Modern smartphones series Redmi Note 9 run under the shell MIUI, which often aggressively promotes its own services developer. device owners regularly face a situation when after updating the system or clearing the memory links from messengers open in the built-in browser Mi Browser, ignoring the usual Google Chrome. This is uncomfortable, especially if you are used to synchronizing history, saved passwords and extensions in the Google ecosystem.
The procedure for installing a preferred application is not always intuitive due to the localization of menus and the deep nesting of security settings. System restrictions can prevent automatic switching, requiring manual user intervention in every aspect of the configuration. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to fix Chrome as the main tool for navigating web resources.
It’s important to understand that the Android operating system provides default application management mechanisms, but manufacturers often hide them or add additional verification layers. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI shell, it’s critical to disable the Safe Run feature for the built-in browser, otherwise the system will constantly return you to the Mi Browser. We’ll look at all the nuances, including access rights and cache reset, so that the decision is final.
Preparing the device and checking the availability of Google Chrome
Before you change system priorities, make sure your Redmi Note 9 has an up-to-date browser version installed. Often users try to assign an app that is either removed or has a critically outdated version that is not compatible with current Android security standards. Go to the Google Play Store and check for updates for com.android.chrome.
If the app is not installed, you need to download it and make an initial setup. When you first start up, the system may suggest making Chrome the primary browser immediately. However, on Xiaomi smartphones, this pop-up is often ignored or blocked by system notifications, so you should not rely on an automatic script.
- 📱 Make sure that the Android version is at least 10, as older versions may have different ways to set up.
- 🌐 Check for a stable internet connection to sync your Google account data.
- 🔒 Unlock the device screen and make sure you are in the profile of the main owner, not the guest.
You should also pay attention to the presence of third-party launchers or optimization programs that can block changes in system settings. If you have such utilities installed, temporarily disable their real-time protection, which will allow the system to freely record new parameters for starting links.
The easiest way to change your default browser is to use the standard application settings menu, which works most of the time unless the system is blocked by additional security restrictions. Go to Settings, then select the App and find Application Management in the list.
In the list that opens, find Google Chrome. Tap by name to open the detailed management menu. Here you are interested in the Default Start (or Open by Default) section. If the button is active, click Use by Default. The system must confirm the selection, and now the links will open in the selected application.
⚠️ Note: If the default button is inactive or gray, it means that the system already has an active browser application with higher priority, or there are restrictions. MIUI. In this case, you first need to reset the settings of the built-in browser.
Sometimes you have to do the reverse: find the Mi Browser app (or any other browser that opens instead of Chrome), go to its settings and click the Delete Default Settings button, only then Chrome can occupy the vacant niche. This action will not delete the history or bookmarks, it will only reset the startup priority.
📊 Which browser do you use most often?
Google Chrome
Yandex Browser
Mi Browser
Opera
Other
Resolving conflicts with Mi Browser and system limitations
MIUI is known for its deep integration of its own services, which often leads to conflicts when trying to use third-party counterparts. Redmi Note 9 owners may face a situation where after each restart of the device settings are reset, due to the work of background processes of memory optimization and security.
To prevent a return to standard behavior, you need to restrict the rights of the built-in browser. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the Mi Browser and force it to stop. Then go to the permissions section and revoke all rights, especially access to storage and network, if possible without disrupting the system.
- 🛑 Forced to stop the Mi Browser process before changing Chrome settings.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the built-in browser through the application store menu.
- 🔐 Turn off auto-run for all browsers except Google Chrome.
There is also a hidden setting in the Security section. Open the Security app (green zipper icon), go to the settings and find the item related to URL security or link scanning. Disabling this feature can remove forced link redirects through Xiaomi services, which is often the reason for ignoring user choices.
Why is Mi Browser coming back after the reboot?
The system process "MIUI Daemon" or "MAB" (Mi Account Browser) can force the default settings to be restored at each start of the system, if the synchronization of the cloud settings Xiaomi is not disabled or activated "Safe browsing" mode at the system level.> Advanced settings through the "Default Apps" menu In the newer versions of MIUI based on Android 11/12/13, a separate menu item has appeared that manages priorities. Go to Settings, click on the Applications section. In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the browser, select the list of the browser categories. If only Mi Browser is displayed on the list, then the system does not see Chrome as a full-fledged browser due to a component registration error. → Annexes → All apps, find Google Play Services and click Clear → Clear all the data. Fear not, it won't delete your accounts, but it will reset the cache of services, which often forces the system to re-scan the installed apps and correctly identify Chrome. ☑️ Priority Settings Check Find the Default Apps menu:Select the Browser category:Tap on Google Chrome:Check the opening of the link from WhatsApp: 0 / 1 Often the problem is not the system as a whole, but how specific applications, such as Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp, process links. They have their own internal browsers or link opening settings that can override Redmi Note 9 system settings. For example, Telegram needs to go to Settings → Data and Memory → Autostart Links (or just Open Links). Here you need to select System Browser or specifically Google Chrome if such option is available. Otherwise, the application will use its built-in WebView. WhatsApp situation is similar: when you click the link the first time, the system will ask what to open the file. Be sure to select Chrome and click on "Always." If you accidentally click "One time" on the browser, the main application section, you have selected the WhatsApp for the main application, the first application, the browser, the browser for the first time you have opened the browser, the browser, the first page for the first time you have opened the first application. App App Path to setup Necessary action Telegram Settings → Data and memory Select "System browser" Viber More → Settings → Privacy Disable “Inline Browser” WhatsApp Settings → Applications (System) Reset default settings Instagram Profile → Settings → Account Disable "Open links in the application» ⚠️ Note: Some versions of messengers may not have an explicit browser setting, in which case the only solution is to install special modules or use a version of the application that supports external calls. If none of the above methods worked, the problem may lie in corrupting system files or conflicting versions. Try to completely remove Chrome updates through the App Management menu and then reinstall it from Google Play. This ensures that the clean version is installed without conflicting configuration files, and it’s also worth checking if the device is activated with “Security” mode from third-party antiviruses (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky), which can block the change in application priorities. Temporarily disable protection and try to install Chrome again through the default App menu. 🔄 Completely reboot the device after all settings to apply the changes. 📲 Make sure that the date and time settings are automatically determined (important for the time-to-time settings). SSL-certificate). 🔍 Check for system updates MIUI, Because new patches often fix priority bugs, and you can use them as a last resort. ADB-commands for compulsory assignment of package. Connect your phone to your PC, turn on debugging USB Enter the command: pm set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main. However, this method requires console skills and can be dangerous for inexperienced users (FAQ) Why After Updating MIUI Firmware updates often overwrite user configuration files with standard developer values. This is a standard security behavior that requires re-manually adjusting application priorities after each major update. Can you completely remove the Mi Browser with Redmi Note? 9? Without root rights, you can't completely delete the system application, but you can disable it. → Apps, find your browser and click Disable. This will hide the icon and prevent the system from using it to open links. Is it safe to use third-party launchers to change your browser?Using third-party launchers does not directly affect your default browser choice, as it is the system setting of Android. However, some launchers have their own news widgets that can force the built-in browser to open, creating the illusion of a malfunctioning system. What if there is no browser option in the Default Apps list? MIUI. Try clearing the Settings cache (com.android.settings) or searching by settings by typing the phrase “default” and installing any other third-party browser (such as Firefox) will also help, which will force you to add a category to the menu. 💡The main secret of success on Xiaomi is not just to choose Chrome in the list, but also to pre-strangle a competitor (Mi Browser), taking away his rights and resetting his cache.