How to Assign and Reset the Default App on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the challenge of changing the standard operating system behavior, such as when a new launcher or browser is installed, the device continues to open links or desktops through old, pre-installed programs, because the MIUI or new HyperOS shell has a hard-to-file launch priorities.

Understanding how to manage these settings allows you to fully personalize your gadget, so you can replace a standard call with a more functional one, or use an alternative file manager to work with documents, but the system is not always willing to give these rights away, requiring manual intervention in hidden menus.

In this article, we will look at all the nuances of working with startup priorities, we will look at standard methods through settings and more advanced ways if the standard path is blocked by the manufacturer, which will help you make your smartphone use as comfortable as possible.

Why Change Standard Apps to Xiaomi

The standard set of programs coming out of the factory is often called "bloatware." These applications may be inefficient or simply not like the user visually. Replacing by default allows you to use lighter or more functional counterparts, which is especially important for low-end Redmi models.

And some users prefer a single ecosystem of services, so if you use Google products or third-party developers, you'll need to reconfigure calls and messages, and that'll eliminate the system's constant questions about how to open a file or link.

• 🚀 Speeding up the interface by using optimized launchers.
• 🛡️ Increased security when using verified browsers with ad blockers.
• 🎨 Complete customization of appearance through third-party shells.

It is important to understand that some system functions, such as energy management or certain gestures, may not work properly with untested counterparts. Always test new programs before making them mainstream.

⚠️ Warning: Installing unverified launchers from unreliable sources can lead to unstable system operation or the appearance of banner ads on the desktop.

Before you make any changes, it's worth assessing whether the standard solution really doesn't suit you. In recent versions of MIUI, many standard applications have improved and are running faster.

Where to find the default application settings

Finding the menu you want may vary depending on the firmware version, and most of the time, it's through the general settings of the device, and you need to open the App section where you store all the information about the software you've installed.

Next, you'll find App Settings, and that's where the priority management button is hidden, and in some versions of the interface, it might be called the default Apps, and it might be at the top of the screen or in the three-dot menu.

An alternative way to get to the menu is to search by settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings screen and type in the default request. The system will prompt you to go to the desired section, which saves time.

• 📱 Go to the settings of your Xiaomi.
• ⚙️ Select the Application section.
• 🔍 Click App Settings or Application Management.
• 🏆 Find the Application's default paragraph.

If you use a new HyperOS shell, the logic remains the same, but the visual design can be more minimalist.Icons and fonts may differ, but the menu structure is retained for the sake of user convenience.

How to Assign a New Application to the Main

The assignment process is simple, but it requires care. Once you log into the priority menu, you'll see a list of categories: browser, calls, messages, desktop. Click on the desired category to see the list of available programs.

The system will suggest you to choose one of the options. For example, for the category "Browser" you can choose Chrome, Firefox or built-in Mi Browser. Once you select the box, you will move to a new item, and the changes will take effect immediately.

In some cases, the system may not allow you to select a third-party application right away. This is Xiaomi's security mechanism. You may need to give the application certain permissions first or activate it in a special mode.

Note that replacing the launcher is the most notable step.After selecting a new desktop, the old one will stop showing until you reset or select it again.

How to remove the default app on Xiaomi Redmi

Often times, you don't just have to replace, you have to reset, for example, you accidentally clicked "Always" for an inappropriate video player, and now all the videos open in it, and you can return the selection through the same settings menu.

In the default app list, find the category to reset. Click on it. If the current selection is fixed, there will be a tick on it. In some versions of Android, there is a "Default Clear" or cross button next to the name of the selected app.

⚠️ Note: If the reset button is inactive or absent, it is possible that the application is system-based and protected from changing priorities without superuser rights.

There's also a method of managing a particular application. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the program that opens automatically now (like the video player). Go to its properties.

Inside the properties, find Start by default or Open by default. There'll be a button to Clear Settings or Remove Default Settings. Clicking on it will return the system to a state where it will ask you every time it starts a file of the appropriate type.

• 🗑️ Open the settings of a specific “problem” application.
• 🔽 Find the Default Start section.
• ❌ Press the Clean or Reset button.

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If you can't find the reset button in the app's menu, try forcefully stopping the app before doing so. Sometimes this will activate hidden menu items.

Problems with the choice of launcher and desktop

Desktop change is a separate story on Xiaomi smartphones.The system often resists installing third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. Once a new launcher is selected, a countdown timer or a requirement to confirm the action through a Mi Account may appear.

This is done to prevent the installation of malware that can take over control of the device, but for experienced users, this creates inconvenience, sometimes you have to wait for the timer to end or use special activation methods to get around the timer.

With the newer versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, the algorithm has become stricter, so if it doesn't activate after 10 seconds after selecting the launcher, the system will force the standard desktop back, and you need to confirm the choice.

Also, it is worth considering that some control gestures (swipes for search, call the task menu) may stop working or work incorrectly with third-party launchers, this is due to the deep implementation of system functions in the standard shell.

Reset all application settings via ADB

If standard methods don't work, and the Clean button doesn't work, you can use USB debugging, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having an ADB utility (Android Debug Bridge), a powerful tool for engineers and advanced users.

To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number 7 times. Then, in advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging and USB Debugging (Security Settings).

adb shell pm reset-preferred-apps

This command will reset all preferences for all applications at once. Be careful: once it is executed, the system will ask you what to open each file type, as when you first turn on the phone, this is a guaranteed way to remove any imposed priority.

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB It requires caution. It can cause data loss or system instability.

Once you've done the command, restart the device, and you'll notice that all of the priorities you've set have disappeared, and you can re-set your smartphone to your own needs by choosing the programs you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Competent application management by default is key to Xiaomi personalization. Don't be afraid to experiment, but always have a way to reset settings through ADB or Safe Mode on hand.