How to change the default application to Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They offer users flexible settings, including the ability to select the default apps, but not everyone knows where these options are hidden — especially after system updates when the interface changes. SMS-client on Telegram, this instruction will help to understand all the nuances.

The problem is that on some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), the path to settings may differ depending on the version of MIUI. In addition, the manufacturer sometimes limits the choice for system applications - for example, you can not completely remove the standard call, but you can reassign the link or file handler. Next, we will consider all the available scenarios, from basic settings to hidden capabilities through ADB.

If you've just bought a Xiaomi smartphone or upgraded your firmware, the first thing to do is check which apps are installed by default, which affects which program will open links, process files or make calls. For example, when you click on a web link in a messenger, it may not be Chrome that runs, but the built-in Mi Browser — even if you never use it. You can fix this in a few steps, but it's important to consider the MIUI version and the device model.

Where are the default application settings on Xiaomi

The main path to settings depends on the firmware version. In MIUI 12-14, the algorithm is roughly the same, but there may be minor differences in the layout of menu items.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop or in the application menu).

2. Go to the Applications section → Application Management.

3.In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select the Applications by default.

On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or POCO F4), this item may be called Default Settings or be directly in the App section without additional submenu. If you don't find it, search by settings (lamp in the upper right corner).

In the menu that opens, you will see a list of categories for which you can assign applications by default:

• 🌐 Browser - Web Link Processor (HTTP/HTTPS).
• 📞 Phone – Calling app (usually Mi Dialer).
• 💬 SMS — message-holder.
• 📷 Camera - application for shooting photos / videos.
• 🎵 Music is a player of audio files.
• 📁 File Manager – File and folder processor.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) This is because Xiaomi has a policy of limiting changes to budget devices, and then some of the settings will have to be changed through the user interface. ADB third-party.

How to change the default browser to Xiaomi

The standard Mi Browser is inconvenient for many users due to advertising and limited features, and to replace it with Google Chrome, Firefox or another browser:

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play (if not already installed).

2. Open any web link (for example, in the messenger or mail).

3. In the window that appears, select the desired browser and mark Always (or Use by default).

4. If the window does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser and select the desired application from the list.

If the browser does not appear in the list, it is installed:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📥 Update your browser to the latest version.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache and application data Settings (in Application Management).

Is an alternative browser installed?|Is there a right to start (in the settings of the application)?|Reboot the device after installation?|Is the system settings cache cleared?-->

Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 may have a problem: after selecting the default browser, the system still opens links to Mi Browser.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find Mi Browser and click Disable (if the button is active).

3. Reboot the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Mi Browser may cause system notifications (such as weather or news) to fail. If errors occur after the disabling, turn the browser back on and use it. ADB for deep tuning (described below).

Reassign applications for calls and SMS

Changing the call app to Xiaomi is harder than the browser. The manufacturer blocks replacing the standard Mi Dialer with third-party apps (like Google Phone or Truecaller) through the usual settings.

For SMS:

Install an alternative messenger (e.g. Messages from Google or Textra).

- Open the app and follow the tips on assigning it to the main one SMS-client.

If the request does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → SMS and select the right one.

For calls:

On most Xiaomi devices, it is impossible to replace the Mi Dialer without root rights or ADB.

Alternative: Use Truecaller or Google Phone as an additional interface, but outgoing calls will still be processed by the system application.

The exception is the MIUI Global Market (EEA) devices, where the option of changing calls is sometimes available via:

adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.DIALER com.google.android.dialer

(where com.google.android.dialer is the batch name of Google Phone).

Change of gallery and multimedia player

The standard Mi Gallery is not popular with everyone because of the advertising and limited editing features.To assign Google Photos or another app:

1. Install an alternative gallery from Google Play.

2. Open any image through the file manager.

3. In the dialog box, select the desired application and mark Always.

If the window doesn't appear:

• 🖼️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default applications → gallery.
• 🔍 If no option, try opening a photo through Google Photos and manually select the option Open by default".

For music, the algorithm is similar:

1. Install a player (e.g. Poweramp or VLC).

2. Open the audio file through the file manager.

3. Select the player and confirm the default choice.

💡

If after changing the gallery, the previews of photos in the system notifications have disappeared, return Mi Gallery as the main image application.

Using ADB for deep customization

If standard methods don’t work (for example, changing the call app), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to your computer, but gives you full control over the default settings.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
• 🔌 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Step 2: Connection

Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

Step 3: Default Application Assignment

To change calls to Google Phone:

adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.DIALER com.google.android.dialer

To change SMS to Messages:

adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.app.role.SMS com.google.android.apps.messaging

A list of all available roles can be viewed by the team:

adb shell cmd role list-roles

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Also note that after the update MIUI default settings may be reset.

Problems and errors when changing applications by default

Even after the right setup, there can be failures, and let's look at typical situations and their solutions:

1.Settings are reset after rebooting

Reason: Xiaomi is aggressively optimizing background processes.Solution:

• 🛡️ Add the app to Autostart and Without Limits (in battery settings).
• 🔄 Disable Mi-Optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery settings.

2.The application does not appear in the default list

Reason: the application is not declared in the manifest as a file handler.

• 📥 Reinstall the app.
• 🔍 Check if it supports the default (for example, WhatsApp can’t be used). SMS-client).

3.The system ignores the user's choice

Cause: conflict with system services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter)

1. Clear the cache and settings data (com.android.settings).

2. execute the command via ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.android.settings

💡

If the settings are not saved after all the manipulations, check if the device has a "child" version of MIUI (for example, for China), in such firmware, customization options are very limited.

Specifics for different Xiaomi models

On some Xiaomi devices, the default application change process has features:

POCO (series F, X, M)

• 📱 They have a "clean" version. MIUI It's simpler to set up apps by default than Redmi.

Redmi Note (series 9, 10, 11)

Xiaomi 12/13 Series (Flagships)

Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones)

• 🎮 They have their own shell. JOYUI, where the default settings are placed in a separate section of the Game Space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing apps to Xiaomi