You installed a new browser, messenger or gallery, but the system persistently opens standard Xiaomi apps? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones with a shell MIUI. Even after installing alternative programs — Chrome, Telegram or Google Photos — the system continues to use the built-in Mi Browser, Messages or Gallery. It’s all about the default application settings that MIUI hides deeper than Android in its pure form.
In this article, you will find the most current ways to change the default apps to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (including the models of 2023-2026 on MIUI 14/15).
- 🔹 How to change your browser, SMS-client, call app and gallery
- 🔹 Why some apps don’t appear in the selection list
- 🔹 What to do if settings are reset after the update MIUI
- 🔹 Hidden chips for experienced users (through ADB and the developer settings)
Important: instructions checked on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, It is suitable for most devices on MIUI, If your model is older (e.g. Redmi) 9A 2020, some menu items may be different – search by settings (⚙️ → Search).
1. Where is the default application settings hidden in MIUI?
MIUI deliberately makes it harder to access these settings, unlike pure Android, where they are in the Apps section. On Xiaomi, the path depends on the shell version:
- 📱 MIUI 14/15 (2023–2026 years: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ (gear-up) → Default applications
- 📱 MIUI 12/13: Settings → Annexes → Application management → By default.
- 📱 Old versions (MIUI 11 and below: Settings → All settings → Annexes → Application settings (image) ⚙️) → By default.
If you don’t find a section, try an alternative path:
- Open Settings and enter the word "default" in the search bar.
- The system will show a direct link to the desired section.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) a section may be called "Opening Settings" or "Standard Applications." If the search does not help, check for updates MIUI — In older versions, the interface is different.
Also note that not all applications can be made standard. For example, if you have installed VLC as a video player, but when you open a file from Files, Mi Video still runs, the problem may be:
- 🔸 Lack of support for specific formats in the alternative application
- 🔸 Restrictions MIUI for system applications (e.g. Mi Music cannot be completely replaced with Spotify)
2. How to change the default browser to Xiaomi
The standard Mi Browser is replaced by Google Chrome, Firefox or Brave, to change the default browser:
- Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ → Default applications.
- Click on the "Browser" line (or "Web Link Processing" in MIUI 15).
- In the list, select the desired application (e.g. Chrome).
If your browser does not appear in the list:
- 🔹 Make sure it is installed from Google Play (not Google Play). APK).
- 🔹 Launch your browser at least once manually.
- 🔹 Check if your permissions are disabled in Settings. → Annexes → [Browser name] → Permits.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware for the European region (EEA) The standard browser is tied to system services. If the default change still opens the links in Mi Browser, try disabling it through the default. ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser Careful: This may disrupt some features MIUI!
Install an alternative browser from Google Play|
Run it at least once |
Check permissions (network access, files) |
Reboot your smartphone after changing your settings-->
3. Change the application for SMS and calls
The standard Messages app on Xiaomi is often replaced by Google Messages (with RCS support) or Textra.
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ → Default applications.
- Select "SMS" (or "Messages").
- Specify the application you want. If it's not on the list, install it and restart the settings.
The process for calls is similar:
- In the same section, click "Phone" (or "Calls").
- Choose Google Phone, Truecaller or another app.
Problems that may arise:
- 📞 Incoming calls are not working: check permissions for the new application (Phone, Contacts, SMS).
- 📞 Contacts are not displayed: sync them through Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization.
- 📞 SMS Come to both apps: disable notifications in standard Messages.
| Annex | Standard in MIUI | Popular alternatives | What could go wrong? |
|---|---|---|---|
| browser | Mi Browser | Chrome, Firefox, Brave | Links open in the old browser |
| SMS | Messages | Google Messages, Textra, QKSMS | Duplicate notifications |
| Calls. | Phone (or Contacts) | Google Phone, Truecaller | No history of challenges is displayed |
| gallery | Gallery or Mi Photos | Google Photos, Simple Gallery | Photos not indexed |
4. Replacement of Gallery and other multimedia applications
Xiaomi’s standard Gallery is not popular with many due to advertising and limited features, to make an alternative (like Google Photos) the default app:
- Open any image from the file manager.
- The system will suggest selecting an application to open. Check "Always" and select the desired gallery.
- Confirm the choice in the window that appears.
If this method didn't work:
- 🖼️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Gallery name] → Open by default and reset settings.
- 🖼️ Remove the cache of the standard Gallery (Settings) → Annexes → Gallery → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
⚠️ Note: Google Photos does not replace the system gallery completely - it does not display screenshots and some service folders.+ Gallery.
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If after changing the gallery photos are not displayed in other applications (for example, in messengers), check the permissions to access the storage for the new gallery and restart the smartphone.
5.Why are settings reset after the MIUI update?
Many users find that after updating the firmware, applications are reset by default to standard ones.
- 🔄 Politics. MIUI: The shell resets some settings for "stability of operation".
- 🔄 Firmware errors: especially relevant for beta versions MIUI.
- 🔄 Application Conflicts: If the alternative software is not optimized for the new version of Android.
How to prevent discharge:
- Before updating, back up your settings via Settings → About Phone → Backup.
- After the update, don’t click “Clean All” in the default app menu – just reconfigure them.
- Use ADB to fix the selection (more in the next section).
How to return the settings after resetting?
6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Developer Settings
If the standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force the default application change, a method that is suitable for power users.
Instructions:
- Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.
- 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 Messages: com.google.android.apps.messaging
- 📌 Google Phone: com.google.android.dialer
- 📌 Google Photo: com.google.android.apps.photos
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system functions to fail. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
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ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution. If you are not sure about commands, use standard MIUI settings or specialized applications like Default App Manager from Google Play.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When you change apps by default, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:
- 🚫 "App not listed: Check if it's installed from an official source (Google Play). Run it manually at least once. Update the app to the latest version.
- 🚫 "Settings reset after rebooting: This is a bug of some versions MIUI. Helps reset the Settings app cache. Try disabling battery optimization for an alternative app.
- 🚫 "Links open in old browser": Clear the Mi Browser data (Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear data. Use Open Link With from Google Play to force browser selection.
If nothing works, check if your device has regional firmware installed (for example, for China). MIUI The solution is to reflash the phone to a global or European version.