Modern Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI offer users a huge selection of tools for personalization, but the basic logic of the system sometimes puzzles beginners. When you install a new browser, messenger or navigator, the system does not always automatically understand that this is the software you want to use to open links or calls. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, which runs on the basis of Android 10 with a proprietary add-on, the process of assigning priorities has its own features that differ from stock Android.
Often, when you install an alternative launcher or browser, the phone keeps opening links in the old app, ignoring your new preferences. This is because the system already has a default action for a certain type of file or link. To change this setting, you need to know where the desired switches are hidden in the depth of the menu, since Xiaomi likes to hide important functions in non-obvious settings sections.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to take full control over the behavior of your gadget. You will learn not only to assign the right programs to the main ones, but also to competently manage the already established priorities, and also learn how to avoid typical mistakes when working with the system limitations of MIUI. Understanding these mechanisms will make using Redmi 9 much more comfortable and predictable.
Setting up applications by default in the system menu
The main way to manage priorities is through the standard settings menu, which is the central control of the operating system. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi structured this section quite logically, separating the general settings and specific parameters for each type of action. First, you need to go to the main menu and find the gear icon that indicates the input to the system parameters of the device.
Once you log in, scroll down to a section commonly called Apps or Apps and Notifications. This is where all the tools for managing installed software are concentrated. You'll need to find a subsection called Default Apps, which is often hidden within more general categories or placed in a separate menu at the top of the screen, depending on the version of the MIUI firmware.
In the list that opens, you will see action categories like Browser, Phone, SMS, Camera, and others. By clicking on each of these categories, the system will prompt you to select one of the installed applications that will run automatically when requested. It is important to note that only those programs that are technically capable of performing this function are displayed here, so system utilities may not be included in the list if they do not support the required protocol.
- 📱 Browser – selects a program to open Internet links from any other applications.
- 📞 Phone – determines the dialing interface and call log.
- 💬 SMS — Provides an application for working with text messages.
- 🎵 Music – chooses a player to play audio files when running a media library.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed a third-party launcher (desktop shell) but don’t see it on the list or it’s not activated, check the permissions in the Security section» → «Permits» → «Auto-start, as MIUI It can block the operation of alternative interfaces.
How to Change Your Default Browser to Redmi 9
Changing your browser is one of the most common tasks that Redmi 9 owners face, especially those who prefer Chrome, Firefox or Yandex over the standard MIUI Browser. The problem is that when you click on a link in a messenger or social network, your phone can persistently open it in a pre-installed browser, ignoring your choice. To fix this, it is not enough to install a new program; you need to explicitly specify a new priority to the system.
There are two main ways to do this: One is through the settings menu described above, where you just select the browser you want from the list. The second, faster way, is activated when you try to open a link. URL-The address, the system can show a pop-up with the question "What to open?" In this window, it is important not just to click on the icon, but to pre-select the option "Always" or "Default" if such a tick is present in the dialog interface.
If the selection window does not appear and the link opens immediately in the old browser, then this type of action is already strictly prioritized, in which case you will first have to reset the old application settings by clearing its default settings, which we will discuss in detail in the next sections. The key here is the understanding that MIUI stores these preferences in a separate system registry, which requires explicit user intervention to change.
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Use traffic-saving browsers if you have limited internet, as Xiaomi’s standard browser can sometimes consume more data in the background.
After a successful browser change, it is recommended to check the operation of several links from different applications to make sure that the setting is applied globally. Sometimes the cached data of individual programs may use the old startup paths for a while, but after several application restarts, the system will completely switch to the new standard.
Launcher and desktop management
Replacing the standard desktop with a custom launcher is a powerful way to change the look and functionality of the Xiaomi Redmi 9. Popular variants like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher offer much more flexibility in customizing widgets, gestures and animations. However, for the new interface to work, it must be properly activated as the main one.
The activation process is often accompanied by a special MIUI security window that warns of the risks of using third-party launchers. This is a standard security measure that is not a sign of a real threat, but requires the user to confirm actions. You will need to click OK, then select Settings in the pop-up window that appears and switch the slider to the Allow position.
In some versions of MIUI firmware, you may experience a situation where, after rebooting, the phone returns to a standard desktop, which is due to aggressive battery optimization that kills the background processes of the launcher, and to avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the launcher installed, and set the power saving mode to the "No restrictions" position, which ensures that the interface will work smoothly without spontaneous resets.
| Parameter | Standard launcher | Third-party launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | High (systemic) | Depends on the developer. |
| Customization of gestures | Limited MIUI. | Flexible and extended |
| RAM consumption | Optimized. | Maybe higher. |
| Integration with the topic | Complete. | Partial or absent |
⚠️ Note: When using heavy launchers with multiple widgets on the Redmi 9, performance may be reduced, as the MediaTek Helio processor G80 It has its own limitations on multitasking.
What if the launcher disappeared after the MIUI update?
Resetting application settings by default
Sometimes users are asked not to assign, but to remove the default application installed. For example, you accidentally chose "Always" to open. PDF-The system doesn't ask you how to open the document. Xiaomi Redmi 9 doesn't have one "Reset Everything" button, but there are effective methods for cleaning specific bindings.
The first method is a custom reset. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the program that is currently the main one (like a browser) and click on it. In the menu that opens, look for Default or Default Launch. There will be a button called Clear Default Settings or Delete Settings. By pressing this button, the system will return to the state when it again asks you to choose the program when the next action is run.
The second is a global preference reset, which is useful if you're confused or the system is not behaving properly after a lot of experimentation. In the Apps menu, click three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings. It's important to understand that this operation will not delete your data, photos or contacts, but will return all permissions and startup priorities to factory values.
☑️ Checklist before resetting settings
Once reset is done, the system can behave as fresh in terms of queries: every time a link or file is opened, it will ask for your opinion. This is temporarily inconvenient, but allows you to re-build the correct and convenient logic of the device without inheriting old configuration errors.
Solving problems with opening files and links
The situation where Xiaomi Redmi 9 refuses to open files with a certain application or opens them “wrongly” where necessary, is often associated with file type associations. MIME-types to determine which program should handle the file. If the system does not have a clear indication, it can choose the application at random or use the system default.
To solve a problem with a specific file type (e.g., a MKV video format or a DOCX document), you can use a file manager. Find the file, click on it and hold your finger until the context menu appears. Choose Open with (or similar). In the list that appears, select the desired application and be sure to tick "Always" if the system allows it to do so in this context. This will create a rigid binding for this file extension.
If the problem is massive and concerns links within apps (for example, links from Telegram are opened in the wrong browser), check the Open Links settings in the properties of the browser application itself. In the app menu, look for the Open by Default section and make sure the Open Supported Links switch is activated.
- 🔗 Check if the restriction on opening links in the background is worth it.
- 📂 Make sure the app has permission to access the storage.
- 🔄 Update the app as older versions may not properly log their file types.
⚠️ Be careful when resetting settings for system components such as Downloads or Media Storage, this may cause the gallery or file manager to temporarily fail.
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The most common reason for ignoring user choice is aggressive battery optimization, which “forgets” the choice of launcher or browser after rebooting.