Links open in another browser on Xiaomi: how to change the standard browser in 5 minutes

You click on a link in your messenger or email, and instead of the usual Chrome or Firefox, it stubbornly opens in the standard Mi Browser? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. The blame is the aggressive policy of MIUI, which forcibly assigns its own browser to the default program. But there is a solution!

In this article, we’ll look at all the default browser changes on Xiaomi devices, including hidden MIUI 12/13/14 settings, circumvention of system constraints, and even radical methods for stubborn firmware. And why the problem returns after updating or resetting the settings – and how to avoid it.

Why Xiaomi ignores the user’s browser choices?

The root of the problem lies in the MIUI architecture. Unlike pure Android, where the choice of apps is flexible by default, Xiaomi tightly ties key features to its services.

• 🔄 Automatic resetting of settings: After the update MIUI The system often resets browser selection for security".
• 🛡️ Protection MIUI: Function Security → Special permissions block the change of standard applications for certain types of links.
• 📦 Pre-installed packages: The Mi Browser browser is integrated into the firmware as a system application (com.android.browser), giving it priority.
• 🔗 Link Types: Xiaomi shares http/https, Network errors and web-based intelligences – each type can be opened in its browser.

Interesting fact: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or POCO F4), the problem is exacerbated by regional firmware. In the versions of MIUI Global and MIUI Europe, the browser assignment algorithms are different!

⚠️ Note: If you use a corporate profile (for example, through Microsoft Intune), the administrator can block the default browser change. → Accounts.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

Let’s start with the most obvious method that works on most Xiaomi devices (except some models with MIUI 14 for China).

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Click on the Browser (or Open Web Links in New Versions).
4. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If you don't have a Browser item on the menu, your version of MIUI is blocking that path. Go to the next one.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Close all background apps |Disable VPN (may interfere with settings)|Check for MIUI updates

-->

On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11), a warning will appear after selecting the browser: "Some links may still open in Mi Browser due to system limitations" This means that MIUI reserves some web content behind its browser.

Method 2: Manual browser assignment for each type of link

MIUI divides web links into categories, and to redirect them to the right browser, you need to configure each type separately:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select your browser (such as Chrome).
3. Then, open the door (or open it).
4. Activate all available options: 🌐 References HTTP and HTTPS 🔗 Web pages (Web pages) 📱 Viewing Intentions (View Intents)

If you open links in Mi Browser after that, it ignores user settings, as is the case with regionally restricted firmware (e.g. MIUI China).

💡

After changing the browser, restart the device – this will help apply the settings to the background MIUI processes.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

For advanced users, there's a radical method called ADB commands, which works even where the GUI blocks change.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer → Debugging by USB)

Steps to change your browser through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the terminal: adb devices (you should display your device)
2. Find out the name of your browser package (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome): adb shell pm list packages | grep browser
3. Assign the default browser: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome (replace com.android.chrome with your package)
4. Reset the link opening settings: adb shell pm clear com.android.browser

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This may cause some system settings to reset, including widget data on the home screen. → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 4: Bypassing Restrictions through "Special Permits"

MIUI 13/14 has a hidden section that controls link forwarding to get to it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points at the top → Special access (or Additional settings).
3. Select Open Links by default (the title may differ).
4. Find the Mi Browser list and turn off all permissions for it.
5. Do the same for the Android System WebView.

After that, the system will have to offer a browser choice every time you open a link, minus the method: you will have to manually select a browser for the first few times until Android remembers the preferences.

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), this section is hidden. To unlock it, run it in ADB:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Method 5: Remove or disable Mi Browser (for experienced)

The last step is to completely remove the standard browser, which is risky because it can disrupt the system notifications, but it gives you 100% results.

• 🔧 Disconnect (without root): Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser. Press Disable (if the button is active). Confirm action.

Removal

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

After deleting, install an alternative browser before the first reboot, otherwise the system may restore the Mi Browser.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China removing Mi Browser could result in loss of system update functionality as some Xiaomi notifications are tied to this package.

💡

If Xiaomi’s push notifications have stopped working after removing the Mi Browser, restore it via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

Why does the problem come back after resetting?

Even if you managed to change your browser, after updating MIUI or resetting to factory settings, everything will return to normal.

• 🔄 Politics MIUI: The firmware contains a script reset_defaults.sh, which resets browser settings for critical updates.
• 📦 Pre-installed packages: System applications (com.miui.browser) take priority when recovering.
• 🔒 Lockdown OEM: On some models (e.g. Redmi) K50) Manufacturer blocks the change of standard applications at the bootloader level.