How to make Yandex Browser the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide

Why Yandex Browser is a popular choice for Xiaomi owners

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with factory settings uses Mi Browser — a branded browser from Xiaomi, integrated into the shell MIUI. However, many users prefer alternatives: performance, synchronization with other devices or user-friendly interface become decisive factors. Yandex Browser stands out among competitors due to the built-in ad blocker, turbo mode to save traffic and deep integration with Yandex services — from mail to maps.

Switching the default browser to Redmi Note 8 Pro is a simple but nuanced procedure. Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the steps may vary slightly, and some users experience errors due to system limitations. In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to change the browser for 2026, including bypassing possible locks, and give recommendations for optimizing the operation of Yandex Browser on your device.

Before you start, make sure that the phone has the latest version of Yandex Browser installed, you can download it officially - via Google Play or directly from the Yandex website (relevant for devices without Google services). Also check the free space in memory: for the correct operation of the browser, you need at least 500 MB of free space.

Preparing the phone: what to do before changing the browser

Before you assign Yandex Browser to the main one, follow a few preliminary steps. This will help to avoid failures and ensure stable operation:

• 📱 Update. MIUI You can check the relevance of the firmware in the Settings → The phone. → System updates. Outdated versions MIUI Can block the browser change by default.
• 🔄 Clear the cache of the current browser. To do this, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Check permissions for Yandex Browser. Make sure the application is allowed to access the network, storage and notifications (if necessary).
• 📥 Download the latest version of Yandex Browser. Use official sources to avoid viruses.

Pay special attention to the item with the MIUI update. In the versions below MIUI 12.5, the option to change the default browser through the standard menu may not be available, in which case alternative methods will be required, which we will discuss later.

⚠️ Note: If you use the Redmi Note 8 Pro with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the process may be different. MIUI.

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12.5 and newer.

1. Open Settings on your Redmi Note 8 Pro.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on the Browser line.
5. In the list of available applications, select Yandex Browser.

If the list does not include Yandex Browser, then the application is not installed or does not support the processing of web links. Install it again from Google Play or from the official website.

Once you select a browser, the system can request confirmation. Press OK or Set by default. Now all links will open in Yandex Browser.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After updating the system, the default browser settings are reset. Check them after each major update.

Method 2: Change through Android Settings (for older versions of MIUI)

If your version of MIUI does not have the "Default Apps" section or Yandex Browser does not appear in the list, use an alternative method through Android settings:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner and select the Applications by default.
3. Slip it on the Browser.
4. If Yandex Browser is on the list, select it. If not, go to method 3.

This method works on MIUI 11-12, where the settings interface differs from the newer versions. If Yandex Browser is not available here, the problem may lie in the manufacturer's limitations.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, and only use it if other options don't work.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
4. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
5. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder and execute the commands:

adb devices


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




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

The first command checks the connection of the device, the second - resets the settings of the current browser, the third - sets the Yandex browser by default.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB You can crash the system, follow the instructions accurately and don't change the commands yourself.

Solving typical problems when changing browsers

Even after a successful browser change, Redmi Note 8 Pro users may face difficulties, and consider the most common of them and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try removing updates for Mi Browser (if it’s a system application) or resetting applications to Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting app settings. This will bring all applications back to factory settings without losing data.

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If you often encounter problems opening links, install the Open Link With app from Google Play.It lets you manually select a browser for each link.

Optimization of Yandex Browser for Redmi Note 8 Pro

After a successful browser change by default, we recommend configuring it for maximum performance on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• ⚡ Enable Turbo Mode in the browser settings (Settings) → Turbo. This will speed up page loading and save traffic.
• 🛡️ Activate virus protection in Settings → Security: Yandex Browser scans downloaded files for threats.
• 🔄 Set up sync with your Yandex account to save bookmarks, history and passwords between devices.
• 📱 Turn off animations in Settings → Appearance → Animations if the browser is running slowly.

For additional battery saving, turn off background browser activity in Android settings: Settings → Applications → Yandex Browser → Battery → Background activity → Limit.

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The Yandex Browser consumes less power than Chrome, thanks to its optimized engine and turbo mode, especially on devices with a Mediatek Helio G90T processor, like the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi