How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Mi 9: from MIUI 10 to MIUI 14

Introduction: Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, is still popular with users thanks to its powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, many people face the problem: the system stubbornly opens links in the standard Mi Browser browser, even if you installed Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser.

It’s about MIUI’s aggressive policies, which are actively promoting its own services. Unlike “pure” Android, where changing the default browser takes a couple of clicks, on Xiaomi, this process can be hidden behind several layers of settings — or even blocked in some versions of the firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your default browser to the Xiaomi Mi 9, from official methods to workarounds for stubborn versions of MIUI. We’ll also look at why some browsers (such as Samsung Internet) may not appear on the list of available ones, and what to do about it.

1. Official method: through Android settings

The logical way is to use the standard Android menu, but on MIUI, this method doesn't always work, especially if you have a firmware version older than MIUI 12.

1. Open the “Settings” (the gear icon on the home screen).
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, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not on the list, it does not support default link processing (or MIUI hides it) so move on to the next method.

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Before changing your browser by default, close all open tabs in your current browser. Sometimes MIUI will block the shift if the application is actively used.

2. Alternative method: through the settings of a particular browser

Some browsers (like Google Chrome or Brave) have a built-in link rights request feature, here’s how to use it:

• 📱 Open the browser you want to make the main one (e.g. Chrome).
• 🔍 Go to its settings (usually through three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🔗 Find the Default App or Open Supported Links section (in Chrome, this is Settings). → Default applications).
• 🔄 Click on “Make the browser default” or “Open supported links».

If the button is inactive or not, the browser has already requested this right and MIUI has blocked it, in which case resetting the application settings will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the browser you want (such as Firefox).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear data and Reset settings.
4. Open the browser again and try to make it the main one.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Close all background applications|Check the version. MIUI phone-setting|Make a backup copy of bookmarks-->

3. If the browser does not appear in the list: what to do?

A common problem on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is that the default browser is not in the default app list, and this can happen for several reasons:

• 🚫 The browser does not support link processing (for example, some Chromium forks).
• 🔒 MIUI Artificially restricts choice (especially in Chinese versions of firmware).
• 📦 The browser is installed incorrectly (for example, through the APK signatureless).

Decisions:

1. Reinstall the browser from an official source (Google Play or the developer’s website).
2. Check permissions: Go to your browser settings (Settings → Apps → [Your browser] → Permissions) and enable all available options, especially Open Links.
3. Use ADB (for advanced users): adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser This command will disable the standard browser and the system can automatically suggest an alternative.

4. Resetting application settings: a radical method

If none of these methods worked, you can try resetting all applications to factory ones, which will return the option to select a browser, but reset some personal settings (for example, permissions for other applications).

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action.
4. After rebooting, try reassigning the default browser.

Important: On some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese), resetting app settings can result in blocking Google services.

5.Back-ways: if browser change is blocked

On older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 10 or MIUI 11), the system can completely block the default browser change, with workarounds:

The most reliable way is to use Link Bubble (or its Open Link With counterpart), which allows you to manually select a browser for each link, bypassing system restrictions, install it from Google Play and configure it as the main link handler.

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On MIUI versions below 12.5, the default browser change is often blocked at the system level, in which case workarounds (such as Link Bubble) become the only solution.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to change the browser to Xiaomi Mi 9 users face typical problems.

• ❌ The button “Make the browser by default” is inactive Reason: the browser is already the main one, but MIUI Solution: Reset your browser settings (see section 2).
• ❌ After updating MIUI The reason for this is that the system update overwrote the user settings. Solution: repeat the browser assignment procedure.
• ❌ Links open in Mi Browser despite settings Reason: Some apps (like Facebook or Twitter) ignore system settings Solution: In these apps settings, disable the option to "Open links within the app».

⚠️ Note: If you are using Dual Apps (app cloning function) MIUI), If you change your browser by default, you might not be able to do that for cloned versions.

7. Browser comparison for Xiaomi Mi 9: which one to choose?

Not all browsers work equally well on the Xiaomi Mi 9. Here is a comparison table of popular options:

For most Xiaomi Mi 9 users, Google Chrome is the best choice – it works consistently on all versions of MIUI and supports synchronization with other devices. If privacy is more important than speed, look for Firefox with the security settings enabled.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions