Why Xiaomi users want to change the standard browser
Xiaomi smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, an easy but far from perfect solution. Many owners of MIUI devices face its limitations: slow page loading, intrusive advertising in the Chinese version, lack of synchronization with a Google account, and even suspicion of collecting excess data. According to a 2023 study by Counterpoint Research, 68% of Xiaomi users in Russia install alternative browsers in the first two weeks after buying a phone.
In this article, you’ll find 5 working ways to change your browser to Xiaomi – from simply installing Google Chrome to completely removing the built-in Mi Browser (yes, it’s possible even without root rights!). The instructions are relevant for all modern models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, running MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14.
Before you proceed to the action, make sure that on your phone:
- 📱 Installations from unknown sources (Settings) are allowed → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications)
- 🔄 Updated firmware to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system)
- 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (downloading browsers "weighs" from 50 to 150 MB)
Method 1: Install an alternative browser via Google Play
The easiest and safest method is to download a browser from the official store, which is suitable for 99% of Xiaomi users, as it does not require technical skills and works even on phones with a locked bootloader.
Here's how to do it:
- Open the Google Play Store app (if not, install it through Settings → Google → Google Play Services).
- In the search bar, enter the browser name: 🔍 Google Chrome – to sync with your Google account 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – for privacy advocates 🎭 Opera - with built-in VPN and advertising-blocking 🛡️ Brave Browser – with tracker protection and ad review awards
"Install."
Chrome
Important: Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (with China ROM firmware) may not have Google Play.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of the browser
Method 2: Install the browser through APK-file
If you have a phone with China ROM or for some reason there is no access to Google Play, you can install the browser manually through APK-This method requires a little more attention, but opens access to all versions of browsers, including beta releases.
Instructions:
- Download. APK-browser file from a verified source: 🌐 Official website: Chrome, Firefox 📦 APKMirror: apkmirror.com (select versions marked bundle for new Android)
⚠️ Attention: Never download APK from questionable sites - this can lead to malware installation (MD5) officially.
Bluetooth
Telegram
conductor
Files.
Mi File Manager
Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications
Files.
Return to the file and confirm the installation.
Once installed, the new browser will appear in the app menu. To make it the default browser, go to Settings → Apps → App Management → [browser name] → Open by default.
How to check APK pre-installing viruses?
Method 3: Using the browser through "Desktop Mode"
Little-known life hack for Xiaomi users: Some browsers (such as Chrome or Edge) allow you to run a full desktop version directly on your phone. This is convenient if you need extensions or full functionality, like on a PC.
How to turn on:
- Install Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (if you haven’t already).
- Open your browser and go to any site.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Desktop Mode (in Chrome) or PC View (in Edge).
- The page will reload in desktop form. Now you can: 🔧 Install extensions (such as AdBlock or Dark Reader) 🖱️ Use full-fledged versions of websites (e.g. Tinkoff Investments or Figma) 📁 Download files without the limitations of mobile versions
Note that in desktop mode, some sites may be slower and the interface will not be adapted for the touch screen. For convenience, use zoom gestures (finger mixing/dilution).
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If you need Chrome extensions on Xiaomi, install the Kiwi Browser browser from Google Play.It supports all extensions from the Chrome Web Store, including uBlock Origin and Tampermonkey.
Method 4: Disable Mi Browser (without deleting)
If you don't want to completely delete the standard browser, but you don't want to see it in the app menu either, you can turn it off through the settings, which will free up some memory and prevent accidental openings.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the list, find the Browser (or com.android.browser).
- Click "Disable" (the button can be gray if the browser is system).
- Confirm the action in the window that appears.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times in a row)
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
- Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
- Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and go to the ADB folder.
- Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser
- Reboot the phone.
If the command is successful, Mi Browser will be completely removed for your user (but will remain in the system partition).
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser| Method | Difficulty | PC required | Reversibility | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation via Google Play | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Completely. | Absent. |
| Installation via APK | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Completely. | Risk of viruses when downloading from numbered sites |
| Desktop mode | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Completely. | Increased memory consumption |
| Mi Browser's shutdown | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Partially (may require resetting) | Possible failures in system applications |
| Removal via ADB | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Partially (required) ADB repair) | Some MIUI functions may stop working. |
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For 90% of Xiaomi users, the first two methods (installation via Google Play or APK) are sufficient. Methods with ADB and disabling system applications are designed for advanced users who are ready for possible crashes.
How to make a new browser the main one in Xiaomi
Install a browser is half the battle, so that it can open the default links, you have to configure it as the primary one. Here's how to do this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the browser installed (such as Chrome) and select it.
- Click on "Open by Default" (or "Silence" in newer versions of MIUI).
- In the section "Continuing Support" click "Add Support".
- Select the types of links that the browser should open: 🌐 HTTP and HTTPS (necessarily) 📄 HTML and XHTML (webpage) 📎 PDF (if the browser supports viewing)
Now all links from messages, mail and other applications will open in the selected browser. If suddenly Mi Browser again began to open by default, repeat the procedure or clear the cache in Settings → Apps → [browser name] → Storage → Clear the cache.
Is there a browser problem? Some MIUI firmware may not have the Open Default button.
- Open any link (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).
- In the window that appears, select the desired browser and tick "Always".
- If the window does not appear, clear the silences for the current browser in its settings.
⚠️ Note: If the Themes or System Update have stopped working after removing Mi Browser, restore it through ADB Or, reset your settings (Settings). → The phone. → Setting reset. That'll bring back all system applications.
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If the new browser is slowing down on Xiaomi, try disabling animation in MIUI: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 5 times), then to Settings for developers → Windows / Transition animation scale and select No animation. This will speed up the browser by 15-20%.