Changing a standard Internet surfing app is one of the first tasks that users do after buying a new smartphone. Xiaomi device owners often encounter the intrusive Mi Browser, which the system suggests to use by default every time they click on a link. However, experience shows that alternative solutions like Chrome or Firefox can be much more convenient and functional.
The MIUI 12 shell configuration has its own features that differ from pure Android. The settings interface is more detailed here, and access to some options is hidden in the depth of the menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to assign a preferred application and get rid of the constant opening of links in the wrong browser.
It's important to understand that properly configuring system priorities affects not only convenience but also security when working with web content. Modern browsers offer advanced anti-phishing mechanisms and ad blockers that are often absent from the manufacturer's stock solutions. So competent customization is not only a matter of comfort, but also of digital hygiene.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
Xiaomi’s in-house browser, while modern, is often overloaded with redundant features, news feeds and promotional modules. Users who value minimalism prefer to install third-party apps that focus solely on displaying web pages. The default replacement allows instantaneously opening links from instant messengers in a familiar environment.
Third-party browsers also often have more flexible synchronization, so if you're using a Windows or macOS computer, a bundle with a desktop version of Chrome or Firefox will allow you to instantly switch between devices, saving history, passwords and tabs, which is critical for productivity.
Changing the priority application also solves the problem of conflicting formats: some websites may not display correctly in the Mi Browser engine, while current versions of Chrome or Edge guarantee full compatibility with HTML5 and CSS3 standards.
- 🚀 Speeding up page loading with optimized rendering engines.
- 🔒 Advanced data protection and privacy options.
- 🧩 Support for a large number of extensions and plugins.
- 🎨 Flexible interface customization to individual user preferences.
⚠️ Note: After installing a new browser, do not delete Mi Browser completely unless you are sure of the stability of the system. Some system widgets may depend on its availability, it is better to simply disable it in the settings.
Heavy shells often consume more RAM, which on budget smartphones can cause other applications to be closed in the background, and lightweight alternatives help keep the device’s performance high even when multitasking.
Preparation for the installation of a new browser
Before you start changing your system settings, you need to download and install the desired application. In the Android ecosystem, this can be done through the official Google Play Market store or alternative sources if you use specific versions of the software. Make sure that the application is fully compatible with your version of Android.
After installation, take your time to change the default settings immediately. Start a new browser, accept the user agreement and, if necessary, perform the initial account sync setting, which will allow the system to recognize the application as fully ready for operation.
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
In some cases, MIUI can aggressively unload new applications from memory. To avoid problems with opening links in the future, it is recommended to immediately fix the browser in the list of recent applications or allow it to auto-start in the appropriate optimization menu.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization of notifications | Included. | Settings → Notifications |
| Auto-start | Permission. | Security → Permits |
| Saving energy | No restrictions. | Battery → Settings |
| Access to memory | Permitted. | Application settings |
It is also important to check for updates to the app itself, which developers often release patches that fix critical security vulnerabilities, and using an outdated version of the browser can negate all the benefits of installing it.
The main way through system settings
The most reliable method of changing a priority application is through the system settings menu, which ensures that the change will affect all types of links and will work globally for the entire MIUI 12 operating system. Open the Settings menu and find the Applications section.
Inside this section, you'll need to find "App Management" -- it's a complete list of all the software you've installed -- but what we're interested in is not the specific application, but the default system settings -- click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen, or select the Settings menu at the bottom of the list.
In the menu that opens, select “Other Settings” or immediately look for “Default Apps.” In the category list, find “Browser.” When you click on it, you will see a list of all browsers installed.
⚠️ Note: If the default browser is inactive (gray), then the system has already firmly set priority.
Once you select a new application, the system can request confirmation of actions. Confirm the choice, and from that point on, all links opened from other applications will be launched in the Internet browser of your choice. The changes will take effect instantly.
Alternative method through application settings
There is a faster way to change settings that leads directly to the settings of a particular application. This method is convenient if you want to not only assign the browser to default, but also immediately clear its cache or data. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
Find the browser you installed (e.g. Chrome) in the list. Click on it to open the app information page. At the bottom of the screen or in the "Additional" (three dots) menu, find the "Open by default" item. Here you can see the current status: "Open supported links."
Click on this and select the option “Open in this app.” This action will force the system to use the browser of choice for all web links. If the system offers a choice every time, make sure that the “Always” tick is ticked when you first launch the link.
What to do if the button is inactive?
Sometimes it helps to reset your old browser settings. Go to Mi Browser settings in a similar way, find the option "Open by default" and click "Reset by default settings." Then the next time you click on the link, the system will ask you what to open the URL.
Solving problems and resetting settings
In rare cases, MIUI 12 may “forget” the choice or start offering the old browser again, often after major firmware updates or installing Google Play Services security updates. If links reopen in the wrong place, you will need to recalibrate the settings.
The first step when you have problems is to clear the Settings cache and the browser itself. Go to App Management, find the browser you want, select Memory, and click Clear. Fear not, it won't delete your bookmarks, but it will reset temporary files that may have caused the conflict.
If the problem persists, check to see if Safe Start mode is on or if there are any restrictions in Do Not Disturb mode, and sometimes antivirus modules built into MIUI can block the system priorities from changing, considering it a potentially dangerous action.
- 🔄 Restart the device after changing settings to apply the changes.
- 🗑️ Remove updates to the Google Service Components system app if the problem occurs after the update.
- 🛡️ Check the access rights in the Security app for the presence of locks.
- ⚙️ Make sure that no experimental features are included in the developer settings.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your app settings through the Recovery and Reset menu, you will lose all data and accounts on your phone. Use only spot-cleaning the cache of specific apps.
In the extreme, if nothing helps, you can use it. ADB-commands to force the default packet, but this requires a computer connection and debugging USB. For most users, the standard methods described above are sufficient.
💡
Use the Freeze feature in third-party application management apps to disable the Mi Browser completely without deleting its system files.This is guaranteed to force Android to use the alternative.
Features of working in MIUI 12 and new
MIUI 12 has a new design and a new permissions logic, and unlike previous versions, it has more control over background activity, so after installing the new browser, by default, be sure to go to the battery settings and select No Limits mode for the new application.
Also worth paying attention to the pop-up function. In MIUI 12, links from some applications may try to open in a floating window. To avoid this, in the settings of the selected browser, find the pop-ups option and allow them, or, conversely, disable if you are disturbed by intrusiveness.
An important feature is integration with Google services. If you use devices without Google services (Chinese versions), installing Chrome may not give you full sync functionality, in which case it makes more sense to choose browsers that do not depend on Google Play Services, such as Firefox or Opera.
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In MIUI 12, it is critical to manually configure the power saving mode for the new browser, otherwise the system will “kill” it, and links will open slowly or not open at all.
Remember to update your browser regularly. In the face of a rapidly changing web and security standards, the relevance of the software version is a guarantee of stable operation. MIUI 12 is good friends with modern versions of Chromium and Gecko engines.
Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi
Choosing a browser is a matter of taste, but for Xiaomi owners there are their favorites.Google Chrome provides better sync with your account, but can be a bit heavy for budget models.Opera Mini is great at saving traffic, which is true for limited rates.
Yandex.Browser is well optimized for Russian realities, has built-in turbo mode and protection from fraudulent sites. Mozilla Firefox offers better privacy and support for extensions. Mi Browser, in turn, is deeper integrated into the system, but suffers from an abundance of advertising.
When choosing, be guided by your needs: speed, privacy or synchronization. Any of the modern browsers will work on Xiaomi stable, if you properly configure system priorities, as described in this article.