Are you tired of the standard Mi Browser browser on your Xiaomi smartphone and want to switch to Yandex.Browser? It is a reasonable solution: the Russian search engine offers a user-friendly interface, built-in ad blocker and synchronization with other devices. However, many users face the problem that once you install the application it does not automatically become the default browser. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to make Yandex.Browser the main one on any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO device, including models with MIUI 12/13/14.
The process takes no more than 5 minutes, but has its own nuances. For example, on some Xiaomi firmware, the standard Android settings are hidden, and in new versions of MIUI, the browser change algorithm has changed. We will look at universal methods that work on Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and other popular models.
Why is Yandex.Browser better than the standard Mi Browser?
Before we proceed to the settings, let’s understand how Yandex.Browser compares favorably with the built-in solution from Xiaomi:
- 🔍 Best integration with Russian services: quick access to Yandex.Mail, Maps, Music and Disk without additional tabs.
- 🛡️ Built-in protection: Ad blocker, virus link checks, and scam site warnings.
- ☁️ Device Synchronization: Bookmarks, History, and Passwords are automatically synced to the desktop version.
- 🚀 Turbo mode: speeds up page loading on slow internet by compressing traffic.
- 🎨 Dark theme and customization: more design options compared to a standard browser.
In addition, Yandex.Browser is optimized for working with Russian-language sites – correctly displays encoding, supports voice search in Russian and offers tailored prompts when entering queries. While Mi Browser often loads unnecessary Chinese services and shows ads in the SERPs.
Preparation: install Yandex.Browser on Xiaomi
Before you make the default browser, you need to install it. Even if you already have an application, we recommend updating it to the latest version - this will eliminate possible bugs when changing settings.
Download Yandex.Browser can be in several ways:
- Through Google Play: 📱 Open the Play Store on your phone. 🔍 Enter in the search "Yandex.Browser". 📥 Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.
Through APK-File (if Play Store is not available):
- 🌐 Go to the official website browser.yandex.ru with your Xiaomi.
- 📲 Download. APK-latest-version file.
- 🔧 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications.
- 📥 Install the downloaded file.
If this does not help, the reason may be:
- 🔒 Blocked firmware (e.g. on devices for the Chinese market).
- 🛠️ Damaged system files – in this case, flashing through Fastboot will help.
- 📱 An outdated version MIUI — Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
Compatibility table: which Xiaomi models support the change of browser
Not all Xiaomi devices are free to change the default browser. Below is a compatibility table for popular models. If your phone isn't on the list, focus on the MIUI version.
| Model of the device | MIUI version | Support for changing browsers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra | 14.0+ | ✅ Yes. | No restrictions. |
| Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12T | 13.0–14.0 | ✅ Yes. | Chinese firmware may need to be unlocked |
| Redmi Note 11/11 Pro/12 | 13.0+ | ✅ Yes. | EU (EEA) versions may have restrictions |
| POCO F4/F5/X5 | 13.0–14.0 | ✅ Yes. | Global firmware supports the shift without problems |
| Xiaomi Mi 11/11 Lite | 12.5–13.0 | ⚠️ Partially. | Older versions of MIUI may require resetting |
On devices with firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM) The default browser change is often locked at the system level, the only way out is to install a global (Global) or European one (EEA) firmware.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When you change your default browser to Xiaomi, users experience common errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them.
Problem 1: The “Make the default browser” button is inactive
This happens if:
- 🔧 Yandex.Browser not updated to the latest version.
- 📱 The device is running on Chinese firmware (CN ROM).
- 🔒 Security settings block changes to system applications.