Xiaomi Android smartphones offer users a wide range of browsers, but not everyone knows how to properly configure the default browser. This choice depends not only on the convenience of surfing, but also on the speed of operation, security of personal data and even battery consumption. Many face a situation when after installing a new browser, the system continues to open links in the standard Mi Browser or Google Chrome, ignoring user preferences.
In this article, we will discuss which browsers are best suited for Xiaomi devices in 2026, how to compare them by key parameters, and adjust them Step-by-step as the main one. We will focus on the nuances of working with MIUI, where some settings are hidden deeper than in pure Android. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes when changing your browser and what to do if the system persistently returns old settings.
Choosing a browser is not just a matter of preference, it’s also a matter of optimizing your smartphone’s performance. For example, some browsers consume 30% less RAM than standard solutions, while others offer built-in VPNs and ad blockers, saving traffic. If you often experience slow loading pages or battery drain when surfing, the problem may lie in the wrong browser.
Why it is important to choose the main browser in Xiaomi
Xiaomi devices have Mi Browser installed by default, but it is not always the best solution. Here are the key reasons why you should redefined the default browser:
🔹 Speed: A standard browser can be slowed by integrated Xiaomi services (such as Mi Cloud or ad modules). Alternative browsers such as Chrome or Firefox Focus often run faster due to an optimized engine.
🔹 Data security: Mi Browser is often criticized for collecting telemetry and transferring data to Xiaomi servers. Browsers like Brave or DuckDuckGo offer enhanced privacy protections, including blocking trackers.
🔹 Save traffic and battery: Browsers with built-in data compression (for example, Opera Mini) reduce Internet traffic consumption by up to 50%, and lightweight browsers (like Via Browser) less load the processor, prolonging battery life.
🔹 Device Sync: If you use Google or Mozilla’s ecosystem, Chrome or Firefox will allow bookmarks, passwords and history to be synchronized between your smartphone, tablet and PC.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or X-ray) POCO X5) Resetting browser settings by default can lead to a malfunction MIUI Launcher.Before changing your settings, make sure you have the latest firmware installed.
Top.-5 browsers for Xiaomi 2026 year: comparison
We tested popular browsers on Xiaomi smartphones (including Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5) and ranked them according to key criteria.
| browser | Speed (page loading, sec) | RAM consumption (MB) | Blocking ads | VPN/Privacy Protection | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | 1.8 | 220–280 | ❌ (requires extension) | ❌ | ✅ (Google Account) |
| Brave | 1.5 | 180–230 | ✅ (built-in) | ✅ (Tor mode) | ✅ (Brave Sync) |
| Firefox Focus | 2.1 | 150–200 | ✅ | ✅ (history-cleaning) | ❌ |
| Opera Mini | 2.3 | 120–160 | ✅ | ✅ (free VPN) | ✅ (Opera Account) |
| Via Browser | 1.9 | 90–130 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
And you can see from the table that Brave and Via Browser are the fastest and most resource consuming, but if you want to sync with other devices, you'd better go with Chrome or Opera Mini. Firefox Focus is the best privacy option, but it's not as functional.
How to install the default browser on Xiaomi
The process of changing the main browser to Xiaomi is different from the standard Android because of the MIUI shell.
1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play (such as Brave or Firefox).
2. Open any browser and click on the link. The system will suggest selecting an application to open. Click "Always" next to the desired browser.
3. If the window doesn’t appear, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Browser.
4. In the list, select the browser installed (for example, Brave Browser).
On some MIUI firmware (e.g., Xiaomi 12T), the path may be different:
Settings → Applications → Application settings (cog at the top) → Default Applications → Browser⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI before the new version (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) default browser settings may reset. Check them after each major update.
Download an alternative browser from the official store|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)|Close all background apps before changing settings|Make a backup of bookmarks from an old browser-->
What to do if Xiaomi does not save the selected browser
Many users complain that after a reboot or update, the system reopens links to Mi Browser, which is due to the features of MIUI, which forcibly returns standard settings.
🔹 Disable battery optimization for the browser:
Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Your browser] → Battery → No restrictions.
🔹 Clear the cache and data of Mi Browser:
In Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage, click on “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” to prevent conflicts.
🔹 Use it. ADB-force-shift:
If nothing helps, connect your phone to your PC and follow the command:
adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.browser/com.android.browser.BrowserActivity(Replace com.android.browser with your browser package, such as com.brave.browser for Brave).
🔹 Install a third-party launcher:
Launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion allow you to flexibly configure your default applications bypassing the limitations of MIUI.
💡
If after changing your browser, some links (for example, from Telegram or WhatsApp) still open in Mi Browser, clear the settings of these applications in the Default Apps section.
How to check which browser is used by default
To make sure that the settings are applied correctly, follow the following steps:
1. Open any application with a web link (such as Telegram or Twitter) and click on the link.
2 If the browser you select opens, the settings are correct. If not, check:
- Did the settings reset after the reboot?
- Are there any conflicts with other apps (for example, Facebook or Instagram may have their own built-in browsers).
You can also check the current default browser via Google Play:
Open Play Store → Menu (three lines) → Settings → General → Auto-Run applications by defaultOn Xiaomi devices with firmware MIUI Global Stable 14.0.5+ The function “Default Settings Protection” appeared, which blocks changes without confirmation by PIN-If you activate it, remember to enter your password when you change your browser.
Hidden browser settings in MIUI: what can be optimized
In addition to choosing the default browser, MIUI has hidden options that will help improve the performance of the web browser:
🔹 Disabling page preloading:
In Mi Browser, go to Settings → Additional → Page Preload and turn it off. This will reduce traffic consumption by 15-20%.
🔹 Data compression setting:
In Opera Mini or Chrome, activate Traffic Saving mode (Settings → Lite mode in Chrome).
🔹 Blocking Advertising at System Level:
Install Blokada or AdGuard and set up DNS filtering. This will speed up the loading of pages in any browser.
🔹 Changing the user agent:
In Firefox or Kiwi Browser, you can emulate the desktop version of sites through Settings → For developers → Request the desktop version.
How to turn on the reading mode in Mi Browser
Best browsers for specific tasks on Xiaomi
The choice of browser depends on your priorities, and here are recommendations for different scenarios:
📱 To save battery: Via Browser or Opera Mini – consume a minimum of resources thanks to the lightweight engine.
🔒 For maximum privacy: Brave (with tracker lock and Tor mode) or Firefox Focus (auto-clean history).
🚀 For speed and multimedia: Google Chrome or Kiwi Browser (supports extensions from PC version of Chrome).
🌍 To bypass locks: Opera (built-in) VPN) Tor Browser (complete anonymity).
📱 For sync with PC: Chrome (via Google Account) or Firefox (via Mozilla Account).
💡
If you’re a frequent web app user (like Google Docs or Trello), choose Chrome or Kiwi Browser – they support PWA (Progressive Web Apps) mode, allowing you to add sites to the home screen as separate apps.