How to make Yandex Browser the main one on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi users choose Yandex Browser

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI by default use the branded browser Mi Browser — and this is not always convenient. Many owners of Redmi devices, POCO or Xiaomi prefer Yandex Browser for its adaptation to the Runet: built-in translator, turbo mode to save traffic, synchronization with other devices through the account of Yandex and, of course, optimized search results. But just install the application is not enough – you need to properly configure it as the default browser, otherwise links will open in Mi Browser or Google Chrome.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to make Yandex Browser the main one on Xiaomi, including bypassing the restrictions of MIUI, which sometimes block changing the default settings. Instructions are suitable for Android 10-14 models with MIUI 12-14 shells, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 11T/12/13 and others. If you have an older version of MIUI (up to the 12th), some menu items may differ - we will warn about this separately.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 📱 Yandex Browser is installed (you can download it from Google Play or from the official website).
• 🔧 Access to system settings (unless the device is enterprise-based with limitations).
• 🔄 Mi Account does not block default setting changes (check Settings) → Xiaomi account).

Method 1: Standard settings through the Android menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Android settings. It works on most Xiaomi devices, but in the latest versions, MIUI 13/14 can be hidden or limited.

1. Open the Settings (⚙️) on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select Yandex Browser (if not, see the error section).

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Default applications.
• 📱 Or through a search in the settings (🔍) Enter the request for “default applications».

Remove the Mi Browser cache in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage

Close all background apps (especially other browsers)

Reboot your smartphone before changing your settings

Check for updates MIUI In Settings → The phone.-->

Important! Some MIUI firmware may display a warning after selecting Yandex Browser: "This browser does not support opening all types of links. Use it?" This is a standard message - feel free to confirm the choice.

Method 2: Through the settings of Yandex Browser

If the system menu doesn't allow you to change your browser by default, try doing it from the application, which is a method that often works on POCO and Redmi with customized firmware:

1. Open the Yandex Browser.
2. Put it on the icon. ⋮ (menu) in lower right corner.
3. Select Settings → Mainstream.
4. Find the item Make the default browser and click on it.
5. The system will redirect you to Android settings - confirm the choice.

If the default browser button is inactive or absent:

• 🔄 Update Yandex Browser to the latest version.
• 📥 Install the application from an official source (not from third-party sites).
• 🔧 Check if the antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) is blocking the change in settings.

💡

If after changing the browser links still open in Mi Browser, try to manually select Yandex Browser when you first open any link (the system will offer a choice).

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

On some MIUI firmware (especially corporate or Chinese versions), the browser change is blocked by default at the system level, in which case ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

Win + R

cmd

adb devices


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser




adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.yandex.browser/com.yandex.browser.BrowserActivity

Reset the device.

Warning:

⚠️ Attention, misuse ADB This may cause system failures. Do not change other settings through ADB, If you're not sure what they're doing, it's on Chinese firmware. ROM) This method may not work due to additional restrictions.

Method 4: Reset application settings (if the browser does not change)

Sometimes MIUI forgets default settings because of cache conflicts, and resetting:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Resetting application settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete application data, but will reset the default settings).
4. Repeat the first method for choosing Yandex Browser.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📥 Open any link (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp) – the system should suggest choosing a browser.
• ✅ Select Yandex Browser and tick “Always».

💡

Resetting application settings is the safest way to return browser selection if MIUI blocks changes.

Method 5: Installation via APK (for Chinese firmware)

On devices with China ROM (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro China), standard methods often fail due to the lack of Google services.

1. Download Yandex Browser in.apk format from the official website (browser.yandex.ru).
2. Install. APK-File by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Privacy → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).
3. Use it. ADB-Default App Manager (available on Google Play).

For China ROM, the following are also relevant:

• 🌐 Installation of Google Mobile Services (GMS) Through instruments like Miui GMS Installer (risky, can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account).
• 📦 Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) that allow you to flexibly configure your default applications.

⚠️ Attention, installation GMS Chinese firmware violates the terms of the Xiaomi license and may lead to the locking of the device.

Table: Comparison of methods of changing the browser to Xiaomi

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after you set up the Yandex browser correctly, it may not become the main one.

• 🚫 Browser Selection Button is Inactive: Reason: Limitations MIUI Or corporate policy. Solution: Use it. ADB or installing through APK.
• 🔄 Links open in Mi Browser: Reason: System cache.Solution: Clear the Mi Browser cache in Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse.
• ❌ Error "Application does not support this type of links": Reason: outdated version of the browser. Solution: Update Yandex Browser or reinstall it.
• 🔒 No Default Apps: Reason: Customized firmware. Solution: Use search in settings or reset settings.

If nothing helps:

1. Check if the device has a device profile (e.g., Mi Work or Knox) that blocks changes.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version – new builds often fix bugs with default settings.
3. Contact Xiaomi support via Settings → About Phone → Feedback.

💡

If you’re using a POCO Launcher or Third-party Launcher, try temporarily returning the standard MIUI launcher – sometimes this solves the default settings problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions