Xiaomi smartphones, powered by MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, often come pre-installed with Mi Browser’s own browser. It’s deeply integrated into the system, which may be convenient for some, but annoys users who prefer Google Chrome, Yandex or Opera.The problem arises when links from messengers or apps continue to open in a standard browser, ignoring your preferences.
Fortunately, the Android system that underpins Xiaomi firmware allows you to flexibly manage your applications by default. The change process does not require root rights or complex flashing of the device. Just adjust several settings in the system menu correctly so that all Internet links automatically run in the app you choose, which will increase the usability of the gadget and synchronize the history of visits with your main account.
In this guide, we will go into detail about all the nuances of setting up, you will learn how to forcefully disable an intrusive service, clear its cache if it is stuck, and assign a new leader to surf the network, and we will also touch on the features of widgets and voice assistant, which can ignore the general settings of the system.
Why Xiaomi imposes its browser
Xiaomi’s policy is to create a closed ecosystem where all services are connected. Mi Browser is part of this ecosystem along with GetApps, Mi Video and cloud storage. Developers are looking to keep users inside their apps to collect analytics, display ads in the news feed and monetize traffic through embedded search engines.
That is why when you first turn on your smartphone or after you update your MIUI firmware, the system can automatically assign your native browser to the primary browser, often unnoticed by the user, especially if you made standard agreements during the initial setup without detailed study of the items.
⚠️ Note: Forced replacement of system applications through ADB-commands can lead to unstable interface operation. Use only regular methods of settings through the settings menu.
Also, some deep system links, such as help or certain types of in-interface advertising, can be hard-wired to open in Mi Browser. However, for 95% of user tasks — clicking from Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp or email clients — standard Android mechanisms work flawlessly if activated correctly.
Preparation for the change of the main browser
Before you change your system settings, make sure the alternative app is already installed and ready to go.If you plan to upgrade to Chrome, make sure it's updated to the latest version through Google Play Market. Older versions may not display modern web pages properly or may not support some security protocols.
It is also recommended to pre-sign in the new browser under your account, which will allow you to instantly restore bookmarks, passwords and browsing history if you used sync. Without this step, you risk losing important data, since Mi Browser stores it in its isolated storage.
☑️ Checking readiness for shift
An important step is to check that the new application has all the necessary permissions, sometimes when installed, the browser requests access to geolocation, microphone or files, and if the user massively clicks "Discard", some sites may not work correctly.
Default application settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The main method of changing the browser is to use the system menu of applications. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but the logic of actions remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for the global preferences of the system.
To start, go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find the Apps (or All Apps) section. In some firmware versions, this item may be called Application Management. Inside you are interested in the tab or Settings button, which is usually located in the upper right corner of the screen (three dots or a gear).
In the menu that opens, select the default App. The system will open a list of categories: telephony, messaging, map, and of course browser. Click on the current option (most likely, it will indicate Mi Browser), you will see a list of all installed browsers. Select the desired one, for example, Chrome.
What to do if the browser is not on the list?
Once selected, the system can display a pop-up warning that a change in settings may affect the performance of certain features. This is a standard Android message. Confirm the action with the OK button or Apply. Now all links from outside must open in the new application.
Resetting the settings of an existing browser
Sometimes you choose a new browser in your settings, but links still open in the old one. This is due to cached associations. The system remembers that you previously opened links through Mi Browser, and ignores the global setting for specific file types or protocols.
To fix this, you need to reset the default settings for the old browser. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Mi Browser list (or the browser you want to stop using).
Inside the app menu, find the Start (or Open by default) section, where you will see the Delete Default Settings (or Reset) button. Press it. This action will not delete the history or bookmarks, it will only remove the priority of opening links.
| Parameter | Value before discharge | Post-reset value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status of the annex | The default basic | Normal appendix | Links stop opening automatically |
| Request when opening a link | No (opens right away) | Yes (ask choice) | There will be a menu of browser selection |
| Background processes | Active. | Active. | Not changing, manual stop is required |
| Cash the data. | Accumulated | Save. | User data is not affected |
Once you reset, try to click on any link from the messenger, and the system should ask, "What do you open?" Choose your new browser and click Always. This will seal the choice.
💡
If after reset, the system does not ask how to open the link, but simply opens the old browser, try temporarily disabling it.In the application menu, click "Disable" (if available for system components) or "Delete updates" to reset its state to factory.
Set up widgets and voice search
Even after changing the default browser, the desktop Google Search or Mi Search widget, as well as the global search widget, can continue to use the Mi Browser to display newsfeed or search results.
For a Google widget on your desktop, tap its icon or pinch your finger on the free screen space, select Widgets, search Google and click on the settings gear. In the General section, find the browser app item and change it to the right one.
The Google Assistant is similar. It uses the browser specified in the system settings, but it can have its own cached data. If the Assistant persistently opens links to the Mi Browser, try clearing the Assistant's own data: Settings → Apps → Google → Memory → Clear all data.
⚠️ Attention: Google's data cleanup app will reset the personalization settings of the newsfeed and voice commands.You'll have to reconfigure some of the Assistant's settings.
Owners of HyperOS shell devices should look at Xiaomi's Search widget, which has its own settings inside. Click on the widget icon, then your profile or settings, and look for the browser to open results. Often, it has a hard link to Xiaomi services.
Removing or disabling Mi Browser
Many users want to not just change their browser, but completely remove the Mi Browser so that it does not take up space and consume battery. However, since this is a system application, normal removal through the menu is impossible - the Remove button will be inactive or absent.
There's a safe way to uninstall without using a computer or complex commands. This is the Disconnect function. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Mi Browser. If the Disable button is active, press it. The app will disappear from the menu, stop updating and work in the background, effectively becoming a hidden system file.
If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), then your firmware version requires this component to work with some system functions (such as widgets or embedded advertising), in which case the complete removal is possible only through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from the computer.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browserThis command removes the browser for the current user without affecting the system partition. This is safe and reversible (reset to factory settings will return the browser). However, use this method only if you are sure of your actions. An error in packageName can lead to the removal of a critical component.
💡
Deleting the system browser through ADB is a radical method, and for most users, simply changing the default app and disabling notifications from the Mi Browser is enough.