Owning a Xiaomi smartphone often exposes users to the manufacturer’s intrusive ecosystem, especially when it comes to standard applications. Many device owners notice that clicking on any link in messengers or social networks automatically opens a built-in browser that may not suit functionality or speed, this is the standard behavior of the Android operating system in conjunction with the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, which requires manual intervention to change priorities.
Fortunately, the process of changing settings does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex manipulation of code. The default browser change is a standard feature available in the settings menu of any modern smartphone. However, the location of the necessary items can vary depending on the firmware version and regional specifics of the device, which sometimes causes confusion among inexperienced users.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of switching to alternative solutions such as Chrome, Firefox or Yandex, you will learn how to not only install a new application, but also make the system use it for all web links, ignoring system preferences, which will personalize the device to your personal needs and habits.
Why Xiaomi System Chooses Its Browser
The MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS are designed to keep the user as much as possible within the brand ecosystem. The built-in MIUI Browser (or its Chinese version) is often a priority, as it is integrated with system services, news feed and advertising modules. When a smartphone is first activated or after resetting, the system automatically assigns it to the status of the main surfing tool.
This behavior is dictated not only by the company’s desire to control the user experience, but also by the technical features of Android. If the application is preinstalled and has a higher system weight or a digital signature of the manufacturer, it receives priority when processing. URL-The user may not even notice how the switching occurs until he decides to install a third-party product.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (especially global firmware versions), the built-in browser may have limited functionality or excessive advertising that is displayed even when the application is closed.
Also, system updates sometimes reset user preferences. After a major Android update or a move from MIUI to HyperOS, application settings can be reset to factory values, in which case you will have to re-specify the system which software you want to see as the main tool for working with the Internet.
Preparation for the installation of an alternative observer
Before you start changing your system settings, make sure your device already has the browser you want installed and is working correctly. If you plan to upgrade to Google Chrome, Opera or any other product, having it in your phone’s memory is a must. Without the installed application, the selection point simply will not appear in the list of available options.
Download the distribution from the official Google Play Market store or GetApps. Using third-party sources can lead to malware installation, so data security should come first. Once installed, run the app at least once so it can register its components on the system.
☑️ Ready to change browser
It is also important to check for updates for the MIUI interface itself. Sometimes bugs that prevent you from changing the default application are fixed by security patches. Go to Settings → About the phone and check the status of updates. If the system suggests updating the security components or the shell itself, it is better to agree to eliminate software errors.
Instructions: change browser in MIUI and HyperOS
The process of changing the settings in the shells from Xiaomi is quite logical, although the paths may differ slightly visually. The main task is to find the section responsible for managing applications. In modern firmware versions, this path is standardized and takes no more than a minute.
First, open the main menu of smartphone settings. Find the Apps section. App Management is the part you're interested in. This is where all the behavior settings of the installed software are stored. In some versions of the interface, this item may be simply called "All Apps".
In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see a three-dot icon or a gear. Click on it to open the drop-down menu. In the list, select the default apps option. This is the key section where priorities for calls, messages, maps and, of course, web surfing are adjusted.
What to do if there is no "Default Apps" item?
Find the Browser line in the list. The default is the current active option (most likely MIUI Browser). Click on this line and the system will offer you a list of all installed browsers. Select the one you want, like Chrome or Yandex. Now all links will be opened through the selected application.
Configure via the Application menu
There's an alternative way to get to the settings that you want, which is more convenient if you're already on the menu of a particular application, and it allows you to control permissions and behavior in more detail.
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the browser you want to make the primary browser (like Firefox) on the list. Click on it to open the application information page. Here you need to find the Open by default option.
Inside this menu, there's a switch or a button to Open supported links. Make sure the function is activated. The system can show you a list of the types of links (http, https) that the app is ready to handle. Make sure all the necessary types are ticked.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open by default | Included. | Allows the application to be launched when clicking on links |
| Supported references | All (http/https) | Determines the types of addresses that the browser handles |
| Auto-start | If you wish, | Allows the browser to run in the background for updates |
If, after enabling these settings, links still open in the old browser, it is possible that the previous application retained priority, in which case you need to reset the default settings for the old browser through a similar menu by selecting the Reset default button.
Solving problems with automatic start-up
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the system ignores the choice and continues to run MIUI Browser, this can be caused by cached data or features of some applications that “remember” the last browser used, in which case a deeper cleaning of the settings is required.
Try to clear the data of the application itself that you use to click on links (such as Telegram or Viber). Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the messenger, select Memory and click Clear (not “Reset”, namely, clearing the cache or data, if you are not afraid to lose your correspondence history, but usually clear the cache) This will cause the application to ask the system again rather than open the link.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing messenger data may result in deleting local correspondence history if it is not synced to the cloud.Be careful and make sure important chats are saved.
Also check if the security settings include Safe Browse mode, which can force the use of Xiaomi's built-in link scanner.This option is in the Security app (green zipper icon). URL-Addresses if it blocks the selection of a third-party browser.
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If none of the methods help, try temporarily removing the built-in MIUI browser updates through the application management menu, select your browser as the primary one, and then update the built-in back.
Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi
Choosing a primary browser is a matter of taste, but Xiaomi owners have their own optimization nuances: Some browsers work better with aggressive MIUI energy saving policies, others offer better integration with Google services.
- 🌐 Google Chrome: Perfect sync with Google account, built-in page translator and high stability on any version of Android.
- 🦊 Mozilla Firefox: Excellent extension support, strict privacy settings and the ability to fine-tune the interface through hidden configs.
- 🔴 Yandex Browser: Fast loading of pages thanks to turbo mode, built-in virus protection and convenient integration with Yandex services, which is important for the Russian-speaking segment.
- ⚡ Opera: Built-in ad blocker and traffic saving mode, which can be useful when using mobile Internet.
When choosing, consider the amount of RAM your smartphone has. Heavy browsers with many background processes can be unloaded from memory on devices with 4 GB of RAM or less, in which case you should pay attention to lighter versions, such as Chrome Lite or Via Browser.
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The optimal browser for Xiaomi should work effectively in the conditions of aggressive MIUI energy saving, so that background tabs do not close too early.