How to Open Links in Another Browser on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide 2026

Have you ever encountered a situation where Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco all links by default open in the standard MIUI Browser browser — slow, overloaded with advertising and unnecessary features? This problem is familiar to millions of users, because the manufacturer imposes its software even where you can choose more convenient alternatives. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to redirect links to Chrome, Firefox, Edge or any other browser — both through system settings and using third-party utilities.

In this article, we will discuss all relevant methods for MIUI 12-15, including hidden Android features that Xiaomi doesn’t advertise, you’ll learn how to set up default link opening, bypass manufacturer restrictions, and even automate the process for specific applications (like Telegram or WhatsApp). Some methods require permission to debug USB Or superuser rights, but we'll start with the simplest solutions that don't require technical skills.

Why Xiaomi is blocking browser selection by default?

The manufacturer is motivated by “optimizing the user experience”, but in fact the reasons are more prosaic:

• 💰 Monetization through advertising. MIUI Browser shows banners and promo content, which brings Xiaomi additional revenue.
• 📊 Data collection: The standard browser is integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem, making it easier to analyze user behavior.
• 🔒 Controlling the ecosystem: Xiaomi aims to keep users in its services (e.g. Mi Cloud or Mi Video).
• 🛠️ Technical limitations MIUI. The firmware modifies the standard Android mechanisms, which complicates the change of the default browser.

Since Android 10, Google has introduced a mandatory browser selection window at first launch, but Xiaomi has bypassed this requirement: either hides the notification or automatically selects MIUI Browser. In MIUI 14+, the situation has become more complicated - some settings are moved to the section "Special features", and in MIUI 15 there is a new Intent Filter mechanism that ignores third-party browsers.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Global ROM (European/Indian firmware) Browser change by default often works correctly, whereas in China ROM You may need to manually edit system files. Check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Standard browser change by default (for MIUI 12-14)

This is the easiest method that works on most rootless devices, suitable for the Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and Poco F3/4/5:

1. Open Settings and go to Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Find the browser and select the desired application (such as Chrome or Firefox).
4. Confirm the selection and restart the device.

If the Browser item is not in the list, try an alternative path:

• 📱 Open any link (for example, in Telegram or SMS).
• 🔗 In the window that appears, select Always and specify the desired browser.
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Resets settings after updating.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13.0.6 for Redmi Note 10 Pro, this method only works for links from third-party apps (Telegram, WhatsApp), but not for system notifications or widgets.

Install an alternative browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) from Google Play

Update MIUI to the latest version (check in Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Clear the MIUI Browser cache (Settings → Applications → MIUI Browser → Clear the cache)

Restart the device before setting up-->

Method 2: Use of the ADB-teams (for MIUI 14–15)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you’ll have to plug in USB debugging, which requires a computer but is guaranteed to bypass Xiaomi’s limitations, and is suitable for Xiaomi 14, Redmi K60 and other flagships from 2023 to 2026.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

ADB Tools

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.browser/com.android.browser.BrowserActivity

Then specify the browser you want (example for Chrome):

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

For other browsers, replace the packet in the command:

MIUI Browser (standard)

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Edge

Brave or Opera

Other-->

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. If the links still open in MIUI Browser, try clearing the data from the standard browser:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Browser.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Confirm the action and try again to open the link.

Instructions for Open Link With:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Enable the special features service (the app will prompt you to do so).
3. Select Settings → Redirection rules.
4. Add a new rule: specify the original application (e.g. Telegram) and the target browser (Chrome).
5. Save the settings and test by opening the link.

⚠️ Note: Open Link With apps may conflict with battery optimization MIUI. To keep them stable, add them to the exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select the application → No restrictions.

💡

If the redirect application is delayed after installation, try disabling MIUI Optimization in the developer settings, which will speed up the Intents processing, but may slightly increase battery consumption.

Method 4: Edit system files (root only)

This is a radical method that suits device owners with unlocked bootloader and root rights, allowing you to completely remove MIUI Browser from the system, but requires caution – wrong actions can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot).

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiBrowserGlobal/ or (for Chinese firmware): /system/priv-app/MiuiBrowser/
3. Delete or rename the files: MiuiBrowser.apk MiuiBrowser.odex (if any)

su


rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*

Reset the device.

After that, the system will automatically prompt you to choose another browser by default. If MIUI Browser still appears, check if there is a copy of it in:

/system/app/MiuiBrowser/


/data/app/com.android.browser-*/

💡

Removing MIUI Browser through root is the only way to permanently eliminate intrusive notifications and ads in a standard browser, but it can disrupt some system features, such as Mi Cloud Sync or Quick Apps.

Method 5: Bypassing Guest Mode (for MIUI 13-15)

Little-known life hack: MIUI 13+ has a guest mode that resets some default settings. This can be used to change the browser:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Guest mode.
2. Activate the guest mode and wait for the reboot.
3. In the guest profile, open any link (e.g. from SMS).
4. The system will suggest selecting a browser - specify the desired one (for example, Chrome) and click Always.
5. Return to the main profile: Settings → Guest Mode → Exit.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions