How to make a default browser in Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the basis of the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, often come with preinstalled own browser Mi Browser. For many users, this comes as a surprise, especially if they are used to Google Chrome, Yandex Browser or Opera. The system can obsessively offer to open links in a standard application, which annoys and disrupts the usual workflow.

Fortunately, the Android architecture makes it easy to reassign a priority application to handle web links. The change process does not require root rights or complex code manipulation. You just go to the appropriate section of the system settings and select the desired program from the installed list. This action takes no more than a minute, but will significantly improve the comfort of using the gadget.

In this guide, we will go through all the details of settings in different versions of firmware. You will learn how to force the selection of an application, what to do if the desired browser does not appear in the list, and how to reset the settings if the system “forgot” your choice. It is critical to understand the difference between installing an application and assigning it to the main link processor.

Why Xiaomi System Chooses Its Browser

Xiaomi’s policy, like many other Android device makers, is to integrate its own services in a deep way. The Mi Browser is part of the ecosystem and is often a priority when you first launch a phone, so that you can access the Internet immediately without having to download third-party apps.

However, shell algorithms can be aggressive. Even if you have installed Chrome, the system can periodically pop up and ask, "Do you want to use Mi Browser?" If you accidentally click "Yes" or "Always", the system will remember this choice. In the future, all links from messengers, mail or notes will open in the standard application.

Also, in some regions (especially global firmware versions), pre-installed applications have higher system privileges. That doesn't mean they can't be changed, but the standard Settings path can sometimes hide the option of choosing if the previous action was fixed rigidly.

Standard method through system settings

The most reliable and versatile method of changing a priority application is available in the Android settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing applications by default.

Open the main settings menu first. This is usually a gear icon on your desktop. Scroll down to "Applications." In some firmware versions, this item may be called "Applications and Notifications." Inside, we're interested in the "Application Settings" or "Application Management" subsection.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Find in the list or in the top menu (three dots) the item "Default Apps".
• 🌐 Select the category "Browser" or "Web browser".
• ✅ In the list that opens, tick the browser you need, for example, Google Chrome.

After that, the system will redirect all HTTP and HTTPS requests to the selected application. If you do not find the "Default Apps" option right away, try searching inside the settings. Type the word "browser" or "default" and the system will tell you the path, which is especially true for newer versions of HyperOS where the menu has been reorganized.

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If the default apps list doesn’t have the right browser, make sure it’s fully installed and updated through Google Play Store or GetApps.

Default reset method

Sometimes there is only one option on the selection menu, Mi Browser, and you can't change it, which happens if you accidentally ticked the "Always" box for a standard browser when you open a link, in which case the system blocks the choice, considering the preference is final.

To return the choice, you need to reset the settings of a particular application. Find the "Applications" section in the settings, then "All Apps"; in the list, find the Mi Browser (or the browser that is currently the default browser).

Go inside the app and scroll down to either Open by Default or Run by Default, and there's an active button called Clear Default Settings or Reset, and if you click on it, you don't delete the history or cache, you just unblock the selection.

After reset, try to open any link, for example, from SMS or WhatsApp. the system will again ask: "What to open?" At this point, select the desired browser and click "Always".

Configure depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells are constantly updated, and the menu layout can change. Owners of different models (Redmi Note, Xiaomi Mi, Poco) can see the interface differently.

It is important to note that in Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM), the standard browser is often Baidu Browser or Via. The principle of change is similar, but the names can be in Chinese, in which case it is better to focus on the icon or use a translator on the screen.

If you have HyperOS, look for a search in the settings. The new system has an improved search algorithm that finds hidden menu items faster than manual brute force. Just type the browser into the settings search bar and the item you want will appear first.

Specifics of working with Google Chrome and Yandex

Users often choose between Google Chrome and Yandex Browser.Both apps have their own integration features in the Xiaomi system. Chrome is native to Android, so after assigning it to default, it works as stable as possible and quickly opens links from other Google applications.

Yandex Browser, in turn, often suggests setting itself as the main one at the first start. If you agree, it can intercept control. To return everything as it was, follow the reset instructions described above. Also, in the settings of Yandex itself, there is a "Browser by default" option, which can duplicate system settings.

It is worth considering that some “light” versions of browsers (Lite versions) may not appear in the list of system priorities if they are not registered correctly in the application manifesto, in which case the system will ignore them when choosing a link handler.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the standard Mi Browser completely unless you are confident in your actions. Some system widgets (for example, News or Cards on the desktop) can use its engine to display content.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Even if you follow the instructions, you might find it difficult, for example, if you choose a new browser, you still open links in the old browser, and this might be due to the system caching, and then you can reboot the device.

Another problem is that there is no browser in the selection list, so make sure that the app is installed for the current user. Xiaomi has a "Second Space" or "Guest Mode" feature, and if the browser is installed only in the Guest profile, you will not be able to choose it in the main profile.

Also check if Traffic Savings or Turbo Mode is enabled in the Mi Browser itself, which can block external calls. Sometimes it helps to update all apps through the Google Play store.

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If neither method helps, try temporarily disabling Mi Browser in the application settings (the “Disable” button), selecting a new browser, and then turning on the standard one again.

Additional safety recommendations

By choosing the default browser, you determine which app will handle all your web traffic.It's important to trust this app.The standard Mi Browser has built-in ad-blocking and phishing-protection features, which can be useful for less experienced users.

Third-party browsers like Firefox or DuckDuckGo offer higher privacy, and if anonymity is important to you, it makes sense to assign them to the primary browsers, but remember that they may run a little slower on older phone models due to the lack of optimization for Snapdragon or MediaTek processors.

Check the default app list regularly. After major Android or MIUI updates, settings may reset and the system will prompt you to choose a browser again. Be careful when installing new apps that may also qualify as a link handler.