Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible settings, including the ability to select standard applications for key tasks. However, not everyone knows where these options are hidden — especially after upgrading to MIUI 14 or MIUI 15, where the interface has undergone changes. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change applications by default, from the browser and gallery to instant messengers and maps.
The problem is that it often automatically assigns standard programs (such as Mi Browser or Mi Gallery) even if you have installed alternatives like Google Chrome or QuickPic, and we’ll show you how to fix this manually through the Android and MIUI settings, and we’ll also look at the nuances for different firmware versions, and we’ll focus on cases where the right option suddenly disappears from the menu — a frequent complaint of users after major updates.
Why Xiaomi is changing the default apps on its own
MIUI is known for its user care, which sometimes goes beyond the boundaries, and can automatically assign standard applications in three cases:
- 🔄 After the firmware update — MIUI Resets some “pre-factory” settings, including selecting the default programs.
- 📱 When you install a new app from a category (for example, you installed Firefox and the system asks: Use to open links?").
- 🛠️ After resetting the settings or cleaning the Settings app cache (com.android.settings command).
In addition, MIUI 14+ has a feature called “Recommended Apps” that can replace your choice in favor of Xiaomi’s branded services. It can be turned off in Settings → Apps → Recommended Apps, but not all users are aware of this hidden parameter.
How to Change a Standard App Through Android Settings
The most versatile way is to use the built-in Android tools that work on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13. Instructions are relevant for firmware versions from MIUI 12.5 to MIUI 15:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
- In the list of categories (Browser, Phone, SMS, etc.) tap the desired.
- Choose an alternative app from the ones offered (if it’s not in the list, install it in advance from Google Play).
Important: On some models (e.g. Redmi 10C with MIUI 13), the default App item may be hidden. In this case, use the alternative path: Settings → System → Additional → Default Applications.
Install an alternative app from Google Play|
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone |
Close all background applications before changing |
Reboot your phone after a change (recommended)-->
Specific settings for browser, gallery and SMS
Some categories of applications have unique nuances when changing. Let's take a closer look at them:
| Category | Features of the shift | Recommended alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| browser | MIUI can block a shift on Chrome or Firefox through settings. Use the Open with method when you first start a link. | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave |
| gallery | To change to Google Photos, you need to disable MIUI optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization. | Google Photos, Simple Gallery, QuickPic |
| SMS | Xiaomi’s Messages app cannot be removed, but you can turn off notifications in its settings. | Google Messages, Textra SMS, QKSMS |
| Maps. | Google Maps requires permission to change system settings (ADB) by default. | Google Maps, Yandex Maps, 2GIS |
Critical feature of MIUI 14+: When changing the gallery by default, the system can continue to use Mi Gallery to view screenshots. To fix this, clear the cache of the com.miui.gallery application through Settings → Applications → Application Management.
How to change the application for calls by default?
Using ADB to force the change of standard applications
If standard methods don't work (e.g., on a POCO F5 with a MIUI 14), you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it gives you 100% results:
- Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.SMS com.google.android.apps.messaging (replace com.google.android.apps.messaging with your package). SMS-applications).
List of popular packages for ADB:
- 🌐 Google Chrome: com.android.chrome
- 📷 Google Photo: com.google.android.apps.photos
- 💬 Google Messages: com.google.android.apps.messaging
- 🗺️ Google Maps: com.google.android.apps.maps
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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore the system if you make errors.
What to do if the desired application does not appear in the list
Sometimes the installed application does not appear in the default selection menu.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed an application from APK (Not from Google Play, it won't show up in the standard list. Delete it and install the official version.
- 🔍 Check permissions: Open the app settings and make sure all necessary permissions are enabled (e.g. Reading) SMS messenger).
- 🔄 Clear the cache: For Settings app (com.android.settings) and Launcher app (com.miui.home).
- 📥 Update the app: Outdated versions may not support the default function".
- 🛠️ Use Safe Mode: Load your phone in Safe Mode (hold the off button) → "Restart in Safe Mode" and try again.
If the problem persists, check to see if the antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) is blocking the application. MIUI 15 adds Application Protection, which may restrict third-party software rights, and needs to be turned off in Settings → Privacy → Special Permissions.
How to bring back standard Xiaomi apps
If after experimenting with the company, you decided to return to the branded Xiaomi applications, do the following:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Apps.
- For each category, select the Mi-marked option (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Gallery).
- If the app is not listed, install it again through GetApps (the Xiaomi brand store).
To fully reset to factory settings (including standard applications) do:
adb shell cmd role clear-role-holders⚠️ Note: This command will reset all default app settings, including those you’ve manually configured for other categories.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Users often face typical problems when changing standard applications, and here are the most common:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "No apps available." | The installed application does not support this function (for example, Telegram cannot be used). SMS-client). | Install a dedicated application (e.g. Google Messages for SMS). |
| Settings are reset after rebooting | The “Adaptive Optimization” function is active in Settings → Battery. | Turn off optimization for the application you want to make standard. |
| You can't change the call app. | On some models (Redmi A2), this feature is blocked. | Use it. ADB-team from above. |
Preventive tip: After changing the standard app, restart your phone to help the system apply the changes correctly, especially on devices with MIUI 13 and below, where the caching of settings is unstable.
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If the default application is not changed after all the manipulations, check if your phone has a global version of MIUI for China (for example, Mi 13 China ROM).