How to change the search engine on the smartphone Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones use their own search engine, Mi Search (or Quick Search in newer versions), which is a problem for many users: search is slow, shows irrelevant results or simply does not suit the interface. Fortunately, you can replace it with Google, Yandex or another search engine in several ways, both through standard settings and bypasses.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of changing the search engine to Xiaomi in 2026, including instructions for different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14+), and also consider the nuances for specific models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

If you want not only to change the search engine in the browser, but also to remove Mi Search from the system search (the drop-down menu when swiping down on the main screen), read on - there are solutions for this.

Why can’t you just change your search engine to Xiaomi?

Unlike pure Android, MIUI aggressively integrates its own services, including search.

• 💰 Monetization: Xiaomi earns from displaying ads and affiliate links in search results.
• 🔒 In China and some Asian countries, Google is blocked. MIUI Default offers alternatives.
• 🛠️ System architecture: Mi Search is sewn into the launcher level and is not always amenable to replacement through standard settings.

In recent versions of MIUI 14 and later, the company has even removed the ability to select a search engine in some regions, but workarounds still work, and we will discuss them below.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for the global market (marking) EEA or Global) and the Chinese version (CN) The number of available search engines may vary, for example, in CN-Google version is not available on the default list.

Method 1: Replace the search engine in the Mi Browser browser

If you're happy with the Mi Browser system browser, but you don't like the search engine, you can change it right in the settings, which works on all versions of MIUI and doesn't require superuser rights.

Instructions:

1. Open the Mi Browser (the icon with the blue circle and the white letter "Mi").
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the Search Engine (or Search Engine in English).
4. In the list of available search engines, select the desired one: Google, Yandex, Bing or DuckDuckGo.
5. Save the changes and restart the browser.

If the search engine you want isn’t listed, try updating your browser through Google Play or installing an alternative browser (like Chrome or Firefox) where the search engine’s choice is wider.

Update your browser to the latest version

Clear the browser cache in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Memory

Check the region of the device (must be Russia or Europe for Google/Yandex)

Reboot your smartphone-->

Method 2: Install an alternative browser

The most reliable way to get rid of Mi Search is to use a third-party browser where the search engine is freely configured.

• 🌐 Google Chrome – supports all popular search engines, syncs with Google account.
• 🦆 DuckDuckGo – a browser with a focus on privacy, blocks trackers.
• 🔍 Yandex.Browser – optimized for Russian-speaking users, there is a Turbo mode.
• 🦊 Firefox – open source, flexible search settings.

To make the alternative browser the primary:

1. Install the browser from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
3. Select the browser installed (such as Chrome).
4. In the settings of the selected browser, install the desired search engine.

After that, all links and search queries will open in the new browser. However, system search (Mi Search) when swiping down on the home screen will remain the same - to replace it, read the next section.

Method 3: Disabling Mi Search in System Search

Mi Search is not only a search engine, but also a system tool that appears when you swipe down on the home screen, and you'll need one of the following methods to remove it or replace it with another:

Option A: Hiding through launcher settings (MIUI 12–14)

In some versions of MIUI, you can disable system search without third-party tools:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Home Screen Settings (or Home Screen Settings).
3. Find the Search option on the home screen (or Search bar) and turn it off.
4. If you don’t have the option, try changing the screen style to Standard (not Mi Fan or Super Wallpaper).

Option B: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced teams)

If the system search is not disabled through the menu, you can delete it using ADB. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.search
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Remove Mi Search through ADB It can cause launcher failures on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12!

Method 4: Replacing the search engine through Google Settings

If your Xiaomi has Google services installed (which is typical for global versions), you can make Google Search the default search engine.

• 🔍 Search in Google Chrome and other browsers based on Chromium.
• 📱 Searching the device via Google App (the “G” icon on the home screen).
• 🗣️ Voice search through Google Assistant.

How to set up:

1. Open the Google app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Commons. → Search engine.
4. Set Google (or other search engine) by default.

After that, all searches from Google widgets and Chromium-based browsers will be redirected to the selected search engine, but the MIUI system search (swipe down) will remain unchanged.

💡

If after changing the search engine in Google Chrome, the queries still go through Mi Search, clear the browser data in Settings → Apps → Chrome → Memory → Clear the data.

Method 5: Using third-party launchers

If you don't like not only the search engine, but also the MIUI launcher itself, you can install an alternative launcher where the search is flexible.

To replace the launcher:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Click "Home" and select a new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, find the Search or Search section and select the desired search engine.

The advantage of this method is that it has full control over search, including voice commands and gestures, but some MIUI features (such as Second Space or App Lock) may not work properly.

💡

Third-party launchers allow not only to change the search engine, but also to completely customize the Xiaomi interface, including animations, icons and gestures.

Method 6: Manual editing of settings (for advanced)

If standard methods fail, you can manually change your search settings by editing system files, a method that is suitable for users with root rights or custom firmware (such as LineageOS).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/csc/others.xml or (for newer MIUI versions): /system/csc/feature.xml
3. Find a line with the ConfigSearchUrl parameter and replace it with the URL of the desired searcher. Examples: Google: https://www.google.com/search?q= Yandex: https://yandex.ru/search/?text=DuckDuckGo: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=

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Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop. Before making changes, back up the file! MIUI 14 due to enhanced system partition protection.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your search engine to Xiaomi, users experience common errors. Here's how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: on MIUI 14 And some of the newer settings are hidden. MIUI 12/13.
• 🔄 System updates: Sometimes bugs are fixed in new patches.
• 🛠️ Availability of modified firmware: on custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu), the search engine changes more freely.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions