How to Make a Default App on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to Setup MIUI

Have you just installed a new browser, messenger or gallery on your Xiaomi Redmi, but the system is persistently opening up the old standard apps? MIUI Did your smartphone reset all your default settings? This is a situation that many Xiaomi device owners know. MIUI It has its own features of managing applications by default, which are different from pure Android.

In this article, we will understand what it means to “make the default app” on Redmi, why it is important for the usability of the smartphone, and most importantly, how to properly configure any application as the main for specific actions. MIUI, The most important thing is that the manufacturer does not always make it visible, as well as the nuances of working with different versions of the shell, and we will pay special attention to the typical mistakes that users make when changing standard applications.

What does “default app” mean and why it is necessary

The term "default app" refers to the program that your smartphone automatically uses to perform certain actions, such as when you click on a link in a message, the system opens it in the browser by default, or when you take a photo, it is saved to the gallery by default. MIUI Xiaomi Redmi pre-assigns these roles to standard Xiaomi apps, but you can change them to any other.

Why would you need that?

• 🌐 You prefer Chrome or Firefox over the standard Mi Browser.
• 📷 Gallery: Google Photos or Simple Gallery offer more features than a standard gallery MIUI.
• 💬 SMS/Messengers: You use Telegram or WhatsApp for messages instead of the standard Messages app".
• 🎵 Music: Spotify or VK Music is more convenient than the built-in player.

It's important to understand that setting up apps by default affects not only convenience, but also security, for example, if you designate an unreliable browser as your primary browser, it can lead to data leakage. MIUI Sometimes limits the change of some standard applications (e.g., Phone or Contacts) due to the close integration with system services.

Where are the default application settings in MIUI

Unlike pure Android, where the default app settings are in one place, MIUI They're going to spread them across multiple menus, and that often confuses new Xiaomi Redmi users:

1. Settings → Annexes → Application management → Cog badge (⚙️) → Default applications
2. Settings → System system → Additionally. → Default applications (in some versions) MIUI)
3. Settings for a specific application (e.g. in Chrome: Three Dots) → Settings → Default application)

The interface may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI And the Redmi models, for example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14 will be one way, and on Redmi 9A s MIUI 12 to others. If you don't find the right item, try using the search bar in the settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

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On some Xiaomi models, the default settings may be “Special features” or “Developers”; if you don’t, check out those sections.

Step-by-step: how to change the default application on Xiaomi Redmi

Consider a universal way to change a standard application using a browser, and similar actions apply to other types of applications.

Install an alternative browser (such as Chrome) from Google Play

Open the Xiaomi Settings

Go to the Apps → Application management

Press the gear icon (⚙️) top-corner

Select "Default Applications" → "browser"

Specify the desired application from the list-->

If you want to change the application to open links, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app you want to make the main one (like Chrome).
2. Go to its settings (usually through a three-point menu).
3. Find the item "Default App" or "Reset default settings".
4. Click "Set by default" or "Clear default settings".
5. When you next open the link, the system will suggest selecting the application and ticking the "Always".

For other types of applications (gallery, music, SMS) The algorithm is similar, but there are nuances:

• 📷 Gallery may need to first allow access to files in the application settings.
• 💬 For SMS Some messengers (such as Telegram) do not support the default function of the application.
• 🎵 For music, changing the default player may not affect playback via Bluetooth devices.

Features of default settings for different types of applications

Not all apps are set up the same way, but let's look at the key differences for the most popular categories.

Browsers and link processing

MIUI It's particularly "stubborn" about browsers, and even after changing the standard browser, the system can:

• 🔗 Open some links (e.g. from system notifications) in Mi Browser.
• 📥 Download files through a standard browser, ignoring your choices.
• 🔍 Use Mi Browser for quick search through the widget on the home screen.

To get rid of the Mi Browser completely:

1. Turn it off in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Shut down.
2. Remove updates through three dots → Remove updates.
3. Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) to replace the search widget.

Gallery and photo processing

MIUI automatically hides some folders (such as those with screenshots or downloads) from third-party galleries unless they are assigned by default:

1. Designate an alternative gallery by default.
2. In the settings of the new gallery, turn on the display of hidden folders.
3. B Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Access to all files grant the gallery full rights.

SMS and messengers

Here is an important nuance: only the application “Messages” from Xiaomi can completely replace the standard SMS-Third-party messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can become default apps only for the user:

• 📩 Open links like t.me or wa.me.
• 📞 Call processing via VoIP (if supported).

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For a full replacement SMS-applications on Xiaomi Redmi need to use modified firmware such as Xiaomi.eu or get root access. MIUI it's limited.

Typical problems and their solutions

When you change your default apps to Xiaomi Redmi, users often face a number of problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them.

Problem 1: The system ignores the selected application by default

If you have assigned Chrome as the default browser, for example, but links still open in Mi Browser, try:

1. Clear the Mi Browser cache and data in Settings → Annexes.
2. Disable Mi Browser completely (if possible in your version) MIUI).
3. Check the settings of the specific application that opens the links (e.g. Telegram has its own settings for link processing).

Problem 2: You can’t change the call or contact app

That's a limitation. MIUI: Phone and Contacts systems applications cannot be replaced without root rights:

• 📞 Use apps like Truecaller or Google Contacts over standard ones.
• 🔄 Set up synchronization of contacts with Google account to access through alternative applications.

Problem 3: After the update MIUI All the default settings have been reset

This is a well-known feature of updates. MIUI. To avoid losing settings:

Backup settings in Settings → About Phone → Backup

Record or take pictures of the current applications by default

Check for updates for your alternative apps

Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system-->

If the update has already reset, you have to reassign the default applications again, and in some cases, resetting the settings of a particular application through Settings helps. → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

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After the update MIUI missing menu items for setting up applications by default, try resetting the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the main screen → "Home screen settings" → "Reset".

Hidden Opportunities: How to Assign a Default Application Through ADB

For power users who want more control over default settings, there is a method available through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This allows you to circumvent some limitations. MIUI.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and most utility ADB.
• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB Xiaomi Redmi.
• 🔌 USB-cable.

Example of the command for assigning Chrome to the default browser:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

For other types of applications, use similar commands with their packages. Be careful: wrong commands ADB They may disrupt the system.

List of popular packages for Xiaomi Redmi:

Security: Risks of changing standard applications

Changing the default apps can affect the security and stability of your Xiaomi Redmi.Here are the key risks and how to minimize them:

• 🛡️ Data Leakage: Some alternative browsers or galleries may collect more data than standard apps MIUI. Always check the permissions of applications in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Permits.
• 🔄 System Process Conflicts: Disabling standard applications (e.g. Mi Browser) can cause widgets or system notifications to fail.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Some alternative applications (especially galleries) may be more likely to use resources in the background.

Safety recommendations:

⚠️ Warning: Never assign apps from unknown sources (outside of Google Play). MIUI block APK from unverified sources, but if you circumvent this restriction, the risk of malware infection increases significantly.

If you have changed the standard applications, you notice:

• 📉 Increased battery consumption – check the background activity of the new app in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🚨 Frequent crashes or reboots – return standard apps MIUI And check the system for viruses.
• 📶 Mobile network problems – this may be due to a conflict of applications SMS call.

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For maximum security, use only proven applications from well-known developers (Google, Microsoft, Mozilla, etc.). Avoid “lightweight” versions of applications from unknown sources – they often contain advertising. SDK, data-gathering.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions