How to choose the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi 7: 3 working methods and problem solving

Xiaomi Redmi 7 owners often face the need to change the pre-installed MIUI Browser browser to an alternative one — Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera. The reasons range from an inconvenient interface to problems with site compatibility. However, standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to do this intuitively — especially if you have updated firmware or use custom builds.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change your default browser to Redmi 7, including hidden settings, circumventing MIUI restrictions, and solving common errors like not having a menu option, and how to check which browser is used to open links from instant messengers, and why some apps ignore your settings.

Before you start, make sure that your device has the latest firmware version (relevant to MIUI 12/13/14). This is important, since in older builds (MIUI 10-11), the browser selection algorithm may differ. If you use custom software (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the instruction will also fit, but the paths to settings may vary slightly.

1. Standard method: through application settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Default Apps menu.It works on most Xiaomi devices, but there are nuances that many people are unaware of.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select the default Apps. Here you will see the Browser category. Tap it, the system will suggest a list of installed browsers. Select the desired one (e.g. Chrome) and confirm the action.

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Note: If your browser is not listed, even after installation, it means that the application has not registered as a handler. HTTP/HTTPS-Solution - reinstall the browser or clear its cache in Settings → Annexes → [Browser name] → Warehouse.

On the Redmi 7 with MIUI 12 and newer, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Memory and applications → Default applications → Browser

If you have a MIUI 11 or older, use the first option.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play

Update MIUI to the latest version

Clear the cache of the current browser

Check for Administrator Rights in the New Browser-->

2. Alternative method: through link settings

Sometimes the standard way doesn't work because of the limitations of MIUI, and in this case, you can go around and configure the link processing directly. Open Settings → Apps → All apps, find your browser (like Chrome) and tap it.

From the app menu, select Open Supported Links (or Open default links in older versions). Here, turn on all the switches for the http://, https://, and about: protocols.

This method is particularly useful if:

• 🔹 You're using it. MIUI 13/14 background-aggressive
• 🔹 The standard method does not show your browser in the list.
• 🔹 You want to split link processing between multiple browsers

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Note: If links are still opened in MIUI Browser after these actions, check the settings of a particular application (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp). Some messengers have their own settings for processing links that overlap the system ones.

3. Reset application settings (if nothing helps)

In rare cases, your default browser settings may freeze due to a conflict of system files, often after you update your MIUI or reset to factory settings. To fix this, reset your application settings:

Go to Settings → System → Settings Reset → App Settings Reset. Confirm. After this procedure, all permissions for applications will be reset, but personal data (photos, messages) will remain intact.

After discharge:

1. Reset the device.
2. Open any browser (such as Chrome).
3. The system will automatically prompt you to make it standard.

If this did not happen, repeat the steps from the first section – now the selection option should appear.

4.Use of ADB to Force Browser Change

For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to change the default browser via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This is true if the system settings are blocked or you use custom firmware.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB

Connect Redmi 7 to your computer, open the terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows) and execute the commands:

adb devices


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.settings




adb shell am start -a android.settings.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS_SETTINGS

After that, the default app settings menu will open on the phone, where you can select a browser. If the command does not work, try an alternative option:

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

(Replace com.android.chrome with your browser package, such as org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).

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Attention: Using ADB requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this method.

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To find out the batch name of your browser, install the App Inspector app from Google Play, which will show the full path to any installed software, including system applications.

5 Problems and Solutions: Why the Browser Has Not Changed

Even after all the manipulations, the browser can remain MIUI Browser by default. Let’s consider the typical reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If your problem doesn’t make it to the table, check:

• 🔹 Availability of updates for MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions)
• 🔹 Antivirus conflicts (e.g. Avast or 360 Security) can block changes)
• 🔹 Digital Wellbeing settings (in some versions) MIUI They limit the background activity of browsers)

6. How to check which browser is used by default

To make sure that the changes are applied, do a simple test:

1. Open any application with links (such as Telegram or Gmail).
2. Tap any link (e.g. https://example.com).
3. See which browser it opened in.

If the link opened in the wrong browser, check:

1. Settings of a specific application (in Telegram: Settings → Opening links).
2. System settings by default (see Section 1).
3. Updates for the browser (sometimes older versions ignore system settings).

You can also use a test URL to force a selection dialogue:

https://browserchoice.screen

This link is specifically designed to check browser handlers on Android.

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If after all the manipulations the browser does not change, the most likely cause is a conflict with the MIUI optimizer or damage to system files, in which case only a complete reset or flashing will help.

7. Recommendations for choosing a browser for Xiaomi Redmi 7

Not all browsers work equally well on Redmi 7 due to memory limitations (2/3 GB of RAM depending on the modification) and processor (Snapdragon 632).

For Redmi 7 with 2 GB of RAM, Opera Mini or Firefox Lite are the best choice - they consume less resources and cause less slowdowns. If you have 3 GB of RAM, you can safely use Chrome or Brave, but remember to clean the cache once every 1-2 weeks.

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Warning: Avoid installing multiple browsers at once, which can lead to conflict when processing links and increased battery consumption. If you need different browsers for different tasks, use profiles in Chrome or Firefox.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi 7