How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi

Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi offer users a wide range of tools for navigation on the Internet, but the preinstalled browser does not always satisfy the needs of advanced users. Often there is a situation when links from messengers or applications open in the system browser, which can be uncomfortable, overloaded with advertising or just slow. Changing the main application for web surfing is a basic setting that significantly improves the comfort of using the device.

Android, including the MIUI shell and the latest HyperOS, has a flexible default application management system, which means you can drop the standard solution at any time and assign any other browser, be it Google Chrome, Yandex Browser, Opera or Firefox, to take over.

However, Xiaomi’s settings interface has its own features that can confuse an inexperienced user. The menu can be called differently depending on the firmware version and regional settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to solve the problem, consider the nuances of working with multiple browsers and answer frequent questions that arise when changing priority applications.

Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi

Many users leave settings as they are, even if the standard app doesn't suit them. However, installing an alternative browser as their primary browser has a number of advantages. First of all, this is about speed and resource consumption. Third-party developers often optimize their products better than smartphone manufacturers their system utilities.

Data security is also critical: Specialized browsers can offer built-in ad blockers, trackers and malicious sites, which is especially true for regions with aggressive ad traffic. Xiaomi’s standard browser, while functional, does not always provide this level of protection out of the box.

Also worth mentioning is synchronization, which is that if you're using a computer with a specific operating system or ecosystem, it's more convenient if you open links in the same browser where you have passwords, history and bookmarks, which creates a single information space and saves time.

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Installing which browser as the main one can significantly extend the battery life of the smartphone, since some system browsers consume more energy in the background.

Preparing the device before changing settings

Before you go to system settings, you need to make sure that the desired application is already installed on your device. Without an alternative browser in your smartphone memory, the system will not be able to offer it as a replacement. APK-file from the official Google Play store or GetApps.

It is also important to check for updates to the operating system: older versions of MIUI may have had different settings, and the default application algorithms were less stable, and updating to the current firmware version ensures that the instructions will work correctly.

It is recommended to sign in to your account in the new browser in advance, which will allow you to start working with all the stored data immediately after installing it by default, and if you plan to use several browsers, it makes sense to immediately allocate their roles to avoid confusion in the future.

Instructions: change browser through general settings

The most reliable and versatile way to change a priority link opening app is to use global system settings, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices regardless of the shell version. The algorithm is simple, but requires careful selection of menu items.

First, open the main settings menu for your smartphone. Find a section that could be called Apps or Apps and Notifications. Depending on the firmware version, you may need to go to App Settings or App Management, and it's where you manage all of your device's software.

In the list that opens, look for the default apps option. When you click on it, you'll see a list of action categories for which you can choose your preferred app. We're interested in the browser category. Tap it, and the system will suggest a list of all the installed web browsers. Choose the one you want from the list.

Once selected, the system can request confirmation of actions. Accept the change. Now all links you open from other applications will automatically run in your browser of choice. If you suddenly want to return everything as it was, just repeat the procedure and choose another option.

Configure through the menu of a specific application

There is an alternative way to set priorities directly from the browser interface itself, which is convenient because it is more common for beginners, because the app will ask for it to be the main one, but it doesn’t work in all versions of Android and MIUI the same way.

Open the settings of the browser you just installed. They're usually hidden behind an icon with three dots or three bars in the corner of the screen. Find a section that could be called "Basic," "Settings," or "Systems." Look for an item called "Use by default" or "Make by default browser."

When you click on this item, the system will redirect you to the corresponding Android settings menu, which was discussed in the previous section, here you will also need to select a new application from the list. If the system prompts you to select an action to open a link right now, tick the item "Always" or "Always use this application."

⚠️ Note: If after selecting the option "Always" you accidentally chose the wrong browser, reset this choice can only be through the general settings of the system in the "Default Applications" section, re-selecting the desired application.

The good thing about this method is that it minimizes the number of steps you need to find the right menu in the depth of your phone’s settings, especially for users who rarely change system settings and may get confused in the numerous MIUI menu items.

Comparison of popular browsers for Android

Choosing the main browser is a matter of taste, but for Xiaomi owners it is important to consider optimization for Snapdragon and MediaTek processors. Different browsers use battery and RAM in different ways, which is critical for Redmi budget models.

Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of popular browsers that Xiaomi users often install:

Note the RAM consumption column. If you have a budget model of a smartphone with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, heavy browsers can cause the system to slow down when switching between tasks, in such cases it is better to choose lighter versions or traffic saving modes.

If you are actively using Yandex or Google services, choosing a browser from the appropriate developer will ensure better integration with voice assistants and cloud storage.

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For devices with low RAM (up to 4 GB), it is critical to choose lightweight browsers to avoid rebooting background applications.

Solution: Reset and Choice Mistakes

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where links stop opening or open in an unexpected application, this can happen after a system update or installing new software, in which case you need to reset the default settings.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the current default browser (or one that behaves incorrectly) in the list. Inside the app menu, find the Default section and click Reset Default Settings or Delete Default Settings.

When you reset the next time you click on a link, the system will ask you again what to open that address, and be careful at this point: if you want to make a choice memorable, make sure to tick "Always." If you don't tick, the question will arise every time you run the link.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Xiaomi system browser completely, even if you do not need it. Some system components and widgets may depend on its availability, and a complete removal may lead to errors in the interface.

Another common problem is that some apps impose their own internal browser (WebView), in which case changing the default browser in the system settings may not help: you need to go to the settings of the application itself (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) and find the option “Open links to...”.

Features of WebView on Xiaomi

An important component of Android is the Android System WebView. It is not a browser in the full sense of the word, but a mechanism that allows other applications to display web pages inside themselves without going to a separate application. On Xiaomi devices, this is often the responsibility of a component from Google or a system browser.

Updating this component is critical for the security and correct display of pages in all applications. Check in the Play Market store if there are updates for Android System WebView. If links in apps open incorrectly, try clearing the cache of this particular component.

The path to WebView settings is usually: Settings → Apps → Show all apps → Android System WebView. Here you can see which apps are using this component, and if necessary, stop it or remove updates if there are errors after the last update.

Understanding the difference between the default browser and WebView helps to diagnose problems more accurately. If links don't open anywhere, it's a problem in the browser. If links don't open only within a particular application, the problem is in WebView or the settings of that application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)