How to set up the default browser on Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive behavior of a system that seeks to use the built-in Mi Browser browser to open any links.This can be annoying, especially if you are used to the functionality of Google Chrome, Yandex or Firefox. The standard procedure for changing priority applications in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS is sometimes hidden or works not obvious due to aggressive optimization.

Changing your default settings is not just a matter of convenience, but also a way to improve device security, as third-party browsers often offer more advanced phishing protection systems. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of switching, possible errors and ways to fix them, you will learn how to control the behavior of the system, making it open links in the exact application you need.

It's worth noting that the algorithms for Android on different firmware versions may differ, with one click being enough somewhere, and you'll need to reset all browsers manually, and we'll look at the universal methods that are suitable for most of the current models of the Chinese manufacturer.

Why Xiaomi’s system imposes its browser

Xiaomi is actively developing its own services, and the Mi Browser is an important part of their ecosystem, and it is deeply integrated into the shell, allowing it to intercept requests to open web pages before other applications, and this is implemented at the level of system priorities, which are set immediately after the first switch on a smartphone or firmware update.

In addition, the built-in application often has extended access rights to system resources, which allows it to work in the background and process links from other programs. The user may not notice how the switch occurs, but the result is always the same – the browser that you chose earlier opens up, this is especially true for global versions of firmware, where advertising and promotion of their own services are more pronounced.

⚠️ Warning: Completely removing the system browser without an alternative can lead to errors when trying to open links from messengers or social networks.

Understanding the mechanics of Android Intent helps you understand why the system behaves this way. When you click on a link on Telegram or WhatsApp, the system looks for an application that claims to be able to process this type of data. If the Mi Browser ticks the default checkbox or has a higher system weight, the choice falls on it.

Basic configuration through the application menu

The easiest and most obvious way to change priorities is to use the standard Android settings menu, which works on most versions of MIUI and is suitable for the initial configuration, and you will need to find the section responsible for managing installed programs.

Go to your device’s Settings, then select the App. In the list that opens, look for All Apps. This shows the full list of installed software, including Xiaomi system components. Find the browser you want to make the primary browser (e.g. Chrome).

When you select the application you want, you'll see the Default Control screen, and if you click on it, you'll see the Default Start button or the Default Use button. Activate this switch. The system can warn you that the application will open the links automatically.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find your preferred browser (e.g. Edge or Brave) in the list).
• ✅ Click the Use by Default button and confirm the action.

However, sometimes the button is inactive or the gray color indicates that you can't change, which means that the priority is already taken by another application, and the system requires you to reset your competitor's settings first, and we'll talk about this in the next section.

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If the “Use by default” button is inactive, open any browser first and go to the site so that the system “sees” its activity.

Resetting of Competing Browser Settings

If the direct method doesn't work, you have to force the niche to be vacated. Often Mi Browser or other pre-installed service blocks the choice of alternatives. The logic is simple: you can't appoint a new "master" until the old one gives up.

To do this, go back to the App menu and find the browser that is currently opening instead of your choice (usually Mi Browser). Go to its settings and find the default option. There will be a button to Reset default settings or Remove settings. Clicking on it removes all previously set priorities for this particular application.

After you reset, immediately go to configure your favorite browser (as described in the previous section) and assign it to the primary. Now, when clicking on the link, the system should offer you a choice if no application has a strict priority, or immediately open the desired option.

It's important to understand that after a major update to Android or the MIUI shell, these settings can fly, and then you have to repeat this, which is the standard operating system behavior that's designed to protect the user from the malfunction of the updated components.

Use of the "Default Applications" menu

Newer versions of the shell, like MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS, have a more centralized way of managing it, allowing you to choose a browser for the entire system at once without digging into the settings of each individual application, a more robust method because it overwrites the global rules.

In the main settings menu, find the App section, then select the default App item (sometimes it is in the top corner of the screen or in the optional three-dot menu).

The system will offer a list of all installed browsers that can handle web links. Choose the one you want from the list. URL-addresses will be redirected to this application, ignoring the settings inside the browsers themselves.

• 🌐 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Default applications.
• 👆 Click on Browser.
• 🏆 Select from the list the desired application (for example, Opera).

This is considered the most effective method for users who want to solve a problem once and for all. It works at the level of the task manager of Android, so it is almost impossible to beat this priority with random action.

⚠️ Note: If the default apps list does not include the browser, then there is no third-party browser installed in the system, except for the system. Install Chrome or another analogue from the Play Market.

Solving Link Opening Problems

There are times when the settings are set right, but the links still open in the wrong place, or the system constantly asks “What to open?” This can be caused by caching old settings or conflicting versions of applications. The cache of Google Play services or Android itself can store outdated preferences.

Try clearing the cache of an app that is “glutching.” Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a problem browser, select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don’t confuse it with “Clear All Data” or you’ll lose passwords and history.

It's also worth checking if Traffic Saving or Data Saver mode is enabled in the browser itself or in network settings. Sometimes these features redirect traffic through their servers, which can knock down link handlers. Turn off these options to check.

Settings → Connection and Sharing → Traffic Saving → Turn Off

If the problem persists, it may be the specific application from which you click, for example, some social media clients have built-in browsers and ignore system settings, in which case you need to look for settings inside the source application itself.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to secure your browser is to use the Default Apps menu in the general system settings, rather than the settings inside the app itself.