How to Change the Default Browser to Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi Redmi can’t just change the default browser?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face a paradoxical situation: an alternative browser is installed (for example, Chrome or Firefox), but the system stubbornly opens links in the standard Mi Browser. It's all about the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively promotes its own services. Unlike "pure" Android, where it takes 2 clicks to change the browser, a workaround is required here.

The problem is compounded by the fact that in MIUI 14 and later, Xiaomi has hidden the direct option of choosing a browser in the application settings - now the path lies through the Open by Default menu or even editing configuration files. Moreover, after system updates, settings can be reset, returning the Mi Browser to the main status. This article will help you understand all the nuances from the basic change of the browser to solving typical errors.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start settings, make sure that the key conditions are met:

• 📱 An alternative browser is installed. Download it from Google Play (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Brave). On some firmware, the Mi Browser cannot be removed, but it can be disabled.
• 🔄 Updated firmware. Check the relevance. MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Update of the system in older versions (up to) MIUI 12) the browser change algorithm is different.
• 🔓 You can access settings. You can have administrator restrictions on your corporate or child devices.

It’s also worth considering that some browsers (like DuckDuckGo) don’t support all types of link processing. If you’re looking for PC sync, go for cross-platform solutions like Chrome or Firefox.

Method 1: Standard change through application settings (MIUI 12-14)

This method works on most modern Redmi devices (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+, Redmi 10, POCO X5). The instructions are relevant to MIUI 12, 13 and 14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Apps → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on the Browser line.
5. In the list, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome).

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open any alternative browser (such as Chrome).
2. In the address bar, type chrome://settings (for Chrome) or about:preferences (for Firefox).
3. Find the default browser section and click Make the default browser.
4. The system will redirect you to Android settings where you need to confirm the selection.

Method 2: Bypassing restrictions through Open Supported Links (MIUI 14+)

In the latest versions of MIUI, Xiaomi has made it more difficult to do so by removing the direct browser selection option, instead having to manually adjust the link processing:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose an alternative browser (such as Chrome).
3. Tap on Open by default (or Open supported links in MIUI 14).
4. Activate all switches for link types: 🌐 HTTP-reference 🔒 HTTPS-reference 📄 HTML-file

Mi Browser

turn off

After these manipulations, the system should automatically prompt you to select a browser when you first open a link. If this does not happen, clear the cache and Mi Browser data in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage.

Method 3: Editing Configuration Files (for Advanced)

If standard methods fail, you can manually change browser priority via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect to your PC and turn on the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the line MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

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

This command will reset the browser settings by default.

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It may disrupt the system. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Compatibility table: which browsers work on Xiaomi Redmi

Not all browsers integrate equally well with MIUI. Below is a compatibility table for popular solutions:

For maximum stability, we recommend Chrome or Firefox. If your goal is privacy, pay attention to Brave, but be prepared for occasional bugs when opening some links.

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If you change your browser, you still open links in Mi Browser, try clearing the Android System WebView app data in your application settings. This is the component that handles web links.

Typical errors and their solution

Even after you set it up properly, users have problems, and let's look at the most common ones.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The browser has reset to the standard, this is due to Xiaomi's policy.To avoid the problem, disable automatic system updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.

• 🔄 "Browser selection is not saved" Solution: Clear the cache and data of the Mi Browser, then reset. If it does not help, use ADB-Teams from Method 3.
• 🚫 "Unable to select browser – button is inactive Solution: This means that the device has an administrator profile installed (for example, through Mi Account or corporate account). MDM). Delete the profile in Settings → Accounts. → Delete the account.
• 🔗 "Links from some apps open in Mi Browser" Solution: Some apps (such as Facebook or Twitter) have built-in browsers. To avoid this, in the settings of these apps, find the option to Open links in an external browser.

If none of these methods worked, the radical solution is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that removes all the limitations of MIUI, but requires unlocking the bootloader and losing warranty.

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On Xiaomi Redmi devices with MIUI 14+, the most reliable way to change your browser is to combine manually configuring supported links (Method 2) and clearing the Mi Browser cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi