How to put Yandex Browser by default on Android Xiaomi: 3 proven methods

Why Xiaomi is difficult to change the default browser and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi MIUI smartphones regularly face the same problem: the system stubbornly returns the standard Mi Browser browser even after an explicit choice of alternatives. This is not a coincidence, but a feature of the firmware, where the Mi Browser is deeply integrated into the system — it is responsible for processing web links from other applications, widgets and even system notifications. But the good news is that you can bypass this limitation, and we will tell you how.

In this article, you will find three working methods for installing Yandex Browser by default on Xiaomi (relevant to MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS), including hidden settings and advanced techniques for power users. We will also discuss why changes sometimes do not persist and how to fix it. If you are tired of forced opening links in Mi Browser, read on.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure you have the latest version of Yandex Browser installed from Google Play or the official site.This is important, as older versions may not support all the default features.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

The most obvious way is to use Android’s built-in settings. It works on most Xiaomi devices, but with the caveat: the system can automatically reset choices after a reboot or update. Here’s how to do it correctly:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
2. Tap on the Browser item (or Opening web links in new versions of MIUI).
3. Select Yandex Browser from the list, and if you don't have one, start the app at least once.
4. Confirm the choice by clicking Ready or Install by default.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10/11 or POCO X3) This method only works until the first reboot, and then the system reassigns the Mi Browser to the main one. 2.

• 🔄 If Yandex Browser does not appear in the list - reinstall it and repeat the steps.
• 📱 Nana MIUI 14 Ways may be different: Settings → Annexes → Application management → By default.
• 🔧 If the Select button is inactive, check if the Settings are set. → Special facilities → Simplified regime.

Remove the Mi Browser cache in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage

Launch Yandex Browser and wait for the initial setup to be completed

Turn off battery optimization for Yandex Browser in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization

Restart the device before changing settings-->

Method 2: Using MIUI Optimized Setup (Hidden Menu)

This is a good way to use devices with MIUI 12-14, where the standard browser change doesn’t work, and we will use the hidden MIUI Optimized Setup menu, which allows you to manually assign applications by default, bypassing system constraints.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section Additional (or Developer)
4. Scroll down and find MIUI Optimized Setup (might be called MIUI Optimization).
5. Turn on the switch and find the Browser in the list. Select Yandex Browser.
6. Save the changes and restart the device.

Important: On some firmware MIUI Optimized Setup may not be available. In this case, try an alternative path: open Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Reset the default application settings, then repeat the steps from Method 1.

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

This will completely block the standard browser, but may affect the operation of some system functions.-->

Method 3: Advanced adjustment through ADB (power-user)

If the first two methods fail, the most reliable method is to use them. ADB-This requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but it guarantees results even on the most persistent firmware. MIUI.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices Wait for the serial number of the device to appear.
3. Run the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd role add-package com.yandex.browser android.role.BROWSER
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this method or ask for help. Once you've done the command, the Mi Browser will stay on the system, but it won't open by default.

Why Yandex Browser is reset after the MIUI update

One of the most common problems is that the default browser resets automatically after the firmware update, which is because MIUI resets some system settings "to factory" when it updates. Here's how to avoid this:

• 🔄 Turn off Automatic Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization and add Yandex Browser to exceptions.
• 📦 Freeze Mi Browser: With apps like App Freezer (requires root), you can block a standard browser so it doesn’t interfere with the alternative.
• 🔧 Use Tasker: Automate reassignment of the default browser after rebooting with scripts.

If you frequently update the firmware, we recommend before the update:

1. Make a backup of settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Remember the current browser settings (bookmarks, history) using the export function in Yandex Browser.
3. After the update, repeat the steps from Method 2.

💡

If you use MIUI beta, the default browser reset is more frequent, in which case the only stable solution is to disable Mi Browser via ADB (Method 3).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your default browser, you often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Another common problem is the conflict with Google Chrome, which, if you have Chrome installed, can intercept links instead of Yandex Browser, to avoid this:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Google Chrome → Open by default.
2. Reset the default settings for Chrome.
3. Repeat the setting for Yandex Browser.

Alternative methods: third-party applications and root access

If none of these methods work, then radical measures remain, and they require more effort, but they guarantee results.

• 🔧 Default App Manager (requires Android 10)+) SetEdit (for power users, works with SharedPreferences)
• 🛠️ Root access: With Magisk or SuperSU, you can completely remove the Mi Browser or block it through the Titanium Backup.
• 📱 Brush firmware: Installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience removes all restrictions MIUI, lacks security.

⚠️ Attention: Using root access or custom firmware will void the warranty on the device and may lead to unstable work.Be sure to make a full data backup through Settings before such actions. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.

If you decide to root, we recommend:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
2. Install Magisk for root rights management.
3. Use Titanium Backup to freeze the Mi Browser instead of removing it (it's safer).

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, check if your model supports official unlocking. Some devices (such as POCO F3 on some firmware) may lose data encryption after that.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions