select “Clear” → “All data” and confirm the action.
4. When you first start, carefully follow the suggestions to choose a search engine.

⚠️ Warning: Completely clearing your browser data will delete saved passwords, browsing history and cache. Make sure important information is synced to your account or stored elsewhere in advance.

An alternative is to install the extension or use the "No Limits" mode in the battery settings for third-party browsers so that the system does not close their background processes, keeping the tab with Yandex active.

Comparison of browser capabilities on Android

Choosing a surfing tool directly affects the usability of the start page. Different browsers interpret the concept of “home page” differently and offer different mechanisms for quick access. For Xiaomi owners, it is important to consider not only the functionality, but also the impact of the browser on the autonomy of the device.

Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of popular browsers in the context of setting up the homepage:

As you can see from the table, Yandex.Browser provides the most complete experience for those who want to see the company’s services immediately after launch. Google Chrome requires additional manipulation, and MIUI Browser can be too intrusive with its own news feed.

Adding Yandex widget to the main screen

Users often confuse the browser’s start page with a desktop widget. The widget is a more efficient way to quickly access, since it does not even require a browser to start. Xiaomi Redmi with a MIUI shell has a convenient widget system that allows you to place a search bar or scoreboard directly on the lock screen or desktop.

To install the widget, press the empty space on your desktop with your finger or pinch it with two fingers to go into editing mode. In the bottom menu, select "Widgets." In the list that opens, find the Yandex or Yandex.Browser application. Here you will see several design options: a search bar, a square scoreboard or a large information block.

Drag the selected widget to the free screen space.

• 📱 Place the widget at the top of the screen for quick thumb access.
• 🎨 Some widgets allow you to change the color of the icons through prolonged pressing.
• 🔍 Clicking on the search bar immediately opens the application with a ready-made input field.

⚠️ Note: If the widget doesn't display current weather or news, check the permissions for the app. go to Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Application rights and make sure geolocation access and background work is allowed.

The use of the widget is especially important for owners of devices with AMOLED-screens where a static interface element can be optimized by the system, and this avoids unnecessary traffic to load the heavy browser start page every time you unlock your phone.

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The desktop widget provides instant search access without having to open the browser, saving time and battery.

Solving common problems and resetting settings

During the setup process, Redmi users may encounter a situation where the system forcibly returns old settings or opens links in an unnecessary browser, often due to a conflict of application priorities or the aggressive operation of the MIUI energy saving system, which kills background processes.

If Yandex stopped opening as a start page, try resetting the file association settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the browser that is currently opening instead of the desired one (for example, the one that intercepts links), and click “Clear Default Settings.” After that, the next time you click on the link, the system will ask you what to open the address.

It is also worth checking the auto-start settings:

1. Open the Safety app (green lightning icon).
2. Go to the "Permissions" section" → "Auto-start".
3. Find your browser and activate the switch.
4. This will allow the browser to load faster and save the session.

In rare cases, the problem may lie in the DNS cache or errors of the system itself. Rebooting the device in safe mode will help to eliminate the influence of third-party viruses or advertising modules that could infiltrate the system and change the behavior of the browser.

To sum up, setting up Yandex as the launch page on Xiaomi Redmi is a solvable task, but one that requires understanding the differences between browsers. The most stable result is using the native browser of the search engine, while setting up Chrome requires compromises. Proper use of widgets and the right permissions will allow you to create a convenient work environment on your smartphone.