How to install another browser on Xiaomi instead of the standard: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi Users Want to Change Browser and What MIUI Thinks

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, a lightweight solution with integration into the MIUI ecosystem. However, many device owners face its limitations: aggressive advertising, lack of synchronization with a Google account, slow work on some sites or simply an unusual interface. According to StatCounter statistics for 2026, more than 60% of Xiaomi users in Russia and the CIS prefer alternative browsers - Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

The problem is that MIUI doesn’t always make it easy to remove or disable a standard browser. In some firmware versions (especially on budget models like the Redmi 12C or POCO M6 Pro), the Mi Browser is tied to system processes, and its forced removal can lead to failures. In addition, after resetting or updating the MIUI, it can return back. In this article, we will discuss 5 legal ways to replace the browser with Xiaomi — from simple installation of an alternative to deep system setup.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi doesn't block third-party browsers from being installed, nor does it make it easier to integrate them. For example, by default, links from messengers or email will open in Mi Browser even if you've installed Chrome. This is due to the default Apps settings in MIUI that you'll have to change manually. Next, step-by-step instructions for different scenarios.

Method 1: Install an alternative browser from Google Play

The most obvious and safe method is to download another browser from the official store, which is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on Android 10 and later, including MIUI 12/13/14.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open Google Play Store on your smartphone.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the browser name: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera or Brave.
• 📥 Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.
• 🔧 After installation, open your browser and follow the setting instructions (for example, login to a Google account to sync bookmarks).

However, there is a caveat here: even after installing Chrome or Firefox, the default links can open in Mi Browser. To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → Default Apps → Browser and select the desired option. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T), this path may differ: Settings → All settings → Special features → Default Apps.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI European Region (marking) EEA) Google Chrome can be installed by default, but it can still be replaced by another browser through settings.

Method 2: Disable Mi Browser via MIUI settings

If you don't want to delete the standard browser (so you don't risk system stability), but you don't plan to use it, you can turn it off. This hides the icon from the menu and prevents automatic link opening in it.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the Mi Browser (may be called simply "Browser").
3. Slip on it, then select "Disable" (or "Delete Updates" if the off button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the browser icon will disappear from the menu, but the application file will remain on the system. This is a safe way, since it does not affect system processes. However, note that on some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Redmi Note 12), the disabled browser can be activated again after the MIUI update.

Make sure that an alternative browser is installed

Make a backup of bookmarks (if they are in Mi Browser)

Check if the browser is used to sync with the Xiaomi account

Close all tabs in Mi Browser before disabling-->

Method 3: Remove Mi Browser via ADB (for power users)

For those who are willing to take more drastic measures, there is a method of removing the Mi Browser using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and basic command line knowledge. The advantage is that the browser will be deleted completely, freeing up space in memory. Risk: if you fail, you can delete other system components.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable “Developer Mode” on your smartphone: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item "Version" MIUI".
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, through Google’s Mi Unlock Tool or Platform Tools).
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then execute the command to delete:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

For MIUI 14, another command may be required:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

If the command is successful, the browser will be deleted for the current user (without root permissions, complete deletion is impossible), to return it back, you just need to reinstall it via Google Play or reset the settings.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) Mi Browser is integrated into the com.miui.system system process, and its removal will lead to a crash. MIUI! Before executing commands, check the current instructions for your firmware on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Method 4: Use the default browser through the "Security Center"

MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to assign your browser by default through Security Center, which works on MIUI 12 firmware and later, but is not officially documented, and is useful if standard settings do not allow you to choose an alternative browser.

How to do this:

• 🔧 Open the "Security Center" (the icon with the shield on the desktop).
• 🔍 Go to Optimization or Acceleration (name depends on version) MIUI).
• 📱 Scroll down to the "Default Apps" block and tap it.
• 🌐 In the list, find the browser and select the installed alternative (e.g. Chrome).

This method often helps when the usual path through Settings. → The app doesn't work. For example, on Xiaomi 12 Lite with MIUI 13 standard settings may ignore user choices, but Security Center may not. If this method didn't work, try removing the Mi Browser cache and data via Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Clear the data.

Method 5: Install your browser via APK (for models without Google Play)

On some Xiaomi devices for the Chinese market (e.g. Redmi) K60 or Xiaomi 14 in the version for China) is missing Google Play, which makes it difficult to install alternative browsers. APK-file directly from official developer sites.

Where to download:

How to install APK:

1. Download the file to your phone or transfer it from your PC.
2. In Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications allow installation from the file manager (e.g., Xiaomi Files).
3. Open the downloaded.apk file and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Download APK Files from third-party sources may contain malicious code. Check the hash file before installing it (for example, via VirusTotal) or use APKMirror, a reliable resource for downloading applications.

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After installation APK browser does not open pages, check network settings: sometimes MIUI Blocks traffic for unknown applications. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point (APN) Make sure the parameters are consistent with your operator.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful browser replacement, Xiaomi users may face unexpected challenges, including the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Links from messengers open in Mi Browser, despite the choice of another default browser.

Solution: Open the messenger settings (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) and select the browser you want in the “Open Links” section. On MIUI 14, resetting the default application settings: Settings → Applications → Reset application settings will also help.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the standard browser returns.

Solution: This is due to Xiaomi's policy of restoring system apps: To prevent the Mi Browser from returning, disable it (as in Method 2) and disable automatic updates via Google Play (if available there).

Problem 3: The alternative browser is slow or does not open some sites.

Solution: Check the settings "Saving traffic" in MIUI (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Save traffic. Turn it off for the browser or add it to exceptions. Also clear the app cache.

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If none of these methods worked, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) which is a radical solution, but it completely removes all system limitations of MIUI, including the forced Mi Browser.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions