How to make Xiaomi Yandex browser by default: setting up MIUI and HyperOS

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, often offer the user a wide range of pre-installed applications. However, many device owners prefer to use Yandex Browser for its integration with the ecosystem of Russian services, built-in translator and Turbo mode. The standard procedure for installing an application from Google Play or GetApps does not always automatically switch the system to using a new product to open external links.

A user may find that when you click on a hyperlink in a messenger or mail, the system persistently launches Chrome or the built-in Mi Browser. This is because in Android, priority is given to the application that was selected first, or the one that is hard-wired into system processes. To fix this, you need to manually reassign priorities in the settings of the operating system.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at the algorithm that will allow you to make Yandex the main tool for surfing.We will look at the differences in the interfaces of different versions of firmware and pay attention to the nuances that are often overlooked when you first set up a gadget.

Device preparation and application installation

Before you start making system changes, you need to make sure that the software itself is installed correctly on your device. owners of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones have the ability to download software from several sources, but for maximum security and automatic updates, it is better to use official repositories.

Open the Google Play app store or the GetApps branded directory built into the MIUI shell. Type the name of the application in the search box. Make sure the developer is listed as Yandex to avoid installing clones or malware. Click the "Install" button and wait for the download to complete.

Once installed, the system can prompt you to select the default app for certain actions. If you missed this moment or chose “Just now”, you will have to manually adjust through the settings menu. It is important that the version of the operating system is current, since in older versions of Android, the paths to the menu may differ.

Global Default Application Configuration in MIUI and HyperOS

The main method of prioritizing is deep in the system menu. The MIUI and HyperOS interface may differ visually depending on the regional version (Global, China, EEA), but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for managing all installed programs.

Go to your smartphone Settings. Scroll down and find the App item. In some firmware versions, this section may be called Applications and Notifications. Inside this menu, you're interested in the default App subsection. This is where you're assigned which software will respond to standard system requests.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI With strong ad integration, the default apps can be hidden or replaced by a recommendation to use a browser from Xiaomi. If you don't see this item, search by settings by entering the phrase "default».

In the list that opens, you'll see categories: phone, messages, launcher, and of course browser. Click on Browser. You'll see a list of all the browsers installed on your device. Select Yandex from the list. The system can alert you to a change in device behavior — confirm the action.

Now all links opened from other applications must automatically run in the chosen environment. However, if you previously had priority for another browser with the “Remember Choice” tick, simply changing the global setting may not work instantly for all file types.

Resetting preferences for specific applications

It often happens that the global setting is done correctly, but when you click on a link from Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp, Chrome still opens. This means that for a particular source application (messenger) there is a forced restriction or saved user choice.

To solve this problem, reset the default settings for the application from which you most often click. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find your messenger (such as WhatsApp) or email client in the list.

Inside the app menu, find the Open by Default or Default Launch section. There will be a Reset by Default or Remove by Default settings button. After pressing this button the next time you click on the link, the system will ask you again what to open. URL-address.

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If the reset button is inactive (gray), then there is no forced selection for this application, and the problem lies in the global settings or cache of the system.

Now that you click on the link, a system dialog box will appear. Select Yandex Browser and be sure to click the Always (or Always Use) button. This action will create a hard binding that will have a higher priority than the general system settings.

Setup inside the Yandex Browser itself

The Yandex app itself also has internal mechanisms that help to cement its status as the main one. The developers have a feature that automatically redirects the user to the desired Android settings menu if it detects that the browser is not the default.

Launch the app and click on the three dots at the bottom menu (or at the top of the screen, depending on the interface version). Go to Settings. Find the section related to the basic settings or system. If the browser is not the primary, you may see a notification prompting you to fix this.

In addition, it is useful to activate DNS Switch Protection and Turbo Mode in the settings to ensure maximum speed and safety when surfing, which make the use of this product more preferable than standard counterparts.

Solving the problems with shells and launchers

Sometimes users install third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that can intercept link management, in which case the settings of the Android itself can be ignored by the launcher interface.

Check the settings of widgets and search bars on the desktop. If the Google search widget opens links in Chrome, this behavior is set by the widget itself, not the system, in which case it is recommended to replace the search widget with a Yandex analogue, or configure the Google widget to use the desired engine, if this option is available in your version.

Also worth mentioning is the promotional recommendations in MIUI (MSA service), sometimes the system may insist on returning the Mi Browser as the main one. You can turn off these recommendations in the Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data by finding the msa process and disabling it, or in the ad settings.

Features of work in HyperOS

With the release of the HyperOS operating system, the menu structure became more logical, but new layers of protection appeared. The algorithm of actions remains the same, but the interface has become more minimalist. The default browser selection point is now often placed at the top of the application menu or is available through a quick search.

HyperOS has improved user profiles, so if you have multiple profiles created on your device (like Job and Personal), the default browser settings apply separately for each profile, and make sure you change the settings in the profile you are currently working on.

An important feature of the new system is stricter control over permissions. When you first start Yandex Browser in HyperOS, be sure to provide all the requested permissions, including access to storage (for downloads) and location (for Yandex Maps and services), otherwise the functionality may be limited, and the system will consider the application “incomplete” for use by default.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main secret of success is not only to choose a browser in global settings, but also to reset the “memorized” choice for applications-sources of links (messengers and mail).