How to turn off the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi 7

Owners of budget but popular smartphones such as Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face intrusive behavior of the MIUI operating system. The standard web browser preinstalled by the manufacturer aggressively takes the default application position for opening any links. This is annoying, especially if the user prefers to use alternative solutions like Chrome, Firefox or Opera.

Fortunately, the Android architecture that the MIUI shell is based on allows you to flexibly set application priorities. You don't have to be a programmer or superuser to change that. You just need to know the exact path in the settings menu and understand the difference between resetting default settings and completely removing system components. In this article, we'll take a look at all the available methods to solve the problem in detail.

It’s worth noting that the process may vary slightly depending on the firmware version installed on your device. However, the basic principles of Android have remained unchanged over the years. We’ll look at universal ways that are relevant both for older versions of MIUI 10 and for more recent updates that Redmi 7 may have received during its support.

Why the system imposes a standard browser

Xiaomi’s software policy is often based on integrating its own services. The browser is a key element in the ecosystem through which news, push notifications, and user preferences are collected. That’s why the system settings are designed to redirect all web queries to the native application. This is not a bug, but the planned behavior of the operating environment.

When you first turn on your smartphone or after a major firmware update, MIUI automatically registers your browser as the handler of the http and https protocols. If you have not previously chosen another application explicitly, the system will act by default. The user may not even notice how when you click on a link in the messenger or social network opens the browser that the manufacturer has decided to install.

Understanding the way applications work helps you realize that removing the system component completely isn’t always necessary. Often, it’s easy to “downplay” default settings, forcing the system to ask you again about preferences the next time you click on a link. It’s a more secure method that doesn’t violate the integrity of the operating system and doesn’t lead to potential errors in other services.

Basic method of resetting default settings

The easiest and safest way to make your phone forget about your preferred browser is to clear the default settings for a particular application. This method requires no third-party software and is available in the standard settings menu. It is perfect for those cases where you accidentally clicked "Always" when choosing an application and now you can't change that choice.

First, you need to get into the application management menu. On Xiaomi Redmi 7, the path can look a little confusing due to the peculiarities of the MIUI Russification. You need to follow the path: Settings → Applications → All applications. This list contains absolutely all the software installed on the device, including system processes that are usually hidden from the user’s eyes.

Find the app that is currently the default browser on the list, it may be called "Browser", "Mi Browser" or it may have the Xiaomi logo. Click on it to open the app information screen. Here you're interested in a section called "Start by Default" or "Open by Default." Inside you'll see the "Clear Default Settings" or "Delete Default Settings" button.

When you press this button, the system will remove the priority flag. Now, the next time you try to open a link from any application, Android will give you a system selection window. This window will list all browsers installed. You can select the right one and click "Always" to lock in a new choice, or "Only now" if you want to test different options.

⚠️ Note: If the "Clear Default Settings" button is inactive (gray), this means that the application does not have established priorities, or the system considers it the only link handler available.

Selection and installation of an alternative browser

Before you try to disable a standard app, make sure you have a decent replacement. On Xiaomi Redmi 7, which runs on a Snapdragon 632 processor, it's important to use optimized software that doesn't overload RAM. Heavy browsers can slow down the device, negating all the benefits of changing software.

It is recommended to choose apps from trusted developers who regularly release security updates. Web surfing is fraught with risks, and using an outdated rendering engine can make your data vulnerable. Modern browsers offer not only speed, but also built-in ad blockers, traffic saving mode and synchronization with other devices.

Here is a list of popular and lightweight browsers that perform well on mid- and budget-sized devices:

• 🚀 Google Chrome is the industry standard that ensures maximum compatibility with sites and synchronization with a Google account.
• ⚡ Via Browser is an ultra-lightweight browser that takes up less than 1 MB of space, perfect for older smartphones.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox is a great choice for those who value privacy and extension support.
• 🛡️ DuckDuckGo – a browser with a focus on privacy and blocking trackers by default.

Once you have installed a new application, the system can suggest making it the default browser. If that hasn't happened, go back to the instructions in the previous section and reset the settings for the old browser. Then open any link, and when you select a new application, be sure to tick "Always" or "Default" to record the result.

Complete disabling of the system application

If resetting doesn't help or you don't want to see an extra app in your phone's memory, you can use the forced shutdown function. In Android terminology, it's called "Disable." The app stops running, disappears from the list of active processes and cannot be selected by the system to open links.

To turn off the standard browser on Redmi 7, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the standard browser in the list. If you don't see the "Disable" button (it can be gray), try first pressing "Stop." Once the "Stop" button is stopped, it should become active. In some versions of MIUI, this feature is only available after you install and activate the other browser by default.

The disabled application moves to the end of the list or to a special section "Disconnected." It stops consuming RAM in the background and does not receive updates through the application store. However, its files remain on the internal drive, taking up space. This is a compromise between system security and the user's desire to get rid of excess software.

It is important to understand that after a firmware reset or major system update, the disabled application can be activated again. MIUI has the property of restoring the state of system components to factory values.

Using ADB for Advanced Users

For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to achieve perfect system cleanliness, there is a method of removing applications through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to remove applications for the current user without affecting the system partition. In fact, the application remains in the firmware, but for your account it disappears completely, as if it was deleted.

To implement this method, you will need a computer, USB-cable and on-debugging USB The developer menu on Xiaomi Redmi 7 is activated by seven times pressing the build number in the "About Phone" section. After debugging, connect the phone to your PC and execute a command to delete the browser package.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Note that the name of the package com.android.browser may vary depending on the firmware version and region. To accurately determine the name of the package, you can use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep browser. Be extremely careful: removing critical system components can lead to a "boot" (cyclic reboot) of the device.

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Before using ADB, make sure to make a full backup of important data. A team error can lead to loss of access to the system, and the only way to restore it is a complete reset (Hard Reset) with erasure of all data.

If you want to return the browser after you use the command, just perform a user 0 installation command or simply reset to factory settings. This is a powerful tool that gives you complete control over the device, but requires technical literacy and an understanding of the risks.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB commands to remove system applications void warranty in case of software failures. Do not remove applications whose purpose you do not know, especially those associated with the system interface (MIUI Home) or security.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Users may encounter various difficulties in setting up. For example, the disable button may remain gray despite installing another browser. In this case, try clearing the cache and data of the Settings app itself. Go to Apps → All Apps → Find Settings → Memory → Clear. This will not delete your personal data, but reset the menu interface.

Another common problem is that links from certain apps (such as the built-in Xiaomi client or some social networks) continue to open in the old browser, because the particular application has its own rigid anchors, in which case you need to look for settings inside the source app itself, rather than in the general settings of the phone.

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of using third-party launchers or link managers. There are specialized applications-switches that intercept the request to open a link and allow you to choose a browser each time. This can be convenient for testers or those who use different browsers for different tasks (one for work, another for entertainment).

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The most reliable way to install an alternative browser, reset the default settings of the old one, and manually select a new one when you first start up. Deletion of system files is rare and carries risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)