Changing a standard web browser is one of the first tasks a user does after buying a new smartphone or updating a firmware. Owners of Xiaomi devices with a MIUI 12 shell often face intrusive behavior of a system that insists on using Google Chrome to open links. This can be annoying, especially if you are used to syncing passwords, having Zen tape or a built-in translator in Yandex products.
The process of fixing the desired application to the system does not require root rights or deep interference with the firmware code. However, the algorithm of actions in MIUI 12 has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android. You will need to go through several settings menus in succession to redefined system priorities and force the phone to open all web content through the engine of your choice.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of customization, focusing on hidden options and possible resolution issues. Understanding the logic of MIUI will allow you not only to change the icon, but also to fully integrate the browser into daily use of the gadget.
Browser preparation and checking for updates
Before you start making system changes, you need to make sure that Yandex Browser itself is ready to work as the main tool. Often users forget that to correctly intercept links, the application must not only be installed, but also have an up-to-date version that is compatible with the latest Android security patches, on which MIUI 12 runs.
Go to the Google Play or GetApps app store and check for updates. If the version is outdated, the system may not display the application in the default list or work with it unstablely. It is also recommended to manually start the browser at least once after installation, so that it can request the necessary basic permissions and complete the initial configuration of profiles.
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Before changing your browser, log in to your Yandex account to instantly access bookmarks and passwords saved on other devices.
It is important to note that some regions or firmware versions of Xiaomi may see modified versions of standard applications. Make sure you download the official version of the browser, not its lightweight or modified copy, as Intent system calls may not work with informal software.
- 📲 Open the Google Play Store and find the app.
- 🔄 Click the “Update” button if a new version is available.
- 🚀 Launch your browser and accept the user agreement.
- 🔐 Check the synchronization work in the profile settings.
Find the default application menu in MIUI 12
The MIUI 12 shell interface is very different from stock Android, and it can take a while to find the right settings, and you need to go to the section where you manage the system's global preferences. To do that, open the Settings app and scroll through the list to the App, and that's where the key software management options are hidden.
Inside the Apps menu, you'll need to find the Settings subsection (often displayed as a gear in the corner or a separate list item). In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Application Management or hidden in an optional menu called at three points in the corner of the screen. Beware: the names may vary from language to language, but the logic remains the same - looking for global action settings.
:Google Chrome
:Opera Mini
:Samsung Internet
:Another Standard Browser-->
If you can't find the right item, use the built-in Settings Search. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the Settings screen and type in the default or default apps request. The system will prompt you to go to the desired section, which is often faster than manual search in the depth of the menu, which is especially true for users who rarely change the standard settings of the system.
It is worth mentioning that MIUI 12 introduces aggressive memory optimization, which can affect the operation of the background processes of browsers, so after finding the menu, it is recommended to also check the energy saving settings for the selected application so that the system does not “kill” its process when blocking the screen.
Setup link opening and web content
The most important step is to directly assign Yandex Browser to the web link handler. In the Default Apps menu, you will see a list of categories such as Browser, Phone, SMS, and others. Find the Browser (or Web Browser) and tap it. You will see a list of all installed applications, able to handle Internet traffic.
Select Yandex Browser from the list, and then the system will redirect all HTTP and HTTPS traffic from other applications (messaging, email, social networks) to this browser. However, MIUI 12 has an additional layer of control, which is managing link openings for each application separately, which allows you to more flexibly customize the behavior of the system.
For a deeper setup, go back to the main menu of application settings and find Yandex Browser itself in the list. Go to its properties and find the Open by default (or “Start by default”). Here you need to activate the Open Supported Links switch. This is a critical parameter without which the system can ignore your choices when you transition from certain applications.
:Find the item "Default applications"
:Select the category "Browser"
:Indicate Yandex Browser
:Verify permissions to open links
:Test the transition from Telegram or Viber-->
Notice the list of link types below the switch. It may list the domains that the browser will open automatically. If the list is empty or the links don't work, try clicking Add Link or Supported Web Addresses and entering http and https. This will force the application to register as a web protocol handler in the system registry.
⚠️ Attention: After system update MIUI Default application settings may reset, and it is recommended to check this setting after each major firmware update or security patch installation.
Managing search engines inside the browser
Changing the default browser solves the problem of link opening, but does not change the search engine if you use widgets or Google voice search on the desktop.To search through the address bar on the desktop or widgets also leads to Yandex, additional actions must be performed, since this is governed by the launcher or widget settings, and not the system itself.
If you use Google’s standard search widget, you can’t change its engine to Yandex directly, the widget is tightly tied to Google’s services, in which case the best solution would be to remove the Google widget from your desktop and install the Yandex search widget or the browser widget itself, which will ensure consistency of the experience: wherever you type in a query, you will remain in the Yandex ecosystem.
Inside the Yandex Browser app itself, you should also check your search engine settings. Go to the menu (three dots) → Settings → Search engine. Make sure that Yandex is selected. Sometimes, after updating or resetting, Google or Bing can activate there, which will confuse you when you directly enter queries into the browser address bar.
How to change the search in the voice assistant?
For advanced users, it is possible to redirect system requests through third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which can be set in their settings to specify which application should be responsible for search and web navigation actions, which allows you to bypass the limitations of the standard MIUI launcher.
Comparison of browser functionality on MIUI
Users often wonder if it’s worth changing standard Chrome to Yandex in the context of working for Xiaomi. To make an informed decision, it’s useful to compare the key characteristics of these applications, especially in the context of limited resources of budget models or the specifics of MIUI 12 optimization.
Below is a table showing the main differences in how these browsers work on Xiaomi devices. Pay attention to resource consumption and the presence of specific features, such as turbo mode, which can be critical in unstable mobile Internet.
| Characteristics | Google Chrome | Yandex Browser | Impact on MIUI 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rendering engine | Blink | Blink (Chromium) | Equal compatibility with websites |
| Turbo mode. | Absent. | Aye (traffic compression) | Saving traffic and speeding up loading |
| Synchronization | Google Account | Yandex ID | Depends on your ecosystem. |
| Protection against fraud | Safe Browsing (Google) | Active Protection (Kaspersky/Yandex) | Different databases of malicious sites |
| RAM consumption | High. | Average (with optimization) | Important for devices with 3-4 GB of memory |
As you can see from the table, both browsers share the same Chromium technology base, which ensures high compatibility with modern web standards. However, the presence of built-in Yandex services, such as page translator without add-ons and virus protection based on Kaspersky technologies, makes it a more standalone solution for the Russian segment of the Internet.
Solving problems and resetting settings
Sometimes, after all the instructions have been followed, the system can behave unpredictably: links open in the old browser, or when you start, an error occurs. In such cases, you need to reset the default settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find Yandex Browser and select Default. Press Reset default.
After reset, try to reopen the link from any application (e.g. SMS or WhatsApp). The system should ask you again than open the link. Select Yandex Browser and click "Always." If the question does not appear, there may be a "tail" left in the system from the previous choice, in which case a similar reset procedure should be performed for the old browser (e.g. Chrome or Mi Browser).
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If resetting doesn’t help, check if you have an antivirus or “cleaner” app installed that can block the change of standard apps for security purposes.
Another common problem in MIUI 12 is aggressive memory management, so if the browser closes immediately after opening a link, go to the battery settings, find the app, and set the power saving mode to No Limits, which will prevent the system from forcibly completing the browser process, which often happens with long loads of pages.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your app settings, you won’t lose your bookmarks or history, but the system will forget your choice to “open always” for all types of files and links, so questions may arise again.