How to Make YouTube Vanced the Default App on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Many owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO You face a problem: after you install YouTube Vanced, the system continues to open the standard YouTube application through links from the browser or other services. MIUI, It's a powerful tool that aggressively protects standard Google apps. 5 working methods on how to make Vanced the main player on Android devices 11-14 and MIUI 12-15, including circumvention of manufacturer restrictions.

It is important to understand that starting with MIUI 14 Xiaomi blocks the default application change for key Google services through standard settings.So some methods will require use ADB, We'll look at options that vary in complexity, from simple customizations to advanced solutions for power users.

Why Xiaomi is blocking YouTube change by default

The manufacturer deliberately limits the ability to replace standard Google apps for several reasons:

• 🔒 Contractual obligations to Google – part of the pre-installing agreement GMS (Google Mobile Services).
• 🛡️ Security — MIUI Considers modification of system associations as potentially dangerous.
• 📱 Stability of work – incorrect change of handlers can lead to malfunctions MIUI.
• 💰 Monetization – standard YouTube shows ads that are beneficial to both Google and Xiaomi.

In practice, this is expressed in:

• 🚫 Disappearance of the "Open Supported Links" item in the Vanced application settings.
• 🔄 Automatically reset default settings after rebooting.
• ⚠️ Notification "It is not possible to change the default settings for this application".

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable version 14.0.5 and later some methods may require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. → The phone. → Backup.

Method 1: Standard Android settings (works on 30% of devices)

This is the easiest way to do this, but it doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find YouTube Vanced in the list and tap it.
3. Select the Open by default (if available).
4. Click Clear the default settings, then go back.
5. Open any link to YouTube – the system should prompt you to select an app.
6. Select Vanced and mark Always.

If the default item is not open:

• 🔧 Try to update. MIUI Up to the latest version – sometimes it returns hidden settings.
• 📱 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🔄 Remove the Settings app cache through Settings → Annexes → Show it all. → Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F4, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ new models with MIUI 15 This method works only after rolling back to MIUI 14 via Fastboot.Be careful - rollbacks could lead to data loss.

Backup of data|Verification of the version MIUI|Cleaning the app's cache Settings|Disabling Battery Optimization for Vanced|Rebooting the device-->

Method 2: Use of the ADB (It works on 80% of devices)

The most reliable way to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it gives you a guaranteed result on most devices.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools utility.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: Adb devices should appear your device with a serial number.
5. Enter the command to reset all associations: adb shell cmd package reset-com.android.settings
6. Now install Vanced as default handler: adb shell pm set-app-links --package com.google.android.apps.youtube.music 1 adb shell pm set-app-links --package org.vanced.android.youtube 1
7. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, open any YouTube link — the system should prompt you to select Vanced. If not, repeat the steps. 5-7.

1.Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers

2. Change the mode USB on PTP instead MTP

3. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0)

4. Disable the antivirus on the computer-->

Method 3: App Manager (without root)

For users who do not want to contact ADB, There is an alternative – App Manager application (not to be confused with the app). MIUI App Manager: It allows you to manage system settings without a computer.

Instructions:

1. Download App Manager from GitHub (version 3.4.6 or later).
2. Install. APK-file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
4. Find the YouTube Vanced list and tap it.
5. Select Open by default → Clear the settings.
6. Then select Add Link Processor and confirm the action.
7. Reboot the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It does not require a PC connection.
• ✅ Works on MIUI 14/15 rootless.
• ✅ Allows management of other system associations.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ On some models (Xiaomi 13, POCO F4 GT) need to be switched off MIUI Optimization in the settings for developers.
• ❌ The app can be blocked by Google Play Protect – add it to the exceptions.

Method 4: Editing system files (root only)

If you have root rights, you can manually edit the system files that handle the links, which is 100% effective, but requires caution.

You'll need:

• 🔧 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 📁 File Manager with support for root (Root Explorer, Mixplorer).
• 📝 Backup of the file /data/system/package.xml.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the file manager and go along the way. /data/system/.
2. Find the file. package.xml and make a copy of it (e.g. package.xml.bak).
3. Open the original file in the text editor.
4. Find a block with a package name="com.google.android.youtube".
5. Replace all references to standard YouTube with org.vanced.android.youtube.
6. Save the file and restart the phone.

Example of replacement (see similar lines):

<package name="com.google.android.youtube" ... >


...




<intent-filter>




<action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />




<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />




<category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />




<data android:scheme="http" android:host="*.youtube.com" />




</intent-filter>




</package>

Replace it with:

<package name="org.vanced.android.youtube" ... >


...




<intent-filter>




<action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />




<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />




<category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />




<data android:scheme="http" android:host="*.youtube.com" />




<data android:scheme="https" android:host="*.youtube.com" />




<data android:scheme="vnd.youtube" />




</intent-filter>




</package>

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing package.xml If the phone doesn't start after the changes, restore the file backup via TWRP or Fastboot.

💡

Editing system files is the most reliable method, but also the most dangerous one. Use it only if other methods have failed and you have experience with root access.

Method 5: Alternative launchers (bypass)

If none of the methods worked, you can go a workaround – use an alternative launcher that allows you to customize the processing of links regardless of system limitations.

The best options for Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – Supports link handlers through Nova Settings → Apps & notifications → Default apps.
• 📱 Lawnchair – open launcher with extended association settings.
• 🔧 Hyperion Launcher – has a built-in application manager by default.

How to set up in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher.
3. Click the empty space on the main screen → Nova Settings.
4. Go to Apps & Notifications → Default apps.
5. Find YouTube Vanced and install it as a link handler.
6. Confirm the change and restart the launcher (long press on the Home button" → Reset).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It even works on MIUI 15.
• ✅ Improves the phone interface further.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all links will open in Vanced (for example, from some messengers).
• ❌ You need to get used to the new launcher.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Even after successfully configuring YouTube Vanced, there may be problems, and let’s look at the most common and their solutions:

If Vanced stopped opening links after the update MIUI:

1. Check out the Vanced version – upgrade to the latest version (17.43.36 or later).
2. Clear the cache and data of the Settings application.
3. Repeat the setting through ADB.
4. If nothing works, try an alternative client like ReVanced or NewPipe.

FAQ: Frequent questions