How to Install Google Chrome as a Main Browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: Complete Guide

Why can’t Redmi Note 9 change the default browser?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 smartphones run on the MIUI branded shell, which is known for its features in application management. Many users face a situation when after installing Google Chrome, the system continues to open links in the standard Mi Browser browser. The reason lies in the aggressive policy of MIUI to promote its own services - the shell often resets default settings after updates or reboots.

Another common problem is that there is no explicit default browser in the settings. On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 12/13/14, this option may be hidden in the depth of the menu or not available at all without additional manipulation, and some firmware versions block the change of standard applications for certain types of links (for example, from WhatsApp or Telegram).

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the working ways to make Google Chrome the primary browser on your Redmi Note 9, including bypassing MIUI restrictions, setting up individual apps, and solving common bugs, and how to fix changes so that the system doesn’t reset them after updates.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you start settings, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid common errors and save time:

• 📱 Update Google Chrome to the latest version via Google Play Market.Older versions may not support default features on newer versions MIUI.
• 🔄 Sometimes the background processes of the Mi Browser block changes in settings.
• 📁 Clear the cache of the standard browser: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Check the administrator's licenses. MIUI Requires that Mi Browser’s administrative rights be disabled (see Security Settings section").

If you have previously tried to change the default browser and you failed, try resetting the application settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm action. This will return all the factory link opening settings, but it won't delete the application data.

Method 1: Standard browser change by default in MIUI

Most versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 9 allow you to change the default browser through system settings, but the path to this menu may vary depending on the firmware version.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. At the top of the screen, click on three dots and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list of available browsers, select Google Chrome.

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Scroll down and click on the default settings.
3. Select the browser and specify Chrome.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13/14 Once you select Chrome, the system can automatically return Mi Browser as your primary, and this is due to the com.miui.systemAdSolution background service, which forcibly resets the settings.

Method 2: Forced browser change through application settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try changing the link opening settings for each application separately, which is more time-consuming, but it’s guaranteed to work even on “hard” versions of MIUI.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application from which you often open links (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
3. Switch to Open by Default (or Default Settings).
4. Click Clear the default settings (if the button is active).
5. Go back to the app and try to open any link. The system will suggest you choose a browser — specify Google Chrome and check the box Always.

Repeat this procedure for all applications that use the browser.

• 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber.
• 📧 Email clients: Gmail, Mi Mail.
• 🛒 Marketplaces: AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon.
• 📱 Social networks: VKontakte, Facebook, Instagram.

💡 Useful tip: If after cleaning the default settings, the system again offers Mi Browser, try to disable the standard browser. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → After that, Chrome will be the only option available.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If previous methods have failed, you will need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to solve the problem on any version of MIUI.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

📌 Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.
2. Turn on USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate the USB Debugging Switch.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser


adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

After completing the commands, restart your phone. Google Chrome should now become the default browser.

💡

If the settings are reset after the reboot, repeat the command adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main and additionally execute adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser to disable Mi Browser.

Method 4: Install an alternative launcher to bypass MIUI restrictions

If MIUI persists in preventing you from changing your default browser, you can go a detour by installing a launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), which allows you to flexibly configure link opening and even hide system applications.

🔹 How it works:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play Market.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Open the Nova Launcher settings and go to the Applications and Notifications → Application settings section.
4. Find the Mi Browser and turn it off in the app menu.
5. Return to system settings and try to change the default browser (method 1).

⚠️ Attention: Some versions MIUI If you block the default launcher change without any further manipulation, then after you select Nova Launcher, you return the standard launcher, do it:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.teslacoilsw.launcher/com.teslacoilsw.launcher.NovaLauncher

This will force Nova Launcher to be the primary one.

Table: Comparison of methods of changing the browser on Redmi Note 9

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 14, after upgrading to Android 12+, the system automatically resets the default browser to Mi Browser every 24 hours, due to the work of com.miui.analytics, which forcibly restores factory settings for system applications.

1. Disable Xiaomi Analytics: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics
2. Freeze the service via App Freezer (root rights required).
3. Or install Shizuku + AppOps and disable permission AUTO_START for Mi Browser.

🔸 Other Typical Problems and Solutions:

• 🚫 "No 'Browser' default clause'" → Update. MIUI before the latest version or use it ADB.
• 🔄 "Settings are reset after rebooting" → Turn off Chrome battery optimization in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• ⚠️ "Links from some apps still open in Mi Browser" → Clear the default settings for each application separately (method 2).
• 🔒 "ADB can't see the device" → Install Xiaomi drivers ADB/Fastboot Tools and turn on Debugging by USB (security parameters in the developer settings.

💡

If none of these methods worked, consider switching to custom firmware (e.g. PixelExperience or LineageOS).This is a radical solution, but it will completely eliminate the limitations of MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions