How to install Opera by default on Xiaomi smartphones: 3 proven methods

Why Opera is better than the standard MIUI browser and how to make it the main browser

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser that doesn’t always suit users. Slow work, intrusive advertising, limited synchronization features and the lack of built-in VPN are just some of the reasons device owners are looking for alternatives. Opera offers faster page loading, built-in ad blocker, traffic saving mode and a convenient tab system. But how to make this browser the main one on Xiaomi, if the system stubbornly returns you to your native application?

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to change your default browser to Xiaomi, including bypassing the MIUI restrictions that can interfere with changing settings. You will learn how to configure Opera to open links from messengers, mail and other applications, and what to do if the system ignores your choice. The instructions are relevant for all modern models of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.) based on Android 11-14.

Before you start, make sure you have the latest version of Opera installed from Google Play or the official site. Some features (such as choosing the default browser) may differ depending on the version of MIUI, which we will also discuss.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

The most obvious way is to use Android built-in tools, but on Xiaomi, this process can be complicated by the features of the MIUI shell.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Scroll down to the Browser section and tap it.
4. In the list of available browsers, select Opera.

If Opera is not listed, the application is not installed or supports link processing.

• 🔄 Reinstall Opera from an official source.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions could have a browser display bug).
• 🔧 Clear the settings cache: Settings → Annexes → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Install Opera from Google Play

Update MIUI to the current version

Clear the cache of the Settings app

Reboot your smartphone

Check if Opera is on the browser list-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially Chinese or custom) the default item of the Appendix may not be available.

Method 2: Configure by opening a link (if the standard method doesn’t work)

If Opera doesn't appear in the default browser list, you can trick the system into offering an app selection when you open the link.

1. Open any app that has clickable links (such as Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Tap any link (e.g. https://example.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Opera and tick Always (or Use by default).

If the selection window does not appear:

• 🔗 Check if another browser is installed by default (e.g. Chrome).
• 🚫 Turn off battery optimization for Opera: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Opera → No restrictions.
• 📲 Use the link in format http:// instead https:// — Sometimes it works.

💡

If links open in Mi Browser even after selecting Opera, try removing updates to the standard browser through Settings → Apps → Mi Browser → Three Dots → Remove updates.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13+ This can trigger a "system protection" that automatically resets the default browser settings after rebooting.

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced users)

If the first two methods fail, the most reliable (but also the most difficult) method is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but is guaranteed to work even on “hard” MIUI firmware.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to change the browser by default: adb shell cmd role add-package com.opera.browser android.support.customtabs.service
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell cmd role add-package com.opera.browser android.browser

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI default browser settings may reset. To avoid this, follow the command before updating:

adb shell cmd role remove-package com.miui.browser android.browser

This will remove the binding of the standard browser to the system.

Table: Comparison of methods of changing the browser to Xiaomi

Solving problems: Opera is not saved as default browser

Even after a successful browser change, MIUI can return you to Mi Browser, and here are the most common reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Automatic reset after update MIUI: Before updating, execute the command ADB (See Method 3) to block the discharge.
• 📵 Background Limitation for Opera: Go to Settings → Battery → Optimize your battery, find Opera and select Unlimited.
• 🔧 Conflict with other browsers: Delete or disable other browsers (Chrome, Firefox) that can intercept links.
• 🛠️ System cache failure: Clear the cache Settings → Annexes → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache and restart the device.

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.opera.browser

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the global version), the problem is solved by disabling the Mi-sharing function (Settings → Additional → Mi-sharing), which can interfere with link processing.

Additional Opera settings for maximum performance on Xiaomi

Now that Opera is your primary browser, set it up to work optimally on Xiaomi:

• 🚀 Enable Turbo Mode: Go to Opera Settings → Turbo mode – this will compress traffic and speed up the loading of pages on the slow Internet.
• 🛡️ Activate the ad blocker: Go to Settings → Adblocker and select filtering level (medium or high recommended).
• 🔒 Set up sync: Create an Opera account and enable bookmark, history and password sync in Settings → Opera Sync.
• 🌙 Dark Theme for Battery Savings: Enable Dark Mode in Settings → Themes – this will reduce the burden on AMOLED-screen.

For devices with low RAM (such as Redmi 9A or POCO C31), it is recommended to turn off animations in Opera:

1. Enter opera://flags in the address bar.
2. Find UI Smoothness and Hardware-accelerated animations.
3. Set the Disabled value for them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi