How to set up default apps on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible settings, but many users face a problem: the system automatically assigns standard apps for browser, gallery or calls, even if you prefer alternative programs. For example, Mi Browser opens instead of Google Chrome, and photos are saved to the Xiaomi Gallery instead of Google Photos.

In this article, we’ll break down all the ways to change default apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from basic menu settings to hidden features through ADB.

• 🔧 Assign a third-party browser, messenger or gallery to the main
• 📱 Change the call apps, SMS file openings
• 🔄 Get back Xiaomi’s standard apps if something goes wrong
• 🛠️ Solve common errors (for example, when settings are grey or unavailable)

The instructions are valid for MIUI 12, 13, 14 and 15 (including global and Chinese versions).If your device runs Android One (like Xiaomi Mi A3), the process will be slightly different - we will point this out separately.

1. How to change default apps through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in Default Apps menu, which is available on all modern versions of MIUI, but its location may vary depending on the model.

To open the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Management (or All Applications in Older Versions).
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.

In this menu you will see categories:

• 🌐 Browser - to open links
• 📞 Phone - for outgoing calls
• 💬 SMS — message-post
• 📷 Camera - for taking photos / videos
• 🎵 Music - for the reproduction of audio
• 📁 File Manager – to open folders

Click on the category you want and select the app from the list, and if you don't have the program you want, install it from Google Play and go back to the settings.

Make sure that an alternative application is installed|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)|Close all background programs|Restart your smartphone if the settings do not apply-->

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12) the default item of the App can be hidden. In this case, use the search in the settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top) and enter the request "default".

2. Features for different types of applications

Not all programs can be assigned the same way by default. Let's look at the nuances for popular categories.

🌐 browser

If you want to use Chrome, Firefox or Opera instead of Mi Browser, follow the steps in the previous section.

• 🔗 Some links (such as those from Mi Account or Themes) will still open in Mi Browser, which is a limitation of Xiaomi.
• 🛡️ Mi Browser has an ad blocking feature built in, which is not available in Chrome. If you need one, install the AdGuard extension.

📷 Gallery and camera

To change the standard gallery:

1. Install an alternative: Google Photos, Simple Gallery or QuickPic.
2. Open any photo through the file manager and select "Open with" → click "Always".

To change the default camera (for example, to GCam), you will have to use ADB – read about this in the section about hidden settings.

💬 Messengers and SMS

For SMS-message:

• 📱 Install Google Messages or Textra SMS.
• 🔄 In the default settings of the Application, select a new messenger for SMS.

For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), default settings do not apply – they work independently.

💡

If after changing the browser, links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache of the Settings application → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear the cache.

3. Hidden settings: change through ADB

Some apps (like the camera or launcher) can’t be changed through the standard menu, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool, will help.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🔧 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. To change the camera by default, type: adb shell cmd role add-package com.google.android.GCam android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE (Replace com.google.android.GCam with your app package).

List of popular packages:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

4.Why are the settings grey or unavailable?

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the buttons in the Application menu are inactive by default.

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Some settings are blocked. Solution to go Global. ROM or EU ROM.
• 📱 App doesn't support role: Instagram can't be made a default gallery, for example. check compatibility on Google Play.
• 🔄 System Failure: Reboot the device or reset the application settings in Settings → Annexes → Resetting application settings.

If the problem persists, try:

1. Clear the Settings cache (Settings → Applications → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version.
3. Perform a discharge through ADB: adb shell cmd role clear-defaults

5. How to bring back standard Xiaomi apps

If you want to go back to factory settings (for example, to Mi Browser or Xiaomi Gallery), do the following:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want (like Mi Browser) and click on it.
3. Select Open by default → Clear the default settings.
4. Reassign it to the App's default menu.

To completely reset all settings:

• 🔄 Use the team. ADB: adb shell cmd role clear-defaults
• 📱 Or perform a reset through Settings. → Memory. → Resetting application settings.

After that, the system will prompt you to re-select the applications when you first open files or links.

💡

If you sell or transfer a smartphone to another person, be sure to reset the default app settings, which will remove your personal preferences and prevent conflicts with new user programs.

6.Alternative methods: launchers and third-party utilities

If the standard methods do not work, you can use:

📱 Launchers with Default Assignment Support

Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to flexibly configure the opening of links and files.

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it as the default launcher in the MIUI settings.
3. In the launcher settings, find the default Application section and the necessary programs.

🛠️ Utilities for managing silence

Applications like Default App Manager or App Manager simplify the process.

• 🔍 Show all categories of silence in one place.
• 🔄 Allows you to quickly reset settings.
• 📊 Display which applications conflict with each other.

⚠️ Note: Third-party utilities require special access permissions (e.g. Usage Access) Do not install them from unverified sources - only use Google Play.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Update MIUI last-minute.
• 📱 Perform reset to factory settings (preliminary saving data).
• 💬 Call for Xiaomi Support via Mi Community.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions