How to Remove the Default App on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Have you accidentally picked the wrong file opening app on Xiaomi and now you don’t know how to return the standard choice? Or want to reset the default settings for the browser, gallery or messenger? In this article, we will detail how to unselect the default application on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with the MIUI shell – from the latest versions to outdated firmware.

The problem with the "stuck" applications by default is familiar to many users. PDF-file-through WPS Office, and now all documents automatically run in it, even if you're more comfortable using Google Drive or Adobe Acrobat, or if the system insists on offering Mi Browser instead of Chrome for links, all of which can be solved in a few steps, but the ways vary depending on the version. MIUI and file type.

We will look at official methods through settings, hidden MIUI capabilities, and workarounds for cases where a standard reset does not work, and pay special attention to the nuances for different types of content: links, media files, documents, and system actions (for example, calls or SMS).

Why Xiaomi automatically selects its default apps

The MIUI shell is a modified version of Android, where the manufacturer adds its own algorithms to "improve the user experience." One of these algorithms is aggressively assigning apps by default.

🔄 First choice: When you first open a file of a certain type (.apk,.pdf,.mp3) The system asks you which application to use. If you tick "Always," you're stuck.
🤖 System apps: Xiaomi promotes its services (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music), so they are often assigned by default after updates.
📦 Updates MIUI: After major firmware updates, the settings can be reset and the system again suggests selecting applications for key actions.
🔗 Links and protocols: Some apps (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) log their protocols (tg://, whatsapp://) And they become the default processors.

It is important to understand that MIUI divides default settings into two levels:

Global settings – manage actions for all file types (e.g., “open links in the browser”).
Local settings are linked to specific extensions (.jpg,.mp4) or protocols (http://, mailto:).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi with the version MIUI 12.5 or older, some settings may be hidden in the "Special Permits" menu, MIUI (11) the route to discharge is different.

Method 1: Reset via application settings (universal method)

This is the most reliable method, which works on all versions of MIUI from 9 to 14, and is suitable for resetting any type of file: images, videos, documents, links, etc.

Steps:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select the Applications by default.
Scroll through the list to the Default Settings section (or Reset App Settings in older versions).
Click Reset application settings (or Clear default settings).
Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Then, when you open the file next, the system will ask you to select the application again, and if the desired item is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI uses an alternative path - see the next section.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all open applications

Connect your phone to charge (in case of a long operation)

Backup important data (optional)-->

Method 2: Reset for a specific file type or action

If you need to unselect only for a certain type of content (for example, only for.apk files or http:// links), use this method. It is more accurate than a full reset and does not affect other settings.

Instructions:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the application that opens files by default (e.g. Mi Browser for links).
Scroll down to the Open by Default (or Default Settings) section.
Click Clear Default Settings (or Reset).
For some file types (e.g.,.apk), you may need to go to Settings → Apps → Special Permissions → Install unknown applications and reset permissions there.

File/action type	The path to reset in MIUI 12/13/14	The Way to MIUI 11 and Down
References (http://, https://)	Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser	Settings → Additional → Applications by default
Media files (.mp3,.mp4)	Settings → Applications → [Player Name] → Open by Default	Settings → Installed Applications → [Player] → Reset
Documents (.pdf,.docx)	Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Opening Files	Settings → All settings → Applications → Reset
Calls and SMS	Settings → Annexes → Application management → Phone./SMS → By default.	Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Default applications

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F3 or POCO X3 Pro) The path to settings may differ due to customized firmware. If you don't find the right item, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12.5

MIUI 11 or lower

I don't know.-->

Method 3: Using ADB for forced reset (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, after resetting the options are still available), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which requires connecting the phone to your computer and turning on the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

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

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.browser # For resetting the browser


adb shell pm clear-defaults com.miui.gallery # For gallery dumping




adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.contacts # For contact reset

Replace com.android.browser with the package of the desired application.

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger.

How to find out the application package without ADB?

If you don’t have access to your computer, you can find the application package through third-party utilities, such as App Inspector (available on Google Play). Once installed, open the application, find the one you want in the list, and copy the package (the “Package Name” field).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not execute commands unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.settings will reset the default settings for system menus, which can disrupt the phone.

Method 4: Reset via Safe Mode (if the application is blocked)

There are situations where the application by default not only does not reset, but also blocks access to settings, such as virus software or an incorrectly running launcher, in which case Safe Mode, a mode in which all third-party applications are disabled, will help.

How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

Turn off the phone.
Press the Power button and hold it until the Xiaomi logo appears.
Once the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume Down.
Hold the volume down until the phone boots into Safe Mode (there will be a sign at the bottom of the screen).

FAQ: Frequent questions about default application reset

Can I reset the default settings for all apps at once?

Yes, most versions of MIUI have a full reset option. Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Reset Application settings. However, this method does not affect system applications (such as Phone or Messages), they need to be reset separately.

Why does MIUI reassign its applications by default?

This is a feature of MIUI firmware, where it automatically promotes its services (Mi Browser, Mi Video, etc.) To avoid this: Open the file type you want to reset and select a third-party application, don't check "Always." Turn off unnecessary system applications in the settings. Update MIUI to the latest version - this bug is less common in new builds.

How to reset the default app for calls or SMS?

To reset applications that handle calls and messages: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select Phone or Messages. Click Open by default → Clear default settings. If the item is inactive, then the application is system-based and cannot be reset in the standard way. In this case, use ADB (see Method 3).

What if after resetting the application selection is not offered?

It could be because of: 🔄 Cache Systems: Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cache data. 📱 Launcher: Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and assign it to default. 🛠️ Damaged Settings: Reset all settings (not data!) to Settings → The phone. → Reset. If the problem persists, check your phone for viruses or contact a service center.

Can I reset the default settings without accessing the phone settings?

Yes, there are two ways: through Safe Mode (see Method 4). through ADB (see Method 3), if you have access to a computer. If the phone is completely locked, you will have to reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).