How to Open Links Through an App, Not Xiaomi’s Browser

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the annoying situation when, instead of opening the desired application by clicking on a link, the system offers to choose a browser or simply launches a web page in Mi Browser or Chrome. This is due to the peculiarities of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, which aggressively optimize processes and try to redirect traffic through their services. Understanding how to force the device to use native Android Intents is necessary for comfortable work.

The problem is relevant for all versions of the operating system, from Android 10 to the latest versions 14 and 15. The system can ignore your preferences if the application settings are not prioritized. In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios, including hidden developer settings and reset configurations.

Correctly configuring file and link associations saves time and nerves. You no longer have to manually select each time than to open content from messengers or SMS. Below are proven methods for solving this problem.

Why Xiaomi ignores apps when clicking on links

The main reason lies in the mechanism of Deep Linking (deep links) of the Android operating system, which on the shells of Xiaomi often conflicts with system optimizations. When you click on a link, the system checks the list of applications that have declared support for this domain. If there are several such applications or settings are shot down, Xiaomi by default chooses the browser as the most “safe” option.

Often the browser itself is the culprit, which intercepts all requests. For example, Mi Browser or Chrome can be installed as the default handlers for all HTTP/HTTPS requests, leaving no chance for other programs, and also affects the Turbo mode or embedded advertising that is embedded in the process of opening pages.

Another factor is energy saving: the system can block the launch of “heavy” applications in the background when clicking on a link, considering this an unoptimized resource consumption. MIUI Optimization sometimes rewrites standard Android paths, which leads to ignoring the application manifesto.

⚠️ Note: In some cases, resetting app settings may result in you having to re-choose default actions for all file types, not just links.

Understanding permission architecture helps you find the right item on the menu faster, and don’t ignore the updates to the apps themselves, as developers often change the way they register their domains.

Basic Opening Settings by Default in Android

The easiest and often forgotten way to solve this is to check the standard settings of the app that should open links. In Android, each application has its own set of rules for processing external links. You need to find a specific application (for example, Telegram, YouTube or Instagram) in the system settings.

To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find the program you want in the list and click on it. Inside the app menu, look for the Open Default or Run Default section. Here, the key setting is the Open Supported Links switch.

• 📱 Select the “Always Ask” option if you want to have control over each transition.
• ✅ Select “Open in this app” so that links open instantly without further questions.
• ❌ Select “Do Not Open in This Application” if you want to force links to your browser.

If the switch is active but the links are still leading to the browser, try first disabling it, then clearing the data (more on this below) and turning it on again.

Importantly, newer versions of HyperOS may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same: The system requires explicit user confirmation to use the application for web content.

Managing domain and reference associations

A more advanced management layer allows you to edit a list of domains that the app considers “yours.” In modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), the Supported Web Addresses option appears inside the Open Default menu.

You can manually turn specific addresses on or off here, for example, a YouTube app might not open links like youtu.be if that domain is disabled in the list, even if the main domain is active, which is a common cause of problems.

If you don't see the list of domains, it means that the app doesn't use standard Android App Links or the OS version is too old, in which case only resetting preferences helps.

💡

If the list of domains is empty, but the application should open links, try to delete and install it again – the first time you install the system will request confirmation of associations.

Resetting preferences and clearing browser data

When manual settings don't work, a more radical approach is needed -- resetting all app preferences -- which doesn't delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but returns all Open with help settings to factory status.

To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and select Reset App Settings or Reset Preferences. After that, the first time you click on the link, the system will again ask you what to open the content.

It is also worth clearing the browser cache itself, which intercepts links. Go to the browser settings (Chrome or Mi Browser), find the Privacy section and select Clear History, making sure that you have selected Cached Images and Files and Cookies.

• 🔄 Resetting preferences overwrites all erroneous file associations.
• 🧹 Cleaning the browser cache removes temporary files that interfere with the redirect.
• 🔒 Check browser extensions – some of them can block the transition to applications.

This method is effective in 90% of cases when the problem is caused by a software failure or system update that changes priorities.

Developer Mode for MIUI Optimization

For advanced users who don't have standard methods, there's a hidden setup that affects the entire permission system, which is MIUI Optimization, which can bring back standard Android behavior, but it will change the interface of some system windows.

To get into the developer menu, you need to quickly click on the MIUI version or OS version 7 times in the About Phone menu. Then in the advanced developer settings, find Enable MIUI optimization. Try turning it off and restart the device.

Settings → About Phone → 7 Clicks → Advanced Settings → For Developers → Enable MIUI Optimization (Off)

⚠️ Attention: After optimizing MIUI Some system applications may appear as standard Android programs, and permissions may be requested in a different format.

This step changes the fundamental way that the shell handles Intents. If after the optimization turned off, links began to open correctly, then the problem was precisely in the aggressive policy of Xiaomi.

Third-party solutions and special browsers

If the built-in tools don't work, you can use specialized helper apps. There are link manager programs that intercept clicks and allow you to force the target application to be selected, such as LinkSheet or its forks.

It also helps to install an alternative browser that respects the user's choices. Browsers like Via Browser or Aloha often have more flexible link processing settings and do not try to impose their services. Install such a browser and make it the main one by setting the "Open in the App if possible" rule inside it.

Another option is to use automatizers like MacroDroid or Tasker, which can create a macro that says, "If you open a link from domain X, run application Y." It takes time to set up, but it gives you 100% results for specific cases.

• 🛠 LinkSheet – Replacement of the standard menu for selecting applications with advanced functionality.
• 🌐 Via Browser – a lightweight browser with a minimalist approach to redirects.
• 🤖 Tasker – powerful automation for complex link opening scenarios.

Using third-party software is a last resort, but it often becomes the only way out on heavily modified firmware.

Frequent problems and version matching table

Different versions of Android and the MIUI/HyperOS shells have their own features. What worked on Android 11 can be renamed or removed to Android 14. Below is a table that helps you navigate depending on the version of the software.

If you upgrade to a new version of the system and the problem suddenly appears, most likely, the security policies have changed, in which case reconfiguring the domain associations is mandatory.

💡

The main reason for ignoring applications is the conflict between the system browser and the Deep Linking settings of a particular application.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)