Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the intrusiveness of the MIUI brand shell or the new HyperOS. The standard web surfing application preinstalled by the manufacturer may not meet the user's needs due to the abundance of advertising, unusual interface or lack of synchronization with the computer. There is a natural desire to replace it with a more familiar and functional counterpart, whether it is Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera.
The process of replacing a full-time browser on these devices has its own features, different from the “pure” Android. The system often tries to return the user to the native application, hiding the settings or offering to reset the selection at each launch of the link. However, knowing the exact paths in the menu and the correct sequence of actions, you can easily and permanently fix the new software as the main one.
In this guide, we will discuss all the nuances of switching to third-party software. You will learn how to correctly remove or disable a standard application, where to find hidden switches in the system settings, and how to avoid typical errors when the phone ignores your preferences.
Why you should give up the standard Mi Browser
The regular browser, which is pre-installed on all devices of the Chinese brand, is often criticized for its aggressive policy of monetization. News feed constantly flashing advertisements, and notifications about “hot news” can come even with the fluffs turned off. Many users note that the Mi Browser consumes more RAM than its competitors, which negatively affects the autonomy of the device.
In addition, the application interface is saturated with elements that do not carry a functional load for the average user. Recommendation tape, built-in mini-games and constant offers to install additional services create information noise.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of a system application without root rights is not possible by standard means. Attempts to use third-party utilities for forced removal can lead to unstable system operation or errors in logs.
Third-party browsers like Firefox or DuckDuckGo offer advanced privacy features that are not available in the stock version: Tracker blockers, incognito mode with tracking protection and the ability to install extensions make networking much safer. Data privacy becomes a priority, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Choosing an alternative: popular browsers for Android
The mobile browser market is huge, and the choice depends on your personal preferences. If you value speed and minimalism, you should pay attention to the lighter versions of applications. For those who are accustomed to the ecosystem of a particular company, it is logical to choose the appropriate product for synchronizing history and passwords.
Consider the main options that work perfectly on the Snapdragon and MediaTek processors installed in Xiaomi smartphones:
- 🔍 Yandex – convenient for users of Yandex services, built-in translator and turbo mode.
Each of these apps has its own unique features, such as Firefox supports full-fledged extensions from your computer, making it a powerful tool for advanced users, while Samsung Internet, which can also be installed on Xiaomi, is famous for its convenient night mode and content blocker.
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Pay attention to the date of the last update of the app in Google Play. Regular updates indicate that developers are fixing security vulnerabilities.
How to Install and Activate a New Browser
The first step is obvious: you need to download the installation file. The best way to do this is through the official Google Play Market store, to avoid the risk of malware infection. Once installed, the application will appear on the desktop, but that does not mean that it has become the main one.
To activate, you have to go to the system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You have to find the partition that is responsible for the default applications, and that's where the priority switching happens.
⚠️ Note: In some versions of firmware, the menu item may be called “Default Apps”, in others – “Application Management» -> «By default. Be careful when navigating.
The sequence of actions for activation:
- Open the smartphone settings.
- Go to the Appendix section.
- Select the Application Management item.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- In the drop-down menu, select the Applications by default.
- Find the Browser string and click on it.
- In the list that appears, select the app you installed (e.g. Chrome).
☑️ Activation of the new browser
Once you do this, all links from messengers, social networks, and other apps will open in the browser you choose, and the system will remember this choice and stop asking a question every time you click on the hyperlink.
Set up default settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells are known for their deep customization, which sometimes leads to confusing menus. In recent versions of HyperOS, the interface has become more like pure Android, but some hidden settings remain. If the standard path did not help, you can use the search by settings.
Type the word "browser" or "default" into the settings search bar, and the system will suggest the desired partition itself, which is especially true if the manufacturer has changed the menu structure in the next update, and it is also worth checking the settings of the particular application.
Go to Apps -> All Apps, find your new browser in the list, and click Open by default. Make sure the switch is active. Here you can clear the cache if the app is not working properly.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Search engine | Search engine in the address bar | Google or Yandex |
| Blocking ads | Filtering of obsessive banners | Included. |
| Synchronization | Saving passwords and history | Included (via account) |
| Savings regime | Compressing traffic to accelerate | If necessary, |
It is also important to check permissions. Go to Permissions inside the app settings and make sure that the browser is allowed accessing storage (for downloading files) and obtaining location information (if you use geolocation services).
Hidden functions of MIUI
Problem Solving: If the system resets the choice
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after a phone restart or system update, browser selection is reset and links are reopened in Mi Browser.This can be caused by aggressive memory optimization or an error in the firmware itself.
First, try to clear the system browser itself. Go to the Applications -> Mi Browser -> Memory -> Clear. This will reset its settings and priorities. After that, reselect your preferred application through the Default menu.
If the problem persists, perhaps a process is running in the background that returns the manufacturer's settings, in which case disabling notifications and auto-start for the standard browser will help, find it in the list of applications and prevent auto-start and work in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use memory accelerators and cleaners of dubious origin; they may force your new browser to close, considering it an unnecessary process, which will lead to resetting sessions.
In extreme cases, if nothing helps, you can use the command via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to freeze the system application, but this requires a connection to the computer and having basic technical skills.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browserThis command will disable a standard browser at the system level, making it impossible for even the system to run it, but use this method with caution, since it requires debugging over USB.
Optimization of the new browser
After successful installation and setup, it is recommended to perform an initial optimization. Go to the settings of the application itself and turn off unnecessary functions such as preloading pages or saving data for offline mode if you do not need them.
For owners of devices with AMOLED screens (most flagships Xiaomi) it is useful to include a dark theme in the browser settings. This will not only reduce the load on the eyes, but also reduce the power consumption of the display by extending battery life.
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Regular cleaning of the browser cache (every 1-2 weeks) helps to maintain high speed of loading pages and prevents the accumulation of junk files.
Don't forget to update the app. Developers are constantly releasing patches to close security holes and improve compatibility with new web standards. Automatic updates through the Play Market are the best way to stay secure.
You also need to set up the start page, remove the unnecessary news widgets, leave only the most necessary shortcuts, and a clean interface allows for productive work and quick search of information.