How to change the Xiaomi browser: full instructions for replacing and configuring

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the intrusive behavior of the standard Mi Browser app. It constantly pops up when opening links, offers news and collects user data, which annoys many people who are used to minimalism. The standard browser is deeply integrated into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, so simply removing it through a regular application manager will not work without special manipulation.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the legal and secure ways to change Xiaomi’s browser to any other, such as Google Chrome, Firefox or Yandex. You’ll learn how to disable system restrictions, reset default settings and permanently get rid of pop-ups. The replacement process doesn’t require root rights, but requires careful steps in hidden menus.

Before we start taking drastic measures to remove system components, we need to prepare an alternative. Simply disabling a standard application without installing a new one, you risk being left without the ability to open links from messengers. So the first step should always be to install a reliable and proven web browser from the official Google Play store.

Why you should replace the standard browser on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s standard browser is often criticized for having too many ads and news feeds that cannot be completely turned off in settings, and consumes a significant amount of RAM, which can slow down a device with modest specs. Users who value privacy are also concerned about the application’s data collection policies.

Third-party browsers offer more flexible privacy settings, extension support, and sync with desktop versions, such as Chrome or Edge, which allows you to instantly transfer your history and passwords from your computer to your phone, creating a single ecosystem that makes it much easier to work with information.

Replacing a standard application with a lighter one also has a positive effect on device autonomy, with less resource-intensive programs less likely to access the processor in the background, which saves battery life throughout the day, especially for the budget models of the Redmi Note series.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of the system browser through ADB-commands can cause some system features to work unstable, such as weather widgets or news feed in negative screen.Be prepared for the fact that after updating the firmware settings may reset.

It is important to understand the difference between “disconnect” and “delete.” An app that is disabled remains in the phone’s memory, but does not start or consume resources, while deleting requires the use of a computer and an ADB debugging bridge, which is a more complex procedure.

Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of a new browser

Before you change your system settings, you need to install an alternative application. Go to Google Play Market and download your browser. Make sure it's installed on internal memory, not on internal memory. SD-Card to avoid access rights issues.

After installation, take your time to open a new application. First, you need to make the initial setup in the phone menu. Go to Settings and find the item responsible for managing applications. It may be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.

You need to check for updates to the operating system. Sometimes Xiaomi changes the paths to settings in new versions of Android. Up-to-date firmware ensures that the steps described below will match your interface.

It is also recommended to clear the cache of the old browser before it is turned off, which will free up space and prevent possible file conflicts when switching services, and you can do this in the control menu of a particular application.

How to Reset Application Settings by Default

The most important step is to reset priorities. Android defaults to opening links through an app that was previously selected or is system-based, and to make it forget that choice, you need to reset the app settings.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. In the upper right corner of the screen, find the three dots or gear icon. In the drop-down menu, select Reset App Settings or Reset Preferences.

Once confirmed, the system will warn you that notifications, background restrictions and silences will be reset. Don't worry, your personal data, photos and contacts will remain in place. Only the behavior of the system when you run files and links will change.

Now that the priorities are reset, the system will prompt you to select an app when you first try to open any link (such as from WhatsApp or Telegram), and in this window, select a new browser and click "Always".

Installing a new browser by default manually

If automatic reset doesn't work or the selection window doesn't show up, you can force a new app to be set up through the settings menu, which works on most versions of Android since version 10.

Find the App section in the settings and go to the default App subsection. In some shells, this item is hidden inside the Application Management menu. Find the browser line.

Click on the current value (most likely, Mi Browser will be listed there).A list of all installed web browsers will open.Click from the list of Chrome, Opera, or any other browser you pre-installed.

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If the "Default Apps" list does not have the "Browser" item, try searching by settings by typing the phrase "default" into the search bar at the top.

Once selected, the system will remember this setting. Now all HTTP and HTTPS links will automatically open in the selected application. Check the work by opening any site from notes or messages.

Remove Mi Browser via Computer (ADB)

For those who want to get rid of system debris completely, there is a method of removing through the ADB debugging bridge. This requires a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable. This method allows you to remove even those applications that do not have a “Delete” button in the interface.

First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version (or OS Version) 7 times.

Then go to Advanced Settings → Developer. Find and enable USB Debugging. It is also recommended to enable the USB Debugging option (Secure Settings) if available to have full control of the system.

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful when removing system packets. Removing critical components can lead to a cyclic reboot.

Connect your phone to your computer. Download the SDK Platform Tools from the official Android website to your PC. Open the command line in the tool folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen, accept it, and then type in the command to delete your browser:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

For some regions, the package may be called com.miui.global.browser or com.android.chrome (if you delete Chrome).

Alternative methods and third-party launchers

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications, debloater. Programs like Universal Android Debloater have a graphical interface and make it easier to work with. ADB-team.

Another option is to use third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allow you to create your own shortcuts and widgets that force you to open links in the desired browser, bypassing system preferences.

Some users install modified versions of system applications that are devoid of advertising and telemetry. However, installing software from unverified sources carries security risks. Only use trusted repositories such as GitHub or 4PDA when downloading mods.

Also worth considering is installing a browser that is better at capturing links than others, such as Firefox, which has a very aggressive policy of intercepting links and often becomes the main browser immediately after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The safest and most effective way to change your browser is to reset your default application settings and manually select a new browser when you first start a link.