Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones come with a pre-installed set of applications, which often includes its own Mi Browser browser. Many users prefer to use alternative solutions such as Google Chrome, Yandex or Opera, because of the familiar interface or advanced functionality. However, after the first turn on the device, the system can stubbornly open links in the standard application, ignoring your preferences.
Changing the default browser is not just a matter of convenience, but also an important step to ensure the safety and speed of the Internet. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this process has its own nuances that can confuse an inexperienced owner. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to assign the desired application to the main one for opening web pages.
It’s worth noting that simply installing a new browser from Google Play or GetApps doesn’t always automatically switch system priorities. Sometimes you need manual intervention in system settings to “explain” the Android operating system which software should handle HTTP and HTTPS requests. We’ll look at all possible scenarios, including situations where the desired menu item is hidden or blocked by previous settings.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
Xiaomi’s standard browser, despite its integration with the system, has been criticized by advanced users, with the main claims being the abundance of advertising news in the feed, excessive consumption of RAM and features of user data collection. Replacing this application with a lighter or more private counterpart allows you to significantly speed up the loading of pages and improve the overall experience of using a smartphone.
Alternative browsers often offer features that are not available in the stock solution, such as built-in ad blocker, traffic saving mode, advanced privacy settings or support for specific extensions. Synchronization with the desktop version of the browser is also a powerful argument for those who are used to a single ecosystem of Google or Yandex.
- 🚀 Increased page loading speed by optimizing the rendering engine.
- 🛡️ Improved protection against trackers and phishing sites thanks to updated databases.
- 🎨 Flexible interface customization to your own tastes and needs.
It is important to understand that abandoning the system browser does not disrupt other applications. Links from messengers, social networks and email clients will simply open in the program of your choice, which creates a unified and predictable environment for navigating the World Wide Web, which is especially convenient when working with many tabs.
⚠️ Note: When you delete or disable a standard browser, make sure that you have an alternative application installed and configured. Otherwise, links may stop opening at all, which will lead to errors in the work of other programs.
Preparing for the default browser change
Before you go to system settings, you need to make sure that the alternative application is already installed on your device. If you just bought a phone or reset it to factory settings, first of all go to the app store. For users in Russia and the CIS, both Google Play and alternative directories like GetApps or RuStore are relevant.
After installing a new browser, take your time to change the settings immediately. It is recommended to launch the application once, accept the user agreement and, if necessary, perform the initial account synchronization setting, which ensures that the system correctly recognizes the program as ready to go.
☑️ Preparation for the browser change
Some users prefer to use specialized versions of browsers, such as Chrome Beta or Firefox Nightly. In such cases, the procedure for setting priority is no different from working with stable versions, the main thing is that the application is correctly installed in the system and displayed in the list of programs.
Instructions for the MIUI 12, 13 and 14 shell
In most current versions of the MIUI shell, the default browser change process is standardized and takes no more than a minute. You need to go to the general settings section of the system, where preferences for different types of actions are adjusted. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version of Android that underlies the shell.
Open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. At the top of the screen, usually on the right or as three dots, there's a menu of additional actions. That's where the feature you're looking for is hidden.
Settings → Applications → All Apps → (Menu) → Default AppsIn the list that opens, look for the Browser category, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of all the programs installed on the device that can open web pages, select the desired application from the list, the system can request confirmation of the action, agree to the change.
- 📱 Go to the settings of the smartphone through the gear.
- ⚙️ Go to the Application Management section.
- 🔍 Find the item "Default applications».
- ✅ Select your preferred browser from the list.
Once you do this, all the links you click on in other apps will automatically open in your browser. If the system has returned settings back after rebooting, check if you have Turbo mode or memory optimization enabled, which can aggressively unload background processes.
What to do if there is no “Default Apps” item?
It is important to note that in some firmware regions (e.g., Chinese versions without a global menu), the menu structure may differ, so the logic remains the same: look for the section related to application management and default behavior.
Configuring in the new HyperOS system
With the release of the HyperOS operating system, which replaces MIUI, Xiaomi has slightly redesigned the structure of the settings menu, making it more logical, but in some places less obvious to accustomed users, the default application assignment principle remained similar, but the path to it became shorter.
In HyperOS, the app settings section is more prominent, and often just use a smart search at the top of the settings screen by typing in a “browser” or “default” request, and the system will prompt you to go to the desired section, which saves time searching in the depth of the menu.
If you prefer manual search, follow the path: Settings → Applications → Application Management. Next, like MIUI, you click on three dots in the corner of the screen and select the default Apps, and here you will see categories for calls, messages and, of course, web browsing.
The choice interface in HyperOS has become more visual: app icons are larger and current choices are highlighted. After changing the browser, the system can offer to configure additional options, such as permission to display on top of other windows or access to the clipboard, which is characteristic of the new security requirements of Android 13/14.
⚠️ Warning: HyperOS has enhanced power saving mechanisms. After changing your browser, go to its battery settings and select No Limits mode so that pages load quickly even in the background.
Some users have noted that after upgrading to HyperOS, settings may be reset. If you notice that links are reopened in Mi Browser, just repeat the selection procedure, which is usually a one-off situation that occurs immediately after a major system update.
Troubleshooting: If the browser is not selected
Sometimes it happens that the browser you choose does not become the primary browser, or the system constantly returns you to the choice with each click on the link, this can be caused by caching old settings or conflicting versions, in which case a deeper clearing of preferences is required.
The first step is to clean up the Settings app itself (not your personal data, but the system menu cache). Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find in the Settings list (cog icon), click Clear → Clear Everything. This is secure and won't delete your Wi-Fi passwords or accounts, but reset the menu interface settings.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The system asks every time. | Not selected action "Always" | When you request, click “Always” instead of “One Time” |
| Browser list is empty | The application is not recognized as a browser | Reinstall your browser or update it through the Store |
| Links won't open | Conflict of protocols | Reset the default application settings in the menu |
| Mi Browser opens | Priority of the system application | Forced to select another in the default settings |
If the problem persists, try removing updates to the standard Mi Browser browser. Go to its properties in the app menu and click Remove Updates. This will return it to the factory version, which often removes the lock on choosing another application.
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If nothing works, try temporarily disabling Mi Browser from the app menu and the system will be forced to use the only alternative link opening app available.
In extreme cases, especially on custom firmware, it may be necessary to reset all application preferences. This is done through the Recovery and Reset menu → Reset application settings. Beware: this action will return all permissions and default settings for all programs on the phone.
Features of working with Chinese versions of firmware
Owners of devices imported from China or re-flashed to the Chinese version of China ROM may face a lack of familiar menu items or the presence of exclusively Chinese text, often strictly prioritizing Xiaomi system applications.
The Chinese firmware problem often requires the installation of Google Services Framework and a full Google Play store if it hasn’t been installed before, and without it, many third-party browsers may not properly register their Internet filters on the system.
Also in Chinese versions MIUI/HyperOS Advertising and promoting their own services are more aggressive. It is recommended that immediately after purchasing and installing a global language (if possible) or through the settings of the region (for example, the region “India” or “USA” in the phone settings) reduce the intrusiveness of system offers, which will simplify the setup.
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On Chinese firmware, it is critical to check the region of the device and the presence of Google services, since they often block the correct operation of third-party browsers as the main ones.
If you don’t speak Chinese, use screen translation apps (such as Google Translate or Screen Translator) to help you find the right item on the menu that may be visually different from the global versions.