How to Remove “Default Choice” on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Hidden Chips

Is there a problem with the constant pop-ups of app selection? Solved in 10 minutes

Are you tired of the annoying “Select the Default App” notifications on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO? this MIUI feature, designed to keep users comfortable, often turns into an annoying interface element. Especially when the system insists on choosing a browser, gallery or messenger every time you open a file – despite the fact that you have already made a choice before.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the default choice - from standard settings. MIUI hidden ADB-You'll learn why the system is so obtrusive about app selection, how it relates to Google's policy, and what unobvious tricks will help get rid of the problem forever (even on custom firmware?

Important: The methods work on all current versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14/15 on Android 13/14), but some features may differ depending on the model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12, the path to settings is slightly different from the POCO F5.

Why is Xiaomi constantly asking about default choices?

Intrusive pop-ups are not a bug, but a MIUI feature that is designed to meet Google’s requirements, and here are three main reasons why your smartphone is so annoying:

📱 Android 11 Politics+: Google obliges manufacturers to limit automatic selection of apps by default. Xiaomi complied with the requirement, but did it as intrusively as possible.
🔄 Resetting application settings: After updating MIUI or cache reset system "forgets" your preferences and again starts to ask.
🛠️ Optimization MIUI: In some versions of the firmware, the default selection function is tied to the com.miui.cleanmaster service, which periodically “cleans” the settings.

Interestingly, Xiaomi’s European-market smartphones (with EEA firmware) are less likely to have pop-ups than global versions, due to differences in agreements with Google.

📊 How often do you get annoyed by the pop-up selections on Xiaomi?

Every day.

Once a week.

Less often, but still infuriating.

It doesn't bother me.

Method 1: Standard reset of default selection in settings

Let's start with the most obvious method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, and you don't need root rights or a computer, but you do it through the settings menu.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select App Selection Reset.
Confirm the action by clicking Reset.

After that, the system will stop asking for the default choice for the applications you have already set up.

⚠️ Note: This method only works for applications you have already chosen before, unless you have never set the default choice for a particular file type (e.g., for example, for a specific file type, PDF), The system will continue to ask for the first opening.

To solve the problem completely, we move on to the following method.

Check the list of installed applications

Remember the current default settings (can be photographed)

Make sure that important applications (browser, gallery) are installed

Reboot the smartphone after resetting-->

Method 2: Disconnecting through specific application settings

If the reset didn’t help or you want to point-to-point customize individual apps, follow this instruction:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the application you want to disable requests for (e.g. Chrome or Gallery).
Tap on Open by default (or default settings in new versions of MIUI).
Click Clear the default settings.
Go back and close the app through the latest task menu (swipe up).

Now, the next time you open a file, the system will ask you to select the application once, and it won't remind you anymore.

🌐 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox)
📷 Applications for viewing photos / videos (Gallery, Google Photos)
📄 File Manager (Files, Mi File Manager)

If after these actions pop-ups continue to appear, the problem may be related to the system cache.Try clearing the cache for the Settings app (com.android.settings) through the same Application Management section.

💡

To quickly find the desired application in the list, use the search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the Application Management section).

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you'll need to move to heavy artillery, and ADB commands allow you to completely disable default selection requests at the system level.

🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
🛠️ Installed drivers ADB (guideline)

Step-by-step:

Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB Tools

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

adb shell

settings put global package_verifier_user_consent 0

After you've done these commands, restart your smartphone. Now the system will stop asking about the default app selection. If you want to return the standard behavior, use the command:

settings put global package_verifier_user_consent 1

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (for example, Sberbank or Tinkoff) can block work on devices with debugging enabled USB. After setting up, do not forget to turn off the developer mode in the settings.

What if the ADB can’t see the device?

1. Make sure that USB-cable supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable). 2. Try another one. USB-port on the computer (preferably) USB Install drivers for your Xiaomi model from the official website (section "Support" → Downloads”). 4. In the connection menu USB On your smartphone, select "File Transfer" (MTP), Not Charge Only. 5. Reboot both your computer and your smartphone.

Method 4: Editing system files (root required)

If you have root rights, you can go a step further and edit the default system files, which is the most radical and only suitable for advanced users.

You'll need:

🔓 Root access (Magisk or SuperSU)
📱 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer)
📝 Backup of system files (required!)

Instructions:

Open a file manager with root rights.
Go to /system/etc/permissions/.
Find the platform.xml file and open it in the text editor.
Find a line: <permission name="android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS" > and replace it with: <permission name="android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS" protectionLevel="dangerous" />
Save the file and restart the device.

Method	Difficulty	Root is required.	Efficiency
Reset in settings	⭐	❌ No.	Medium
Application settings	⭐⭐	❌ No.	Tall.
ADB-team	⭐⭐⭐	❌ No.	Very high.
Editing by platform.xml	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅ Yes.	Absolute.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can result in bootloop ( looped boot) or loss of functionality.Always back up through TWRP change.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and pop-ups bring to white heat - consider installing custom firmware.

📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android without intrusive features MIUI
🔧 LineageOS - stable firmware with minimalist interface
⚡ ArrowOS – Balance between performance and functionality

Advantages of custom firmware:

✅ No intrusive pop-ups MIUI
✅ Faster operation of the system
✅ Regular security updates

There are, however, downsides:

❌ Loss of warranty (if you don't return the stock firmware)
❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on model)
❌ Difficulty of installation for beginners

If you are considering this step, follow the official instructions on the XDA Developers forum for your model. For example, for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, this theme will suit: Pixel Experience for the Redmi Note 10 Pro.

💡

Custom firmware solves the default problem radically, but requires technical skills. Start with less risky methods (ADB or reset) if you are not confident in your abilities.

Additional advice and answers to frequent questions

In this section, we have collected useful life hacks and answers to questions that often arise when working with the choice of default applications on Xiaomi.

How do you get back to standard behavior if you stop asking?

If, after application, ADB-commands or edit system files you want to return pop-ups (e.g., to test new applications), use:

adb shell settings put global package_verifier_user_consent 1

Why does MIUI start asking again after the update?

Updates often reset user settings to avoid this:

📌 Before updating, make a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
🔄 After the update, repeat the default reset procedure (Method 1).

Can you turn off default choices only for certain applications?

Yes, but only through application-specific settings (Method 2), there is no universal method for selectively turning off, either disable everything or nothing.

💡

If you often work with different file types (e.g. PDF and DJVU), install a universal application like Total Commander and assign it to all formats by default.

❓ Why some Xiaomi doesn’t have an “App Selection Reset” item»?

On devices with MIUI for POCO or MIUI Lite (e.g. on the POCO M3 or Redmi 9A) This item may not be available. ADB-Command (Method 3) or manually configure applications (Method 2) also check if the item is hidden under a different name — sometimes called “Clear Default Settings” inside the menu of a particular application.

❓ Will these methods work on Xiaomi with Android Go?

On Android Go devices (such as Redmi Go or POCO C31) interface MIUI It's simplified, and some menu items may be missing. ADB-Teams – they work at the Android level, not at the Android level MIUI. Use lightweight alternatives to standard applications (e.g. Files by Google instead of Mi File Manager). Install a launcher like Nova Launcher, which allows you to flexibly configure file openings.

❓ Can you turn off the default choice without a computer?

Yes, if you have a smartphone with root access. ADB AppControl from Google Play – lets you run it ADB-Alternatively, use terminal applications like Termux (requires customization). For most users, it's easier to find a computer to configure once.

❓ Why After Resetting, Some Applications Don't Save Default Selections?

This is due to Android's policy for certain types of files: 📞 Phone numbers: The system will always ask which app to use for calls (standard Phone, Truecaller or Google Phone). 🔗 Browsers may conflict over Android Instant Apps setup. 📍 Maps: Applications like Google Maps or Yandex.Maps require explicit confirmation for navigation. → Annexes → Special access.

❓ How to check which apps are currently selected by default?

To see your current settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Tap three points → Default Apps. This shows current choices for browser, phone calls, SMS and other categories. On some versions of MIUI, this item is called Default Settings and is located in the main settings menu.