Xiaomi and Redmi are famous for their functionality, but sometimes the system starts to behave unpredictably: you open a link and it runs in a browser you didn't choose, or photos open in a strange gallery instead of the usual one, because the MIUI or HyperOS operating system remembers your choices and installs certain programs as the default applications.
Users often face a situation where they need to change this choice, but the Reset button seems lost or hidden. Resetting a particular application is not about deleting data, but only cleaning up the associations the system has created to automatically start. In this article, we will look at all the nuances of returning to the original settings so that your smartphone works exactly as you want.
Don’t worry if the menu interface is slightly different from the one described, as firmware versions can vary.We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most current models, including the Xiaomi Mi 13, Redmi Note 12 and older devices.A deep understanding of the menu structure will allow you to easily manage the priorities of running programs.
Why you need to reset applications by default
The Android operating system that Xiaomi runs on aims to optimize user experience by automatically selecting a program to perform actions. For example, when sending a photo, the system can always offer Telegram, although yesterday you used WhatsApp. The default application is a program that runs automatically for a certain type of action without a choice request.
Sometimes the user accidentally clicks "Always" instead of "Just now," and the system blocks the option of choosing another program in the future. This can be a problem if you decide to change your browser or music player. Resetting associations returns the system to ask you about your preferences every time.
In addition, some system failures can cause standard applications to stop opening files correctly, in which case cleaning the default settings is the first step of diagnosis.
- 📱 Correcting errors when links are opened in the wrong browser.
- 🔄 Return of the ability to select a program to open files.
- ⚙️ Solving problems with launching third-party navigators instead of maps.
- 🛠 Resolving conflicts between multiple identical applications.
It's important to understand the difference between cleaning the cache and resetting the default settings: One deletes temporary files to speed up work, the other changes the logic of how the system behaves when tasks start, both processes are important for maintaining the stability of the smartphone.
Where to find the application management menu in MIUI
The interface of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS has its own settings, and to get to the right section, you need to go to the main Settings menu, which is the central control panel where the entire system is configured.
The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version and shell, usually looking for the Apps or Apps section and notifications, and this is where all the tools for managing installed software and system preferences are concentrated.
Some versions of firmware have default settings in a separate submenu inside the app section. Look for App Settings or Application Management. It lists all installed programs, including system services, which are often hidden from the eyes of the average user.
You can use a settings search for quick access, and click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings screen and type in the phrase "default" and the system will prompt you to go to the desired section, which greatly speeds up the search process.
Why can the menu be different?
Step-by-step: how to remove default settings
The most common scenario is to reset your choice for a particular application, such as a browser or gallery. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the program you want to “learn” to open files automatically.
After selecting the application, scroll down to the default Settings section. If this option is active (not grey), then the application has some assigned actions. Click on Clear Default Settings or Reset.
If the button is inactive, it means that the application has no fixed actions and there is nothing to reset, in which case the problem may lie in the settings of another application that intercepts the action. For example, if the photos do not open, check the settings of both the gallery and the file manager.
After reset, try opening the file or link that caused the problem. The system should again display the selection box asking "What to open?", select the desired application and click "Just now" to test, or "Always" if you are sure of the choice.
⚠️ Note: Resetting default settings for system applications such as Phone or Messages can cause the system to ask which program to respond to when you have multiple analogues installed when you receive an incoming call or text message.
Reset all application settings at once
In situations where you don't remember which application is causing the conflict, or when you install a new firmware, the system is acting strangely, you can do a global reset, which will bring all file associations back to factory values.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the three dots (menu) and select Reset Application Settings. The system will request confirmation of the action, as it will affect all programs at once.
This procedure will not delete your data, photos or contacts, it will only make the system forget which programs you chose to open links, documents and multimedia, and after restarting the device, you will have to re-choose your preferences for the main actions.
| Action. | Impact on data | Need for a reset | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resetting one annex | Data saved | Not required | Low. |
| Global resetting of settings | Data saved | Recommended | Medium |
| Clearing the cache | Temporary files deleted | Not required | Low. |
| Full reset (Hard Reset) | All data deleted | I'll be sure. | Tall. |
Use global reset with caution if you have specific file scenarios set up, which is a "nuclear option" for solving software conflicts when other methods do not help.
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Before the global reset of application settings, take screenshots of important settings to quickly restore the usual system configuration.
Cleaning Cache and Data: What’s the Difference
Users often confuse default resets with app data cleaning, two different processes that are in the same menu, and cache clearing removes temporary files, speeding up the program, but does not affect your logins and settings.
Data cleanup (or App Reset) returns the program to a state immediately after installation, which means that all accounts will come out, settings within the application will be reset, and local history will disappear, only use this method if the application is not working correctly or freezes.
This feature is along the way: select the app in the list, click Memory or Storage, then choose Clear. Be careful: the Clear All button will delete data, and Clear Cache only temporary files.
If your goal is simply to change the program that opens the links, you don't have to touch the cache or the data. The default settings mentioned above are enough. Excessive data cleanup can lead to the loss of unsaved information in messengers or notes.
⚠️ Note: Cleaning up the data of the Gallery or Music system application will not delete your photos and tracks, since they are stored in a separate memory section.
Solving problems if the reset button is inactive
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the default settings option is grey or missing, which may mean that the application does not have registered actions in the system or is a system component that Xiaomi protects from changes.
In the case of system applications such as MIUI Launcher, resets may not be directly available. Try installing a third-party launcher, activating it, and then uninstalling it. This often forcibly resets desktop settings.
If the problem is browsers, make sure you have more than one browser installed. The system will not reset if there is no alternative to choose from. Install Chrome or Firefox if you want to unplug the standard Mi Browser browser.
Also worth checking for system updates. Older versions of MIUI may have bugs that block the change of settings. Go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates.
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If the reset button is inactive, it is likely that the application has no fixed actions or is a critical system component.