How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a complete guide with nuances

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is the default Mi Browser browser, and it's not always convenient. Users face intrusive advertising, slow work or simply prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera. However, changing the default browser on devices with a MIUI shell is not as obvious as on pure Android. In this article, we will analyze all the ways, from standard settings to workarounds for stubborn versions of firmware.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and regional firmware (global, Chinese, EEA). For example, in the European version of Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 14, the algorithm differs from the Chinese MIUI 12.5. We will discuss universal methods, and also separately discuss typical errors that may not change the browser all the efforts. If you have already tried to change the browser and faced a problem, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions.

Why is it difficult to change the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8?

It’s Xiaomi’s policy that the company is actively promoting its services, including Mi Browser. In some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese), the default browser change option is simply hidden in the back of the menu or disabled at the firmware level. Moreover, after system updates, the settings can be reset, and you will have to repeat the procedure.

Another reason is Android: Google has tightened the default rules for apps since version 10, but manufacturers like Xiaomi can modify this behavior, such as MIUI 13, when you install a new browser, the system can automatically assign it only to certain types of links (e.g., http://, but not https://), which causes confusion.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you change your browser by default, follow a few steps to avoid problems:

• 📥 Install an alternative browser from Google Play (such as Chrome, Firefox or Brave). Without this step, you can not change the browser.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI In the old firmware (for example, in the latest version, MIUI 11) the option to change the browser may not be available.
• 🛠️ Clear the current browser cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Check administrator rights. Some browsers (like DuckDuckGo) require additional permissions to work by default.

If you are using Chinese firmware (without Google services), you may need to manually install Google Play Services through the Google Play Services before installing an alternative browser. APK-It's risky -- you better stream the device to a global version. MIUI.

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If links still open in Mi Browser after changing your browser, try disabling it in the app settings (but don’t delete it – this can cause system crashes!).

Method 1: Standard browser change via settings (MIUI 12/13/14)

This is the simplest method that works on most versions of MIUI. The instructions are relevant for global and European firmware:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
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 Chrome or Firefox).

If there is no default App, your version of MIUI has been modified.

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. At the bottom of the screen, find the default button of the App.
3. Then act as in the main instructions.

Method 2: Change your browser through link settings (if the standard method doesn’t work)

Sometimes MIUI ignores the global browser settings, but allows you to change the handler for specific types of links, a method that is useful if after changing the browser links from messengers or mail still open in Mi Browser.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the browser you want to make the primary (e.g. Chrome).
3. Switch to Open by Default (or Default Settings).
4. Activate all available options: 🌐 Browser links (http://, https://) 📄 HTML-file 🔗 Hyperlinks

If there are few or no options, your browser does not support all types of links. Try another browser (for example, Firefox is usually more omnivorous than Chrome in terms of integration with MIUI).

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced ones)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi Note 8: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You became a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

ADB

Platform Tools

adb shell pm set-default-browser com.android.chrome

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

To find out the browser package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep browser

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Some system applications (e.g. Mi Video) may stop opening web links. To get it back, follow the command: adb shell pm clear com.android.browser

Comparison of browsers for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: which one to choose?

Not all browsers work equally well on the Redmi Note 8. We tested popular variants and compiled a table with key parameters:

For the Redmi Note 8 with 4 GB of RAM, Firefox or Brave are the best choice – they load less and block advertising better. Chrome is suitable if you want to sync with your Google account, but be prepared for increased battery consumption.

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Brave consumes 20 to 30 percent less RAM than Chrome and completely blocks ads, the perfect choice for the resource-limited Redmi Note 8.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Redmi Note 8 users are faced with bugs.

• 🔄 Links open in old browser Reason: not all link types are reassigned Solution: manually set the default browser for each type (see Method 2).
• ⚠️ Can't select a browser in settings Reason: Chinese firmware restriction Solution: reflash the device to the global version MIUI or use ADB.
• 📱 Browser resets after update Reason: Reset settings MIUI. Solution: After each update, repeat the procedure for changing the browser.
• 🔒 You can't delete Mi Browser Reason: it's a system application Solution: disable it in Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Disable (but do not delete!).

⚠️ Note: If links from WhatsApp or Telegram stop opening after changing your browser, check the settings of these apps. Some versions of messengers have a separate option "Default Browser" in their own settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8