How to make links open in another Xiaomi browser

Modern smartphone users often face a situation where the system automatically triggers links in an unwanted application.The owner of a Xiaomi device may find that the transition from the messenger or social network is through an embedded browser, although the user prefers to use Google Chrome or Yandex Browser.This is due to the fact that the Android operating system defaults the association of file types and protocols with specific software.

Sometimes a standard MIUI or HyperOS browser doesn't display pages as it would like, or just doesn't suit its speed, and in such cases, you have to tamper with your system settings to change the priority application, a process that is not complicated, but requires understanding the logic of how the MIUI shell works, which can hide some menu items deeper than in pure Android.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to force the browser to open links, learn how to reset default settings, use hidden menus, and even apply special commands for advanced users. Following the instructions, you can customize your Xiaomi device exactly for your Internet usage habits.

Why links are opened in the wrong browser

The main reason is because of the default app mechanism that's built into the Android architecture, so when you first set up your phone or installed a new browser, the system might suggest you choose a link processing app, and if you set the Always tick, the system remembers that choice and no longer asks the user.

MIUI has its own features that sometimes lead to conflict, such as the built-in MIUI Browser service often aggressively intercepts links from system applications, designed to keep the user in the manufacturer's ecosystem, but often annoys those who are used to other tools.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware versions, the built-in browser may compulsively suggest becoming the primary. Be careful when pressing confirmation buttons so you don't accidentally fix it again.

Also, you should consider that different applications can use different protocols, and links from search results can open in one browser, and links from messengers can open in another if there are several conflicting settings in the system, understanding this helps to quickly find the source of the problem.

How to Reset Browser Default Settings

The most reliable way to get your phone to ask again than to open a link is to reset the default settings of the current app. You don't have to delete programs, just change one setting in the settings menu. This action is safe and doesn't delete your bookmarks or your history.

To start, you need to go to the application management menu. Find the Settings icon on your desktop or in the notification curtain. In the list that opens, select the App item, and then go to All Apps. Here is the full list of installed software.

Find the browser that opens automatically (often the Xiaomi or Chrome browser) on the list. Click on it to enter the detailed menu. At the bottom of the screen or in the options list, find the Default Open or Default Launch option.

After clicking the "Clear Default" button, the system will forget your choice. Now, the next time you click on any link on Telegram, WhatsApp or SMS, Xiaomi will give a pop-up with the question "What to open?". Here you can select the desired browser and, if you wish, again check the "Always" box.

Setting up browser selection through the system menu

There is a separate menu on Android, where you can force a browser to be assigned to all types of links at once. This is a more global setting that works on top of individual application preferences. On Xiaomi devices, the path to this menu may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.

Go to Settings and in the search bar at the top, type the word "default." The system will suggest the default App. In the list that opens, find the Browser category. When you click on it, you will see a list of all browsers installed.

Choose from the list the one you plan to use all the time, such as Firefox or Edge, and then all links that are not strictly linked to a particular application will open here, which is convenient for unifying the experience.

It is important to understand the difference between normal web links and deep links, which are designed to open specific pages within apps (like videos in the YouTube app), and the default browser settings do not usually affect them.

Use of hidden settings and ADB commands

For advanced users who want to gain full control of the system, there are deeper customization methods that allow you to change priorities where the standard menu does not work, but these methods require caution.

One way is to use USB debugging mode and a computer, and by connecting the phone to a PC, you can send a command that resets all preferences for a particular package, which is especially useful if the standard menu reset doesn't work because of firmware bugs.

adb shell pm clear-preferred-handlers

This command clears all temporary open-with-help associations, and once it's executed, the system behaves as if it's just updated or reset to factory settings for application selection.

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of using third-party launchers or link managers.Apps like Link Sheet can intercept link opening requests and provide an advanced selection menu, allowing you to create rules (e.g., "always open links from VK in browser X").

Solving problems with the built-in Xiaomi browser

The built-in MIUI Browser browser is often a source of problems because it is deeply integrated into the system and can intercept links even after resetting if the Safe Browser function or similar traffic optimization services are activated.

To minimize its impact, you can try disabling notifications from this application or limiting its background. Go to Settings -> Applications -> Browser (Xiaomi Globe icon). Select Other permissions and disable startup in the background.

If the browser continues to be imposed, check the settings in the application itself. Inside the MIUI Browser, the settings section often has the option "Open external links" that must be deactivated to stop the application from claiming global web content management.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of the built-in browser without superuser rights (Root) is impossible and not recommended, as it can be used by system services to authorize or display help.

The alternative is to install a lighter browser, which the system will perceive as a higher priority because of the speed of reaction, often Opera Mini or Via Browser do this task better than heavy counterparts.

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If the links are still not opened there after all the manipulations, try restarting the device.Rebooting the system often clears the cache of application associations that could block new settings.

Features of the work of links in different applications

Different apps on Xiaomi handle links differently: Messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp have their own built-in browsers (Instant View), which open content inside the app without going to an external browser, which is a standard behavior that cannot be changed by the phone settings.

Social networks such as VK or Odnoklassniki also often use internal display mechanisms. To open a link in an external browser, you usually need to click on three dots in the corner of the page and select "Open in the browser".

System applications such as Themes or Music may require the use of MIUI Browser to display banner ads or license terms, and in such cases, the standard methods will not be able to circumvent the restriction.

For email clients, it's different. Gmail or Xiaomi's standard email typically uses system choice. If you set up Chrome as the primary, then the links from the emails will go there. If the mail has its own rendering engine, it can ignore the system settings.

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Link behavior depends not only on Android settings, but also on the policies of the specific source application. Built-in browsers of social networks and messengers work regardless of system preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)