Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face aggressive ecosystem policies that aggressively promote their own services, ignoring user preferences. The standard Mi Browser, preinstalled in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, may not suit you in functionality, speed or amount of advertising. Many users prefer to switch to the time-tested Opera, which offers built-in ad blocker, traffic savings and a user-friendly interface.
The default browser change process on the Chinese manufacturer’s devices has its own nuances that differ from standard Android.The system can hide menu items or require additional security confirmations. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to force the system to use Opera to open all links, and how to avoid typical errors when setting up.
It's important to understand that the right configuration not only changes the surfing app, but also affects the way widgets, voice assistant and system notifications work. On the shells of HyperOS 1.0 and later, the browser selection algorithm has been changed, so the old instructions may not work. We'll look at current methods for all firmware versions, ensuring full control over your device.
Preparing Opera for Operation as a Primary
Before you start system settings, you need to make sure that the browser itself is ready to work as the main navigation tool. APK-The file, the application requires an initial configuration. Don't ignore the welcome start screen, because that's where the basic security and synchronization settings are set.
Go to the settings of the Opera application itself. Here you should activate the Ad Blocker function, which significantly speeds up page loading and saves battery power. It is also recommended to turn on Data Saving mode if you often use mobile Internet, as traffic will be compressed on servers before transferring to the device.
- 🚀 Activate Flow to transfer links and files instantly between phone and computer.
- 🛡️ Include protection against phishing and malicious sites in the Privacy section».
- 🎨 Set up the start page by adding the right news widgets for quick access.
⚠️ Note: Opera may request permission to access the clipboard when it first starts, which is required for the smart insert function, but if you are concerned about privacy, this permission can be denied, although the functionality of copying links may be limited.
Make sure the browser version is up to date. Developers regularly release updates to close security vulnerabilities. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI Optimization enabled, older versions of apps may not work correctly or crash when trying to become the default browser.
Basic configuration through the Android system menu
The default Android app change path on Xiaomi smartphones usually works flawlessly unless the system is blocked by the manufacturer’s strict restrictions. To begin, open the basic settings of your smartphone. Depending on the shell version, the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
You need to find the app section. In newer versions of HyperOS, it's often called "Applications," and in older MIUIs, "Applications and Notifications." Inside this menu, look for the default App item, and that's where the global service switch happens.
Find the category "Browser" in the list. By default, it will indicate Mi Browser or Chrome. Click on this item and the system will suggest a list of installed browsers. Select Opera from the list suggested. After that, all links from other applications (messengers, mail, social networks) should open in the selected browser.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default applications.
- 🌐 Click on the "Browser" item at the top of the list.
- ✅ Select Opera to confirm the change.
If the system immediately closes the settings menu without errors, then the procedure was successful. Check the result by opening any link from Telegram or WhatsApp. If the link opened in Opera, the basic setting is completed.
Specifics of settings in MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS
MIUI and HyperOS shells are known for their deep customization, which sometimes makes simple actions more difficult. In some regions and firmware versions, direct access to the default browser selection can be hidden or moved. If the standard path didn't help, try using a Settings search.
In the settings search bar, type the word “browser” or “default” and the system should display direct access to the desired menu, and it is also worth checking the “Additional Settings” section, which in some Xiaomi localizations contains advanced application management options.
☑️ Checking settings MIUI/HyperOS
Special attention should be paid to the security features. Xiaomi's built-in antivirus can mark third-party browsers as potentially undesirable if they actively change the system settings. When Opera is first started after installation, the system can issue a warning. You must confirm that you trust this application.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI China (CN ROM) The default browser selection point may not be explicitly available, in which case only resetting application preferences or using the browser will help. ADB-team.
HyperOS also has an Advanced Protection feature that can block browsers from unknown sources or restrict their rights. Make sure that the security settings do not prohibit changing system settings for Opera.
Managing Permits and Resetting Preferences
Sometimes the system will “suck” on the previous choice and ignore the new settings, which often happens if you previously set the “Remember the choice” box for another browser, in which case you need to force reset preferences for all applications, so that the system again asked you what to open links.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots (menu) and select Reset App Settings. This action will not delete your data, photos or contacts, but will return all permissions and defaults to the original state.
| Action. | The result | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting preferences | The system will ask the browser when clicking on the link | Application data is stored |
| Cleaning up the browser cache | Accelerates Opera's work | Saved passwords remain |
| Removing Mi Browser Updates | Returns the old version of the system | Can cause interface errors |
Once you reset your preferences, click on any link in any application, and you'll see a system window that says, "What to open?" Choose Opera and be sure to click "Always" or "Always use this app," which will lock the choice into the system.
Problem Solving: When Opera is not the mainstay
There are times when, despite all efforts, links continue to open in Mi Browser or Chrome.This can be caused by a particular application (such as Facebook or Instagram) having its own internal WebView settings. Check if the source application settings itself are not forced to open in the built-in browser.
Another reason may be background activity Mi Browser. Xiaomi system often protects its applications from "killing" by optimization processes. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Battery and select "No restrictions" mode, but in the access menu, forbid it "Start in Autoboot". This paradoxical action sometimes helps to break the connection of the system with the native browser.
- 🔍 Check the Android WebView settings in the developer or app menu.
- 🚫 Turn off auto-run for all competing browsers.
- 🔄 Update Opera to the latest version via Play Store.
If nothing works, you can use third-party utilities to manage your default apps, such as Default App Switcher, which have special permissions that allow them to change system settings faster than the standard menu does.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a radical method of solving the problem through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you not only to change the browser, but also completely remove the system Mi Browser, which is often impossible to remove by standard means.
To do this, you will need a computer, a USB cable and enabled debugging over USB on your smartphone (activated in Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on the MIUI version, then in Advanced Settings → For developers).
adb shell pm list packages | grep browserOnce you find a package (usually com.android.browser or com.miui.browser), you can hide it for the current user, which will force the system to look for an alternative:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browserOnce the Mi Browser command is executed, it will disappear from the list of applications, and Opera will automatically become the only and therefore the main browser in the system.
Optimizing Opera on Xiaomi devices
Once Opera has become the default browser, it's worth making sure it works as efficiently as possible. MIUI HyperOS aggressively manages memory and can “sleep” the background processes of the browser, resulting in loss of sessions or slow start-up.
Go to Settings → Applications → Opera → Battery. Set the “No Limits” mode, which will allow the browser to work freely in the background, download notifications and sync tabs. Also in the “Out-Start” menu, be sure to turn on the Opera switch.
Also, be sure to set up sync if you're using Opera on other devices, allowing you to instantly access your history, passwords, and open tabs from your computer, and making your smartphone a fully-fledged part of your digital ecosystem.