How to make Yandex browser the main one on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive behavior of a system that aggressively promotes its own Mi Browser or Xiaomi Browser. Even if you have already installed Yandex Browser, the system can ignore your choice when opening links from messengers or other applications. This is due to the deep integration of the manufacturer’s services into the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS.

Changing the main web browser is not just a matter of convenience, it is a necessity for the correct operation of many functions, such as password synchronization, browsing history and use of Yandex.K. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of settings, including hidden menus and system restrictions that prevent the full use of your favorite software.

The setup process can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the version of the shell installed on your device. Below are the current methods that will help you make Yandex.Browser the main tool for surfing the Internet, bypassing the standard interface restrictions.

Why Xiaomi’s system changes the browser by default

Xiaomi’s policy is to monetize software services, and the browser plays a key role here: the system prioritizes the native app by redirecting queries and links to it, a behavior embedded in the default app system settings, which have a higher priority than the Android settings themselves.

Often, users notice that after updating the firmware or cleaning the memory, the settings are reset, which is due to the work of background optimization processes that return the configuration to factory values, and understanding this logic allows you to properly configure the device so that the changes are saved.

In addition, the HyperOS shell has new security mechanisms that can block switching if an application is not certified in a specific region, but for popular Russian services such as Yandex, these restrictions are usually not critical if you set the right permissions.

Preparation for configuration and version verification

Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the software part is ready to work. An outdated version of the application may not correctly request rights or not appear in the list of available options in the settings menu.

Open the Google Play or GetApps app store and search for Yandex Browser. If the Update button is available, make sure to do this. Also check if the current version of the Android WebView system components is installed, as this component is responsible for displaying web pages in many applications.

It is important to note that some global firmware versions may have different interfaces than the Chinese versions. If the standard paths don't match, look for similar menu items using a search by settings.

Main method: configuration through the system menu

The most reliable way to capture a choice is to use the built-in application management menu, where we force the system to specify which software product to use to process web links.

Go to Settings for your smartphone. Find the App (or All Apps) item. In the list that opens, find and select Yandex. Next, find the Open Default or Run by Default section.

⚠️ Note: If the Open by Default button is inactive (gray), it means that the system has already selected another application with compulsory priority, in which case you first need to clear the settings of the other browser.

Activate the Open Supported Links switch. The system can suggest that you select the mode of operation: "Always ask", "Open in this application" or "Do not open". Select the Open option in this application. This action will give Yandex Browser priority over system utilities.

Resolving conflict with Mi Browser and Xiaomi Browser

It often happens that even after setting up the Yandex Browser, links still open in Xiaomi’s native browser, which is because the system application already has default rights.

Find Mi Browser or Xiaomi Browser in the list of apps. Go to Open by Default. Click Remove Default Settings or Reset Defaults. After that, the system will lose its binding to the native browser and the next time the link is launched, it will ask for your choice.

After these steps are performed, it is recommended to restart the device. MIUI Reread configuration files and apply new processing rules URL-address.

Set up widgets and voice assistant

To fully immerse yourself in the Yandex ecosystem, it's not enough to just open a link. Many users want to use desktop widgets or voice search. You can add a Search or Zen widget by clamping down on an empty space on your desktop and selecting Widgets.

If you use Google Assistant, it uses Chrome by default. To change this, open Google settings, search the Search Engine section and select Yandex if this option is available in your version, or configure scripts in the Google Home app.

Owners of devices with the new HyperOS shell should pay attention to the widgets “Stack” or “Smart screen”, adding there the search bar Yandex will provide quick access without having to open the full application.

Problem Solving: If the settings are not saved

In rare cases, aggressive battery optimization can kill the browser process or reset its priorities, and to prevent this, add an application to the exceptions.

Go to Settings → Applications → Yandex → Battery (or Energy Saving). Select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from limiting the background activity of the browser, which is critical for instant link opening.

💡

If links are opened in the wrong browser, try copying the link, opening the Yandex Browser manually, and pasting the link into the address bar. The system can "mark" the selection after the first manual launch.

Also check for updates to the MIUI/HyperOS system itself. Sometimes application-switching bugs are patched in security patches. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the shell version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The main secret of success is not only to choose Yandex in the list, but also to reset the default settings from the competing system browser Mi Browser.