Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often face intrusive behavior of the MIUI operating system, which forcibly installs its own Mi Browser browser as the main tool for browsing the web. This happens even if the user prefers more functional or familiar analogues, such as Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Mozilla Firefox. The system automatically redirects all links from messengers and applications to the built-in solution, which can annoy experienced users who value control over their device.
Fortunately, the Android architecture on which Xiaomi’s shell is based allows you to change this parameter in a few clicks, regaining full control of the digital environment. The procedure for changing a default application does not require root rights or complex flashing of the gadget, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the installed MIUI firmware. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible algorithms of actions, including hidden settings, which will help you permanently get rid of automatic link opening in an unnecessary application.
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand that system priorities in Xiaomi can be reset after major security updates.So knowing the exact path to the app management menu is a key skill for any Redmi Note 8 Pro owner. We’ll look at not only the standard method, but also how to force the assignment if the system resists change.
Why Xiaomi imposes its browser
Xiaomi’s policy has shifted in recent years toward promoting its own services and application ecosystem, and the built-in Mi Browser is part of that strategy as it generates traffic, collects user data for targeted advertising, and increases the time the smartphone owner interacts with the company’s products, which is why MIUI defaults to ignore the presence of other installed browsers and prioritizes its product.
This may look like a bug or an accident to the average user, but it is actually a deliberate behavior of code. This is especially aggressive in global firmware versions, where ad integrations are more pronounced than in Chinese builds. When you install a new app that contains links, or after you update the system, Xiaomi can automatically reset your settings to standard ones.
⚠️ Note: Forced change of system settings through third-party launchers or ADB-commands without proper preparation can lead to unstable interface operation. Use only the standard customization methods described in this manual to ensure the stability of the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Understanding the manufacturer’s motivation makes it easier to understand the need for periodic settings checks. Data privacy also plays a role: many users prefer browsers with built-in ad blockers and trackers, which is often lacking in standard solutions from Xiaomi. So returning to Chrome or Brave is not just a matter of convenience, but also a matter of security.
Preparing the device for changing settings
Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative browser is already installed and fully ready to go. If you just bought the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it may not even have the Google Play store label, let alone third-party browsers. The first step should be to download the desired application from an official source or through GetApps.
It is also important to check that the operating system MIUI Does not block the installation of applications from unknown sources if you download APK-But for the standard browser change procedure, it is enough by default that the application is simply installed on the system, and it must appear in the list of all programs, even if its icon is hidden for now.
☑️ Checking readiness for setup
It is also recommended to clear the default cache of the current browser if it has already been active, which will help the system to switch to a new choice faster. Go to the settings, find the Application section and make sure that the new browser takes up space in the device memory correctly, without installation errors.
The main way to change through the MIUI settings
The most correct and safe method of changing the priority application lies through the standard Android settings menu, adapted for MIUI. This path works in the vast majority of cases on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and does not require the use of third-party software. The algorithm of actions is quite simple, but requires attention to the names of menu items, which may vary depending on the localization.
You need to open the main smartphone settings menu and scroll through the list to the App section. Inside this section, look for App Management. This is where all the installed program settings are concentrated. At the top of the screen, you'll see three tabs or buttons, one of which is usually called Three Dots in the Corner or called Settings. When you click on it, you'll be taken to the System Behavior Management menu.
In the menu that opens, select Other Settings (or Default Apps if your version of MIUI is simplified) and list categories: phone, messages, camera, and of course Browser. Click on your current browser and you will see a list of all options available in the system. Select the one you want, such as Chrome or Yandex. The system can warn you about changing standards - confirm the action.
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If after choosing a new browser, links still open in Mi Browser, try clearing the Settings app cache in the Application Management section by finding it through a search on the list of all programs.
After a successful change, try to click on any link from the messenger, for example, from Telegram or Viber. If the page opened in the app of your choice, then the setup was successful. Otherwise, perhaps the particular application has its own internal link settings, which you need to check separately.
Resetting default settings for forced change
Sometimes MIUI can "remember" a choice and not change it by blocking a selection button or hiding a list of alternatives, and in this situation, the effective method is to completely reset the default settings for all applications, which will return the system to a state where it will ask you what to open the web page the next time you run the link.
To perform this operation, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Default Settings). The system will warn that this action will remove all previously set priorities for opening files and links.
Once reset, find the Mi Browser itself in the application list. Go to its properties and find the default Start (or Open by default) button. Click on it and select Remove the default settings. Repeat the same procedure for your desired browser if there are any active settings there to start with a clean slate.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your default settings won’t delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but it will reset your preferences about which app to open. PDF, Be prepared to re-select programs for these activities when you first start.
Now, when you click on the link, Android is required to show a pop-up asking "What to open?". Choose the desired browser and be sure to click Always to lock the selection. If you click Only now, the system will ask you again on the next transition.
Managing Application Permits and Access
Current versions of MIUI 12 and later, which are relevant to the Redmi Note 8 Pro, put a lot of emphasis on security and access control. Sometimes the browser doesn't become a primary simply because it doesn't have the necessary permissions to run in the background or access the network until it's selected as the primary.
Go to Settings → Applications → App Management and find your target browser. Go to Application Permissions. Make sure that Internet, Warehouse and Notifications are allowed. In some cases, blocking background activity by the power saving system may prevent proper interception of links.
It’s also worth checking your autorun settings. Xiaomi has a separate autorun menu where apps are allowed to run in the background. If your browser is disabled there, the system can force its processes to close, giving priority to the system Mi Browser, which has a protected status.
| Parameter | System browser | Third-party (Chrome/Firefox) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Included by default | Often off. | Manually turn on |
| Saving energy | No restrictions. | Limited. | Select "No Limitations" |
| Notifications | Permitted. | Requires confirmation | Allow for stability |
| Access to files | Complete. | Requested | Grant access |
Customizing these settings creates similar conditions for a third-party application. Redmi Note 8 Pro has enough RAM to keep several heavy browsers in the background, so enabling autorun should not critically affect autonomy.
Why do the settings reset themselves?
Problem Solving and Frequent Errors
Even following the instructions, users may encounter situations where Xiaomi ignores their choices. One common problem is caching links in specific applications. For example, an Instagram or Viber app may have a built-in link opening mechanism that does not request the system, but uses its built-in WebView, in which case the default browser change will not affect these applications.
To fix this, you need to go to the settings of a particular application (for example, Telegram), find the Data and Memory section or Web pages, and select the option to Open links in an external browser. This will force the messenger to hand over link management to the operating system that already uses your global settings Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Another rare but possible problem is version conflict: If you're using a very old version of MIUI or a beta version, there may be bugs in the system, in which case cleaning the cache of Google Play Services and Xiaomi framework services helps, find them in the list of applications and click Clear Cache without deleting your account data.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete the Mi Browser system browser via ADB or root rights if you are not an experienced user, removing system components can lead to a cyclic reboot or errors in the widgets and search bar on the desktop.
If nothing works, you can use the Default App Button app from the Play Store, which creates a widget to quickly navigate to the browser selection menu, a workaround that allows you to change priorities in one click, bypassing long searches in settings.
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The main reason for the system’s refusal to listen is not the default settings of the old browser or aggressive energy saving, killing the processes of the new browser.