Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where clicking on a link in a messenger or social network opens the wrong browser they use daily, this is due to the fact that the Android system and the MIUI shell automatically remember the user’s choice or use the preinstalled application by default. For many users, this becomes a source of irritation, especially if the imposed browser is slow or does not have the necessary extensions.
Fortunately, this situation is quite easy to fix, although in the latest versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, developers have slightly changed the location of some menu items.Browser change by default is a basic setting that returns control of the device to the owner. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change priority applications, and also consider the nuances that may arise in the process.
Don't ignore this setup, because the right surfing program affects page loading speed and data security. Sometimes the system may "forget" your choice after a major update, and then the procedure will have to be repeated. We'll look at both standard methods through settings and deeper options for resetting preferences if the standard path doesn't work.
Why links are opened in an unnecessary browser
The main reason is the logic of the Android operating system: when you first open a link, the system suggests you choose an application from the list of available ones. If you accidentally ticked the “Always” box or just quickly tapped the icon, the system remembers this choice as a default action. On Xiaomi smartphones, the situation is aggravated by the presence of its own services and the often preinstalled Mi Browser browser, which aggressively seeks to become the main one.
⚠️ Note: In some regions, the firmware MIUI can block the default browser change for system notifications unless a special developer mode is activated or the region is changed to India/Singapore».
App updates can also reset previous settings, such as after a Google Chrome update or the Mi Browser itself, the system may again offer choices or force the native app back, because some Xiaomi system components are tightly tied to its own browser for news feed or technical support.
It is also worth considering that different applications can use different protocols. Some links can open in one browser, and others in the second, if the system does not have a single HTTP/HTTPS request handler, and understanding this mechanism will help you avoid confusion in the future when you decide to install a new browser.
Standard way to change the browser through settings
The easiest and most secure way to change settings is in the standard system configuration menu, where you can globally specify which application should respond to web links, which works on most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS.
To start with, you need to go to the application management section. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the default program management item. In modern Xiaomi interfaces, this is often hidden in the application management submenu.
☑️ Algorithm of action
Once you have selected the desired browser (such as Firefox or Chrome), the system will immediately apply the changes. Now, when you click on any link in Telegram, WhatsApp or VK, it will run the program you choose. If the desired browser is not in the list, make sure that it is installed and has the necessary permissions.
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If only one option appears in the Browser list or the selection is inactive, try to clear the current browser's default data first, and then repeat the procedure.
Resetting default settings for a specific application
Sometimes global settings don’t help, because the priority is already firmly assigned to a particular application at the level of its internal settings, in which case you need to forcibly reset the default status for the browser that is currently intercepting links, which will return the system to ask you about the choice again.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the browser that is currently opening automatically (like Mi Browser) on the list. Click on it to enter the detailed management menu.
In the menu that opens, look for the Default section or the Default Launch button, which will tell you how many actions this application is performing automatically. Click on the Clear Default Settings button.** After that, the system will forget that this browser is allowed to open links without asking.
| Action. | Where to find out. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting preferences | Settings → Applications → Three points → Reset settings | Resetting all applications by default |
| Clearing the cache | Info about the application → Memory → Clean | Deletion of temporary files |
| Removal of updates | Info about the application → Three points → Remove updates | Return to the factory version |
| Shutdown | Info about the application → Disable | Complete locking of system application |
Now, when you click on a link from any messenger, a pop-up will appear on the screen asking, "What to open?" Choose the browser you want and click "Always" to capture the result, which is the most reliable way to override system preferences.
Use the Default Apps menu in new versions of MIUI
With MIUI 13/14 and the new HyperOS, Xiaomi has taken the management of default applications to a more prominent location, making life easier for users who don’t want to dig into the deep management menus of specific programs.
Go to Settings → Applications → Default Apps. Here is a list of categories: browser, calls, messages, mail, etc. Find the "Browser" line and click on it. You will be asked to choose from all the web browsers installed in the system.
What to do if the browser is not on the list?
Importantly, in some cases, the system may require confirmation of actions through a screen unlock password or fingerprint, a security measure to prevent malware from subtly replacing system components. Identity confirmation ensures that only the owner of the device changes critical settings.
If the changes do not take effect after selecting a new browser, try restarting the device.Reboot allows the system to completely recalculate priorities and update the configuration files responsible for processing the intents (system requests for opening links).
Solving problems if settings are not saved
There are times when you did everything right, but after a while Xiaomi starts to open links in its browser again, a behavior often seen after automatic updates to the system or the applications themselves, in which case a more radical approach is required.
The first step is to completely reset your application preferences, and this will bring all file and link opening settings back to factory status, so you have to re-choose over opening photos, videos and web pages, but that's guaranteed to remove the wrong anchors.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and select Reset App Settings.** Confirm the action. After that, the system will behave as if you just turned on your phone for the first time.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your app settings will not delete your personal data, contacts or photos, but will reset permissions (camera access, microphone) and notification settings for all programs.
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Complete resetting of application preferences is the most effective solution when the browser selection is constantly reset by the system.
If that doesn't work, the problem may lie in the browser app itself. Try removing it and reinstalling it from the Google Play store. A fresh install often fixes login errors and correctly prescribes the necessary manifestos for link processing.
Nuances of work with the system browser Mi Browser
Xiaomi’s native browser is known for its intrusiveness: it’s deeply integrated into the system and can sometimes open even when you try to run a search through a desktop widget. Complete removal of the system application without root rights is impossible, but it can be “detached”.
To minimize the impact of the Mi Browser, go to its settings and disable all features related to news feed, push notifications and speed up loading, which will make it less of a priority for the system when choosing a link handler.
There is also a method to disable the application through the management menu. Info about the application for Mi Browser can be available button "Disable". If it is active, click it. The browser will disappear from the list of visible applications and will no longer claim to open links until you turn it on again.
For advanced users, there is the possibility of removing system applications through a computer and ADB-This requires connecting the smartphone to the PC and executing commands in the terminal, which allows you to completely clean out the excess software, but requires care not to disrupt the system.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browserUsing this command will delete the browser for the current user without affecting the system partition. This is safe and reversible (by resetting the settings to the factory).