How to Make Google the Default Browser on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often involves active engagement with the Google ecosystem, despite having a pre-installed MIUI interface or a new HyperOS. One of the first actions experienced users take after buying a device is to install their preferred browser. The standard Mi browser is certainly functional, but many users are used to syncing history, passwords and bookmarks through a Google account, making Chrome the no-choice choice.

The process of replacing the main web surfing application from a Chinese manufacturer has its nuances. The system can aggressively suggest returning default settings or using built-in solutions when launching links from other programs. However, following a clear algorithm of actions, you can fix Google Chrome as the main tool for surfing the Internet, ensuring maximum comfort and familiar environment.

In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of configuration, from initial installation to fine configuration of system resolutions, we will look at the differences in the menu for different versions of the shell, and also discuss the security and cache cleaning issues that may be required to successfully apply changes. The correct setting of the browser by default is the foundation of convenient use of the smartphone.

Preparation for installation and initial setting

Before you start changing system priorities, you need to make sure that the Google Chrome browser itself is properly installed and updated to the current version.In some regions or on specific versions of firmware (for example, Chinese), Google services may not be activated by default, which will require additional verification.

Open the Settings app on your device and find the section responsible for managing applications. Depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, this item may be called Applications, Applications and Notifications, or Application Management, and this is where the key levers for controlling software behavior in the system are hidden.

It is important to understand that modern versions of Android and Xiaomi shells have built-in security mechanisms that can prevent instant change of preferences. If you have previously used Mi Browser or other web browser, the system could remember this choice.

Search for the Default Applications section in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shell interface is known for its tendency to group settings, which sometimes makes it difficult to find the right item. To make Chrome the main one, you need to find a special section that manages the global operations of the system. The path to it can vary slightly depending on which version of the operating system is installed on your Redmi or Poco.

In most cases, the search algorithm is as follows: go to Settings, then select the App item. In the menu that opens, find the default App bar. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be hidden inside the App Management submenu in the upper right corner of the screen (three dots or gear). If the standard search did not produce results, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu, entering the default request.

⚠️ Attention: In the new versions of HyperOS, the menu logic has been reworked. If you don't find the "Default Apps" item in the general list, try going to the "Additional Settings" section -> The default apps. The system sometimes hides these settings deeper to protect the user from accidental changes.

Once you log in to the right section, you'll see a list of action categories like Phone, Messages, Camera, and of course Browser. The current value will be next to the category name. If there's a Mi Browser or other application, it needs to be changed. Clicking on this item will open a list of all browsers installed on the device that are compatible with this feature.

The process of choosing Google Chrome as the main one

When you're in the browser selection menu, the system will offer you a list of options available. Search in the Chrome list and tap its name. At which point the system may issue a pop-up warning of a change in the standard application. This is the standard Android security procedure that requires confirmation of user actions.

Once you select Chrome, the system will redirect you back to the category list, where the Google logo will now be displayed next to the browser item, which means that the basic setting is complete. However, additional permission checks may be required to ensure that the changes are fully effective and all links from instant messengers, emails and social networks are opened in Google Chrome.

• 🔄 Reset preferences: If the system persistently opens links in an old browser, you may need to reset the settings of a particular competitor application.

Sometimes, especially after a major firmware update, settings can fly off and return to factory values, where the priority is given to Xiaomi products, in which case the selection procedure must be repeated.

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Changing your browser in settings is just the first step; to fully transition, you also need to check whether the restrictions on opening links within the Chrome app itself are worth it.

Managing permissions and resetting default settings

There are times when even after selecting Chrome in the settings, the phone continues to open web pages in the Mi Browser, which is because the old browser has specific permissions to open certain types of links (http, https).

Go back to the Apps menu -> Application Management. Find the browser that is interfering with your work (usually Mi Browser) and click on it. In the menu that opens, find Start by default or Open by default. Inside, you will see the Remove Default Settings or Reset Preferences button. Pressing this button will deprive the application of the right to automatically intercept links.

After resetting your competitor, try to open any link from the messenger. The system should ask you, "What to open?" In this window, select Chrome and be sure to press Always. This action will fix the choice at the system level and prevent repeated questions in the future.

⚠️ Note: When resetting default settings for any application, some temporary association data may be cleared.Don't worry, this won't delete your history or passwords stored inside the browser, but it can reset the choice of which application to open for certain types of files.

Features of work in the shell of HyperOS

With the introduction of HyperOS, which replaces MIUI, Xiaomi has significantly changed the architecture of interaction between applications, with increased control over “super applications” and services that can affect the operation of other programs, as well as browsers.

HyperOS has introduced stricter back-end controls. If you want Google Chrome to work consistently and instantly open links, it needs to be given extended permissions. Go to Settings -> Apps -> Settings (top right) -> Access to memory or Special Permissions. Make sure the browser is allowed to display on top of other windows if you use the floating windows or split screen feature.

Also worth noting is the memory protection feature in HyperOS. It can aggressively close the background processes of the browser, which will open links with a noticeable delay while the application is restarted. To avoid this, find Chrome in the list of running applications, click on the padlock icon or select the item No restrictions in the battery settings, this will allow the browser to always remain ready to go.

Solving Frequent Problems and Conflicts

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may face a number of technical problems, such as when choosing Chrome, links may stop opening or opening in an empty window, most often because multiple profiles or user accounts are in conflict.

Another common problem is the appearance of ads or redirecting to Xiaomi search pages instead of Google. This can occur if the Mi browser settings itself include the “Accelerate” or “Safe browsing” function, which intercepts traffic, in which case completely disabling or removing updates to the system browser, if the phone model allows it.

• 📱 Virus Check: Sometimes unwanted system behavior is caused by malware.Scan through built-in antivirus or Google Play Protect.

If the problem is systemic and occurs after a firmware update, it makes sense to wait for the patch from the manufacturer, but in 95% of cases, manual prioritization described above solves the problem instantly.

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For maximum performance of Google Chrome on Xiaomi, in the developer settings (if enabled), you can try to change the font size or disable animations, which will speed up the rendering of pages on budget models.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions