How to make the default application on Xiaomi Redmi: full instructions for MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on MIUI firmware offer flexible customization for personalization, but it’s not always obvious how to change the default apps. For example, you installed Google Chrome instead of the standard Mi Browser browser, but the system stubbornly opens links in the native app. Or you want Telegram to automatically open all t.me links, rather than offering a choice every time.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to assign default applications to Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and other models with MIUI 12, 13 or 14. Consider not only the standard system settings, but also hidden features through ADB, as well as solutions for cases when the desired application is not displayed in the list.

Why Xiaomi limits the choice of applications by default?

MIUI is known for its aggressive policy against preinstalled services, and even if you delete Mi Browser or Mi Video, the system can continue to redirect requests to those applications through hidden mechanisms.

• 🔹 Integration with Xiaomi ecosystem: many features (such as Quick Apps or Mi Share) are tightly tied to standard applications.
• 🔹 Advertising model: pre-installed browsers and media players show ads that generate revenue for the company.
• 🔹 Safety: MIUI Blocks the automatic assignment of certain applications (e.g., to SMS or calls) without explicit user confirmation.

In practice, this means that simply choosing Google Messages over Mi SMS in the settings is not enough – the system can reset the choice after a reboot or update.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (for most applications)

This method works for browsers, galleries, music players and other applications that are not related to system functions (calls, SMS). The instructions are relevant to MIUI 12–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. In the list, find a category (for example, Browser, Gallery) and tap it.
4. Choose the desired application from the proposed ones. If it is not in the list, see the section on hidden applications.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) The default application may not be available. In this case, use the method ADB.

Make sure the right application is installed

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Close all background applications

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (to download settings updates)-->

Method 2: Configure via the Open with Menu (for files and links)

If you want specific file or link types to always open in one application (e.g.,.pdf in Adobe Acrobat or magnet: in qBittorrent), use this method:

1. Find a file or link of the right type (for example, download the test.pdf).
2. Slip on the file / link - the Open window will appear.
3. Select the desired application and tick Always (or Use by default).
4. Confirm your choice.

Important: If after selecting the default application, MIUI resets again, try turning off battery optimization for that application (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Battery → No Limits).

Method 3: If the application does not appear in the list

Sometimes the desired application (such as DuckDuckGo Browser or F-Droid) does not appear in the default selection menu.

• 🔸 Appendix not stated in AndroidManifest.xml as the processor of this type of content.
• 🔸 MIUI Blocks third-party applications for certain categories (e.g., calls).
• 🔸 The app is not installed from Google Play (for example, via Google Play). APK).

Decisions:

1. Reinstall the application from an official source (Play Market or developer site).
2. Use it. ADB-commissioner.
3. For browsers: Open the link in the desired browser manually 2-3 times - sometimes this "unlocks" it in the settings.

Method 4: Forced assignment via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to force you to change your settings, which is the only way to assign default apps to call, SMS, or assistant.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause a phone malfunction, and we recommend you back up your data before you start.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the commands: adb devices adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.settings adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher/.NexusLauncherActivity (replace the latter option with your application package).

To assign Google Messages instead of Mi SMS, use:

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

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To find the package of the desired application, use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name". For example, for Chrome: adb shell pm list packages | grep chrome

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up correctly, users are faced with typical errors:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI To avoid the problem, before updating, follow the command: adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

If neither method worked, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a radical solution, but it will remove the limitations of MIUI altogether.

💡

ADB is the only reliable way to assign default applications for system functions (calls, SMS, assistant) on Xiaomi. Standard MIUI settings often ignore user choices.

Alternative solutions: Launcher and third-party utilities

If you don’t want to mess with ADB, you can use workarounds:

• 📱 Change Launcher: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – they allow you to assign apps by default without restrictions MIUI.
• 🔧 The “SetEdit” app (requires root): Allows you to edit Android settings directly, including default appointments.
• 🔄 Automation via Tasker: You can create a task that will force you to open links in the desired browser.

For the Redmi Note 10 Pro and other MIUI 13+ models, the Digital Wellbeing trick also works:

1. Open the Settings. → Digital well-being.
2. Select the Toolbar → Application settings.
3. Here sometimes there are additional options for assigning applications by default.

FAQ: Frequent questions