How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi 5

Owners of budget smartphones often face the need to fine-tune the operating system to improve comfort of use. Xiaomi Redmi 5, despite its age, remains popular due to the balance between cost and performance, however, the MIUI shell can impose standard applications that are not always convenient. Changing the browser by default is the first step to personalization, allowing you to run all web links from messengers and social networks in the exact application you choose.

The procedure for replacing a standard browser with an Android browser with a MIUI shell has its own features that differ from the stock version of the system. The user needs not only to install new software, but also to adjust the system permissions correctly to avoid constant notifications about the choice of an application. In this article, we will discuss in detail each stage of configuration, possible errors and how to fix them.

Before you make any changes, make sure that the app you choose is fully compatible with the Android version you have installed on your device. Redmi 5 is still running versions of the operating system from 7.0 to 9.0, and most modern browsers still support these platforms.

Choosing the Best Browser for Redmi 5

The mobile browser market is oversupplied, but for hardware-constrained devices like Redmi 5, the balance between functionality and memory consumption is important. The standard MIUI Browser browser is often overloaded with news feeds and ads, which slows down the smartphone. Alternative solutions eliminate unnecessary visual noise and speed up page loading.

When choosing a new application, you should pay attention to the presence of a traffic saving mode and built-in ad blocker. These features are critical for the Snapdragon 425 series processors installed in this model, as they reduce the load on the CPU when rendering heavy web pages. It is also important to consider support for extensions if you plan to use specific scripts or plugins.

• 🚀 Google Chrome is the benchmark for compatibility, but it can be a bit heavy for older devices when opening multiple tabs.
• 🛡️ Mozilla Firefox – excellent extension support and high level of user data privacy.
• ⚡ Opera Mini is ideal for slow internet, as it compresses traffic on the company’s servers before downloading.
• 🧹 Via Browser is an ultra-lightweight variant that takes up less than 1MB of memory, which is ideal for the Redmi 5.

Don’t ignore the special lightweight versions of popular browsers, such as Chrome Lite or Facebook Lite with built-in viewer, which are designed specifically for emerging markets and devices with little RAM, and can significantly extend the battery life of your gadget.

Preparation of the system for the installation of new software

Before installing a third-party application, you need to make sure that the system allows installation from unknown sources. In modern versions of MIUI, this setting is controlled quite strictly for security reasons. If you download the APK installation file from a non-Google Play store, the system will need your confirmation.

It is also recommended to clear the default cache of the current browser to avoid conflicts when switching. Accumulated temporary files may contain erroneous associations of file types that will interfere with the correct operation of the new application, this is especially true if you have used a standard browser for a long time.

It is important to check for updates for the MIUI operating system itself. Sometimes problems with the default application assignment are due to software errors that have been patched in more recent security patches. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update for verification.

⚠️ Note: When installing browsers from third-party sources (not Google Play) MIUI If you downloaded a file from the official developer's website, these warnings can be ignored, but be careful with unknown sites.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the browser

The process of assigning a new application to the main tool for getting online in the MIUI shell is slightly different from pure Android. Here the settings are scattered across different menus, and finding the right item can take time. Follow the algorithm of actions to ensure that you achieve results.

First, you need to open the smartphone settings menu, and then you need to find the app section, which, depending on the firmware version, might be called Apps or Apps and Notifications, and that's where the key software management options are hidden.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. In the settings menu, select the Appendix item.
2. Find and click on the All Apps button or go to App Management.
3. At the top of the screen, look for a three-dot menu or the “Other Settings” button.
4. Select the Application by default.
5. Click on the Browser bar and select from the list the previously installed application.

After selecting a new application, the system can think for a few seconds, applying changes, at which point it is not recommended to close the settings menu. Once you return to the previous menu, the change will take effect, and all links will begin to open in the browser of your choice.

Setup of permissions and resolve conflicts

Sometimes, simply changing priority is not enough, because the old application can hold back certain types of links. MIUI has a mechanism to force resets for a particular application. This is useful if the old browser continues to open by default after the change.

To do this, you need to find the previous browser (for example, the standard MIUI Browser) in the application list. Once you enter its properties, find the default button or the default launch button. When you click on it, you will see the Clear default settings button, which will break the link between the application and the processing of web links.

Also worth paying attention to battery settings. MIUI is known for its aggressive power saving, which can kill the background processes of a new browser, which may not open links instantly. Go to Settings → Battery and performance, find a new browser and set the “No Limits” mode.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the application data (clean button in the app properties) if you want to save your bookmarks and passwords. Use only the default reset feature.

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For maximum speed on Redmi 5, turn off page preloads and news feeds in the new browser settings if you don't need them.

Features of the work of links in MIUI

MIUI has its own Deep Links system, which are used in applications to navigate to specific content, and sometimes a YouTube or Instagram link is opened in a browser, even if the application is installed, which requires additional customization.

To correct link behavior, you need to go to the settings of each particular application (for example, YouTube). In the “Open by default” section, you need to select the option “Open supported links”, which will return the native behavior of the system when content is opened in the corresponding application, rather than in the web window.

In addition, Redmi 5 may have Google’s Safe Browsing feature or Mi Protect built-in protection, which can block clicking on certain links as suspicious, and if you are confident in the security of the resource, you need to add an exception or temporarily disable the check in the security settings.

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Correct work of links depends not only on the choice of the browser, but also on the settings of opening links in each individual source application (messengers, social networks).

Frequent problems and their solution

Xiaomi users often face a situation where after a smartphone reboot, the settings are reset, and the system again suggests choosing a browser. This can be caused by the work of the memory optimizer, which forcibly closes the background processes, considering them unnecessary.

To solve this problem, you need to fix an important application in memory: open the menu of running applications (square or swipe up), find your browser window and pull it down (or press the lock, depending on the version of MIUI), a lock icon will appear that will prevent the system from closing this process.

Another common problem is the “sticking” of the choice. Even after changing the settings, the system can constantly ask, “Open with help?” This is treated by completely removing the previous browser, if it is not a system browser. If it cannot be removed, only resetting the application settings through Settings → Applications → Resetting the application settings.

To sum up, replacing your browser with Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a simple but effective procedure, which not only changes the look, but also brings new life to your device by making your Internet experience faster and safer.