How to change your browser on Xiaomi Redmi phone: from removing Mi Browser to installing Chrome or Firefox

The standard Mi Browser browser on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is often a source of frustration. The reasons are different: intrusive advertising, slow operation or lack of sync with other devices. Fortunately, you can change your browser to Redmi in 5 minutes - even if you have never done it. In this article, we will discuss everything from simple installation of an alternative to the complete removal of the built-in browser (including hidden MIUI settings).

But before we get to the instructions, it’s important to understand one thing: Xiaomi doesn’t just make Mi Browser the default browser, it’s tightly integrated into the system, and removing it can affect some features (like quick search from the notification bar), but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to use it forever. Next, proven methods that work on all Redmi models (from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

If you want to not just install a new browser, but completely remove the Mi Browser from the system, you have to use additional tools like ADB or root rights. But for 90% of users, basic steps are enough: download an alternative from Google Play and make it the default browser. Let's start with the simplest.

1.Why do users want to change their browser to Xiaomi Redmi?

The main complaint against Mi Browser is advertising and data collection, and even in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15, the browser continues to display banners on the home page and in search results, which annoys many.

• 🐢 Low speed compared to Chrome or Firefox, especially on budget models (Redmi) 10A, Redmi 9C).
• 🔍 Lack of sync with other devices (unlike Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge).
• 🛑 Limited privacy settings – for example, it is impossible to disable page preloading.
• 📱 An uncomfortable interface with unnecessary tabs (Mi Video, Mi Games), which can not be removed without root rights.

According to StatCounter (2023), the share of Mi Browser among Android users in Russia and the CIS does not exceed 3%, while Chrome occupies 85%, which suggests that most Xiaomi owners prefer alternatives.

Another problem is that you automatically open links in Mi Browser, even if you have a different browser by default, because of the MIUI, where some system applications (like Weather or Themes) force the built-in browser, which can be solved, but you need to adjust it further.

2. How to install an alternative browser on Xiaomi Redmi

The easiest way is to download another browser from Google Play. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Redmi.
2. In the search bar, type the browser name (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Opera or Brave).
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open a new browser and follow the setup instructions (for example, log in to your Google account to sync your bookmarks).

If you don’t have Google Play (Chinese firmware), download it. APK-browser file from the official website:

Before installing the APK, allow installation from unknown sources:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Application settings.
2. Find the Browser (or File Manager if you download it) and enable the option to Install Unknown Applications.

3. How to make the new browser the default

Install a browser is half the battle, so that links can open automatically, you have to change the default settings. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the settings on your Redmi.
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. Tap on the Browser item and select the installed browser (for example, Chrome) from the list.

Important! Some MIUI firmware (especially Chinese ones) may not have this item.

• Open any browser (such as Chrome).
• Go to https://www.google.com.
• When the Open with... window appears, select the browser you want and tick Always.

If even after that, links continue to open in Mi Browser, try the following:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select the app cache and clear the data for Mi Browser.
3. Reboot the phone.

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If after changing the browser by default, some links still open in Mi Browser, check the settings of specific applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) - there may be your choice of browser.

4 How to completely remove Mi Browser from Xiaomi Redmi

Deleting the built-in browser without root rights is only possible through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most Redmi models, but requires a connection to a computer. If you are not ready for technical manipulation, skip this section and use alternative browsers without removing the Mi Browser.

To remove via ADB, follow the following steps:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

ADB Tools

Google-official

ADB

adb devices

Make sure your Redmi is listed.

Mi Browser

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

For MIUI 12+, another command may be required:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

If the command does not work, try to turn off the browser first:

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

Attention! On some firmware (especially global ones), the Mi Browser can't be removed even through ADB.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser and click Disable.
3. Confirm the action.

For Xiaomi Redmi with a small battery (for example, Redmi 9C with 5000 mAh), it is also recommended to turn off autoplay video in the browser:

1. In Chrome: Settings → Site Settings → Media → Autoplay → Blocked.
2. In Firefox: Settings → Autoplay → Block audio and video.

8. Alternative methods: browsers via Mi App Store and APKMirror

If you do not have access to Google Play (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can install the browser through the official Xiaomi store or third-party sources.

Installation via Mi App Store:

Installation via APKMirror:

Attention! Only download APKs from trusted sources (APKMirror, official sites) and installing browsers from unknown locations can lead to data leakage or virus infection.

On Chinese firmware (MIUI China), some browsers (e.g. Chrome) may not work without Google Services.

• Firefox (does not require Google Play Services)
• Brave (there is a version without Google dependencies).
• Kiwi Browser (based on Chromium but with extension support)

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On Xiaomi Redmi with Chinese firmware (MIUI China) before installing the browser via APK, check the processor architecture in the CPU-Z application. Architecture mismatch (arm64 vs armeabi) will lead to startup errors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Redmi