How to make Chrome the default browser on Android Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which is actively promoted by the developers of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. However, many users are accustomed to the Google ecosystem, synchronization of passwords and extensions that are only available in Google Chrome. The standard logic of the Android system implies that when you open any link from the messenger or application, it should run in your main browser, but on devices of the Chinese brand this process is often blocked or hidden.

Users often find themselves in a situation where, after installing Chrome from Play Market, the system continues to insist on opening links in the native app or Mi Browser. This is due to the deep integration of Xiaomi’s own services into system processes. To change this situation, you need to perform a number of specific actions in settings, which may differ depending on the version of the operating system. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to completely switch to Google products.

It’s important to understand that replacing your default browser isn’t just a matter of personal preference, it’s also a matter of digital hygiene and security. Chrome gets security updates faster than many third-party counterparts and has a more flexible permission management system. We’ll look at not only the standard installation path, but also how to circumvent restrictions if the system resists your changes. Be careful when you follow the steps, as menu names may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware.

Pre-Installation and Update of Google Chrome

The first and most obvious step is to have the app on the device itself. On global versions of Xiaomi firmware, Google Chrome is usually already installed on the system, but on Chinese versions (CN ROM), you will have to download it yourself. Go to the Play Market app and type "Google Chrome" in the search bar. If the application is already installed but is not working correctly, it is better to upgrade it to the latest available version.

Once downloaded, you need to first start the browser so that it can register itself as an active application. When you first start, the system can request permission to access data or geolocate - this is the standard initialization procedure. Make sure you are logged in to your Google account if you want to sync history and bookmarks with your computer or other devices.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Chinese version of firmware without built-in Google services (GMS), In this case, you must first activate the basic services of Google Play in the account settings and sync, otherwise the browser may not work stable or open links from other applications.

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android or specific MIUI builds, the system can block the installation of applications from unknown sources if you are downloading an installation file (APK) from a non-store, in which case you will need to go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Install unknown applications and give permission to your file manager or browser through which you are downloading.

Basic configuration through the Android system menu

The main method of changing the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi is hidden in the depth of system settings. The interface of MIUI and HyperOS often changes the location of items, but the logic remains the same. You need to open the main menu of smartphone settings and find the section responsible for managing installed applications. Depending on the version of the shell, this item may be called simply "Applications" or "Applications and notifications".

Within this section, look for the "App Management" or "All Apps" subsection. Search the Google Chrome list. Click on it to open the detailed management menu for that particular application. Here we're interested in the "Open by default" item, which dictates to the system what files and links that software should handle.

• 📱 Click “Open by Default” in the Chrome app menu.
• 🔘 Select the option “Open supported links).
• ✅ Set the switch to the "Always" or "Open in this application" position".

After doing this, the system is instructed to prioritize Chrome for web content. However, Xiaomi often has a situation where this switch is inactive (grey), which means that priority is given to another application, most likely Mi Browser. In this case, you need to find the browser (or Mi Browser) in the list of applications and similarly prevent it from opening default links by selecting the option “Always ask” or “Do not open”.

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If the switch in Chrome settings remains gray and inactive, reset the default settings for the current system browser (Mi Browser) first, and only then activate Chrome.

Features of settings in the shells MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells have one thing in common: they aggressively promote their services. Even if you have Chrome in charge, the system can periodically "subject" you Mi Browser when searching in the global line or widgets. To avoid this, you need to check the settings of the search and voice assistant. In MIUI, a separate item "Browser" in the main settings of the system, which duplicates the system preferences of Android.

Go to Settings → Applications → App Settings (or simply “Apps”). At the top of the screen, there’s often a three-dot or gear button where the default Apps menu is hidden. If there’s no such menu at the top, look for the “App Management” section and then the “Default” tab, and here you’ll see a list of categories: phone, messages, and of course, the browser.

With the new versions of HyperOS, the menu structure has become more logical, but the principle has remained the same. If you can't find the default apps through settings search, try using the built-in search bar at the top of the settings menu. Type in the default browser or default browser and the system will redirect you to the desired section. This is often faster than manually wandering through the menu.

Solving Mi Browser Problems and System Limitations

Sometimes users find that links from WhatsApp or Telegram continue to open in Mi Browser, ignoring all the settings made, this is due to the fact that Mi Browser has deep system privileges, in some cases, helps completely remove updates to the system browser or its forced stop.

Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the Browser (a compass or globe icon). Click "Delete Updates" if such a button is available. Then try to install Chrome as the primary one again. If you can't delete updates, select "Stop" and clear the app data to reset its preferences.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove the Mi Browser system through ADB This application is often associated with the system components of Search and Global Search, and its complete removal can lead to unstable launcher or cyclical smartphone reboots.

It is also worth checking the settings of the specific application from which you click. For example, Telegram or VK has internal settings "Open links to...", where you can rigidly set a specific browser. Go to the settings of the messenger itself and make sure that it does not necessarily select Mi Browser.

Set up search engines and synchronization

Once you’ve successfully made Chrome the default browser, it’s important to customize it to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Chrome may have Google search by default, but other searchers may pre-installe it in some regions or firmware versions of Xiaomi. Check this in the browser’s settings.

Open Chrome, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. Find the Search Engine section. Make sure Google or any other service you prefer (Yandex, DuckDuckGo, Bing) is selected there, ensuring that the right engine is used when you enter the request in the address bar (which will now open from any application).

• 🔐 Sign in to Google account to sync passwords and history.
• 🌐 Turn on Simplified Mode to save traffic if needed.
• 🚫 Configure the pop-up blocker in the "Privacy" section".

Synchronization is a special feature, and if you've used Chrome on a PC before, turn on sync so that all your tabs, history and saved passwords instantly appear on your smartphone, a critical feature for maintaining digital continuity. Without logging in, your browser will work as an isolated application, which is less convenient.

Additional functions and optimization of work

Chrome on Android has a number of hidden features that can be useful to Xiaomi owners, such as “Lite” mode or traffic saving, which compresses pages before loading. Also worth mentioning is the “Read aloud” feature, which allows you to listen to articles, which is convenient on the road, all these settings are in the three-point menu.

For owners of devices with AMOLED-It's useful to include a dark theme with screens (most of today's Redmi and Xiaomi), which not only saves the battery, but also reduces the load on the eyes. → Theme → You can also activate a forced dark theme for all websites through flags (chrome://flags), But this is for advanced users.

Remember to update your browser regularly. Unlike system apps, Chrome updates independently of the Android version through the Play Market. New versions contain security patches that close vulnerabilities that malicious sites can exploit. Automatic updates are best not to disable.

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Regular updates to Chrome and clearing the cache are the key to fast operation and security of your data when using a Xiaomi smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)