Why can’t Xiaomi just change its default apps?
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: the system persistently opens standard MIUI applications instead of those chosen by the user: Mi Browser instead of Chrome, Xiaomi Gallery instead of Google Photos, and MIUI Messages instead of Telegram or SMS Organizer. What is the matter?
The reason lies in two factors: first, MIUI aggressively promotes its own services by blocking alternatives at the firmware level. Second, Android 10+ limited the ability to change the default applications for security, but Xiaomi used this to promote its solutions. For example, in MIUI 12-14, even after manually selecting an alternative, the system can reset settings after an update or reboot.
The good news is that you can get around these limitations. The bad thing is, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The methods vary depending on the MIUI version, the smartphone model, even the firmware region. Next, we'll look at all the ways that work, including hidden settings and circumvention through ADB.
Method 1: Standard change through Android settings
The most obvious method is to use Android built-in tools. It works for most apps (browser, SMS, phone), but not for everyone (for example, a gallery or music often ignores these settings).
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
- Click on the category (such as Browser or SMS).
- Select the desired application from the list.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) the default item of the Application can be hidden. In this case, use the search by settings (the icon of the magnifier at the top).
Install an alternative app from Google Play
Update MIUI to the latest version
Check if the application is blocked in the battery settings
Reboot your smartphone after changing-->
If the desired application is not on the list, it does not support the processing of this type of content, for example, Telegram can not become an application for SMS by default, and VLC can become a music player for system sounds.
Method 2: Reset application settings (if no changes are saved)
A common problem on Xiaomi: you chose Chrome as the default browser, but after the reboot, Mi Browser opens again. This is due to the fact that MIUI resets settings under certain conditions (update, clear cache).
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on three points → Reset application settings.
- Confirm the action (this won’t delete data, but will reset the default permissions and settings).
- Reassign the desired applications through Settings → Applications → Default Applications.
⚠️ Warning: Once reset, permissions for some applications (e.g., camera or microphone access) may disappear. Check them manually in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits.
Browser (Mi Browser → Chrome/Firefox)
SMS (Communications MIUI → Google Messages)
Gallery (Xiaomi Gallery → Google Photos)
Music (Music) MIUI → Spotify/YouTube Music)
Other-->
Method 3: Using ADB for Forced Shift (for Advanced)
If the standard methods don't work (especially for MIUI 13-14), you can use ADB commands. This requires connecting the smartphone to the PC, but it gives 100% result.
- Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.launcher3/.Launcher3 (replace com.android.launcher3 with the package of the desired application).
To change the browser by default, use:
adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can disrupt the system. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
List of popular application packages for ADB
Method 4: Bypassing Restrictions through Developer Mode
MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to disable forced use of standard applications.
- Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 3).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the option to Disable MIUI Optimization (or Limit Background Activity on Newer Versions).
- Also, turn off the automatic memory management.
After that, try reassigning the default apps through standard settings, which works on POCO F3, Redmi K40 and other models with MIUI 12.5+.
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If after disabling MIUI optimization, the smartphone began to slow down, return the settings back and use the method with ADB.
Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions
| Method | MIUI 11 and below | MIUI 12-12.5 | MIUI 13-14 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard change in settings | ✅ It's working. | ⚠️ Partially (reset) | ❌ Not working for gallery/music | Requires reconfiguration after updates |
| Resetting application settings | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | Temporary solution, not for all applications |
| ADB team | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | Requires PC and knowledge |
| Developer mode | ❌ Not relevant. | ✅ It's working. | ⚠️ Partially (depending on the model) | Can affect productivity |
Frequent problems and their solutions
Problem 1: After designating Google Photos as the default galleries, the Xiaomi Gallery still opens when you plug in a flash drive.
Solution: This is a feature of MIUI, external drives always open in a standard gallery. Use a file manager (like Solid Explorer) to access the flash drive.
Problem 2: You can’t change the call app (always opens the phone) MIUI).
Solution: Default calls cannot be reassigned to third-party apps (like Truecaller) due to Android limitations, but you can disable the standard app:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.contacts⚠️ Note: This will remove contact access from the standard interface!
Problem 3: There is no “Default Apps” option in the settings on the POCO M4 Pro.
Solution: Search by settings (magnifying icon) and enter the default request. Or upgrade the firmware to the latest version of MIUI.
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On some models (such as Xiaomi 12T), application change is blocked by default due to Google Mobile Services (GMS) policy, in which case only ADB or custom firmware will help.