How to Make Google Chrome the Default Browser on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Are you tired of your Xiaomi automatically opening links in the standard Mi Browser browser instead of Google Chrome? this problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO And Mi lines -- despite Chrome installed, it stubbornly ignores it when you open hyperlinks from instant messengers or emails. MIUI, which enforces the promotion of branded services.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the working ways to make Chrome the default browser on Xiaomi, from basic Android settings to hidden MIUI features and stubborn firmware workarounds. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-15 and Android 11-14, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others, and you’ll learn why settings are sometimes reset after an update and how to prevent it.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the browser change by default?

Xiaomi is integrating its own browser, Mi Browser, into MIUI, which is closely connected to the company’s ecosystem of services.

• 📊 Collect user behavior data for targeted advertising (even if you have disabled personalization).
• 🔗 Forced to open links to Xiaomi partners’ websites (such as AliExpress or Mi Store) in your browser.
• 🛡️ Control traffic through built-in “Security” and “Data Saving” functions".

Since MIUI 12, the company has tightened the restrictions: even after manually changing the default browser, the system can automatically reset settings after rebooting or updating. This is not a bug, but a conscious strategy - so Xiaomi increases engagement with its services.

But the good news is that with Android 10+, Google has introduced strict default browser requirements, and Xiaomi can’t block this feature completely, but it’s making it harder, and we’ll show you how to get around these limitations.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

This is the most obvious method that works on most devices, but it often fails on Xiaomi because of the MIUI.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Find the Browser section and select Google Chrome from the list.
4. Confirm the choice by clicking Set by default.

If Chrome is not listed, it means:

• 🔴 The app is not installed (download it from Google Play).
• 🔴 MIUI Hide the option (go to Method 2).
• 🔴 Browser is disabled: go to Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Turn it on.

Install Google Chrome from the official store|Update. MIUI last-minute|Check that Chrome is not disabled in the settings|Clear the Mi Browser cache (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) And then you can still open links in Mi Browser, because you can't do that. MIUI It intercepts Android's intention filters. Solution is to use Method 3c. ADB.

Method 2: Reset app settings (if Chrome doesn’t appear in the list)

If Google Chrome doesn't appear in the default browser selection menu, the problem could be with the reset Android settings. Here's how to fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points → Reset application settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete the data, but will reset all default settings).
4. After restarting, repeat Method 1.

This method works because reset clears the cache of system settings, including the forced binding of MIUI to the Mi Browser.

⚠️ Note: After the reset, you will have to reconfigure notifications, application permissions, and other options related to applications, for example, you may need to re-allow access to geolocation for Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator.

Method 3: Forced browser change via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but is guaranteed to bypass the limitations of MIUI.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Tool. ADB (installation manual here).

Steps:

1. Turn on your smartphone Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and enter in the terminal:

adb devices

(A device with a serial number must appear.)

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser


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

These teams:

• Clear the Mi Browser data (so it doesn't interfere).
• Forced to install Chrome as the default browser at the system level.

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB function MIUI (For example, synchronizing bookmarks with a Xiaomi account may not work properly, and this method may also reset after a major firmware update.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port.

2. Enable the USB Debugging option (security options) in the developer settings and allow debugging for your PC.

3. Install universal Google drivers USB Driver instead of branded from Xiaomi.-->

Method 4: Using third-party applications (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use specialized utilities that automate the process of changing your browser.

The most reliable option on the list is Browser Chooser, which doesn't change system settings, it just intercepts requests to open links, and the downside is that you have to manually select Chrome every time, but it works on 100% of Xiaomi devices.

💡

If you’re using Browser Chooser, add it to autoboot so it works right after the phone restarts.

Method 5: Manual removal of Mi Browser (requires root)

For root-right users, there is a radical method: removing Mi Browser completely, which will permanently solve the problem of forced link opening, but has risks:

• 🚨 May disrupt the system services MIUI (For example, push notifications).
• 🚨 After updating the firmware browser can recover.
• 🚨 The warranty on the device will be cancelled.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser.
3. Delete the MiBrowser folder or rename it to MiBrowser.bak.
4. Reset the device.

Google Chrome will be the only browser available, and if you suddenly need the Mi Browser, you can restore it through firmware or backup.

Why are the settings reset after the MIUI update?

Many users are faced with the fact that after updating the firmware browser defaults again to Mi Browser.

1. Xiaomi forcibly overwrites default settings through scripts in service packs.
2. Some updates reset the app cache, resulting in a loss of user preferences.
3. In Chinese versions of MIUI (for example, for Xiaomi 12S Ultra), Google services are blocked at the system level.

To avoid discharge:

• 🔄 Before updating, back up the settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔧 After the update, repeat Method 1 or Method 3 (c) immediately. ADB).
• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold → Settings → Auto-update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi