Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter a system request “Select the default application” when installing a new program or launching a certain type of file. This is the basic concept of the Android operating system, adapted to the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, which determines which software will open a specific content without further questions.
Understanding the logic of these settings is critical to a comfortable use of the gadget, as it allows you to automate routine processes and eliminates the need to choose a browser for links or a player for music every time. If you accidentally chose the wrong program or want to return factory settings, you will need a clear instruction on how to manage these parameters.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how the default application selection mechanism works, where the hidden settings are in the menu of your device and how to forcefully reset priorities if the system began to work incorrectly or you decided to change the usual software to a more functional analogue.
The main essence of the concept of “Default” in the Android system
The term default in the context of an operating system means a preset priority of action. When you first open a link from a messenger, the system needs to know which browser to run: the built-in MI Browser, Chrome or Yandex. If you tick Always or Default, you tell the system not to ask you any more about preferences for this type of action.
This applies not only to opening files, but also to executing specific commands, such as navigation, calls or working with a voice assistant. The processing protocol is assigned to a particular application, which speeds up the interface, but can create difficulties if the main tool no longer suits the user.
⚠️ Attention: Unsystematic assignment of applications by default can lead to a situation where links are opened in a non-working browser, and photos are opened in a heavy editor instead of a light gallery.
It is important to distinguish between a temporary launch and a permanent anchor. Xiaomi always provides a choice: “Just now” or “Always”, the first option is convenient for one-time activities, the second is convenient for creating a sustainable digital environment.
Where to find default application settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Searching for priority settings may vary depending on the firmware version installed on your Xiaomi. Most current versions of MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS have standardized paths to these options, but have their own nuances in menu item names.
To get to the desired section, you need to go to the main settings menu and find the category "Apps." This is where you focus on managing all installed software. Next, select "Settings", which is often hidden in the upper corner of the screen or in the submenu, and find the line "Default Apps".
- 📱 Open the settings of your smartphone.
- 📂 Go to the Appendix section → Settings.
- ⚙️ Select the default App to manage priorities.
- 🔍 To reset a particular application, go to Application Management, select the program and click Open by Default.
An alternative way to get to the settings is to search by settings, type the phrase “default” into the search bar, and the system will suggest you go to the desired section, bypassing manual navigation on the menu, which is especially true for new users who have not yet memorized the interface structure.
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Use the search in settings (a magnifier at the top of the screen) by typing the name of the desired function – this is faster than searching for items manually in a deep menu.
Browser and Call Management: Priority Apps
The two most important categories that require customization are the browser and the call app. The browser defaults to where all links from WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS and other apps will open. If you're used to Chrome, but the system stubbornly runs MI Browser, it reduces usability.
Similar situation with calls and SMS. Smartphone owners often install third-party number detectors or messengers with support SIM-In order for calls to go through the desired application, rather than through the standard Xiaomi “caller”, you need to manually reassign this priority in the appropriate settings section.
| Type of action | Standard Xiaomi app | Popular alternatives | Where to change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web browser | MI Browser | Chrome, Firefox, Yandex | Default applications |
| Phone (calls) | Phone (Google/Xiaomi) | Truecaller, Yandex | Default applications |
| Messages (SMS) | Communications | Textra, Google SMS | Default applications |
| gallery | gallery | Google Photos, Simple Gallery | Opening files |
And don't forget to navigate. If you're using Yandex.Navigator or 2GIS, it makes sense to set them as default addresses so that when you click on a browser address, it's the navigator you choose, not the Google maps.
Setting up SIM-Call cards and mobile internet
Owners of Xiaomi devices with two SIM-The system allows you to flexibly configure which SIM card will be used for outgoing calls if a specific contact is not selected, and which one for data transfer.
In the Settings section → SIM-You can find the default calls and the mobile Internet, and you can set a hard priority here. SIM 1 SIM 2, or leave the "Always Ask" mode, which is convenient if there are tariffs of different operators with different costs of a minute or traffic.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing SIM-Mobile Internet cards by default make sure that the data packet is connected to it, otherwise you can quickly exhaust the balance of the main tariff.
There is also a feature called “Use the default SIM for 4G.” This is important, since in some regions and at some frequencies only one of the cards can work in high-speed mode, while the second one goes to 2G/3G.
☑️ Checking settings SIM-map
Resetting default settings: how to return the choice of the application
If you accidentally installed the wrong app in charge, or just want to get the system back in a state where it asks you to choose a program every time you run a file, you need to reset your settings.
There are two ways to do this: one is to globally reset all default settings through the application menu; the other is to do a point reset for a particular program that is behaving incorrectly; the other is preferable because it does not disrupt other services that you have already configured.
For point reset, perform the following actions:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the program you want to shoot (for example, a video player) in the list.
- In the menu that opens, find the default button or Open by default.
- Click the Reset default button or Remove settings.
After this operation, the next time you try to open the video file, the system will again display a window asking “What to open?”, allowing you to choose a new option or remember the old one.
What if the reset button is inactive (gray)?
Frequent problems and questions of Xiaomi users
Despite the system’s logic, users often face situations where settings “fly” by themselves or the system obtrusively suggests changing the browser, which may be due to the update of the MIUI firmware, which resets some user preferences to factory ones.
Another common problem is application conflict, where if you have two file managers or two video players installed, the system can randomly change priorities, in which case it is recommended to remove unnecessary duplicate programs or clearly specify priorities for each file type manually.
⚠️ Some Chinese firmware versions may aggressively return standard Xiaomi apps as a priority after each major system update.
Understanding how the default mechanism works allows you to turn a smartphone from a feature set into a personalized tool that works exactly as you like, not as the engineers of the manufacturer decided.
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Regularly checking the default settings after system updates helps to avoid sudden changes in the logic of the smartphone.