Setup to Open Links in Apps on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Have you ever seen a situation where when you click on a link in a messenger or social network, it opens not in your favorite browser, but in some other application? Or when YouTube links are stubbornly redirected to a mini-player instead of a full-fledged application? On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with a branded MIUI shell, this is especially true — the system often ignores the user's default settings. In this article, we will examine all the ways to bring the behavior of links in order, from basic Android settings to hidden MIUI chips and even manual editing of configuration files.

The problem isn't just limited to browsers, like Google Maps links can open in Yandex.Maps, and product links can open in AliExpress instead of Wildberries, and the blame is on MIUI's aggressive policy of trying to "help" the user by automatically selecting apps to open certain types of links, and luckily you have full control over this process - you just need to know where to look for the switches you want.

Why Xiaomi Ignores Default Link Opening Settings

The MIUI shell has historically been known for its “unique” approach to user experience. Unlike pure Android, where the default app selection is strictly regulated by system settings, Xiaomi adds its algorithms:

• 🔄 Dynamic choice of applications: MIUI Analyzes which application you used last to open a particular type of link, and can automatically assign it to a “priority” without your knowledge.
• 📦 Pre-installed apps: Mi Browser, Mi Video, or Mi Music often get privileges when processing media links, even if you don’t use them.
• 🔗 Specific protocols: Some types of links (e.g. magnet: or tel:) are handled by system services. MIUI, which cannot be disabled by standard means.
• 📱 Regional settings: On devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) The list of supported protocols may differ from the global version (Global) ROM).

MIUI also actively caches user choices, which means that even if you manually specified your preferred link-opening app, the system may “forget” your choices after updating or rebooting, especially on devices with MIUI 12-14, where the algorithms for “intelligent” redirection have become even more aggressive.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO F3) After resetting to factory settings, all user link anchors are reset and the system returns to default behavior. To avoid this, export the settings through Settings before resetting. → Annexes → Application default settings → Export (not available on all versions) MIUI).

Method 1: Set up the default apps in Android

The first and most obvious step is to check the basic Android settings, and although MIUI often ignores them, the right configuration is the basis for further manipulation.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Scroll down to Open Supported Links (on some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Link Settings).
4. Select the link type (such as HTTP or HTTPS) and specify your preferred application (such as Chrome or Firefox).

On devices with MIUI 13/14, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Application settings by default → Browser

It is important to understand that this method only works for basic protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, mailto, tel). For specialized links (for example, youtube:// or instagram://) additional actions will be required.

Are the default application settings open?

Is the browser selected for HTTP/HTTPS?

Are your email and tel settings checked?

Is the settings cache reset (reboot of the device)-->

Method 2: Manual assignment of applications for specific types of links

If general settings don’t work, you’ll have to manually specify which app should open certain types of links, especially for media content, maps, or social media.

For example, to open YouTube links in the official app, and not in Mi Video:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the YouTube app and tap on it.
3. Select Open by default (or Link Opening Settings).
4. Activate the Open supported links switch and confirm the selection.

For browsers, the process is similar, but with nuances:

• 🌐 For Chrome: Enable the option to Open Links from Other Apps in your browser settings.
• 🦊 For Firefox: additionally check the settings in Settings → About the programme → Open links in Firefox.
• 🔍 For Mi Browser: Turn off the option Automatic Link Opening in Settings → Additionally.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially in China) ROM) The default opening point may be hidden, in which case, try first to open the desired type of link manually through the target application - the system may suggest making it a priority.

Mi Browser

Google Chrome

Firefox

Other (write in the comments)

I don't know.-->

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Reset Link Settings

If MIUI persists in ignoring your settings, you'll have to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to reset all link bindings to factory settings, and then you can reconfigure them.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additional settings → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.browser


adb shell pm clear-defaults com.miui.browser




adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.chrome

Replace com.android.chrome with your browser ID (e.g. org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).

After you execute the commands, restart the device. Now, the next time you click on the link, the system will prompt you to select an application to open it.

Method 4: Configure with "Special Features" (for power users)

Little-known fact: some of the link opening settings are hidden in the Special Features section, which works on MIUI 12-14 and allows you to bypass the limitations of the standard interface.

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features → Developer Settings (if no, activate Developer Settings as described in Method 3).
2. Find the option Forced link opening in the browser (in English firmware - Force open links in browser).
3. Activate it and select the desired browser from the list.

This setting causes MIUI to ignore application bindings and always open web links (HTTP/HTTPS) in the browser of choice, but it does not affect specialized protocols like youtube:// or instagram://.

Method 5: Editing system files (for advanced users)

On devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights, you can manually edit /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml, which stores all link anchors, which is a last resort, but it gives you complete control over the behavior of the system.

Instructions:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
3. Go to /data/system/users/0/ and find package-restrictions.xml.
4. Make a backup copy of it, then open it in the text editor.
5. Find the strings with the references (e.g. <default-browser package="com.miui.browser"/>) and replace them with the desired values.
6. Save the file, set the permissions 644, and restart the device.

Example of file content before and after editing:

<!-- Do -->


<default-browser package="com.miui.browser" />




<default-handler package="com.miui.video" type="video/*" />





<!-- After -->




<default-browser package="com.android.chrome" />




<default-handler package="com.google.android.youtube" type="video/*" />

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of this file can cause system failures, up to the point of not being able to open any links.Be sure to back up before making changes and make sure you have access to recovery through TWRP or Fastboot.

💡

If you don't have root, but you have an unlocked bootloader, you can use the Magisk App Systemizer module to "embed" the desired application into the system, which will make MIUI treat it as a system and give priority when opening links.

Method 6: Alternative solutions (if nothing helps)

If all of the above methods fail, there are radical or workarounds:

• 🔄 Factory reset: Sometimes it's the only way to return the system to default.Before reset, export important data.
• 📲 Use of alternative launchers: Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to flexibly customize link processing.
• 🌍 Change of the firmware region: Global ROM limitations MIUI less aggressive than in China ROM. To change the region will need to unlock the loader.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: Install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other AOSP-Firmware will solve the problem completely, but it will require technical skills.

For users who don’t want to go into technical details, there’s an easy solution to use link interceptor apps like:

• Open Link With (allows you to manually select an app for each link).

💡

If you often face the problems of opening links to Xiaomi, consider installing custom firmware.This is a radical, but most effective solution that will get rid of all the limitations of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about link settings on Xiaomi