How to Set Another Browser on Android Xiaomi: Full Instruction for MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones often come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which automatically becomes the default application for opening web links. However, many users prefer alternative solutions — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera or Brave — because of their speed, synchronization with other devices or advanced privacy features. In this article, we will discuss how to properly change the default browser to Xiaomi, taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14) and possible system limitations.

It’s important to understand that the process can vary depending on the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) and the firmware version. For example, in MIUI 14 the algorithm has changed slightly compared to MIUI 12, and some devices with Android 13+ have additional steps due to Google’s security policy.

Why you should change the default browser to Xiaomi

The pre-installed Mi Browser has a number of features that not all users like:

• 🔍 Data collection: Xiaomi’s browser is integrated with the company’s services and can transmit information about visited pages (even in “private mode").
• ⚡ Performance: Alternative browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox Focus) often run faster on weaker devices (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).
• 🔄 Sync: Chrome and Firefox let you sync bookmarks, passwords and history between devices via Google or Mozilla account.
• 🛡️ Security: Browsers like Brave or DuckDuckGo block trackers and ads by default, unlike Mi Browser.

In addition, some web services (such as Google Workspace or enterprise portals) can only work correctly in Chrome or Firefox. If you encounter page display errors or authorization problems, changing the browser by default often solves these issues.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you change your browser by default, follow a few preliminary steps:

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play: 🌐 Google Chrome 🦊 Mozilla Firefox 🎭 Opera or Brave

Update MIUI

Settings → About the phone → System update

MIUI 11

Check the administrator's rights

Firefox Focus

On Android 10 and later devices (MIUI 12+), the system can automatically reset the default browser settings after rebooting, due to Google's policy to limit the background activity of apps. To avoid a problem, immediately restart the smartphone after changing your browser and check the settings again.

Method 1: Standard browser change by default (MIUI 12–14)

This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with Android 10–13.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select the browser you want (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open the settings → All settings → Additional.
2. Select the Applications by default → Browser.

On some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite), the option may be hidden in Settings → System → Advanced Settings. If you do not find the item, move to the next method.

Method 2: Change through the settings of a particular browser

Some browsers (such as Chrome or Opera) offer to set themselves by default directly from their interface.

1. Open an alternative browser (such as Chrome).
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the default browser (in Chrome) or make primary (in Opera).
4. Click the Set by Default button – the system will redirect you to the MIUI settings, where you will be left to confirm the selection.

This method is convenient because the browser itself checks the current settings and suggests fixing them. However, on Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14, a notification of “application incompatibility” may appear after such a change.

⚠️ Note: On Android 13 devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) after changing the browser by default, a manual restart may be required, otherwise links will open in the previous browser before the first restart of the system.

Method 3: Using ADB for forced change (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., Xiaomi with custom firmware or MIUI for the global market), you can apply the ADB command. This method requires connecting the phone to the computer and enabling the developer mode.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a Developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer and enable USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB Tools

cmd

ADB

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).

com.android.chrome

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you have incorrect commands. ADB, For example, the adb shell pm clear command will delete the application data without the possibility of recovery.

💡

If the default browser resets after using ADB, try disabling battery optimization for it: Settings → Apps → [browser name] → Battery → No restrictions.

Problem Solving: Browser Resets or Not Applying

Sometimes, after changing the browser by default, the settings are not saved. Let's consider the typical problems and their solutions:

• 🔄 Reset after reset: On MIUI 13/14 Android 12+ The system can automatically return Mi Browser as the main one. Solution: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser. Press Disable (if the button is active). Set the alternative default browser to reset.
• ❌ New browser not appearing in the list: Check if the application is blocked in Settings → Annexes → [browsername] → Permissions. Also make sure your browser is updated to the latest version.
• 📱 Links open in the old browser: Clear the cache and data Mi Browser through Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache/data.