How to change the default browser on Xiaomi smartphones: full instructions

Are you tired of having all the links on your Xiaomi automatically open in the standard Mi Browser? or want to use Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser for greater speed, privacy or sync with other devices? In this article, we will detail how to change the default browser on Xiaomi phones with a MIUI 14/15 shell, including nuances for different versions of Android and smartphone models.

The process of changing the default browser on Xiaomi may seem simple, but many users have difficulties due to the features of the MIUI firmware. For example, after updating the system, settings can be reset, and some browsers (especially the Chinese versions) do not allow you to change the default settings. We will consider all possible scenarios, from a standard change through settings to manually assigning the browser for specific types of links.

It's important to understand that the algorithm of actions can vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI and the model of the phone. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the path to settings will be one, and on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 15, a little different. But don't worry: we covered all the current options and provided universal solutions.

Why you should change the default browser to Xiaomi

The standard Mi Browser browser, preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones, has a number of features that not all users like:

• 🔍 Data collection: the browser is integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem and can transmit data about your activity (even if you have turned off advertising personalization).
• ⚡ Performance: in terms of page loading speed and optimization Mi Browser is often inferior to Chrome or Firefox.
• 🔄 Lack of sync: If you use other devices (like a laptop or tablet), bookmark and story sync in Mi Browser works worse than cross-platform browsers.
• 🛠️ Limited Extensions: Unlike Chrome or Firefox, there is no support for most useful plugins (like ad blockers).

In addition, many users note that Mi Browser often opens links in its own “light mode”, which distorts the layout of sites and interferes with the work with web applications. Alternative browsers such as Brave or Edge offer more options for customization and better compatibility with modern web standards.

If you’re a Google user (like Gmail, Drive, or YouTube), Chrome is a logical choice because of its deep integration, and privacy enthusiasts like Firefox Focus or DuckDuckGo Browser, which block trackers by default, will do.

Preparation: which browser to choose instead of Mi Browser

Before you change the default browser, you need to decide on an alternative. Here is a brief overview of popular options with their pros and cons for Xiaomi:

If you haven’t installed an alternative browser, do so in advance, and you can download them from Google Play or (for some Xiaomi models without Google services) from official websites:

• 🌐 Google Chrome
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox
• 🔵 Microsoft Edge
• 🦁 Brave Browser

Important: on some Xiaomi models (for example, for the Chinese market), Google Play may be blocked, in which case the browsers will have to be installed through the Internet. APK-files from official websites or third-party stores (for example, APKMirror).

Method 1: Standard browser change by default in MIUI

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15.The instruction is suitable for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models based on Android 11-14.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Close all open applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (recommended)

Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.-->

Steps to change the default browser:

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Scroll down and select the App section.
3. Tap the default App item (or App Management → Default on some versions).
4. Find the Browser string and click on it.
5. In the list that opens, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome or Firefox).
6. Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or OK.

If your browser is not listed, make sure that:

• 📱 The application is installed and opened at least once.
• 🔄 You have updated your browser to the latest version.
• 🔧 There are no restrictions on the device MIUI (For example, in Chinese firmware, some settings are blocked).

After changing your browser, check it: open any link (such as from Telegram or WhatsApp). If it still opens in Mi Browser, go to the next method.

💡

If, after changing your browser, links still open in Mi Browser, try clearing the Settings app cache in the Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Manually assigning a browser to specific links

Sometimes MIUI ignores the global default settings for individual link types (such as those from Instagram or Facebook), in which case you can manually specify the browser for each application.

How to do this:

1. Open an application that opens links in the wrong browser (such as Twitter).
2. Find any link and click on it. When the browser selection window appears, tick Always (or Use by default) and select the browser you want.
3. If the window doesn't appear, go to Settings → Apps → Application Management, find the app you want (like Instagram) and tap Open by default. Here you can reset your settings and re-select your browser.

For some system applications (such as Messages or Weather), this method may not work, in which case only a complete reset of the default browser settings will help (see Method 4).

Also note that some applications (such as TikTok or WeChat) have built-in browsers and ignore system settings, which will only help to disable the built-in browser in the settings of the application itself (if such an option is available).

Method 3: Using "Open with Help" for a temporary shift

If you need to open a link once in another browser without changing your default settings, use the Open function using:

1. Click and hold the link in any app (e.g. Telegram or Gmail).
2. In the menu that appears, select Open with (or Share → Open in the browser).
3. Choose the browser you want from the list. If you don't have one, click Also and search in the full list of apps.

This method is useful if you want to test another browser before making it your primary browser, and it is also useful when MIUI blocks the default browser change (e.g., on Chinese firmware devices).

Note that in some applications (such as Facebook), Open with Use may be hidden, in which case, try copying the link and pasting it manually into the address bar of the desired browser.

Method 4: Reset browser settings by default

If the links still open in Mi Browser after the browser change, the settings may have been saved incorrectly, in which case a full reset will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Preferences).
3. Confirm action. This will reset all default settings, including browser, calling apps and SMS.
4. After reset, re-select the default browser (see Method 1).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your app settings will also remove all permissions, autocomplete data, and other customizations, and after the procedure, you will have to reconfigure access to contacts, storage, and other functions for all applications.

If the reset didn’t work, the problem could be the firmware itself. For example, on some Chinese versions of MIUI, the default browser settings are locked at the system level, in which case only installing global firmware or using ADB will help (see next method).

Method 5: Change the default browser via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on Chinese versions of Xiaomi or custom firmware), you can force a browser change via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Install. ADB-computer-driver.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
5. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear-default-browser


adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

Replace com.android.chrome with the browser package you want:

• Chrome: com.android.chrome
• Firefox: org.mozilla.firefox
• Edge: com.microsoft.emmx
• Brave: com.brave.browser

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB Do not change your settings unless you are sure of your actions.

After you have completed the commands, restart your phone and check if your browser has changed its default. If not, try repeating the procedure or using an alternative command:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS_SETTINGS

This will open the default application settings menu where you can manually select a browser.

💡

Using ADB is the most reliable way to change browsers on Chinese versions of Xiaomi, where standard settings are blocked, but it requires technical skills and can cause malfunctions if used incorrectly.

Problem Solving: What to do if the browser does not change

If none of these methods worked, here are the possible causes and solutions:

If the problem persists, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI and Android in Settings → On the phone, on very old versions (below). MIUI 12) there may be no option to change the browser.
• 🔒 Administrator rights for antiviruses or optimizers (e.g., Security or Clean Master) can block changes.
• 🔄 System updates. Sometimes bugs get fixed in newer versions. MIUI.

In extreme cases, workarounds can be used:

• Install a launcher (like Nova Launcher) that allows you to assign your default apps flexibly.
• Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically redirect links to the desired browser.
• Disable Mi Browser via Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Disable (but this may disrupt some system functions).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi