How to update the browser on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

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 An outdated version can cause slow loading of pages, content display errors, or even vulnerabilities to viruses.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).

  1. Open the Google Play Market (Color Triangle icon).
  2. In the search bar, enter the browser name: ๐Ÿ” Google Chrome for the majority of users ๐Ÿ” Mozilla Firefox โ€“ if you need open source ๐Ÿ” Microsoft Edge โ€“ for synchronization with Windows PC ๐Ÿ” Opera โ€“ if you use the built-in VPN

Update

โš ๏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:

  1. Reboot your phone (hold the power button โ†’ โ€œRebootโ€).
  2. Clear the browser cache: Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ [Your browser] โ†’ Storage โ†’ Clear the cache.
  3. Check the version: Open the browser โ†’ โ‹ฎ (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.

  1. Open Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ System update.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner โ†’ "Select the Service Pack".
  3. If a package marked "Browser" is available, download and install it.

Instructions:

  1. Download. APK-file: ๐ŸŒ APKMirror (check hash sums of files) ๐ŸŒ Uptodown (for Chrome) ๐ŸŒ Official browser site (for example, Opera)

Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ [Your File Manager] โ†’ Allow installation from this source

APK

โš ๏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?
1. Download the Aurora Store utility (it checks APK signatures). 2. Open the file in any archiver (for example, ZArchiver) and check for the META-INF folder - its absence indicates a forgery. 3. Compare the hash amount (SHA-1) of the file with the official one on the developer's website.

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.

browserSpeed (score)RAM consumption (MB)Features
Google Chrome9/10180-220Best compatibility with websites, but "eats" the battery
Firefox Focus7/10120-150Automatic history deletion and tracker locking
Brave8/10160-200Built-in ad blocker and crypto wallet
Kiwi Browser9/10170-210Support for Chrome extensions on Android
DuckDuckGo6/1090-130Maximum privacy, but slow rendering

๐Ÿ”น 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:

  1. Download the selected browser from Google Play or from the official website.
  2. When you first start, import bookmarks from the old browser (the offer will appear automatically).
  3. 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:

  1. Download the full firmware package for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
  2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone.
  3. 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).
  4. After installation, select "Reboot to System".

๐Ÿ”ง Advanced Diagnostics: If the problem persists, check the error log:

  1. Install the Logcat app.
  2. Run the browser update and open Logcat immediately.
  3. Find the error lines (filter by word "error").

Example of error in logs when an update fails
PackageManager: Commit of package com.android.chrome failed means version conflict or lack of rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating the browser on Xiaomi Redmi

Can I roll back the browser to the previous version?
Yes, but with reservations: For Google Chrome: download the old version APK with APKMirror, but note that it may contain unpatched vulnerabilities. For Mi Browser, rollback is only possible through a complete firmware reset (MIUI) pre-production. โš ๏ธ After a rollback, some sites (such as banking sites) may block access due to an outdated rendering engine.
Why did the browser slow down after the update?
Causes and solutions: ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Cash not cleared: Go to Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ [Your browser] โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache. ๐Ÿ”‹ Background processes: B MIUI Limit the auto-start browser: Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Battery consumption management โ†’ Select your browser โ†’ Limit background activity. ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Firmware conflict: On the Redmi Note 11 and newer after updating Chrome to the version 120+ It may be because of the drivers. GPU. The solution is to disable hardware acceleration in the browser settings (chrome://flags/#disable-accelerated-2d-canvas).
How to update your browser to Redmi without Google services?
If you have firmware without Google Play Services (for example, Chinese) MIUI CN): Download. APK Use Chromium (open version without proprietary components) for Chrome. Install F-Droid, an alternative open source app store. โš ๏ธ On some models (Redmi) K50i) Manual addition of safety certificates may be required.
Is it safe to update your browser via APK?
Yes, if you follow the rules: ๐Ÿ”— Download. APK only from official sources (see method 3). ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Before installing, check the file on VirusTotal. ๐Ÿ“Œ Compare the hash sum (SHA-256) Official (it is published on the developersโ€™ websites). ๐Ÿ“Œ Tip: After installation APK Open the settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ [Your browser] โ†’ Permissions and disable unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to contacts or location).
How to enable automatic browser update?
Google Play Market: Open Play Market โ†’ click on the profile avatar โ†’ "Settings. Select "Network." โ†’ Auto-Update Apps. Specify "Only via Wi-Fi" (recommended) or "At any time." For Mi Browser, auto-update is enabled in the settings. MIUI: Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system โ†’ Settings (โš™๏ธ) โ†’ Auto-update.