Xiaomi’s current smartphones run on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, which by default offer the Mi Browser built-in browser. This is the company’s decision, but many users prefer third-party products like Google Chrome, Yandex or Firefox. The problem arises when the system ignores your choices and continues to open links in the standard application, which can be annoying and slow down.
To change this, you have to force reset your file association settings for your current browser. The Android operating system that the Xiaomi shell is built on allows you to flexibly manage your default applications, but access to these settings is sometimes hidden in the depths of the menu. Understanding the Settings menu structure will help you quickly regain control of the device.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for detachment of a standard browser. You will learn how to find the desired partition in the system, how to clear the cache of preferences and how to fix a new choice so that links from messengers open exactly in the application that is convenient for you.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
The standard Mi Browser is often criticized for intrusive advertising and excessive resource consumption in the background. Users who value privacy and speed, tend to replace it with lighter or functional counterparts. Disabling the application by default is the first step to optimizing the smartphone.
In addition, third-party browsers often offer better sync with desktop versions and an advanced ad blocker system.If you're used to the Google or Apple ecosystem, using Xiaomi's native browser breaks that connection, denying you access to saved passwords and history on other devices.
It is important to understand that complete removal of a system application without Root rights is impossible and can lead to instability of some shell functions, but disabling it as a priority is a safe and regular procedure that does not violate the guarantee and integrity of the system.
Searching for the Application Management Section
To get started, you need to go to the program management system menu. MIUI may differ depending on the version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item responsible for all the programs installed on the device.
Go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Usually the icon is a gear. In the list of options, find the Applications section or Application Management. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called All Apps.
Once you enter the section, you will see a complete list of installed software, which displays both user programs and system components, and you can use the search bar at the top of the screen or the alphabetic filter for ease of search.
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If you can’t find the item on the menu, use the built-in search by settings, entering the app name, such as “Mi Browser”.
Notice the tabs at the top of the screen. Often there's a division into "All," "User" and "System"; a standard browser is usually in the system or all applications category, as it's part of the shell.
Instructions for resetting default settings
When you find Mi Browser (or any other browser that is currently defaulting), click on its name and the application information page will open, where version details, memory usage and access rights are available.
Scroll down to the default block. This is where the button is, which allows you to reset the current associations. If the browser is not selected as the primary, this button may be inactive or absent, which means that the system does not consider it a priority for opening links.
☑️ Priority reset algorithm
Click on Default, then select Reset or Clear Default. The system will request confirmation of the action. Once agreed, all links that were previously opened automatically will now require manual selection of the program on the first run.
⚠️ Note: After resetting the settings when clicking on a link from any application (WhatsApp, Telegram, VK) The system will ask you again what to open the file. Remember to re-select the desired browser and click "Always" to fix the choice.
Choosing a New Reviewer for Links
After the reset procedure, the next time you click on the hyperlink, you will see a system selection window, which will show all installed browsers, including Chrome, Yandex and the standard Mi Browser.
Choose your preferred application. There will be two buttons below the list of programs: "Only once" and "Always." In order to completely disable the old browser as the main one, it is critical to choose the "Always" option.
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The choice of the “Always” option fixes the priority of the new application for all types of web links (http, https) until the next manual reset.
If you accidentally select "Only Once", the system will ask you every time you go, in which case the reset procedure through the application settings will have to be repeated, but for the application that you randomly selected to remove the temporary status from it.
Comparison of popular browsers for Android
Choosing an alternative to a standard solution is an important step, and different reviewers offer a unique set of features that can be critical for specific tasks. Below is a comparison of the main characteristics of popular solutions.
| browser | Synchronization | Ad-blocker | Traffic saving regime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Google account | Basic | Light mode (limited) |
| Yandex | Yandex account | Built-in (Turbo) | Got it (Turbo) |
| Mi Browser | Mi Account | There is. | There is. |
| Firefox | Firefox account | Expansion | No. |
Users who value the ecosystem should choose a browser that matches their primary account, for example, iPhone owners often find it more convenient to use Safari (via iCloud) or Chrome as their second device for cross-platform work.
It’s worth noting that the Mi Browser has a built-in video player with support for playback in a floating window, which is its unique feature. If you often watch videos from sites, a complete rejection of this application can deprive you of the convenient Picture-in-Picture feature for web videos.
Hidden features of Mi Browser
Solving problems with automatic start-up
Sometimes, even after resetting, the system persists in opening links to Mi Browser, which may be due to the way the HyperOS shell or MIUI works, which aggressively save user scripts, and in such cases, deeper cleaning is required.
Try not just resetting the default settings, but also clearing the app's cache. Go to the app menu, select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear All Data, as this will delete your history and bookmarks inside the built-in browser.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing all application data will result in the removal of local history of visits, cookies and saved passwords within that particular browser.
Also check if you have a news aggregator app or a desktop widget that is hard-coded to use the system engine.Some weather widgets or news feeds in Xiaomi ignore the default browser settings and use their internal webview.