How to choose a search engine on Xiaomi: full instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of tools for browsing the Internet, but the standard settings often leave much to be desired. Immediately after unpacking the device, you may notice that the browser is default to a Chinese search engine or services that are not adapted to your habits. This is especially true for global firmware versions, where the Xiaomi Browser is preinstalled, requiring fine-tuning.

Changing your search engine is not just a matter of aesthetic preference, it's also a way to improve information efficiency. A well-chosen search algorithm can find relevant data faster, eliminate unnecessary advertising, and ensure greater privacy for your queries. Owners of devices with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS have flexible personalization options.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at how to change the search engine in Xiaomi’s standard browser, and look at third-party alternatives. You’ll learn how to set up Google, Yandex, or Bing to work by default across the entire system. This action will take just a couple of minutes, but will greatly improve the user experience.

Standard search engines in the shell MIUI and HyperOS

By default, Xiaomi smartphones, especially in global versions, often preinstalled its own browser. Its engine can be based on Chromium technologies, but the start page and search bar often lead to Bing or Yandex services, which depends on the region of sale of the device. Understanding how this bundle works is necessary for competent configuration.

The challenge is that the system tends to keep its settings for analytics. However, unlike older firmware versions, modern HyperOS updates give you more freedom. You can change the engine right in the application settings without having to install third-party software.

It’s worth noting that a standard search engine is often integrated with a news feed that can be overloaded with content, and changing the algorithm to a more rigorous or specialized one allows you to clear the results of information noise.

🔍 Google is the most accurate algorithm for technical queries and search in English.
🇷🇺 Yandex – perfectly recognizes Russian-language queries, pictures and geolocation within the CIS.
🌐 Bing – often used by default, good for video search and integration with Microsoft products.
🔒 DuckDuckGo is the choice for those who prioritize anonymity and lack of tracking.

⚠️ Note: When you change the search engine in a standard browser, the changes may not apply instantly to all widgets on the desktop.

📊 Which search engine do you use most often?

Google

Yandex

Bing

DuckDuckGo

Other

Instructions: change the search engine in Xiaomi Browser

To start with, let's look at the standard solution. Xiaomi's browser has a fairly flexible interface hidden in the settings menu. To get there, launch the app and find the profile icon or menu at the bottom of the screen.

Then you go to the settings section. The interface may vary depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. Look for the item associated with Search Engine or Search Engine.

In the list that opens, select your preferred option. If the desired option is not in the list, some versions allow you to add your own option. URL-Hand-held address, which is a hidden feature for advanced users.

☑️ Checking browser settings

Open Xiaomi Browser:Push three bars (Menu):Select Settings:Search engine:Select the right one from the list

Done: 0 / 1

After selecting a new engine, it is recommended to clear the browser cache so that the old data does not conflict with the new settings. This can be done through the phone menu in the "Applications" section.

It's important to check how the address bar works now. Type in a test query and make sure the search results match the service you've chosen. If the result leads to an old search engine, try restarting the device.

Setting up Google Chrome as the main browser

Many users prefer not to mess with the settings of the regular software, but simply install Google Chrome, which is usually already built into the system, but not activated as the main one, and its advantage is full synchronization with a Google account.

To make Chrome the main thing, you need to change the settings of the Android system. Find the "Applications" menu, then "Default Apps." In this section, you will see the "Browser" item.

Click on it and select Chrome from the list. Now all links from messengers and other programs will open in this application with the search engine of your choice.

Parameter	A regular browser	Google Chrome	Yandex Browser
Synchronization	Mi Account	Google Account	Yandex ID
Locker	Basic	Expansion is required	Built-in Turbo
Saving traffic	There is.	Light mode	Turbo mode.
Integration	Deep (MIUI)	Google services	Yandex Services

Remember that in Chrome you can install extensions if you use PC versions, but on the mobile platform the functionality is limited to the settings of the application itself.

In the address bar, click on the lock icon or ellipsis, go to the settings and select "Search Engine." Here you can switch to Bing, Yahoo or DuckDuckGo in one click.

Secret codes for diagnosis

In some versions MIUI codes are used to check the network, for example ##4636##, but they do not directly affect the choice of the searcher, although they allow you to check the search engine. DNS, which may block access to certain services.> For the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet, Yandex.Browser is an excellent choice. It is sharpened to local realities: it can show traffic jams, weather and translate pages on the fly with high quality. When you install this app, the system will ask permission to use it as the default browser. Consent will make life easier, since all requests from Alice's voice assistant will be processed instantly. The first two are good with a built-in free VPN and ad blocker, which is critical for comfortable surfing on mobile devices. 🚀 Opera - built-in VPN Save traffic through data compression. 🛡️ DuckDuckGo – Automatic Tracker Removal and Combustion History. 🦊 Firefox – Extensions support and high privacy. ⚡ Brave – Engine-level Ad Blocking and Crypto Rewards. ⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party browsers from unknown sources may carry risks. download apps only through the official Google Play store or GetApps. Deleting ads and setting privacy A common reason for changing the search engine is intrusive advertising. Xiaomi's regular solutions sometimes fail by displaying banner ads in the news feed. Changing the search engine to a cleaner one or installing a blocker solves this problem. To increase privacy, it is recommended to disable the personalization of advertising in the settings of the phone itself. Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Advertising services and reset the ID. It's also worth paying attention to DNS-filtering. Using protected DNS (For example, from Cloudflare or AdGuard, at the Wi-Fi or mobile network level, you can cut off ads before they even get to the browser. Some search engines, like StartPage, provide Google results, but without trackers and history. It's the perfect trade-off between quality and anonymity: Regularly check the permissions that apps give out, and the browser doesn't need access to contacts or a microphone to perform searches unless you activate voice input yourself. There are situations when after changing the settings, the browser begins to work incorrectly: pages load slowly or the search does not open. In this case, cleaning the application data helps, go to your phone settings, find the browser application, and select Clear Data and Clear Cache, which will return the program to the post-installation state, while saving your bookmarks if they are synchronized. If the problem persists, it may be an antivirus or system update conflict. check for shell updates MIUI/HyperOS and the browser itself in the app store. 💡If the search engine doesn’t change or reset, check if you have an antivirus app or parental controls installed that can block changes to system settings. In extreme cases, you can remove browser updates, returning it to the factory version, and try to configure again. This often helps to eliminate software errors that occurred after updating the firmware. Remember, the search engine choice is the foundation of your interaction with the Internet. The right setup saves time, traffic and nerves. Can you completely remove the Xiaomi browser? Without obtaining the superuser rights (Root), you can't completely delete the system application, but you can turn it off in the application settings. After that, the icon disappears, and the system stops using it by switching to your default choice. Why does the search engine change itself back? This can happen after updating the firmware or the browser itself. The system tries to restore the "recommended" settings. In this case, you need to repeat the selection procedure. Also check if the check check check check box on the Internet speed of the search service? The search engine itself does not increase the speed of the channel, but the lighter search pages (like DuckDuckGo) load faster. In addition, some engines are better at caching pictures, which speeds up repeated searches. Is it safe to use third-party browsers on Xiaomi? Yes, if you download them from official stores, popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox or Opera pass security checks. APK-files from questionable sites.