Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the system automatically opens links or files in an inappropriate browser or player, which is due to the fact that previously the user accidentally chose the option “Always” when running a certain type of content. On Redmi 9 devices running the MIUI shell, the management of these parameters has its own features, different from pure Android.
You can reset your choice in a number of ways, from global settings to the menu of a particular application, and it's important to understand that simply removing the default program is not possible, you first need to de-prioritize it for certain actions, and that will give the system the ability to ask you how to open a link or file next time.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for managing startup parameters, learn how to find hidden settings, clear the cache of actions and forcefully change the behavior of the operating system, which will allow you to regain full control of your gadget and customize its operation to your personal preferences.
Why you need to reset the launch settings
The default action selection function is designed to speed up the user experience, eliminating unnecessary questions with each click. However, sometimes this automation starts to work against the owner of the device. For example, you installed a new, more functional browser, but all links from the messengers still open in the old, built-in MIUI browser Browser.
Another common problem is watching videos or listening to music, and the system can “remember” a standard player by ignoring powerful analogues you have installed, such as VLC or PowerAmp. In such cases, you must force clear the default settings to return the selection menu.
In addition, some aggregator applications can intercept control of certain types of files. PDF-So, all of a sudden, your documents are opening in a weird editor that you didn't install specifically for that purpose, so it's time to check your priority list, and resetting those parameters won't delete your personal data, but it will bring back flexibility in software management.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting by default does not delete the application itself and your data inside it (logins, passwords, saves».
Understanding how this system works in Android helps avoid a lot of inconvenience. The operating system stores a list of file and protocol associations. When you choose an action, a registry entry is created. Our job is to find and delete that particular record without affecting the rest of the functionality of the Redmi 9 smartphone.
Search for applications in system settings
The first and most reliable way to change priorities is to go to the main settings menu. MIUI interface may be different from standard Android, so it is important to follow the exact path. Open the Settings app on the home screen and find the section responsible for managing installed programs.
Depending on the firmware version, this item may be called "Applications" or "Applications and Notifications." Inside, we're interested in the All Apps subsection, which is the complete list of installed software, and this is where the details of each program, including access rights and launch parameters, are stored.
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Use a search at the top of the app list to quickly find the program you want without scrolling through hundreds of names manually.
Find the app you want to de-emphasize as your primary application, whether it's a browser, a gallery, a file manager, or a player, click on its name to go to the screen (app information), and there are key switches that control how the program behaves on the system.
Note the "Other permissions" or "Advanced" section. In some versions of MIUI, default settings are placed in a separate menu, accessible through three dots in the upper right corner of the app information screen. If there's a "Default settings" option on it, you're on the right track.
Instructions for disabling priority
Once you've entered the application-specific information menu, you need to find the reset button, which can be called "Default Start," "Default Open," or "Installed as Primary." The interface logic is the same: we need to find the active state and deactivate it.
☑️ Algorithm of resetting settings
Click on the appropriate button. If the application does have priority, the system will show a list of file types or actions it handles (e.g., “open HTTP links”, “open JPG files”). At the bottom of the screen will be the Clean Default Settings button or Clear Defaults.
Once you press the button, it may become inactive or disappear, signaling a successful operation. Now, when you try to open the appropriate file type, Xiaomi will again ask you which program to use, you can select a new one and click "Always" if you decide to fix this choice.
It is important to note that for some system applications, such as MIUI Dialer or Messages, the reset option may be hidden or unavailable, as they are critical components of the system, and in such cases, you cannot change them without root rights, and usually you do not need to.
⚠️ Note: If the “Clear” button is grey or missing, then this application has no active default appointments, and there is nothing to reset.
Global reset of all preferences
If you don't remember which application was intercepted, or if you have a problem with multiple file types, you can use the nuclear option. Xiaomi has a feature that allows you to reset all preferences for all applications at once, which will return the factory settings of file associations.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the upper right corner, click on three vertical dots. In the drop-down menu, select Reset App Settings (or Reset Preferences) and the system will alert you that all previously made choices will be forgotten.
| Action. | Effects of consequences | Security |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting one annex | Only the selected software will stop opening automatically. | Completely safe. |
| Global discharge | All apps will forget their priorities | Safe, data is not deleted |
| Deletion of the annex | The program will disappear from the device | Carefulness is required with system systems. |
This method is especially useful after major firmware updates to MIUI, where there may have been software conflicts, it doesn't delete the apps themselves, your photos, contacts, or correspondence, it only touches on the logical connections between file types and programs to open them.
After a global reset, when you first start any type of content (like clicking on a link), you will see a standard selection window. This is the normal reaction of the system that has “set back” and is waiting for new instructions from the user.
The Nuances of Work in MIUI 12 and Newer
The MIUI shell installed on Redmi 9 is constantly updated, and the location of some items may change. In versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, Xiaomi has strengthened the protection of system applications, so some standard programs may not have a reset button in the user interface.
Why isn't there a reset button?
It’s also worth considering Xiaomi’s aggressive energy saving policy. Sometimes the app you choose to host can be “killed” by the system in the background, and then the smartphone will again prompt you to choose the program. To avoid this, go to the battery settings of the selected application and select “No restrictions” mode.
Another feature is that you have two browsers or galleries. Often users confuse Google's system apps with Xiaomi's. When resetting, make sure you're working with the exact app that's causing the problem. For example, you might have a Google Gallery and a MIUI Gallery, which are two different apps with different settings.
In some cases, cleaning the cache of Media Storage or Package Installer can help if the problem is systemic and involves installing new programs or opening media files.
What to do if the settings are not saved
There are times when you seem to reset, but after a while, Xiaomi starts to open files again in the old program, this can be caused by third-party optimizers or conflict versions. First of all, check whether the phone has a memory cleaner that resets the permissions settings.
The problem can also be in the app itself: try updating it through the Google Play store or GetApps. Developers often fix bugs in the application manifest that interfere with the correct operation of the action system. If the update did not work, try uninstalling and installing the app again.
- 🔄 Update the problem app to the latest version.
- 🗑️ Completely remove and reinstall-nite the app.
- 🔍 Check if the application is system and undeleteable.
If nothing works, you can use the hidden engineering test menu, but it requires caution: enter the code ##4636## in the dialer. In the menu that opens, you can find information about your phone use, but direct priority management from there is usually not available to the average user.
In extreme cases, if the problem interferes with the normal operation of the Redmi 9, you can reset all the phone settings to factory. This is a radical method that will delete all the data, so be sure to back up important files before this step.