Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the system automatically launches an inappropriate program to perform a certain action, for example, when you click on a link instead of a convenient browser, a heavy social network application opens, and calls are made through a messenger rather than a standard typer.
This problem arises from the default application mechanism, which is designed to speed up the experience but often creates chaos in the user experience. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide a flexible system to manage these settings, allowing you to regain full control of the device.
In this article, we will discuss how to reset, change or completely remove the purpose of a particular application, you will learn to manage the priorities of the system, so that your smartphone behaves predictably and conveniently for you, and not according to the algorithms of the developers.
Understanding the logic of the default application in MIUI
Xiaomi's Android shell has its own priorities. When you first open a file of a particular type or link, the system asks how to do it. If you accidentally click "Always," MIUI remembers that choice and no longer bothers you with the question.
This is convenient for basic tasks, but becomes a problem if you change your browser or music player. The system will persistently run old, perhaps already deleted or unwanted software. It is important to understand that the settings are divided into global (for file types) and specific (for specific links).
⚠️ Note: Resetting by default does not remove the application itself from your device; it only removes the binding of actions to this program, returning the choice to the user.
In some cases, especially after major firmware updates, settings can go down on their own, but more often than not, user intervention is necessary to ensure that hyperlinks and media work correctly, and understanding this logic will help you find the right items on the menu faster.
Global reset of all default settings
The most radical but effective way to get the system back to its original state is to perform a complete preference reset, which will cause Xiaomi to “forget” all your previous choices and ask again which program to use the next file run.
To do this, you need to go to system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but the overall structure is maintained. Find the Apps section and select All Apps.
Next, tap the menu icon (usually the three dots in the top right corner) and select Reset Application Settings. The system will request confirmation, as this action will affect all programs at once.
- 📱 This method resets preferences for all types of files and links.
- 🔄 Your personal data, photos and contacts will remain completely safe.
- ⚙️ Permits and notifications are also reset if they have been changed globally.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Once you reset any type of content for the first time, you'll see a selection window, which is the perfect moment to reassign roles across programs and avoid the accumulation of digital junk in unnecessary associations.
Change browser and application for calls
Most often, users want to change the default browser or application for making calls (for example, go to Google Phone or Truecaller), in MIUI these settings are placed in a separate, more accessible section.
Go to Settings and search for the word “default” or look for the Apps → Settings → Default Apps. Here is a list of the main categories of actions.
Select the desired category, for example, the browser. You will be offered a list of all installed browsers. Just click on the desired, for example, Chrome or Yandex, and the system will immediately remember the choice.
| Category | Description of action | Frequency of change |
|---|---|---|
| browser | Opening web links | Tall. |
| Phone. | Outgoing challenges | Medium |
| Camera. | Starting with QR scanning | Low. |
| Audio. | Music reproduction | Medium |
Similarly, the call app changes, and if you have multiple callers installed, the choice in this menu will determine which one will respond to the contact number, especially for users who prefer third-party number detectors.
Managing Specific Links and Deep Links
Individual apps like YouTube, Telegram or Instagram are more difficult to handle, and it often happens that links to videos are opened in the browser, even though you want to run them in the app, or vice versa.
To manage this mechanism, you need to go to the settings of a particular application. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired service (for example, YouTube) in the list and click on it.
In the menu that opens, look for the Open by default (or Default Launch) option. Here you will see the Open Supported Links switch, and if you turn it off, you will prevent the app from intercepting links.
What is Deep Links?
If the switch is active, a list of domains will appear below, so you can choose to ask the system to specify where to open the link each time, or Open in this application for automation, which gives you subtle control over the behavior of the system.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system applications may not have the “Open by Default” option if they are tightly integrated into the shell and do not offer alternatives.
Using this method, you can get map links to open in Google Maps, not Yandex.Maps, even if both apps are installed, and the main thing is to properly set priorities for each domain separately.
Resetting settings for a separate application
If the problem is with just one program (for example, the gallery stopped opening pictures), there is no need to reset the settings of the entire system.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the problem app in the list. Click on the Clear Data (or Delete Data) button at the bottom of the screen.
It's important to distinguish between Clear cache and Clear all data. We need the second option, which will return the application to the post-installer state, resetting all your settings inside it, including the choice of "always open with this."
- 🗑️ Temporary files and user settings of the application are deleted.
- 🔒 Permissions to access camera, microphone and files are reset.
- 🚫 Resets the default status of the application for certain file types.
After this procedure, the next time you run a file that was opened by this program, the system will ask you again about the choice of action, which is the most point-based and secure method of solving local problems.
💡
If the application is unstable after cleaning the data, try simply removing its updates through the tri-point menu in the upper right corner of the app information screen.
Problems with opening APK and APKPure files
Special attention should be paid to installing applications from unknown sources. MIUI HyperOS security is enhanced and the system can block the installation APK-File Manager or try to open them through the file manager instead of the installer.
To remove restrictions, go to Settings → Application Protection (or Privacy).Look for Special Permissions → Install Unknown Applications.
You need to select the application you downloaded the file through (browser, messenger or file manager) and allow it to install. Without this permission, Xiaomi will block the process, which can be mistaken for a file association error.
It's also worth checking the settings of the Security antivirus built into the shell. APK-files before installation, creating a delay or false impression that the file is being opened by the wrong program.
💡
Permission to install from unknown sources is not given to the system as a whole, but to a specific source application (browser or conductor).