How to update the browser on the Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

The browser on Xiaomi is not just a tool for surfing the Internet, but a key element of the system, which depends on the speed of loading pages, security of personal data and even the autonomy of the device. Many users face problems: pages load for a long time, video slows down, and some sites do not open at all. 90% of the time the fault is an outdated version of the browser, which the manufacturer does not update automatically due to the peculiarities of MIUI.

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the current ways to update your browser on Xiaomi, from the standard Mi Browser to alternative solutions like Google Chrome or Firefox, learn how to check the current version, where to download the latest updates, and what to do if the update freezes or gives an error, and also compare the performance of different browsers using the popular models of Redmi and POCO.

Why it is important to update your browser to Xiaomi

Have you ever wondered why the same site on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 opens 2 times longer than on a friend's iPhone? The reason often lies in the version of the web browser.

  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Fixing vulnerabilities: In 2023, 12 critical vulnerabilities were discovered in Mi Browser that allow attackers to steal cookies and passwords.
  • โšก Accelerate work โ€“ the latest versions support modern standards HTTP/3 WebP, which reduces the loading time on 30-40%.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Optimize for new chips โ€“ browsers adapt to the architecture of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Dimensity 9000, used in flagships Xiaomi 13T.
  • ๐ŸŒ Add features โ€“ for example, built-in translator or read mode, which are not in the older versions.

It is especially important to update your browser if you:

  • ๐Ÿ’ณ Use mobile banking or cryptocurrency wallets.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Download files from unknown sources.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Play online games through a browser (such as Roblox or cloud services).

โš ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and below, the standard Mi Browser can block updates through Google Play. APK.

๐Ÿ“Š What browser do you use on Xiaomi?
Mi Browser (standard)
Google Chrome
Firefox
Opera
Other

How to check the current version of the browser on Xiaomi

Before you update, you need to understand which version of the browser is installed now, which will help you avoid unnecessary actions - for example, if you already have the latest build. The instructions are universal for all models, from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Method 1: Through browser settings

  1. Open your browser (such as Mi Browser).
  2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner โ†’ select Settings.
  3. Scroll down to About the browser or information.
  4. In the Version bar, you will see the current build number (e.g. 13.15.8.12).

Method 2: Through phone settings

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Find your browser in the list and tap it.
  3. The version will be listed under the name of the annex.

Method 3: For Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome and type in the address bar: chrome://settings/help.
  2. The system will automatically check the relevance of the version and show the current build.
browserMinimum Update Version (2026)Where to find out
Mi Browser13.15.8+Settings โ†’ About the browser
Google Chrome124.0.6367+chrome://settings/help
Firefox125.0+Settings โ†’ Firefox.
Opera79.0.4143+About the program in the menu

โš ๏ธ Note: If your browser version is below the table, it is not safe to use it, especially for logging in to accounts or paying for purchases.

Method 1: Automatically Update via Google Play

The easiest method is to update your browser through the Google Play Store, which is suitable for all browsers except the standard Mi Browser (its updates come through MIUI).

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. In the search bar, type the browser name (for example, Google Chrome).
  3. If an update is available, instead of the Open button, you will see Update - tap it.
  4. Wait for the download and installation to be completed (browser restart may be required).

To speed up the process:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Connect to Wi-Fi โ€“ Updates Weigh 50-150 MB.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ The battery must be at least 30% charged, otherwise the system may interrupt the installation.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Close the background applications through Recent โ†’ Clear it all up.

Connect to Wi-Fi|Close all background applications|Check the battery charge (>30%)|Release 200+ MBT memory-->

If the button is not updated, it means:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ You're already the latest version.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The device does not support fresh builds (relevant for older models like Redmi). 4X).
  • ๐ŸŒ In your area, the update has not yet been released (check through the VPN).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the update is stuck in the download phase, clear the Google Play Store cache in the app settings.This solves the problem 70% of the time.

Method 2: Hand-mounted APK for Mi Browser

The standard Mi Browser browser is not updated through Google Play, but with the firmware MIUI. If you do not want to wait for the official update, you can install the new version manually through the APK-file.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Installation APK It can be dangerous from outside sources:

  • ๐Ÿ”— Official website APK from Xiaomi (check the domain!).
  • ๐Ÿ”— APKMirror (Look for versions marked no-DPI).

Installation instructions:

  1. Download. APK-The latest version of the Mi Browser file (for example, com.android.browser_13.15.8.apk).
  2. Before installing, allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Special Access โ†’ Install Unknown Applications. Select the browser or file manager you will install the APK through. Activate the Allow installation switch from that source.

Run the downloaded APK and follow the installer's instructions.

After installation, restart the phone.

MIUI versionSupported version of Mi BrowserIs manual installation required?
MIUI 1413.15.8+No (updated automatically)
MIUI 1312.14.5Yes (via APK)
MIUI 12.512.10.6Yes (with the risk of conflict)

โš ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and below manual installation of Mi Browser can cause malfunctions in the weather and news widgets.

What to do if the APK is not installed?
If an โ€œApplication Not Installedโ€ error appears when installing an APK, the reasons may be: 1. Incompatibility with the Android version โ€“ check if your Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi 7 on Android 9) supports the selected browser version. 2. The damaged file โ€“ download the APK again, preferably via mobile Internet (not Wi-Fi). 3. Conflict with the current version โ€“ delete the old browser through Settings โ†’ Apps, then re-installe. 4. Insufficient memory โ€“ free at least 500 MB in the Storage section.

Method 3: Update with MIUI System Updater

If you use the standard Mi Browser and donโ€™t want to mess with the APK, you can wait for an update via the system updater.This method guarantees compatibility, but can take several weeks.

How to check for updates:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ System update.
  2. Slip the button to check for updates.
  3. If a new version of MIUI is available, the description will indicate whether it includes a browser update (look for lines like โ€œUpdated Mi Browser to X.X.X versionโ€).
  4. Download and install the update (weighing usually 1.5-3 GB).

Solution: Turn off animations in Settings โ†’ Special Options โ†’ Remove animations.

How to update your browser to Xiaomi without Google Play?
There are 3 alternative ways: via APK: Download a file from an official website (like Firefox) and install it manually. Through Aurora Store: Install this alternative app store (it doesn't require Google Services). Through F-Droid: Suitable for open browsers like Fennec F-Droid (a Firefox fork without proprietary components).
Can I upgrade my browser to Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader?
Yes, bootloader blocking does not affect browser updates. You can: Update via Google Play or APK. Install alternative browsers (e.g. Bromite with AdBlock support), Restriction only applies to system firmware (MIUI), but not user applications.
Which browser is better for games in cloud services (GeForce) NOW, Xbox Cloud)?summary> For cloud gaming on Xiaomi, we recommend: Google Chrome supports WebGL 2.0 Kiwi Browser is optimized for gaming thanks to the #enable-gpu-rasterization flag. Edge has a built-in Clarity Boost mode to improve the picture in cloud games. Customization for maximum performance: chrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterization โ†’ Enabled chrome://flags/#enable-zero-copy โ†’ Enabled