Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 smartphones often face the intrusiveness of the standard Mi Browser browser, which automatically opens when clicking on links from other applications.This behavior of the MIUI system can be annoying, especially if you are used to Chrome, Firefox or Opera. Unfortunately, it is technically impossible to remove the system application completely without Root rights or using ADB, but it can be effectively deactivated as a default link opening tool.
The deactivation process does not require any technical knowledge, but it requires careful navigation through the settings menu. It is important to understand that we do not delete the browser, but only prohibit the system from using it to automatically launch links. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to solve this problem, including workarounds for versions of MIUI 11, 12 and 13, where menu items may differ.
Before you make any changes, make sure you already have an alternative browser that you want to use as your primary browser. Without a second program, the system may not offer you a choice or return the settings to the original state. Let's look at how to properly prepare the device for changes in system priorities.
Why Xiaomi is automatically selecting a browser
The Android operating system, in conjunction with the MIUI shell, always seeks to simplify user interaction with content. When you first open a link in a messenger or app, the system asks how to open this file. If you accidentally tick "Always" or just click on the Mi Browser icon, it becomes the default application.
Xiaomi is actively promoting its services, so the standard browser often has higher priority rights than third-party counterparts. This means that even after installing Chrome, some system processes may try to run the native application.
Then there are background services that check for updates or newsfeed, and they are tightly tied to the system browser.Switching it off as the primary navigation tool won't stop these services completely, but will save you from sudden pop-ups when working with other programs.
Preparation for changing application settings
Before you get into the wilds of system settings, you need to perform a few preparatory steps. This will take no more than a minute, but save you from possible errors when the desired menu item is inactive. First of all, make sure that the alternative browser is already installed and, preferably, at least once launched.
The second important step is to clear the cache of the current browser if it is not working correctly or "hangs." Sometimes the problem is not in priorities, but in the error of the application itself. Go to the settings, find the application section and select Mi Browser for pre-cleaning.
- 📲 Install your desired browser from Google Play Market or APKPure.
- 🗑️ Clear the data and cache of the standard browser through the settings.
- 🔄 Reboot the Redmi Note 8 to update system processes.
☑️ Checklist before resetting settings
Method 1: Reset default settings via the application menu
This is the most standard and secure method that works on most versions of Android and MIUI. The essence of the method is to force the "Use by default" flag for a particular application, after which the system will ask you again about the choice of program the next time you click on the link.
To start, go to the main settings menu of your Redmi Note 8. Find a section called "Apps" or "All Apps." In the installed apps list, look for "Browser" (often with a color sphere or compass logo). Click on it to open the application management page.
In the menu that opens, look for "Open by default" or "Start by default." If the system allows for changes, you'll see a button called "Delete default settings" or "Eliminate silences." Clicking on this button will reset the link binding to this browser.
⚠️ Note: If the Remove Settings button is gray or inactive, it means that the browser is not rigidly assigned, or the rights to change are limited by the manufacturer.
Sometimes, after resetting the settings, the system can automatically return them in a few minutes, which is a feature of MIUI optimization. To fix the result, immediately after the reset, open any link from the messenger and select a new browser in the selection window that appears, ticking "Always".
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Method 2: Assigning a new browser in system settings
Newer versions of the MIUI have the ability to directly select browsers from the system’s general settings menu, a method that is more robust because it works at the level of the user’s global preferences rather than a single application.
Go to Settings → Applications → Settings (cog in the corner or a separate item). In the list, find the category "Default Apps". Here it will be "Browser". Click on it.
The system will offer a list of all installed browsers. Choose the one you want to use constantly. After that, all links from any application will open in the selected program. If there is only one option (Mi Browser) in the list, then the other browsers are either not installed or hidden by the system.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Flag dropping | Applications → Browser → Open by default | The system will ask for a choice at the next click |
| Global shift | Settings → Applications by default → Browser | Forced use of the selected application |
| Disabling notifications | Applications → Browser → Notifications | The browser will stop bothering you, but it will work. |
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Global browser change in system settings is a more reliable method than resetting the flags of a particular application, as it sets priority at the MIUI kernel level.
Method 3: Using ADB for Advanced Users
If standard methods don’t work, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging tool, which hides system applications without physically removing them, making them invisible to the system and the user, the most effective method for Xiaomi.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI". After the inscription "You became a developer" appears, go to the advanced settings and turn on "Debugging by USB".
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browserThis command will hide the standard browser. If you need to return it, use the command to replace disable-user with enable. Be careful: improper use of ADB can lead to unstable system operation, so check the name of the package carefully.
- 💻 Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
- 🔌 Allow debugging on the smartphone screen when requested.
- ⌨️ Enter a command in the terminal on the computer to hide the packet.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It requires a computer and drivers installed, and the wrong team can hide critical system components.
Management of notifications and background work
Even if you can’t completely turn off your browser, you can minimize its presence by banning any background activity, which will prevent the ad shoots and news notifications that often annoy Redmi users.
Go to the application settings, select your browser, and find the Notifications section. Turn off all switches, including Important Notifications and Sound. Also, under Battery or Energy Saving, select No Limits mode (so the system doesn't wake it up) or, conversely, a hard background limit if this option is available in your MIUI version.
You can also turn off access to data. In the same app settings menu, find "Data Use" or "Mobile Data and Wi-Fi." Turn off the web access sliders. Without the Internet, the browser will not be able to download ads or news feeds, becoming just a shortcut on the screen.
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For maximum effect, disable the browser autostart. Find the application in the list, click "Out-Start" and prevent it from running with the system.