Setting up apps by default on Xiaomi smartphones

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS offer users tremendous flexibility in managing the system. However, the standard behavior of the Android operating system can sometimes be confusing, especially when after installing a new browser or messenger, the system continues to open links in old programs. Understanding how to manage startup priorities is a key skill for any gadget owner.

In this article, we will go into detail about the default application assigning and resetting mechanisms, and learn to force the system to use the software you want, rather than the software you want, especially for users who prefer third-party launchers or specialized email clients over standard Google solutions.

We will look at not only the basic settings, but also the nuances that arise when you upgrade your operating system to the latest versions of Android 13 and Android 14. The interface of settings may change, but the logic of the work remains the same. The correct configuration of these options will significantly improve the comfort of daily use of your Redmi or POCO device.

Basic principles of Android with applications

The Android operating system is built on the principle of selecting the action for each type of file or link. When you click on a link in a message, the system looks for installed programs in memory that can process an http or https request. If the suitable program is found one, it starts automatically without any questions.

This becomes more complicated when multiple browsers like Chrome, Yandex and Via are in the device’s memory, and at that point Android goes into a standby mode for user choice, and the system prompts you to choose an app once or make it permanent, which is a point that users often miss, leading to chaos in the future.

It is important to understand the difference between a simple installed application and a default application: the former simply takes up space in memory and can be manually run through the menu, while the latter receives system priority and opens automatically when certain events occur, such as an incoming call or opening a.pdf file.

• 📱 The system analyzes file types and link protocols before launching.
• ⚙️ Priority is given to the program selected by the user as the main one.
• 🔄 Google’s standard apps often have hidden priority in firmware.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone settings, all your default preferences will be deleted and the system will again start asking you about the choice of programs for each type of action.

Where to find default settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The interface of the MIUI shell may vary depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). However, the path to the cherished settings is usually hidden in the deep menus of the system. To get there, you need to open the main settings menu, which is indicated by the gear.

In most current firmware versions, the desired section is in the Apps category. Inside this section, you should look for Settings or Default Apps. In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI 12, this item can be entered in a separate “Additional” menu.

Users of the new HyperOS shell may notice a changed menu structure, where the logic has become closer to the stock Android, but the visual design has remained branded. If you can't find the right item, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen to enter the "default" request.

To quickly access hidden system settings, you can use a direct path through the debugging menu, but this requires the developer mode to be enabled. The average user just needs to follow the standard path through the graphical interface, which guarantees the security of system files.

Step-by-step instructions: how to assign the application to the main

The process of assigning a specific application to perform certain tasks is quite simple, if you know the sequence of actions. First you need to go to the Settings menu → Apps → Default Applications. Here you will see a list of categories such as Browser, Phone, SMS and Assistant.

Select the category you want to use, like Browser, and you'll see a list of all the browsers you've installed. Just tap the browser you want to use all the time, like Firefox or Opera, and the system will instantly remember that choice and stop asking questions when you click on the links.

If you prefer Google Assistant over XiaoAI (or vice versa), this also changes in this menu. After choosing, make sure that the application has all the necessary permissions to work in the background, otherwise it may not be activated by the button.

• 🌐 For browsers: choose a program with active synchronization.
• 📞 For calls: make sure the selected application has access rights to contacts.
• 💬 For communications: SMS-The application must have permission to read and send messages.

In this case, the replacement of a third-party analog may require additional actions through ADB or the presence of Root rights, which is not recommended for ordinary users.

Forced selection method at launch

There's a faster way to install the default application that doesn't require a deep dive into the settings menu, called "forced selection," and it activates when you first start an action, like when you first open a link after you reinstall the system.

When the "What to Open?" dialog box appears on the screen, you'll see a list of available apps. Under the app icons, there's often (but not always) an "Always" or "Always Use This App" switch, activating this switch captures the choice.

⚠️ Note: If you accidentally click on "Just Now", the system will remember this choice temporarily. To correct the error, you will have to manually reset the settings through the menu, as described in the next section.

On newer versions of Android 14, the HyperOS shell mechanism has become more stringent. The system may not show the Always switch at once, requiring multiple selections of the same application to verify user preferences.

If the dialog box doesn’t appear at all, it means that the choice has already been made, in which case you first need to clear the current default settings for the selected action category so that the system starts requesting the choice again.

How to Reset Application Settings by Default

There are times when you have to go back to the original state, like you installed a new browser, but the system persists in opening the links in the old one, and then you have to reset your preferences, and you can do this in two ways: for a particular application, or globally for the entire system.

The first is more accurate: Find an application in the Apps menu that is currently an unwanted primary (like an old browser), go to its properties and find the "Start by default" or "Open by default" button. Click on it and select "Delete default settings."

The second way is global reset. Settings → Apps → Applications → Applications often have a default button to reset all settings. You can also use the Reset App settings feature in the three dots menu in the top right corner of the list of all applications, which will return the system behavior to factory.

After the reset is performed, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow Xiaomi system services to correctly restructure the available actions and apply new priority rules.

Typical Problems and Conflicts

Xiaomi users often experience settings that “fly” after updating the firmware, which is normal because new versions of Android can change the internal Package Names, in which case the default settings have to be reset.

Another common problem is the conflict between the MIUI system application and the Google analog installed, for example, the system may ignore the choice of a third-party “caller” to solve this problem, sometimes requiring you to disable the system application if the manufacturer provides such a possibility, or hide it through ADB.

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If you change browsers frequently, install a link aggregator app that acts as an intermediary and allows you to choose a browser in one click, bypassing the system limitations of MIUI.

Also worth mentioning is the Safe Mode feature: If the phone isn't working properly, it can automatically reset all user settings, including app priorities. Quitting Safe Mode usually restores work, but settings will have to be checked.

• 🔋 Energy saving: make sure that the selected application is not limited in the background.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Security scanner can block installation of unverified applications by default.
• 📲 Access Rights: Without permission to "Above Other Windows", some launchers will not be able to work properly.

In rare cases, cleaning the Settings cache helps. To do this, find the Settings system process (not to be confused with the main settings menu) in the application list and click Clear Cache. This will not delete your data, but update the interface configuration files.

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The default stability of applications depends on the permissions for background work and the absence of restrictions on the MIUI energy saving system.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions