How to Install Chrome by Default on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Solving Typical Problems

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their flexibility, but sometimes standard settings can cause confusion — especially when it comes to changing the default browser. Many users prefer Google Chrome over the built-in Mi Browser, but the process of assigning it to the main one is not always intuitive. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to make Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi, including hidden settings, bypassing the limitations of MIUI and solving common errors.

It’s important to understand that the algorithm of actions can differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the device model – for example, on the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13 Pro, the paths in the menu can vary slightly. We will take these nuances into account and provide universal solutions that work on most current devices.

Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Xiaomi?

MIUI has historically been known for its user care, which sometimes turns into imposing its own services. The built-in Mi Browser is tightly integrated into the system, used to open links from messages, push notifications and even some system processes, which poses several key problems:

• 🔄 Automatic return to Mi Browser: After updating or restarting the device, the system can reset default settings.
• 🚫 Limited choice in settings: on some versions MIUI List of available browsers artificially reduced.
• 🔧 Hidden system anchors: Some links (such as those from Mi Home or Mi Account) only open in Mi Browser, ignoring user settings.

Xiaomi is also actively promoting its browser in regions with aggressive monetization (such as India or China), where the Mi Browser may contain additional advertising, which motivates users to look for ways to completely remove or replace the standard browser. However, on devices with global firmware (EEA), the restrictions are less severe, and the default browser change usually goes smoothly.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start settings, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid typical errors and ensure Chrome works correctly as the default browser.

Install the latest version of Chrome from Google Play| Update MIUI to the current version | Clear the Mi Browser cache in the application settings | Turn off battery optimization for Chrome |Reboot the device-->

Pay particular attention to the battery optimization clause: By default, MIUI limits background activity of third-party apps, which can cause delays when opening links in Chrome.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Chrome.
2. Select Battery Limitation and set the value No Limits.
3. Activate the AutoRun option (if available).

It is also recommended to clear the data of the standard browser to avoid conflicts.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.

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If, after changing your browser, links from some applications (such as WhatsApp) still open in Mi Browser, try manually selecting Chrome when you first open the link – the system will remember your choice for a particular application.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices. MIUI 12-14 Instructions are relevant for global and European firmware (EEA).

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. At the top of the screen, press three dots (⋮) and select the Applications by default.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list that appears, select Google Chrome. If it's not on the list, go back to the problem solving section.

Once you do this, all links from messages, emails, and other apps must open in Chrome, but there’s a caveat: some system processes (like checking for updates) may still use Mi Browser.

Method 2: Assign Chrome through Opening a Link

If the standard method didn’t work or Chrome isn’t on the browser list, you can use an alternative method to force the browser selection dialog to open the link, which works even on Chinese firmware (CN).

1. Open any app that has clickable links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Click on any link (e.g. https://google.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Google Chrome and tick Always (or Use by default).
4. Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

If the links are still opened in Mi Browser, then the system ignores your choice, in which case only the method with ADB or editing system files (requires root) will help.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13/14 for the Chinese market (CN) The browser selection dialogue may not appear due to severe restrictions, in which case the only way out is to use the browser. ADB or a change of firmware to a global (EEA).

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If previous methods have not worked, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to change system settings bypassing the MIUI interface. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

First, make sure that your Xiaomi has USB debugging enabled:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging and OEM Unlock options (if available).

Now connect your smartphone to your computer and execute the following commands in ADB:

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


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




adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "https://google.com"

After these commands are executed, restart the device. Chrome should become the default browser. If this does not happen, try an alternative command:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/org.chromium.chrome.browser.ChromeTabbedActivity

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system instability if the commands are entered incorrectly. Before performing operations, back up the data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 4: Editing system files (requires root)

If none of the above methods worked, and you have root rights, you can manually edit the system files responsible for the default browser, which is only suitable for advanced users and can lead to loss of warranty or unstable device operation.

To edit system files, you will need:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk.
• 💻 Root Explorer or Mixplorer with superuser rights.
• 🔧 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/etc/default-permissions/.
2. Find the default-permissions.xml file and open it in the text editor.
3. Find a line that mentions com.android.browser and replace it with com.android.chrome.
4. Save the changes and restart the device.

If Chrome is not the default browser after the reboot, check the file. /data/system/users/0/settings_global.xml And find the parameter. default_browser. Change its value to com.android.chrome.

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Editing system files is a last resort, and there are enough rootless methods on most devices, and only use this method if other options are exhausted.

Solving typical problems when changing browsers

Even after a successful default browser change, Xiaomi users may face a number of problems, including the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Chrome is not on the browser list

If Google Chrome doesn’t show up in the App’s default settings, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔹 Chrome is not installed from Google Play, but via Google Play. APK (For example, from APKMirror).
• 🔹 Application disabled or frozen through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔹 A modified version of Chrome is installed (e.g. Chrome Beta or Chrome Dev).

Decision:

1. Remove the current version of Chrome and install it again from the official Google Play.
2. Check if the app is disabled: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Enable.
3. If you are using Chrome Beta, try installing a stable version.

Problem 2: Links from some apps open in Mi Browser

Some apps (such as Mi Home, Mi Account, or Xiaomi Community) are rigidly tied to Mi Browser and ignore default settings, which are due to Xiaomi’s internal policies and cannot be changed without modifying system files.

Bypass:

• 🔗 Use the Open function in Chrome (if available in the context menu links).
• 📋 Copy the link and paste it manually into the Chrome address bar.
• 🚫 Disable notifications from apps that impose Mi Browser.

Problem 3: After updating MIUI, the browser is reset

This is one of the most common problems, and once you upgrade MIUI, the system can reset the default browser to Mi Browser, to avoid this:

1. Before updating, back up the settings through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. After the update, reassign Chrome to the default browser.
3. Turn off the automatic Mi Browser update on Google Play.

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If the problem recurs after each update, consider installing custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that doesn’t have a binding to the Mi Browser.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions