How to make the application by default on the Xiaomi phone: instructions for MIUI 12-14

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They offer flexible settings, but it's not always obvious how to change the default apps. For example, you installed Google Chrome, but the system stubbornly opens links to Mi Browser, or Telegram can't be the primary messenger for you. SMS. This problem arises from the peculiarities of Android and Xiaomi’s policy, which restricts freedom of choice in certain categories.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all versions. MIUI 12-14, including hidden settings and circumvention of restrictions, we will discuss how to assign default applications for browsers, calls, and other applications, SMS, Gallery, music and other services -- even if it doesn't show you what you want on the menu -- and you'll also learn why some apps can't be mainstream without rooting and how to get around it legally.

Why Xiaomi limits the choice of applications by default?

Shell MIUI She is known for her aggressive promotion of branded services - Mi Browser, Mi Music, Messages and others:

• 💰 Monetization: Xiaomi earns from displaying ads in standard applications (for example, in a browser or gallery).
• 🔒 Security: Some system applications (Security, Cleaner) have extended access rights.
• 📱 Optimization: branded utilities are better integrated with the shell (for example, Mi Gallery supports the Mi Cloud cloud).
• 📊 Analytics: Xiaomi collects device usage data (anonymously, according to privacy policy).

As a result, users are faced with a situation where:

• 🔍 The default application list does not have the desired option (for example, VLC video).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI settings are reset.
• ⚠️ Some categories (such as Voice Assistant) are not available for change at all.

However, there are ways to get around these limitations, from standard settings to use. ADB (No root rights!!! we will look at them in detail.

How to change the application by default MIUI: universal

The simplest method works for most categories: browser, gallery, music, camera, and others.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
3. In the list of categories (Browser, Gallery, etc.) tap the right one.
4. Choose an app from the ones you've got. If you don't, see the next section.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) the default item of the Application may be called Application Settings Reset or may be hidden in Additional.

If the list does not include the desired application (for example, Firefox or MX Player, try it:

• 📥 Install it again from Google Play.
• 🔄 Open the application at least once before the default appointment.
• 🔧 Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Memory.

Make sure the application is installed|Open it at least once.|Check for updates on Google Play|Clear the cache (if the application has already been installed)-->

How to make a default browser on Xiaomi (if Mi Browser does not give a choice)

Browser is one of the most problematic categories in the MIUI. Even if you have installed Chrome or Firefox, the system can ignore your choices and open links to Mi Browser:

Method 1: Through Android settings (for MIUI 13–14)

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Apps.
2. Select the browser and specify the desired application (Chrome, Edge, etc.).
3. If the option is not displayed - go to Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Applications by default and repeat the choice.

Method 2: Reset browser settings (if no choice is saved)

Sometimes. MIUI It resets the browser settings after it reboots to fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates.
3. Return to the default Apps and select the browser again.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 9A) Disabling Mi Browser can cause Quick Ball to fail.In this case, use Method 3.

Method 3: Use ADB (rootless)

If standard methods do not work, you can apply the command ADB:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

Replace com.android.chrome with the browser package you want (e.g. org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox).

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To find out the application package, install App Inspector from Google Play or use the command adb shell pm list packages. | grep “title".

Configure applications for calls and SMS

With categories Telephone and SMS into MIUI The hardest part is that the system often blocks the change of standard applications (Phone and Messages) due to their deep integration with the shell.

Replacement of the standard "Phone" application

If you want to use Google Phone or Truecaller instead of a standard call:

1. Install an alternative app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the permissions requested (Phone, Contacts, Microphone).
3. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Default applications → Phone.
4. Choose the app you want. If it's not on the list, use it. ADB:

adb shell cmd phone set-default-dialer com.google.android.dialer

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note) 11) Google Phone may not work properly due to lack of support VoLTE/VoWiFi alternately.

Replacement of the standard SMS-applications

To change Messages to Google Messages or Textra:

1. Install a new one. SMS-Appendix and open it.
2. When the system offers to make it the main one, confirm the choice.
3. If the offer does not appear, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Default applications → SMS.
4. Choose the right app. If you don't have one, use it. ADB:

adb shell cmd sms set-default-sms-package com.google.android.apps.messaging

On some firmware (MIUI 14 for POCO F4) shift SMS-The applications may be missing notifications:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📋 Check the permissions for the new application in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Notifications.
• 🔧 Turn off battery optimization for it in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

How to make a gallery or music player by default

Unlike the browser or SMS, Replace Mi Gallery or Mi Music is easier, but there are nuances: for example, some apps (such as Google Photos) do not appear in the default list, although they support opening files.

Replacement of the standard gallery

To assign Google Photos, Simple Gallery or QuickPic:

1. Open any image through the file manager (Files by Google or Mi File Manager).
2. When requesting, select the desired application and mark Always.
3. If the option does not appear, go to Settings → Annexes → Default applications → Gallery and select the application manually.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 Google Photos may not appear in the list due to conflict with Mi Cloud:

• 🔧 Turn off sync with Mi Cloud in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → gallery.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and repeat the choice.

Replacement of a music player

To change Mi Music to Spotify, VLC poweramp:

1. Open the audio file through the file manager.
2. Choose the right player and always check.
3. If the player doesn’t appear in the list, check if it supports local file playback (for example, Spotify defaults to streaming only).

Some players (such as Poweramp) require additional permissions to work with files.

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → [Player name] → Permits.
2. Enable access to Memory and Media Files.
3. In addition, activate System Settings Change (if available).

Table: Application compatibility by default with MIUI

What if the application does not appear in the default list?

Sometimes the application you want is installed, but it doesn't appear in the App's default menu.

• 📦 App not claimed as handler: Some apps (like WhatsApp) don't support default work for SMS, Even if they can send messages. Check the description on Google Play.
• 🔧 Conflict with MIUI: Xiaomi blocks certain categories (such as voice assistant or alarm clock) for third-party apps. ADB root.
• 📱 Android Restrictions: Starting with Android 10, some categories (like the Assist App for Voice Assistant) require special permissions that are not available. MIUI grant.

If the application should support default but not show up, try:

Check if the category is supported in the application description|Remove and install the application again|Clear cache and data in Settings → Annexes|Try using it. ADB compulsory-->

For compulsory appointment through ADB use commands:

• For browser: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity [packet]/[activity]
• For SMS: adb shell cmd sms set-default-sms-package [package]
• For phone: adb shell cmd phone set-default-dialer [package]

To find out the correct values [packet] and [activity], use:

adb shell dumpsys package [appendix package]

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your default apps, Xiaomi users face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 Settings reset after update: This happens due to policy MIUI, It resets some parameters when you update the firmware. ADB for forced assignment or disable automatic update to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Auto-update.
• ⚠️ Application does not open files: For example, Google Photos does not display images from WhatsApp. The reason is permission conflict. Solution: in Settings → Annexes → Google Photo → Permissions enable access to Memory and Media Files.
• 📵 Notifications are not received from SMS-Annexes: On MIUI Some apps (like Textra) require additional permissions. → Notifications → Additionally. → Special access → Notifications on the lock screen and enable access for your SMS-applications.

⚠️ Note: If you use dual applications (Dual Apps) MIUI), default settings for clones are not saved. To fix this, turn off the function in Settings → Annexes → Dual applications and assign the application by default again.

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If it doesn’t work properly after changing the default app, check three things: resolutions, battery optimization, and conflicts with the Mi Cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions