Users of the Xiaomi ecosystem often face the need to reassign standard operating system activities. Whether it is launching a new browser instead of the built-in one or choosing an alternative launcher, the system requires clear preferences. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, the logic of these settings has its own unique features that can confuse even an experienced owner of a gadget.
By default, the firmware-based Android from the Chinese manufacturer is trying to keep users within its services, from link opening to music playback. However, the platform’s flexibility makes it easy to get around these limitations if you know where to look for the right switches. In this article, we’ll look at all aspects of the default program management.
Incorrect configuration can lead to the fact that links will open in the wrong format, and files will be launched through unoptimized viewers. Understanding the principles of file associations will help you make your smartphone use as comfortable and personalized as possible.
Where to find default application settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step is always to find the right section on the menu. Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi's interface has its own structure. You need to go to the main settings menu of the device, usually through the gear icon on the desktop or in the notification curtain.
Then the algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system. In most cases, the desired section is hidden within the category responsible for the general parameters of the system operation.
Inside this section, you should look for the App Settings subsection, which is where all the information about installed programs and their rights is stored. However, a separate input is often used to manage default actions, which can be called the Default Applications or located in the Application Management menu.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The path can be hidden in the menu Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard management if it comes to choosing the input method, but for basic programs use the app section.
If you use the latest HyperOS, you can find it more convenient because of the improved navigation, and you can just type in the default phrase in the settings search bar, and the system will suggest the right shortcut, which saves time and eliminates the need to wander through the menu.
It is important to understand that some system constraints may hide individual items if Developer Mode is enabled or specific security features are activated. In standard mode, all necessary switches should be available immediately after logging into the corresponding menu.
How to Change Your Browser and Search Engine by Default
The most frequent request from users is to replace the standard browser, with many preferring Chrome, Firefox or Yandex over the built-in Mi Browser. To change this, go to the default App menu, and here you will see a list of categories, including the browser.
Clicking on the current choice, the system will offer a list of all installed web browsers. Choose the option you want, then all links from messengers, mail and other applications will automatically open in the selected program, which greatly speeds up the work.
We should also mention the search engine. Often the browser is installed, but the search is carried out through an undesirable service. To change this parameter, you need to go to the settings of the browser itself. Find the Search engine or Search engine section and choose your preferred option, for example, Google or DuckDuckGo.
- 🌐 Open your smartphone settings and go to the app section.
- 🔍 Find the "Default Apps" item in the top menu or through search.
- ✅ Select the category "Browser" and specify the desired option from the list.
- ⚙️ To change the search, go to the settings of the browser itself and change the engine.
After changing the browser, it is recommended to check the link performance. Open any messenger and click on the hyperlink. If it opened in the selected application, then the configuration was successful. If not, you may need to clear the cache of the previous browser.
☑️ Checking browser settings
Setup of messengers, calls and SMS
Communications app management is a critical part of setting up your smartphone. You may prefer Viber or Telegram for calls over the standard caller, although Android requires additional permissions to replace the system dialer, but SMS and instant messaging are immediately available.
In the Applications section, find the Phone, SMS and Instant Message categories by default. For calls, it is better to leave the standard app, as third-party users may not have access to the number sensing or conversation recording functions that are deeply integrated into MIUI.
For SMS, choose your favorite app if you use an alternative to the standard one, especially for those who use advanced spam blocking software, and the system will send all incoming messages to the client of choice.
⚠️ Note: When changing the application for calls or SMS It will issue a security alert, which is the standard procedure to confirm that you are aware of the transfer of rights to the new application.
You can also set up a default messaging app here, and if you have multiple messengers that support RCS or standard SMS, the system will ask you what to send when you click Write on your contacts.
Remember that some features, such as video calls through contacts, may depend on the default app you choose.If you are actively using Google Contacts, make sure they have the necessary permissions to integrate with the chosen messenger.
Managing File Openings and Content Types
One of the most confusing areas is file type management, and when you download a document, the system needs to know whether to open it: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or the built-in viewer, and Xiaomi's file association mechanism is responsible for that.
To change a program for a particular file type, you don't have to go deep into the settings. You just have to open a file from the file manager. If you have multiple applications that support that format, the system will offer you a choice. Choose the right application and click "Always".
If you accidentally chose "Always" the wrong app, you can reset that choice through the settings menu. Find the program that is currently opening files incorrectly in the application list. Go to it (app information) and find the default Opening section.
| File type | Standard annex | Recommended alter![CDATA] | Where to change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Conductor | Adobe Acrobat / Google PDF | When you open a file | |
| Video (MP4) | Mi video | VLC / MX Player | Settings → Applications |
| Music (MP3) | Mi Music. | PowerAmp/Yandex | Default applications |
| Archives (ZIP) | Conductor | RAR / ZArchiver | When you open a file |
If the file opens in a gallery instead of a dedicated editor, use the Open with the help button in the file action menu.
What to do if the desired application is not on the list?
Change of launcher and desktop
Replacing the standard desktop is a popular way to customize Xiaomi. Users often install Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher to change the appearance of the icons and the behavior of the system.
After installing a new launcher from Google Play, click the Home button (square or circle at the bottom of the screen). The system will ask which application to use for this action. Select a new launcher and click Always.
If the system doesn’t ask and returns you to a standard desktop, you need to act through the settings. In the Desktop or Launcher Apps section, find Desktop or Launcher. If there is no such item explicitly, it can be hidden in the Application Management → Permissions → Auto Run (although this is rare for newer versions).
- 📲 Install the desired launcher from the app store.
- 🏠 Press the Home button on the navigation bar.
- 🔘 Select a new launcher from the list that appears.
- 🔒 Press "Always" to secure the choice.
Sometimes MIUI can aggressively close third-party launchers to save battery life. To avoid this, go to the battery settings, find the launcher installed, and set the "No Limits" mode, which will prevent the desktop settings from resetting when the memory is cleared.
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If the phone returns the standard launcher after the restart, check if the “Home Screen Lock” option is included in the design theme or security settings.
Resetting default settings and eliminating errors
There are times when settings get lost or the application stops responding to commands, and in these cases, preference reset helps, and it doesn't delete the application data, but it returns all file associations and default actions to factory values.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Click on the menu (three dots in the corner) and select Reset App Settings. Confirm the action.
After this operation, when you first start any type of file or action, the system will again ask you how to open it, which is a great way to fix errors when links open in a "blanket browser" or files do not want to start.
⚠️ Note: Resetting app settings will also disable notifications for all programs and return permissions to the original state.
If the problem is with a particular application that is stuck in a particular action, it is better to clear its settings. Go to the application information, find the Open default option and click Delete default settings. This is a more point-based and secure method.
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Resetting application settings is a universal solution if the system behaves illogically when you start files, but requires reconfiguration of all preferences.