How to install the default application on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible settings, but changing the default apps often raises questions among users.The system automatically assigns standard programs for the browser, SMS, calls or gallery, but these options are easy to reconfigure to suit your needs. For example, you can replace the built-in Mi browser with Google Chrome or Firefox, and the standard Messages application with Telegram or WhatsApp for SMS.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the default applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including the hidden settings of MIUI 14/13/12. Particular attention will be paid to the typical errors that prevent users from saving the changes, and explain why some applications do not appear in the list of available options. If you encounter a problem when the default settings reset after the system update, here you will find a solution.

Why Xiaomi automatically selects its default apps

The MIUI shell was originally optimized to work with Xiaomi’s branded services, which means that the system prioritizes:

• 🌐 Mi browser instead of Chrome or Edge;
• 📷 Mi Gallery instead of Google Photos;
• 💬 Messages by Google instead of Telegram or Messages by Google;
• 📞 Phones instead of alternative calls.

This policy is related to Xiaomi Cloud services integration, data synchronization and usage analytics. However, in MIUI 14 and later, users can manually redefined any standard applications without restrictions, if installed on the system, except for system services (such as Settings or Security), which can not be replaced.

It is important to understand that after resetting settings or updating the firmware, the default settings return to factory settings. This is not a bug, but a feature of Android - this is how the system guarantees stability after changes.

How to change the default application through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the standard settings menu, the instructions are relevant for all modern versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and models Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
4. In the list that opens, tap the category you want to change (for example, the Browser or the SMS Application).
5. Choose the app from the available options. If it's not on the list, install it from Google Play and repeat the steps.

Once selected, the system will prompt you to confirm the action. Some applications (such as Telegram for SMS) may request additional permissions — provide them to make the function work correctly.

Make sure the alternative app is installed | Check the version of MIUI (in Settings → About Phone) | Close all background apps before changing |Reboot your phone after changing settings-->

Change applications by default via the "Open with" menu

If the desired option is not in the settings, you can change the default application directly when you open the file or link:

1. Find the file or link you want to change the program for (e.g..jpg for the gallery or http:// for the browser).
2. Slip the file/link and hold your finger until the context menu appears.
3. Choose to Open with Help (or More) → Open with help).
4. In the application list, click on what you want, then tick next to Always (or Use by default).

This method is convenient for one-time changes, but is not suitable for global reconfiguration (for example, changing the browser for all links). Also note that some formats (for example,.apk) can not be opened by default by third-party applications due to Android security limitations.

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If the desired application does not appear in the Open with the help list, try clearing the cache and Settings app data (Settings → Apps → Settings → Storage → Clear cache / data).

Problems when changing the default apps on Xiaomi

Users often encounter common mistakes when trying to change standard applications, and consider the most common cases and their solutions:

Particular attention should be paid to the situation where MIUI block the application change for SMS. This is because not all messengers (for example, Viber or Skype) officially support the function. SMS. Use specialized applications like Messages by Google or Textra. SMS.

How to Reset All Default Apps to Factory Settings

If you’ve experimented with settings and want to get everything back to its original state, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) and select Reset application settings.
3. Confirm the action by clicking Reset settings in the window that appears.

This operation will return to the factory settings:

• 🔄 Default applications for all categories;
• 🚫 Application Permits (will have to be re-issued);
• 🔕 Background restrictions for applications.

If the reset did not help (for example, after the MIUI update), try to clear the cache of the Settings section, as described in the previous section.

browser|gallery|SMS-messenger|Caller.|Other-->

Hidden MIUI settings for experienced users

For those who want to customize the behavior of the system more deeply, MIUI has hidden options available through ADB or engineering menus, for example, you can force the default application to be assigned to a specific file type, even if the system does not allow it through the GUI.

For this:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.example.app/.MainActivity (replace com.example.app with the desired application package).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-commands can lead to unstable operation of the system.

Another way is to use apps like Google Play's Default App Manager, which provide an advanced interface to manage default settings. ROOT-rights on some versions MIUI.

Frequent questions about setting up applications by default

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Setting up applications by default MIUI demand ROOT-In 90% of cases, standard tools in the Settings menu are sufficient → Annexes.