How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Mi 9: all ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, is still a popular device thanks to its powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, many users face the inconvenience of a standard browser - whether it is advertising in Mi Browser, slow operation or lack of synchronization with other devices. Changing the browser by default seems like a simple task, but MIUI has nuances: the system can block changing settings or reset them after updating.

In this article, you will find all the current ways to change the default browser to the Xiaomi Mi 9, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI, solving errors such as “failed to install the default browser”, as well as tips for optimizing the operation of alternative browsers. We tested the instructions on the MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions), so the methods will suit most users.

If you've tried to change your browser through standard settings and you get an error, don't rush to reset your phone. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved without drastic measures, and we'll show you how to do it.

Why Xiaomi Mi 9 can’t just change the default browser?

Unlike pure Android, MIUI imposes additional restrictions on changing apps by default, due to several factors:

1. Mi Browser integration: Xiaomi’s browser is closely linked to MIUI services such as account sync, cloud bookmarks, and even system notifications, so the system can automatically return it as the primary one.

2. Chinese MIUI Restrictions: On Chinese-based firmware (CN ROM) devices, some settings are blocked at the kernel level, for example, there may be no Default Apps in the settings menu.

3. MIUI Security Policy: The firmware actively fights against “unauthorized” changes, especially if they affect system applications, which results in resets after a reboot or update.

4. Google Play Services conflicts: Global versions of Mi 9 (EEA/Global ROM) sometimes get bugs due to the simultaneous operation of Google and Xiaomi services, for example, the default browser can be reset after the Play Market update.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi 9 with firmware MIUI CN (Chinese version, some of the methods in this article may not work without unlocking the bootloader and installing custom Recovery.We recommend first checking the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This is the simplest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, but it may not work if:

• 🔹 You have Chinese firmware installed (CN ROM).
• 🔹 The system blocked changes due to developer or antivirus mode MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi Mi 9.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera).
6. Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

If the browser doesn’t change after these actions, try restarting your phone or clearing the Settings app cache (Settings → Apps → Settings → Clear the cache).

Install an alternative browser from the Play Market

Close all open tabs in Mi Browser

Turn off the power saving mode for the new browser

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 2: Reset application settings (if the browser does not change)

If the standard method didn't work, the problem could be a system permission conflict, in which case resetting the app settings to factory settings will help. Importantly, it won't delete your data, but it will reset all permissions and defaults (including the browser, SMS-annex.).

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.
4. After reset, repeat Method 1 (change browser through settings).

This method works in 90% of cases when the system does not see alternative browsers or save changes.

⚠️ Note: After resetting your app settings, you will have to reconfigure the camera, microphone, and geolocation permissions in each app, and check in advance which programs use these features (such as Instagram, Google Maps, or banking apps).

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If previous methods have failed, it is still forced to change the settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but it is guaranteed to work even on locked firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB on Mi 9.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification “You’re a Developer” appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Mi 9

File transfer

cmd

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

com.android.chrome

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome

Packages of popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: com.android.chrome
• Firefox: org.mozilla.firefox
• Opera: com.opera.browser
• Brave: com.brave.browser
• Reboot the phone.

If the browser resets again after the restart, try to fix it in memory through the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Applications → Fix in memory).

💡

If the ADB command doesn’t work, try first removing updates for the Settings app through Settings → Apps → Settings → Remove updates.

Method 4: Remove Mi Browser via ADB (for power users)

If Mi Browser is disruptive and constantly returns as the default browser, it can be removed from the system completely, a risky method, as it can cause MIUI to crash, but it is guaranteed to solve the problem.

Warnings before removal:

• 🚨 Some system functions (e.g., viewing) PDF or opening links from notifications may stop working.
• 🚨 After updating MIUI The browser may return.
• 🚨 On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) This can cause errors in the work of Xiaomi Cloud.

Commands for removal:

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


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

After completing the commands, restart the phone. Now the Mi Browser will disappear from the list of applications, and you can easily assign another browser by default.

⚠️ Note: If after deleting Mi Browser, links from WhatsApp, Telegram or other messengers cease to open, install any third-party browser and enable the option “Open supported links” in its settings».

Table: Browser comparison for Xiaomi Mi 9

If you haven't already chosen an alternative browser, compare their key features in the table below. We tested the performance on the Mi 9 with MIUI 14 firmware.

On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with 6 GB of RAM, Brave shows the best balance of speed and stability - it consumes less memory and has built-in ad blocking, which is critical for MIUI firmware with aggressive advertising.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Mi 9 users are faced with errors, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them.

1. Error: "Failed to install the default browser"

• 🔧 Solution 3: Check if the changes are blocked by the antivirus MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Security → Disable the protection).

2.The browser is reset after the reboot

• 🔧 Solution 2: Disable battery optimization for the browser (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select an application → Not optimize).

3. Links are not opened in the selected browser

• 🔧 Solution 1: In your browser settings, enable the option to “Open Supported Links” (e.g. in Chrome: Settings) → Open links → Turn it on).
• 🔧 Solution 2: Clear the Android System WebView application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Android System WebView → Clear the data).
• 🔧 Decision 3: Reinstall the browser.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Opera

Brave

Mi Browser (standard)

Other-->