How to change the main browser Xiaomi: full instruction

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of tools for navigation on the Internet, but the standard application often does not meet the requirements of advanced owners. Many immediately after buying the device are faced with the need to install Chrome, Yandex or Opera, but the system stubbornly continues to open links in the native Mi Browser. This creates a tangible discomfort, since automatically launching an inappropriate application violates the usual scenario of using the gadget.

The problem is not just personal preference for the interface, but functionality: third-party browsers often have built-in ad blockers, PC sync, and advanced developer capabilities. On the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, resource allocation algorithms sometimes aggressively close the background processes of alternative browsers unless they are designated default, which is why setting priorities correctly is a critical step in the initial configuration of a smartphone.

In this article, we will not only explore the standard way through settings, but also look at the specific bugs that are characteristic of devices from China and global versions. You will learn how to force a choice when the system ignores your commands, and why resetting application settings can be the only working solution in running cases. Follow the step-by-step instructions to fully adapt the device to your needs.

Why the system resets browser selection

Users often notice the strange behavior of the smartphone: after updating the firmware or even spontaneously, links begin to open again in the Mi Browser. This is due to the peculiarities of the MIUI shell, which prioritizes its own services to keep the user in the manufacturer's ecosystem.

In addition, some Xiaomi-based Android versions have a software bug where the default application selection field becomes inactive or gray. In such situations, standard methods do not work and deeper intervention is required in the system settings. Understanding the reasons helps to avoid repeating the error in the next configuration attempt.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of the firmware (CN ROM) the built-in browser is system and undeleteable without superuser rights, so its removal may lead to errors in the operation of some system widgets.

Also, it is worth considering that after major security updates Android permissions list can be partially reset, it is a security mechanism, which, however, is uncomfortable users accustomed to a certain environment, regular check of settings after updates helps to maintain a comfortable level of use of the device.

Basic configuration through the application menu

The easiest and most obvious way to change priorities is to use the standard settings menu, which works most of the time on global firmware versions and doesn’t require any additional software, so you first need to make sure that the desired application is already installed and has all the necessary permissions to work in the background.

Go to the settings menu of your device and find the section responsible for managing programs. Depending on the version of the shell, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same for all Redmi and Xiaomi models. You will need to find the App item, and then go to the App Settings subsection.

• 📱 Open the Settings menu on your smartphone.
• 🔍 Find and select the App item (or All Apps).
• ⚙️ At the top of the screen, click on three dots or find the default App menu.
• 🌐 In the list that opens, select the browser and specify the one you need from the list.

After performing these actions, the system must remember the choice. However, if the desired application is not in the list of available browsers, this means that it is not installed correctly or registered in the system as a web browser, in which case it is recommended to reinstall the application from the official Google Play store.

Data Cleaning Method for Forced Shift

If the standard choice is not saved or the selection field is blocked, a more radical method is needed, which is to reset the settings of the system browser itself, Mi Browser, which will force the system to return to a state requiring the selection of an application when the next link is launched, which is an effective way to circumvent the software limitations of the shell.

To implement this method, you'll need to find the built-in Xiaomi browser on the list of all applications, usually called Browser or Mi Browser. Once you go to its information card, you'll find a data clean button, which will delete the cache, the history and, most importantly, reset the default settings.

Settings → Applications → All Apps → Browser → Clean → Clean all data

Once you've cleaned it, try to open any link from the messenger or notes. The system should give you a dialog box asking how to open the link. At that point, it's important to remember to choose Always (or Use by default), otherwise demand will appear every time you click. If the dialog box doesn't show up, try restarting the device.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the built-in browser data will delete the passwords and browsing history saved in it, so make sure important information is synchronized with the acca.

This method is especially relevant for Android 11 and 12 devices, where there have been frequent conflicts between WebView system components and third-party browsers. After resetting priorities, the system recreates the configuration files and correctly prescribes the path to the new executable file.

Specificity of work on the shell of HyperOS

With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, Xiaomi has changed the menu structure and application logic, many of the usual paths have been renamed or moved, which is problematic for users who have updated with MIUI 14. The new system has increased the focus on security, so control over the applications by default has become stricter.

In HyperOS, priority management is set in a separate submenu within the general settings. Now the path looks like Settings → Application settings → Application settings → Application management. This may also require an additional step of password or fingerprint confirmation if privacy protection is enabled.

Owners of HyperOS devices should also pay attention to the function of Advanced Memory, which can sometimes conflict with the work of heavy browsers if they are not optimized for the new file system, and it is recommended to monitor the updates of the browser itself, as developers quickly release compatibility patches.

Solving problems with Chinese versions of firmware

Owners of smartphones ordered from China (Global ROM with Chinese firmware or CN ROM) face the most severe restrictions. In such versions, the Mi Browser is a deep system component, and attempts to disable it through the standard menu are often blocked, and the system can automatically return it to the main status after each reboot.

You can use hidden test menus or ADB commands to solve this problem, but there is an easier way to configure special features, in some cases, disabling the Quick App service, which often intercepts links to stores and services, helps.

• 🚫 Turn off the “Light Apps” feature in the security settings.
• 🔒 Disable auto-start for Mi Browser in the Security menu» → «Permits» → «Auto-start».
• 📲 Install an alternative launcher or task manager for tighter process control.

If nothing works, the only reliable option is to reflash the device to the global version of the software (Global Stable), a radical step that requires unlocking the bootloader, but it completely eliminates regional restrictions and imposing services.

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Use the Activity Launcher app to access the hidden Android settings menu if Xiaomi’s standard interface blocks the options you need.

Setting up file and link associations

Even after installing the default browser, some types of links may not open correctly. For example, links to instant applications or specific protocols may ignore your choice. For full control, you need to configure file associations and supported links for each application separately.

Go to the settings of the particular browser you want to use (e.g. Chrome) and find the Open by default section. Here you will see a list of supported web addresses. Make sure the Open Supported Links switch is activated. This will give the browser priority over system components when processing the URL.

Also worth checking is the settings in the section Additional settings → Privacy. Some browsers have their own protection against interception of links, which can conflict with the system settings Xiaomi. Harmonization of these settings ensures stable operation without sudden switching.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable the entire system component of the Android System WebView, as this may cause many applications that use web content within themselves to fail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper browser settings by default not only improve comfort, but also save battery power by preventing unnecessary background processes from working.