How to put Chrome browser by default on Xiaomi: all ways

Google Chrome remains one of the most popular surfing solutions on the Internet thanks to synchronization with a Google account, performance and an extensive library of extensions. However, Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) often have a branded Mi Browser or Xiaomi Browser browser installed by default, which does not always suit users. Switching the browser by default to Chrome seems to be an easy task, but in the shell of MIUI this process has nuances – especially if you are faced with system limitations or the lack of a select button in settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to make Chrome the main browser on Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing typical problems: when the browser selection option is inactive, after resetting settings or updating MIUI. The instructions are suitable for devices on MIUI 12, 13 and 14, as well as models with HyperOS preinstalled. If you tried to change the browser through standard settings, but nothing worked, here you will find alternative solutions.

Why Xiaomi can’t change the default browser?

The problem with choosing a browser on Xiaomi is related to MIUI’s policy, which actively promotes its own services.

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: In some regional versions of firmware (for example, for China), the default browser change option is blocked at the system level.
• 📦 No updates: If Chrome hasn’t been updated in a long time, the system may not recognize it as a compatible browser.
• 🔄 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings or updating MIUI Browser selection may be reset to standard.
• 🛡️ Security Policy: On some devices (e.g. corporate devices), the administrator may prevent the default browser change.

In addition, MIUI 14 and later, the browser selection algorithm has changed: the system can now automatically assign Mi Browser to the main one if it was pre-installed as a system application, due to power optimization and integration with Xiaomi cloud services.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is purchased in China or has global firmware with regional restrictions, some of the techniques in this article may not work, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with global or European firmware.

1. Open the Settings (⚙️) on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
4. Slip on the Browser line.
5. In the list of available browsers, select Google Chrome.

If Chrome is not listed, make sure that:

• 📲 The app is installed (download it from Google Play).
• 🔄 Chrome Updated to the Latest Version.
• 🔓 The application has all the necessary permissions (check in Settings). → Annexes → Chrome → Permits).

Install Google Chrome from the official store|Update the application to the latest version|Check Chrome permissions in the settings|Reboot your smartphone before changing your settings-->

On some devices (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 11), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Apps → All applications → Click on three dots (⋮) → Default Applications → Browser

⚠️ Note: If after selecting Chrome, the system still opens links in Mi Browser, try clearing the cache and data of the standard browser in Settings → Annexes → Xiaomi Browser → Warehouse.

Method 2: Change browser by opening a link

If you can't select Chrome in the settings, you can trick the system into suggesting a browser choice when you open the link.

1. Open any app that has clickable links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Click on any link (e.g. https://google.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Google Chrome and tick Always (or Use by default).

If the browser selection window does not appear:

• 🔗 Try opening a link in another app (like YouTube or Twitter).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 📌 Make sure Chrome is not locked in battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Choice of applications → Chrome should be in Unlimited mode).

Google Chrome|Mi Browser|Firefox|Opera|Other-->

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10), this method only works after the Mi Browser data is cleared.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Xiaomi Browser → Storage → Clear data

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to work even on blocked firmware.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the smartphone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm clear com.android.browser


adb shell pm disable-user com.android.browser

This will disable the standard browser and the system will automatically offer Chrome as the primary browser.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you type in the wrong commands. ADB without understanding the consequences.

Method 4: Remove or disable Mi Browser

If Mi Browser prevents you from assigning Chrome as your default browser, you can try disabling or removing it. Note that on some firmware, the standard browser is a system application and cannot be completely removed without root rights.

Disconnection through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Xiaomi Browser or Mi Browser.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action.

Remove with ADB (requires an unlocked bootloader):

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

Once you disable or delete the Mi Browser, the system should automatically offer Chrome as the primary browser the next time you open the link.

Problem Solving: Chrome is not saved as default browser

Sometimes, even after a successful browser change, MIUI returns the Mi Browser as its primary browser, which is due to the background optimization processes.

• 🔄 Turn off auto-optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Select apps and set up Chrome mode without restrictions.
• 🚫 Disable Auto Starting Mi Browser: In the Mi Browser app settings, turn off Auto Start option.
• 🔧 Reset application settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings
• 📵 Clear the cache of Google services: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the cache

If the problem recurs after the MIUI update, check:

• 📥 Updates for Chrome in Google Play.
• 🔒 Does the antivirus (e.g. Xiaomi Security) block changes in browser settings.
• 📡 Is there an energy saving mode that can reset settings.

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If your browser is reset to standard after the MIUI update, try Settings → Apps → Default Apps and manually select Chrome before upgrading.

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi: what to choose instead of Chrome?

If Google Chrome is not suitable for some reason (for example, due to high battery consumption or compatibility issues), consider alternatives:

To assign an alternative browser by default, use the same instructions as for Chrome. For Firefox, for example, the path to ADB will be:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity org.mozilla.firefox/org.mozilla.gecko.BrowserApp

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If you care about privacy, Firefox or Brave will be a better choice than Chrome, but for maximum compatibility with Google services (such as YouTube or Drive), it is better to stay on Chrome.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi