How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: the full guide 2026

Changing the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is a task that most users face after buying a smartphone. The fact is that MIUI firmware aggressively promotes the branded Mi Browser browser, which does not always suit owners: someone prefers Google Chrome for syncing with your account, someone prefers Firefox for advanced privacy settings, and some choose Brave or Opera for built-in ad blocking functions. However, simply installing an alternative browser is not enough – the system continues to open links to Mi Browser, ignoring your choice.

Complicating the problem, since MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has hidden the direct default browser change option in its settings, forcing users to look for workarounds. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from standard methods to hidden MIUI features and even manually editing system settings for power users, you’ll learn how to get your smartphone to open links in the right browser once and for all, and what to do if settings are reset after a system update.

We will pay special attention to the typical errors: why the browser is reset to the standard after the reboot, how to deal with forced opening of links in Mi Browser through system applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Community), and what to do if the desired browser does not appear in the list of available options at all. All instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 13-14 firmware (Android 11-13) and adapted to the features of the Xiaomi shell.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change the default browser?

The reason lies in the business model of Xiaomi and the features of the firmware MIUI. The branded Mi Browser browser is closely integrated into the ecosystem of the device: it is used to display web content in system applications (for example, in Mi Community or Mi Video), and also serves as a tool for collecting anonymous statistics and displaying targeted advertising.

1. System services binding: Many MIUI features (e.g., quick browsing of notification links or built-in web previews) are tightly tailored to Mi Browser, and the system simply cannot redirect these requests to third-party applications.

2. Android Manufacturer Restrictions: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened the rules for preinstalled apps, but left loopholes for “system” browsers. Xiaomi is actively taking advantage of this by assigning the Mi Browser to system component status.

3. Monetization through advertising. Mi Browser shows banners and sponsored links in the SERPs, which brings Xiaomi additional revenue. Changing the browser by default deprives the company of this source of profit, so the process is deliberately complicated.

⚠️ Warning: On some versions of MIUI (especially regional firmware for India or China), the default browser change option can be completely blocked at the system level, in which case only root access or custom firmware installation will help.

Interesting fact: in the European versions of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (marked EEA) restrictions are less stringent due to the requirements of the GDPR. If your smartphone is purchased in Russia or Asia, most likely, you will have to use workaround methods.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

Let’s start with the most obvious method that works on most Xiaomi devices, unless the system explicitly blocks it, which is suitable for MIUI 12-14 and does not require superuser rights.

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play (e.g. Chrome, Firefox or Opera). If it is already installed, upgrade to the latest version.

2. Open any browser (even Mi Browser) and click on the link to ask the system to select an application to open. For example, you can type in the address bar https://google.com and click Enter.

3. In the window that appears, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome) and tick next to "Always" or "Use by default." On some versions of MIUI, this item may be called "Remember my choice."

4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

If this method works, congratulations! However, on many Redmi Note 9 Pro devices, the settings are reset after the reboot, and the system starts to open links again in the Mi Browser, in which case, move on to the following ways.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Update it to the latest version

Make sure the browser is not locked in the battery settings

Check that the browser has permission to display on top of other applications-->

Method 2: Manual assignment through application settings

If the first method didn't work, try assigning the default browser manually through the settings menu, which is more reliable, but requires you to follow the instructions exactly.

1. Open the Settings app (⚙️) on your Redmi Note 9 Pro.

2. Go to the "Applications" section → "Applications Management".

3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots (⋮) and select "Default Apps" (or "Default App Reset" on some versions of MIUI).

4. Find the "Browser" item and tap it. In the list that appears, select the browser you want (e.g., Chrome or Firefox).

5. Confirm the selection by clicking "Set by default".

If your browser is not listed, it means that it is not registered as a web link processor in the system.

Open your browser settings (such as Chrome), find the “Default Settings” section, and enable the “Open Supported Links” option.

Reinstall the browser by pre-clearing its data in Settings → Applications → [Browser Name] → Storage → Clear the data.

⚠️ Warning: On some versions of MIUI 14, the default app may not be on the menu, in which case, try searching for it in the settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner) for the default.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If standard methods don’t work, we’ll have to resort to a more radical method: the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but it’s guaranteed to work on even the most stubborn versions of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (can be downloaded as part of Google's Platform Tools).
• 📱 USB- Cable for connecting Redmi Note 9 Pro.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable the developer mode on your smartphone:

Go to Settings → About the phone.

Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.

2. Activate debugging over USB:

- Go back to the main settings menu and open "Additional settings" → "For developers".

Find the option "Debug by USB" and turn it on.

Confirm the action by pressing "OK" in the window that appears.

3. Connect the smartphone to the computer and execute the commands:

Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.

- Enter in turn:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser

(This will reset the settings of the standard browser)

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package, see the table below)

Packages of popular browsers for ADB:

4. Reboot your smartphone. The browser you select must now be installed by default.

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If the ADB browser is still reset after performing the commands, try to further disable battery optimization for it: go to Settings → Applications → [your browser] → Battery and select "No Limits".

Method 4: Bypasses for stubborn references

Even if you managed to change your browser by default, some MIUI system applications (such as Mi Community, Mi Video or Security) will persistently open links in Mi Browser.

1. Use "Open in the browser"

• 🔗 When you click on a link long enough, most apps will have a context menu with the option "Open in your browser," and you can choose to force the link to your primary browser.
• 📋 In some applications (e.g., Mi Community), this option can be found in the menu (⋮) next to the link.

2.Configure redirection via Tasker

Tasker allows you to automate link redirects. Create a task with the condition:

Trigger: Opening a link in Mi Browser.

Open the same link in Chrome (or another browser).

3.Remove updates for Mi Browser

• 🗑️ Go to Settings → of the → Mi Browser → ⋮ → Appendix Remove updates.
• 🔄 This will return the browser to a factory version that is less aggressively intercepting links.

4.Use alternative launchers

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to flexibly configure link handlers. Set an alternative launcher and set your default browser in its settings.

Method 5: Radical measures - disabling Mi Browser

If all the previous methods didn't work, you can go to extremes to turn off the Mi Browser completely, but this has serious consequences.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Some system functions (e.g., previewing links in notifications) will no longer work.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI The browser can be activated again.
• ⚠️ On some firmware, disabling Mi Browser causes Mi Account errors.

How to turn off Mi Browser:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find the Mi Browser on the list and tap it.

3. Click "Disable" (or "Delete for all users" if the option is available).

4. Confirm action. The system will alert you to possible problems -- ignore them if you're prepared for the consequences.

Alternative: Hiding the browser

If you can’t disable Mi Browser, you can at least hide it from the app menu:

Use a launcher with support for hiding icons (for example, Nova Launcher).

Move the browser icon to a folder with rarely used apps.

💡

Disabling Mi Browser is an extreme measure that can disrupt system services, and it is recommended to try all other methods first, especially the method with ADB, which gives a similar result without risks.

What to do if the settings are reset after the update?

One of the most common problems with the Redmi Note 9 Pro is resetting the default browser after the MIUI update, which is because the system considers the Mi Browser a "system component" and enforces its privileges.

1. disable automatic MIUI update

• 🔄 Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → ⋮ → Settings.
• 🚫 Turn off the "Automatic Download Updates" option.

2. Use Tasker to automatically restore settings

Create a task in Tasker that will start after the reboot and re-install your browser by default.

3.Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and block Mi Browser updates

This method is for experienced users:

Install TWRP Recovery on your Redmi Note 9 Pro.

With Magisk or App Systemizer, convert Mi Browser to a custom application so that the system can’t restore it.

4. Check settings regularly after updates

If the update is already installed and the browser resets:

Repeat the default browser change procedure (see Method 1 or Method 3).

Clear the cache and Mi Browser data in the application settings.

⚠️ Warning: Some versions of MIUI 14 may require re-executing the ADB command after the update, as the system resets packet bindings. Save the command in a notebook so you don't search for it again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi