How to make Google Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi: detailed instructions for all versions of MIUI

Why Xiaomi is difficult to change the default browser and how to fix it

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all powered by MIUI, which is known for aggressively promoting its own services, and one such service is the Mi Browser browser, which is set by default and often blocks the ability to change to alternative solutions, such as Google Chrome. Users are faced with the fact that even after installing Chrome, the system continues to open links in its native browser, and there is no explicit switch in the settings.

Complicating the problem is that MIUI 12-14 has a deeper default browser setting than standard Android, which the manufacturer deliberately restricts to keep users longer in the Xiaomi ecosystem, but bypasses this limitation, and we’ll show you how to do it on all current firmware versions, including HyperOS (which replaced MIUI in 2026).

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Step-by-step instructions for MIUI 12/13/14 HyperOS
• 📱 How to fix the problem if Chrome does not appear in the list of browsers
• ⚙️ Setup of opening links from messengers and social networks
• 🚨 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start setting up, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

1. Install Google Chrome from Google Play. If you have Xiaomi without Google services (such as the global version for China), download APK from the official Chrome site.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version. In older firmware (such as MIUI 11 and below), the default browser setting may not be available at all.
3. Clear the current browser cache (Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache).

If you use HyperOS, note that the path to settings may be different. In the new shell, Xiaomi has redesigned the menu, and some items are now called differently. For example, the "Applications" section may be called "Application Management".

Install Google Chrome from official source |

Update MIUI/HyperOS to current version|

Clear the Mi Browser | cache

Close all background applications-->

Method 1: Standard browser change by default (MIUI 12–14)

This method works for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO It's global firmware. It's relevant to the MIUI 12, 13 and 14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. Select Google Chrome from the list, and if you don't have one, see the section on how to solve this problem.

After that, all links from instant messengers, emails, and other apps must open in Chrome.However, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may ignore this setting and still use Mi Browser to open web pages.

Method 2: Setup for HyperOS (2026)

In the new HyperOS shell, which replaced MIUI, the path to browser settings has changed.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Management by default (or Default Apps, depending on version).
3. Slip it on the Browser.
4. If Chrome is not listed, click Add Browser and select it manually.

Important! HyperOS may require additional confirmation via Settings → Special Features → Improved Settings where you want to allow Chrome to open links from other apps.

💡

If the links still open in Mi Browser after changing your browser, try clearing the settings of the Android System WebView application (Settings → Apps → Show Everything → Android System WebView → Storage → Clear Data).

Method 3: Manually Assign Chrome to Individual Applications

Even after changing the default browser, some apps (such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or Instagram) may ignore this setting. To force them to open links in Chrome, do the following:

1. Open an application that does not open correctly (for example, Telegram).
2. Go to its settings (usually through three dots or swipe to the left).
3. Find the Open Links section or the default browser.
4. Select Google Chrome as your browser.

For MIUI 14 and HyperOS, you can also use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force Chrome to be the handler of all web links.

adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.BROWSER com.android.chrome


adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES com.android.chrome

💡

The most reliable way is a combination of standard browser settings by default + manual binding for each messenger separately.

Problem Solving: Chrome is not on the browser list

If Google Chrome doesn’t appear in the list of available browsers, the reasons may be as follows:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset application settings.
3. Confirm the action.

💡

On some devices (such as POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), it helps to install QuickShortcutMaker and create a shortcut to set up the default browser.

How to Make MIUI “Forget” About Mi Browser

Xiaomi is trying hard to get the user back to the Mi Browser, even after changing the default browser.

• 🔕 Turn off notifications from Mi Browser: Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Notifications → Shut down.
• 🚫 Disallow Auto Start: Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Auto-start → Shut down.
• 🗑️ Clear the Mi Browser data: Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔄 Cancel permissions for Mi Browser in Settings section → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.

On HyperOS devices, you may need to disable the “Mi Link” feature (Settings) → Connections and sharing → Mi Link, as it forcibly opens some links in Mi Browser.

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

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your default browser, you often have typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

⚠️ Attention! If, after changing your browser, links from WhatsApp or Viber still open in Mi Browser, check the settings of the messenger itself. For example, on WhatsApp you need to go to Settings. → Data and storage → Open links in Chrome.

Error 1: “No way to choose the default browser”

This is typical of Chinese firmware (China ROM), the solution is to install global firmware or use Default App Manager.

Error 2: “Chrome opens but doesn’t save passwords”

Check if sync is enabled in Chrome: Chrome Settings → Sync and Google Services → Enable Sync.

Error 3: “Links from some applications open in WebView”

Clear the Android System WebView app data and restart the phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions