How to get Xiaomi to open links in apps, not in the browser: all the ways

You clicked on a link in your messenger or email, and instead of the expected application (YouTube, Telegram, VK) opened the Xiaomi browser with the web version of the site? This is a typical problem of users of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI or HyperOS. The reason lies in the system settings, which by default forcefully redirect traffic to Mi Browser or Google Chrome.

In this article, we’ll cover all the working methods to fix link behavior, from basic Android settings to hidden MIUI settings to even commands for power users. We’ll look at why, how to set up opening in the right apps (including TikTok, Instagram, banking programs), and what to do if settings are reset after the update. Instructions are relevant for Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and other models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS 1.0.

Why Xiaomi opens links in the browser, not in apps

The problem is related to three key factors:

• 🔹 Politics MIUI/HyperOS: By default, the system uses Mi Browser to handle everything. HTTP/HTTPS-links, even if the app is installed (for example, Twitter or 2GIS: This is done to collect data and advertise.
• 🔹 Application conflict: if multiple browsers are installed on the phone (Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox), Android can get lost in choosing the default handler.
• 🔹 Cache errors: after updating MIUI or installing new applications, the Android System WebView cache is reset, leading to improper link routing.

For example, when you click on a vk.com link on Telegram, the system first checks whether there is a VKontakte app, but because of the settings, MIUI ignores it and opens Mi Browser, similar to YouTube, Google Maps and other services.

Important: On some firmware (especially Chinese or custom) the problem may be due to the lack of Android System WebView component or its outdated version. Check this in Settings → Apps → All Apps → Android System WebView.

Method 1: Setup the default link handler

The easiest way is to manually specify which application should open specific types of links, via the Open Supported Links menu:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app that should open the links (like YouTube or VK).
3. Tap on the "Open by default" item (or "Open supported links" in HyperOS).
4. Turn on the "Open Supported Links" switch and select "Open in this app."

If there is no "Open by default" option, then the application does not support deep links (for example, some banking programs), in which case Method 3 will help.

⚠️ Note: After resetting settings or updating MIUI To fix the changes, reboot your phone and check the link behavior again.

Method 2: Disabling the Forced Use of Mi Browser

MIUI/HyperOS aggressively promotes its browser, even if you're not using it, to fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Slip on "Open by default."
3. Click on "Clear Default Settings".
4. Return to the main settings menu and select Settings → Applications → Default Apps.
5. In the Browser section, select Chrome or another app (but not Mi Browser).

If there is no Default Apps (as it happens in HyperOS), use the alternative path:

Settings → Additional → Special features → Special features Services → Find “Open links”

Additionally: disable the Mi Browser auto-update via the Play Store so that the system doesn’t return it as the default handler.

Method 3: Using ADB to Involuntary Assign Processors

If standard settings don’t work, you can manually set link handlers through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for power users and requires developer mode to be enabled.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings. → About the phone and tap 7 times on the "Version" MIUI", activate the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Turn on "Debugging by" USB" and confirm the authorization.

Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell pm clear com.android.browser


adb shell pm clear com.miui.browser




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




adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher/.NexusLauncherActivity

Step 3: Assign processors for specific applications:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.APP_OPEN_BY_DEFAULT_SETTINGS -d package:com.vkontakte.android


adb shell am start -a android.settings.APP_OPEN_BY_DEFAULT_SETTINGS -d package:com.google.android.youtube

Replace com.vkontakte.android and com.google.android.youtube with the packages of the desired applications (you can find them through the Play Store or App Inspector).

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Some system functions (e.g. Mi Share) may not work properly. To get it back, follow the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.browser

Method 4: Cleaning the Android System WebView cache and browsers

Often the problem lies in the damaged cache of the Android System WebView component, which is responsible for processing web links in applications.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Android System WebView and tap it.
3. Select "Storage and cache" → "Clean the cache".
4. Repeat the steps for Mi Browser, Google Chrome, and Google Play Services.

If after cleaning the cache links still open in the browser, update the Android System WebView through the Play Store:

1. Open the WebView page.
2. Press "Update" (if the button is active).
3. Reboot the phone.

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If you still have a problem after the WebView update, try to roll back to the previous version. To do this, download APK from the APKMirror site (select the version for your Android).

Method 5: Using third-party applications to manage links

If manual settings do not help, you can use specialized utilities:

• 🔧 Better Open With (Play Store): allows you to manually choose which app to open for each link.
• 🔧 Open Link With: Adds the app selection dialog when you click on any link. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.
• 🔧 App Chooser: Stores your app selection history and offers frequently used options.

How to set up Better Open With:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Enable "Show the Selection Dialogue" in the settings.
3. Add exceptions for apps that must open links automatically (like YouTube).
4. In the Blacklist section, add the Mi Browser so it never opens.

Important: Some applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block link opening through third-party processors for security reasons, in which case only manual adjustment through ADB (Method 3) will help.

What to do if settings are reset after the update

The problem of returning Mi Browser as the default handler is typical of MIUI after the updates.

• 🔄 Turn off Mi Browser auto-update in the Play Store (click on three dots) → "Turn off auto-update").
• 🔄 Freeze the Mi Browser through ADB (Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser).
• 🔄 Use the Disable Miui Browser (requires root rights).
• 🔄 Create a backup of settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset (but restore only the application settings, not the entire system).

If after updating MIUI or HyperOS links again open in the browser, do:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.browser


adb shell pm clear com.android.browser

This will reset the default browser settings and you will be able to reassign handlers.

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If you use custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), the problem may be due to the lack of a MiuiBrowserGlobal component. ADB magisk.

FAQ: Frequent questions about link settings on Xiaomi