Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS come with a pre-installed browser. Despite its functionality, many users prefer the Google ecosystem for synchronizing passwords, history and familiar interface. However, after the first switch on the device, the system often ignores your preferences by opening links in the native application.
Changing the default browser isn’t just a matter of aesthetics, it’s also a necessity for a comfortable experience with web services. In this article, we’ll detail how to force Google Chrome to be the primary means of browsing the web, bypassing manufacturers’ aggressive policies to keep users in their apps.
The setup process can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the shell modification. We will look at universal methods that will suit most current models, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Mi and Xiaomi.
Why the system resets browser settings
Users often find themselves in a situation where, after a system upgrade or memory cleaning, links reopen in a standard application, because MIUI has built-in mechanisms that prioritize the manufacturer’s own services, and the system tries to bring the user back into its ecosystem, believing it to be more optimized for specific functions.
In addition, some firmware versions may contain hidden settings that automatically assign Xiaomi’s browser to handle certain types of links, such as news feeds or promotional materials.
⚠️ Note: After major Android updates, the default app settings can be reset to factory values.This is the operating system's standard behavior, not an error.
It is also important to consider that having multiple browsers can create priority conflicts, so if you have three or more web browsing apps installed on your system, Android may stop remembering the user’s choices and ask how to open a link each time, in which case you need to manually adjust the settings.
📊 Which browser do you use most often?
Google Chrome
Yandex Browser
Samsung Internet
Opera
Other
The easiest and most reliable way to change a priority app is to use the standard Android settings menu, which works on most versions of the interface, including current HyperOS builds. You do not need third-party utilities or obtaining advanced rights.
To start, open the main settings menu on your smartphone. Find the section that manages installed programs. In different versions of firmware, it can be called Apps, Applications and Notifications, or Application Management. We need the default App item.
In the list of system categories that opens, look for the browser option. Click on it and the system will offer a list of all browsers installed on the device. Select Google Chrome from the list suggested. After that, all hyperlinks from messengers, mail and other programs will automatically run in the selected application.
If the default app list doesn't show up, try searching by settings, type the word "browser" or "default" into the search box, and the system will tell you what section you want, which is especially useful in the congested menus of new MIUI versions.
Forced installation through application management
Sometimes the standard path doesn't give the desired result, because the previous choice could have been fixed by the system, in which case you manually reset the settings for the current browser by default, this action will not delete your data, but will return the application to a state where it does not have priority.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find the browser that is currently opened when you click on links (often a “Browser” with a compass or globe icon) and click on it to open the control page.
On the app information page, look for the Default or Default section, and inside you'll see the "Clear Default Settings" or "Reset" button. Click on it, and then the next time you click on any link, the system will ask you which app to use. Select Chrome and click "Always."
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|
| Resetting preferences | Settings → Applications → Three points → Reset preferences | Resets all appointments by default |
| Clearing the cache | Info about the application → Storage → Clean the cache | Fixes launch errors |
| Disabling notifications | Info about the application → Notifications | Reduces information noise |
| Removal of updates | Info about the application → Three points → Remove updates | Returns the factory version |
This method is particularly effective when the system forgets user choices after a reboot, and forced reset causes Android to re-register user preferences in the registry.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
If the default button is grey or inactive, it means that the application does not have the status of the main one. In this case, just go to the browser selection in the general system settings.> Solve the problems with launching links in MIUI 13 and 14 Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with shells MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 may encounter a feature where links from specific applications (for example, Instagram or Telegram) ignore global settings. This is due to the App Linking mechanism, which manages link associations for each application separately. To fix this, you need to go to the settings of the link source application itself, for example, if you want to open links from the messenger. ⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The settings for opening links can be hidden in the additional menu “Other permissions”, be careful when searching for the desired item, and it is also worth checking whether the function “Safe browsing” or similar security mechanisms in the system browser that can intercept traffic are enabled. Disabling unnecessary security features in third-party browsers often solves the problem of link interception.If the problem persists in only one application, try clearing its cache. Accumulated temporary files may contain old file association rules that conflict with new system settings, a common situation after social media updates. For advanced users who are not using standard methods, there are specialized utilities for managing file and link associations. Apps like BetterOpenWith or Open With allow you to fine-tune which browser should open links from a particular source. These programs work as an intermediary. When you click on a link, the system transfers control to a manager who, based on your rules, runs the right browser. This gives you the flexibility that is not available in standard Android settings. However, using third-party launchers and managers can consume additional RAM resources. On budget models of Redmi or Poco smartphones, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications. Use this method only if the usual funds are powerless. When installing such utilities, you carefully monitor the types of the requested contacts, but you do not need personal access to your personal data. Restriction of rights improves device security. Cache cleaning and network resetting Sometimes the problem is not with the prioritization settings, but with a software glitch that occurred after the Android System WebView component update. This system component is responsible for displaying web content within applications and affects the operation of browsers. Try to find the list of applications “Android System WebView” and “Google Chrome”. For both applications, clean the cache (not data, namely cache). This is a secure operation that will delete temporary files but save your passwords and history. → Annexes → All applications → Android System WebView → Warehouse → After cleaning, restart the device. Restart is required for the operating system to reinitialize system services and apply configuration changes. Often after a reboot, the browser choice “sticks” correctly. 💡Cleaning up the cache of the Android System WebView component solves 80% of the problems with incorrect link opening on Xiaomi smartphones (FAQ) Can I completely remove the standard Xiaomi browser? without obtaining Root rights or using it? ADB (You can't completely delete the system application, but you can turn it off in the settings if you have one, or you can just ignore it by assigning Chrome as the default browser. Why did the settings reset after the Android update? Major operating system updates often change the structure of permissions and priorities, a security measure to make new features work correctly, you have to re-select your preferred browser once after each major update, and whether your browser choice affects your phone's speed? By itself, the default browser choice does not affect the overall speed of the system. However, Google Chrome can consume more RAM than a lightweight system browser, which on older Xiaomi models can lead to more frequent reloading of tabs. How to make Chrome the default search engine? These are different settings. To change the search engine inside the browser, open Chrome, click three dots in the corner, select Settings» → «Search engine, and select Google. This is an in-app setup, not a system setup. Is it safe to use third-party discovery managers? Use of verified apps from Google Play is safe. However, avoid programs that require suspicious permissions. Standard settings MIUI preferable for the stability of the system.