Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive behavior from the company’s shell, which aggressively promotes its own services. One of these services is the built-in browser, which the system suggests using to open links from messengers and other applications by default, which can annoy users who are used to the functionality of Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or other alternatives with advanced synchronization and blocking capabilities of advertising.
Fortunately, the Android operating system that runs Redmi and Poco devices makes it easy to reassign the priority application to work with web content. The procedure for changing settings does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex flashing of the device. All the necessary tools are already built into the interface, but their location can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you to permanently get rid of opening links in the wrong application, you will learn to manage system preferences, clear the cache of forced appointments and choose the most convenient tool for surfing the Internet, which will personalize the work of your smartphone to your own needs.
Why Change Your Default Browser to Xiaomi
The standard application preinstalled by the manufacturer often has limited functionality compared to market leaders. Users may face a lack of support for advanced plugins, an uncomfortable interface, or intrusive news feed advertising that cannot be turned off. Replacing with an alternative solution opens up access to an ecosystem of add-ons, improved protection from trackers, and more flexible privacy settings.
In addition, many users already have synchronized data in a Google or Yandex account. Using a native browser breaks this chain, forcing them to re-enter passwords, search for saved bookmarks and browsing history. A single ecosystem makes life much easier by allowing them to instantly switch between their phone, tablet and computer without losing data.
Another important aspect is productivity and resource consumption: Third-party developers often optimize their products better than iron manufacturers by embedding efficient energy saving mechanisms. This is critical for owners of budget models, where every megabyte of RAM counts. Changing an application can extend the battery life of a device by 10-15%.
Let’s look at the main advantages of switching to third-party solutions:
- 🚀 High page loading speed thanks to improved rendering engines.
- 🛡️ Built-in protection against phishing sites and malware.
- 🌙 Flexible themes and the ability to set night mode for comfortable reading.
- 🔄 Cross-platform and instant tab synchronization between devices.
Preparing for the application change by default
Before you make changes to your system settings, make sure that the desired application is already installed on your device.If you plan to upgrade to Firefox, Opera or Brave, download them from the official Google Play store or GetApps. The absence of an installed alternative option will not allow the system to offer a choice when resetting.
It is also recommended to check for updates for Android itself and installed applications. In older versions of the software, there may be bugs that block the change of default settings. Go to the settings and check the relevance of the firmware, as new security patches often fix errors with intentions filters.
☑️ Preparation of the device
It is important to understand that the change process will not remove your data from the old application, but it can reset some temporary settings. If you used the built-in browser to save passwords, export them in advance or make sure they are synced with the cloud, this will prevent the loss of important information in the event of unforeseen crashes.
Instructions: how to change the browser in the settings MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell interface has its own specifics, so the path to the desired menu may be different from standard Android. To begin with, open the main settings menu of your smartphone. Usually the gear icon is located at the top of the screen or in the Tools folder if you use the classic desktop look.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the Apps section. In some firmware versions, this item may be called "Applications and Notifications." Click on it to reveal additional options for managing installed software. This is where the key behavior switches are.
Next, look for "Default Apps." In HyperOS, it can be placed in a separate submenu or at the top of the list. The system will suggest selecting categories for different actions: calls, messages, navigation and, of course, the browser. Click on the current selection (most likely, there will be a "Mi Browser").
In the list that opens, you'll see all the browsers you've installed on your device. Select the one you want to use as your primary browser. Once you've selected, the system will remember that setting, and all the links will be opened through the selected application. If the desired application is not on the list, go back and check if it's installed correctly.
It's worth noting that in some regions or on global firmware versions, the path may be slightly different. If you don't find "Default Apps" right away, search by settings. Type "browser" or "default" into the search bar, and the system will tell you the section you want.
Alternative Method through Application Management
There's another way to change the settings that's useful if the standard menu isn't responding or is hidden, and that's by directly controlling a particular application. Go to Settings, select Apps, and then All Apps, and find the browser you want to make the primary browser.
Open the app card and find the "Open by default" button, and inside you'll see the "Use by default" or "Clear default settings." If the button is active, press it to reset the current anchors. After that, the next time you click on the link, the system will ask you what to open. URL-address.
This is especially effective when the system is “snagging” and continues to open links in the old browser, ignoring changes in the general settings. Forced reset via a card of a particular application helps to update the preference cache. Sometimes you need to perform this procedure for both browsers: for the one that was the main one and for the one that will become new.
If a selection window appears after resetting the link, be sure to tick the "Always" or "Default Use" box next to the selected application, which will record the selection and prevent the system from repeating requests every time you click on the hyperlink.
Solution: if the settings are not saved
Users sometimes face a situation where the system ignores the changes and keeps running the built-in browser, which can be caused by memory optimization functions or aggressive energy saving, in which case you need to check the permissions for the new browser, make sure that it is allowed to display windows on top of other applications.
Another reason could be the Google Play cache. Try clearing the Google Play Store data. To do this, go to the app settings, search for "Google Play Store," select "Storage" and click "Clean." After you reboot your device, try resetting your default settings again.
What to do if the "Default Applications" item is missing?
Also, check if Security mode or antivirus is enabled, which blocks changes to system files. In the Security app, check the permission settings. Sometimes, system-level ad blocking can conflict with browser reassignment.
Comparison of problem-solving methods:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Settings reset | Cleaning the memory with the system | Enter the application in memory (Lock) |
| No choice at opening | Cash of preference. | Clear the data of the application "Settings" |
| Links open in Mi Browser | Priority of the system | Reset the Mi Browser settings |
| Launch error | Conflict of versions | Update all applications in the Play Market |
Features of work in HyperOS
With the release of the HyperOS shell, the menu structure has changed to become more minimalist. The default application control is now often integrated into the "Additional Settings" section or placed at the top level of the settings menu. The logic of the work remains the same, but the visual design has become more stringent.
The new system has increased permission control, and when you first try to open a link with a new browser, the system may ask for additional security confirmation, which is a normal response to protect user data. Don't ignore these requests, read carefully what permissions the application requests.
💡
If you’ve switched to HyperOS recently, note that settings search is smarter. Just write “browser” in your settings search, and the system will prompt you to go to the desired item, bypassing long searches on the menu.
Importantly, HyperOS has improved widgets and live wallpaper, which can affect the display of app selection pop-ups. If the selection window does not appear, try to fold all applications and repeat the action with the opening of the link from the clean state of the system.