How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi: full instruction

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users extensive personalization options. One basic but often ignored setting is the choice of default apps. This is particularly true for the web browser, which automatically launches when you click on links from messengers, social networks or email clients. The standard solution from the manufacturer does not always suit experienced users who are accustomed to synchronizing history, advanced functionality or the specific design of other browsers.

Changing the standard surfing tool can be confusing because of the Chinese giant’s firmware menu structure. The system often tries to impose its own Mi Browser browser, hiding the options in the depth of the settings. However, understanding the logic behind how Android works in conjunction with MIUI can easily redirect all web queries to Google Chrome, Yandex, Opera or any other preferred product.

In this guide, we will discuss the algorithm for different versions of the operating system, we will look not only at the standard methods through the settings menu, but also at ways to force reset priorities if the system “forgot” your choice, and will also address security and performance issues, as the right choice of software affects the speed of loading pages and battery consumption of your Redmi.

Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi

Many users leave the pre-installed app simply because it is already on the device. However, the regular Mi Browser is often criticized for excessive advertising in the news feed and aggressive data collection. Replacing it with a lighter or more functional counterpart not only allows you to work faster, but also improve privacy. Third-party developers often implement ad blockers, traffic saving modes and improved tools for working with tabs.

In addition, using a single browser on all devices (PC, tablet, smartphone) provides seamless synchronization. If you are used to saving passwords and history in a Google or Yandex account, then automatically launching the desired application when you click on a link in Telegram or Viber becomes critical for productivity, eliminating the need to copy links and manually open them in the desired window.

Importantly, some third-party browsers are better optimized for the background and consume less RAM. On low-end Redmi models with little RAM, this can be a crucial factor in preventing tabs from being unloaded from memory when switching between tasks.

Preparation for the installation of a new observer

Before you start changing your system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative application is already installed on your device, downloaded through the official Google Play Market store or GetApps. Once installed, it is recommended to initially launch the application, accept the user agreement and, if necessary, log in to your account to synchronize data.

It is also worth checking for updates for the operating system itself. In older versions of MIUI, the settings menu may have been located differently, or there may have been bugs that do not allow you to pin the selection. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the shell version to check the relevance of the software. If updates are available, you should install them before making changes to the system settings.

The issue of access rights deserves special attention: the new browser will request a number of permissions when it first starts, access to storage (for downloads), location (for geoservices) and notifications to fully work, and blocking critical permissions can lead to incorrect pages or inability to download files.

Instructions: change the browser through the settings MIUI and HyperOS

The main method of changing application priorities is in the system menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing installed programs, usually hidden in the sub-menus of additional settings.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Open the main menu of smartphone settings.
• ⚙️ Go to the Applications or Additional Settings section (depending on version) MIUI).
• 🔍 Find the Application's default paragraph.
• 🌐 In the list, select the Browser category.
• ✅ Set a tick against the desired application from the proposed list.

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If you can't find the default app, search by settings, type the word "browser" or "default" into the search box, and the system will suggest the desired section.

Once you select a new application, the system can display a warning that using third-party software may affect the operation of certain functions. This is a standard message that can be ignored. Now all links from other applications will open in the browser of your choice. If the list is empty, make sure that the alternative application is installed correctly and has all the necessary permissions.

Setup through the Android app menu

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions or after upgrading to Android 13/14, the path to settings can be changed. Android allows you to control the behavior of each application individually. This method is useful if the global setting is not applied or reset.

To implement this method, perform the following actions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find your new browser (such as Chrome) in the list.
3. Click on Open by default or Start by default.
4. Activate the Open Supported Links switch.

⚠️ Note: If the “Open Supported Links” item is inactive or hidden, try to clear the app data through the Memory menu first. → Clean, then repeat the procedure. Sometimes the cache of the old browser blocks the transfer of rights to the new one.

This method provides more detailed control. You can customize what types of links (http, https, domains) the application will handle. However, for most users, it is enough to simply allow all links to be processed to ensure that the system runs smoothly without the constant questions “What to open?”.

Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi

The choice of browser is a personal matter, but for Xiaomi owners there are nuances: some browsers are better optimized for Snapdragon or MediaTek processors, others have built-in features that are useful in the MIUI ecosystem. Below is a table to help determine the choice.

Browsers with aggressive news feed ads (as some standard solutions do) can drain the battery faster because of constant background content updates. Lightweight versions like Opera Mini or Via are ideal for older Redmi models.

Solving problems and resetting settings

Sometimes the system can behave incorrectly: links open in the wrong application, or choices are constantly reset after rebooting. In such cases, you need to reset the application settings by default, which will return the system to a state where it will ask you what to open the content every time you click on the link.

To reset, follow the following steps:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• ⋮ Click on the three dots in the top right corner (or the menu button).
• 🗑️ Select the item Reset application settings.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your app settings won't delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but it will reset all your preferences: keyboard vibratory, camera and microphone permissions, and default browser choices.

If the problem persists even after a reset, it may be a third-party launcher or optimization app that causes conflict.Try temporarily disabling third-party themes or cleaning up memory.Relatively, removing updates from the standard Mi Browser from the application management menu helps, making it inactive for the system.

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App reset is a radical but effective method of resolving priority conflicts in Android that often eliminates link opening errors.

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