How to set up the default application on Xiaomi: full instructions for all versions of MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible settings, but many users face a problem: once a new browser, gallery or messenger is installed, the system continues to open files through standard applications. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly assign default applications on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including features of different firmware versions.

It is important to understand that the settings are not only dependent on the version of Android (11, 12, 13 or 14), but also on the modification of MIUI (12.5, 13, 14 or 15). For example, in MIUI 14 the path to settings has changed compared to MIUI 12, and some models (for example, POCO F5) may have additional restrictions due to Google's policy.

If you tried to change the default application through the standard menu, but it didn’t work, don’t rush to reset, and maybe the problem lies in the application’s permissions, version conflicts, or how MIUI works with certain file types (like.apk or.mkv).

Why Xiaomi ignores the default app selection?

Most often, the system does not save changes for three reasons:

• 🔄 Automatic resetting of settings: some versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 12.5 and below) reset default settings after rebooting or updating.
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions: on models for the Chinese market (with firmware China) ROM) Some standard applications may be blocked (e.g. Mi Browser).
• 🔒 Permissions conflict: If an application is not allowed to open a certain type of file (e.g.,.pdf), the system will ignore your choice.

Another common reason is duplicate applications, such as if both Google Chrome and Mi Browser are on the device, and you're trying to assign Firefox to default, the system may "forget" the setting due to cache conflict, in which case cleaning the data from the Settings app helps.

It is also worth considering that MIUI divides default settings into two levels:

1. Global settings (for all file types)
2. Local settings (for specific extensions, such as.jpg or.mp3).

If you have changed the global setting, but the system still opens files through another application, check local anchors.

Universal way: through Android settings

This method works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and is suitable for changing standard applications for:

• 🌐 brouse (HTTP/HTTPS reference).
• 📧 Mail (mailto: links).
• 💬 SMS-messenger.
• 📁 File manager.
• 🎵 Music player.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps (or Reset App Settings in older versions).
3. In the list, find the category you want to change (for example, Browser or SMS).
4. Choose the desired application from the suggested ones. If it is not in the list, then it does not support this feature.

If the default item is missing, try an alternative path:

Settings → System → Additional → Applications by default

Make sure the new app is installed | Check the MIUI version (in Settings → About Phone) | Close all background apps | Turn off the power saving mode for the new app-->

Important! On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13), after selecting the application, a notification may appear: "Settings will be reset after rebooting." This is a firmware bug - to avoid this, immediately after changing the settings, restart the phone manually.

How to change the application for specific file types

If you need to assign the program by default only to certain formats (e.g.,.mp4 or.docx), use this method:

1. Open any file type you want through Files (or another manager).
2. When you first open it, the system will say, "Open with..." Select the application you want and tick "Always."
3. If the window does not appear, click on the file with a long tap → Open with the help → select the program and confirm the choice.

For mass change:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to make the primary (e.g. VLC for video).
3. Click Open Supported Files (or File Types in New Versions).
4. Activate all formats (.mp4,.mkv, etc.).

On MIUI 14+, this section may be called Open by Default or Supported Links, and if the desired format is not on the list, then the application does not support processing it.

Features for browsers, messengers and SMS

Change of browser or SMS-The default application on Xiaomi often causes problems due to integration with Google and Mi Account services:

For browsers, also check the settings of Android System WebView:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Android System WebView and click Clear Cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

If the problem persists, try disabling Mi Browser through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Disabling. Note that this may affect some system functions.

💡

To avoid conflicts between browsers, after changing the application by default, close all tabs in the old browser and clear its cache.

Adjustment through ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can apply ADB-This is a way for advanced users and requires connecting the phone to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.example.app/.MainActivity (replace com.example.app with the desired application package).

To find out the application package, use:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

(e.g., grep "chrome" for Google Chrome search).

To reset all default settings:

adb shell cmd package clear-defaults com.android.settings

💡

Use ADB only if standard methods fail. Wrong commands can disrupt the system!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting up apps by default, and here are the most common ones:

• ❌ Ignoring updates: on MIUI 12 and below, some settings are not working properly. MIUI 14+.
• ❌ Incomplete cache cleaning: just clearing the browser cache won't help.
• ❌ Launcher conflict: Third-party launchers (like Nova or Apex) can block changes.
• ❌ Lack of rights: some applications (e.g, FX File Explorer requires additional permissions to work with files.

Another common mistake is trying to change the settings through the file manager, for example, if you assign an MX Player for video through Xiaomi Files, this may not work for video from other sources (for example, YouTube or Telegram), in which case you need to configure each source separately.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with MIUI For the Chinese market (without Google Play), some default settings are blocked. ROM Manual editing of system files (requires root).

If after all the manipulations, the settings continue to reset, check if the power saving mode for the selected application is turned on. In MIUI, this mode can limit background activity, which leads to a reset.

Alternative methods: third-party utilities

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party tools. Here are the proven options:

• 🔧 Default App Manager (from Google Play) – allows you to flexibly manage default settings, including hidden settings.
• 🔧 SetEdit (requires root) – edits system files responsible for binding applications.
• 🔧 Tasker – can automatically open files through selected programs according to the specified rules.

To use Default App Manager:

1. Install the utility from Google Play.
2. Provide all the requested permissions.
3. In the main menu, select a category (such as Browser or Video).
4. Click on the current default app and select a new one.

SetEdit is suitable for experienced users:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Go to the Default Applications section.
3. Find the file type you want (e.g. video/*) and change the attached application.
4. Save the changes and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Using root tools can disrupt your work MIUI Before changing system files, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

If you don’t want to use root, try Tasker:

1. Create a new profile (State → File Type)
2. Specify the file extension (e.g.,.mp4).
3. Add the Open File action to the task and select the desired application.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions