Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a popular smartphone with a shell MIUI, which defaults on the branded browser Mi Browser. However, many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave for their speed, synchronization with other devices or advanced privacy features. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly change the default browser to Poco X3 Pro, avoiding typical errors.
It's important to understand that this process is different from the default application change on pure Android. The MIUI shell has its nuances, especially in MIUI 12/13/14. We'll look at current ways for all firmware versions, including bypassing possible system limitations. If you're faced with a situation where, after installing a new browser, links still open in Mi Browser - this guide will help solve the problem.
Why you should change the default browser to Poco X3 Pro
The branded Mi Browser is integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem and has a number of features that not all users like:
- 🔍 Data collection: Browser sends analytics to Xiaomi, raising privacy questions.
- ⚡ Performance: Compared to Chrome or Firefox, it can run slower on complex sites.
- 🌍 Limited sync: no way to sync bookmarks with other devices (except Xiaomi).
- 🛠️ No extensions: unlike desktop versions of Chrome or Firefox.
Alternative browsers offer:
- 🔒 Better data protection (e.g. Brave blocks trackers by default).
- ☁️ Cross-platform synchronization (bookmarks, history, passwords).
- 🚀 Higher page load speeds thanks to optimized engines (Chromium, Gecko).
According to StatCounter, more than 60 percent of Android users prefer Google Chrome as their primary browser, but on Xiaomi devices, this figure is lower due to the pre-installing of the Mi Browser.
Preparation: What to do before changing your browser
Before you change your browser by default, follow a few important steps:
- Install an alternative browser from Google Play. Popular options: 🌐 Google Chrome – to sync with your Google account. 🦊 Mozilla Firefox for open source lovers. 🛡️ Brave – with built-in ad blocking. 🔍 DuckDuckGo – for maximum privacy.
Update MIUI
MIUI 12.5
Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI
Clear the cache.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache
Poco X3 Pro with firmware below MIUI 12.0 may not have the option to change the default browser through standard settings, in which case you will need to use workarounds (described in the section "Alternative methods").
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
Step-by-step: how to change the browser by default
Follow this algorithm to change your browser to Poco X3 Pro:
- Open the "Settings" and go to the Application section.
- Select the default App (in some versions of MIUI, it may be called Silence or Application Settings).
- Find the browser string and tap it. The system will show you a list of installed browsers.
- Select the browser you want (such as Chrome) and confirm the choice.
If the browser item is not in the default application list:
- Open any browser installed (such as Chrome).
- Go to any web page and click on the three dots (menu) → Settings → Make the default browser.
- The system will redirect you to the MIUI settings, where you can confirm the selection.
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If you change your browser, you still open links in Mi Browser, reboot your device, and 90 percent of the time, that solves the problem.
Alternative methods for older versions of MIUI
On the Poco X3 Pro with firmware below MIUI 12.0, the standard method may not work, in which case use one of the alternative methods:
Method 1: Use of ADB (for power users)
If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), follow the following commands:
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser
adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.MainReplace com.android.chrome with your browser’s batch ID (e.g. org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).
Method 2: Remove Mi Browser through debugging
This method requires root rights or the use of the ADB AppControl tool:
- Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on the build number, then return to Additional → For Developers).
- Download ADB AppControl and disable (or remove) Mi Browser through the program interface.
⚠️ Note: Removing system applications may cause the phone to malfunction.Before doing so, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
What happens if you remove the Mi Browser?
Table: comparison of popular browsers for Poco X3 Pro
| browser | Speed. | Confidentiality | Synchronization | Support for extensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ (collection) | ✅ (Google account) | ❌ (PC-only) |
| Mozilla Firefox | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (minimum) | ✅ (Firefox account) | ✅ (narrowly) |
| Brave | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (tracker lock-up) | ✅ (Brave Sync) | ❌ |
| DuckDuckGo | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (no data collection) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Mi Browser | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ (maximum) | ✅ (Xiaomi account) | ❌ |
For most Poco X3 Pro users, Google Chrome is the best choice because of the balance of speed and functionality. If privacy is the priority, look for Brave or Firefox.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the default browser to Poco X3 Pro, the following errors may occur:
- 🔄 Links open in old browser: Solution: clear the default application settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Reset application settings.
- ❌ No "Browser" in the settings: Solution: Update MIUI or use ADB (described above).
- 🔒 System does not allow you to select another browser: Solution: disable Mi Browser via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Shut down.
⚠️ Note: some Xiaomi firmware may stop working after disabling Mi Browser system notifications with web links (for example, from Mi Cloud).In this case, return the default settings or use Chrome as the main browser, but do not disable Mi Browser completely.
How to return Mi Browser to default
If you want to go back to the standard browser:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications.
- Select the browser and select Mi Browser.
- If there is no item, open Mi Browser, go to the menu (three dots) → Settings → Make the default browser.
If the Mi Browser was disabled:
- Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Mi Browser in the list and click Enable.
- Launch your browser and follow the on-screen instructions to restore default settings.
After returning to Mi Browser, it is recommended to clear its cache and data (Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear Data) to avoid conflicts with previous settings.
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If you have trouble opening links from some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) after changing your browser, check the settings of these apps – they may have their own options for handling web links.