How to change the default browser to Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones often come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which automatically becomes the default application for opening web links. However, many users prefer alternative solutions — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Yandex Browser — because of the faster speed, synchronization with other devices or lack of advertising. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the default browser on Xiaomi devices, including hidden settings and solutions for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14).

It's important to understand that the process can vary depending on the phone model and the firmware version. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the path to settings will be slightly different than on the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 12.5. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most of the modern devices of the brand. If you encounter a problem when the system does not allow you to change the default browser or resets after a reboot, there are solutions in the article for these cases.

Why not just change your default browser to Xiaomi?

Unlike pure Android, where changing apps by default takes a couple of clicks, MIUI often limits this functionality.

• 🔹 Pre-installed system applications. Mi Browser is integrated into firmware and has privileges that third-party browsers do not have. The system can automatically reset settings if it detects an "unauthorized" change.
• 🔹 Xiaomi's policy is that the manufacturer is interested in using its own services, so it artificially complicates the transition to alternatives.
• 🔹 Limitations MIUI. In some versions of the shell (for example, MIUI 12 for the Chinese region) the option of changing the browser by default is not at all in the interface.

And then you can reset your firmware when you update, and this is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI, which is that it checks the integrity of the configurations and returns factory values to key applications, and to avoid that, you have to use additional methods, which we'll talk about later.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European/Global) browser change process is easier than Chinese firmware (MIUI If your smartphone is purchased in China, you may need to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13/14. Suitable for Redmi Note 11/12, Poco F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13 and other modern smartphones of the brand.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list of available applications, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not on the list, make sure it is installed and opened at least once. Some applications (such as Yandex Browser) require additional permission to process links - this can be given at the first start.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Open it at least once.

Check for MIUI updates in Settings → About the phone

Close all background apps before changing settings-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 9 and older) the default paragraph of the Application may not be available. In this case, use Method 2 or Method 3.

Method 2: Change your browser through specific application settings

If the standard method didn't work, try setting the default browser directly to its settings, which is suitable for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and other popular browsers.

1. Open an alternative browser (such as Chrome).
2. Slip three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Default Settings section (in some browsers it may be called the Default Apps or Open Supported Links).
4. Click Open Supported Links and select Open in this app.
5. Go back to the main browser settings and find the option Reset default settings (if any). Click on it and confirm the action.

After that, the system will prompt you to select the default browser the next time you open a web link. If this does not happen, restart the device - sometimes changes are applied only after the reboot.

Mi Browser (pre-installed)

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Yandex Browser

Other-->

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If previous methods have not worked, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to change system settings to bypass the limitations of MIUI. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

Warning: misuse of ADB may cause system failures. Follow the instructions carefully and do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose.

1. Download and install Platform Tools (including ADB) on your computer.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, follow the command to change the browser (replace com.android.chrome with your browser package):

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome

For Firefox, use the package org.mozilla.firefox, for Yandex Browser - com.yandex.browser. After completing the command, restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (especially in Chinese), the set-home-activity command may not work due to blocking system changes, in which case only custom firmware installation or the use of Method 4 will help.

Method 4: Bypassing restrictions with the Default Settings app

Google Play has third-party utilities that allow you to bypass MIUI restrictions and force you to change your default browser, one of the most reliable is the Default App Manager (WindySoft developer), which does not require root rights and works on most Xiaomi devices.

Instructions for use:

1. Download and install Default App Manager from Google Play.
2. Open the app and provide all the permissions you request (including access to settings).
3. In the main menu, select the Browser.
4. In the list of available applications, tap the desired browser and confirm the choice.
5. Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the application can request additional permission via ADB (a command notification will appear). Copy it, connect the phone to the PC, and execute via the command line, as described in Method 3.

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If you reset after using Default App Manager, try turning off battery optimization for that application. → Annexes → Application management → Default App Manager → Battery and select No Limitations.

Solving problems: the browser resets after updating or restarting

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi is resetting your browser by default after updating your firmware or rebooting your device, which is due to the MiuiOptimization service, which “restores” your system settings. To avoid this, follow these steps:

• 🔧 Turn off optimization. MIUI (demand ADB):

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

• 🔄 Freeze your system browser using App Freezer (requires root or ADB).
• 🔒 Set a password on settings to prevent accidental changes:

Go to Settings → System and Device → Additional → Protection of settings and activate the option.

If the problem persists, try using Method 3 (ADB) after each firmware update. Unfortunately, on some devices (e.g. Redmi 10A with MIUI 12.5), this restriction cannot be circumvented without obtaining root rights.

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On devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can completely remove the Mi Browser via ADB with the adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser command. However, this can lead to system errors if other applications depend on it.

Xiaomi browser comparison: which one to choose instead of Mi Browser?

If you’ve decided to abandon the standard browser, it’s important to choose a decent alternative, and we tested popular solutions on Xiaomi devices and compiled a comparative table on the key parameters:

For most users, Google Chrome remains the best choice due to its stability and integration with Google services. If your priority is saving traffic and blocking ads, look at Yandex Browser with Turbo mode. For privacy enthusiasts, Firefox with the uBlock Origin extension is suitable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi