Why is it important to update the browser on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones?
The browser on your Xiaomi Redmi is not just a website browsing app, but a key security and performance tool. An outdated version can cause slow loading of pages, content display errors, or even vulnerabilities to viruses. For example, Mi Browser browser version below 14.5.0 has found critical vulnerabilities that allow attackers to intercept keyboard input data.
The manufacturer regularly releases updates that optimize work with modern web standards (for example, support for WebP or AVIF for compressed images), improve phishing protection and speed up JavaScript rendering. This is especially true for owners of budget models Redmi Note 12/13, where every percentage of performance is in the account. But how do you know that your browser is outdated?
Signs of the need for updating:
Websites open longer than 3-5 seconds (with a stable Internet)
Videos on YouTube or TikTok are slowing down even at average quality
- Messages such as "Your browser is not supported" appear
In the security settings, antivirus (Mi Security) signals vulnerabilities
In this article, we will analyze 5 ways to update the browser on Xiaomi Redmi - from standard (via Google Play) to alternative (manual installation). APK). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for models with cropped firmware MIUI Russia, where some functions may be limited.
Method 1: Update via Google Play Market
The easiest and safest method is to use an official app store, which is suitable for all browsers except the pre-installed Mi Browser (updated via MIUI Updater).
- Open the Google Play Market (Color Triangle icon).
- In the search bar, enter the browser name: ๐ Google Chrome for the majority of users ๐ Mozilla Firefox โ if you need open source ๐ Microsoft Edge โ for synchronization with Windows PC ๐ Opera โ if you use the built-in VPN
Update
โ ๏ธ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10C) Google Play may not be available due to firmware limitations, in which case use method 3 (installation) APK).
Check Wi-Fi connection (updates weigh 50-150MB)
Free 200-300 MB of memory in the "Storage" section
Close all background applications (especially messengers)
Shut down. VPN (It can block access to the Play Market)-->
After the update, it is recommended that:
- Reboot your phone (hold the power button โ โRebootโ).
- Clear the browser cache: Settings โ Apps โ [Your browser] โ Storage โ Clear the cache.
- Check the version: Open the browser โ โฎ (menu) โ Settings โ About the programme.
Method 2: Update the pre-installed Mi Browser
If you use the standard Mi Browser (Blue Globe icon), its update is integrated into the MIUI system. Here is a caveat: on Russian firmware (MIUI RU), updates can come with a delay of up to 2-3 months.
- Open Settings โ About the phone โ System update.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner โ "Select the Service Pack".
- If a package marked "Browser" is available, download and install it.
Instructions:
- Download. APK-file: ๐ APKMirror (check hash sums of files) ๐ Uptodown (for Chrome) ๐ Official browser site (for example, Opera)
Settings โ Applications โ Application Management โ [Your File Manager] โ Allow installation from this source
APK
โ ๏ธ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources, it can lead to infection with viruses:
- Package name (for example, for Chrome it should be com.android.chrome)
Version and build date (APKMirror has a history of changes)
- Reviews from other users
How to verify authenticity APK-file?
Method 4: Install an alternative browser
If the standard browser on your Redmi is not updated or is unstable, the best way to do this is to install one of the MIUI-optimized browsers. We tested 5 browsers on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with 8GB of RAM โ the results in the table below.
| browser | Speed (score) | RAM consumption (MB) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | 9/10 | 180-220 | Best compatibility with websites, but "eats" the battery |
| Firefox Focus | 7/10 | 120-150 | Automatic history deletion and tracker locking |
| Brave | 8/10 | 160-200 | Built-in ad blocker and crypto wallet |
| Kiwi Browser | 9/10 | 170-210 | Support for Chrome extensions on Android |
| DuckDuckGo | 6/10 | 90-130 | Maximum privacy, but slow rendering |
๐น Recommendation: For Redmi with 4-6 GB RAM is optimal Kiwi Browser - it combines the speed of Chrome and the flexibility of desktop extensions. 8A) Choose Firefox Focus.
Installation of an alternative browser:
- Download the selected browser from Google Play or from the official website.
- When you first start, import bookmarks from the old browser (the offer will appear automatically).
- Set up your browser by default: Settings โ Applications โ Default Apps โ Browser.
Google Chrome
Mi Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Opera/Opera Mini
Another (write in the comments)-->
Method 5: Update via MIUI Recovery (for experienced)
This method is suitable if you are using custom firmware (e.g. MIUI EU or Pixel Experience) and want to update system components, including the browser.
Procedure:
- Download the full firmware package for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
- Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone.
- Reboot to Recovery mode: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi. 3 logo appears. Select "Install update.zip" (control - volume buttons).
- After installation, select "Reboot to System".
๐ง Advanced Diagnostics: If the problem persists, check the error log:
- Install the Logcat app.
- Run the browser update and open Logcat immediately.
- Find the error lines (filter by word "error").