How to install the default browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but its firmware MIUI It's not always intuitive when setting up standard apps, especially when it comes to choosing the default browser, a feature that is often hidden behind multiple menu layers or blocked by system constraints. If you’re tired of having all links automatically open in Mi Browser or Google Chrome, despite your preferences, this article will help you understand the nuances of the game.

Unlike “pure” Android, where changing the browser by default takes a couple of clicks, on the Redmi Note 7, the process can be complicated by the version of the browser. MIUI (10 to 14), regional firmware, and even pre-installed system applications, and we'll look at all the current ways, from standard settings to workarounds for stubborn versions of software, and we'll also look at common bugs that can cause the browser to "reset" back to the factory.

Important: instructions below tested on Redmi Note 7 (model M1901F7G/M1901F7H) firmware MIUI Global, MIUI Europe and MIUI If your smartphone is running custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the logic may be different – we’ll mention this separately.

Why can’t Redmi Note 7 just change the default browser?

Owners of Redmi Note 7 often face a situation when after installing an alternative browser (for example, Firefox, Opera or Brave), the system ignores their choice and continues to open links in a standard application. MIUI:

• 🔄 Systemic constraints MIUI: In some versions of the firmware (especially) MIUI 10-12) The default browser selection is blocked at the system level, and this is done to promote Xiaomi’s own services, such as Mi Browser.
• 📦 Pre-installed apps: Even if you have deleted Mi Browser through Settings → Applications, its system components can remain active and intercept links.
• 🔗 Link Processor Conflict: Redmi Note 7 can be used by multiple services for processing web links, such as Android System WebView or Google App (for fast links from search).
• 🛠️ Regional firmware: On Chinese versions MIUI (Without Google Services, the logic of choosing a browser can be radically different from global builds.

In addition, after the update MIUI The default settings of the browser are often reset, which is because the system overrides the link handlers when installing new components. To avoid this, after the firmware update, it is recommended to recheck the settings, which we will discuss in one of the following sections.

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

Let’s start with the most obvious method that works on most versions. MIUI (This method is suitable if you want to make Chrome, Firefox or any other application from Google Play the default browser.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select the Default Apps (or Default App Reset in older versions).
4. Tap on the Browser (or Web Link Processor) line.
5. In the list of available browsers, select the desired application (such as Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not listed, make sure that:

• 📥 The application is installed from an official source (Google Play or APKMirror).
• 🔄 You have not deleted the browser cache (try to clear the data in Settings). → Annexes → [Browser name] → Memory).
• 🔧 In the browser settings, the option to Open links by default is enabled (usually located in the Settings menu). → Additionally).

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|

Update MIUI to the latest version|

Clear the current browser's cache by default|

Check for updates for the selected browser-->

On some firmware MIUI 11-12 The default application may not be available. In this case, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Applications by default.
3. Select the browser and specify the desired application.

💡

If after changing the browser links still open in Mi Browser, try temporarily disabling it in the application settings (do not delete!). → Annexes → Mi Browser → Shut down.

Method 2: Resetting link processors through MIUI Optimized Setup

If the standard method does not work, the problem may lie in the service. MIUI Optimized Setup is a system component that manages link handlers and applications by default. 7 on MIUI 10-12, where browser settings can be reset after rebooting.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Put a few times on the line version MIUI, until the notification appears You became a developer! (this will unlock the Developer Settings).
3. Return to the main Settings menu and open the Additional section → Developer settings.
4. Find the option. MIUI Optimized Setup (or Optimized Setup) MIUI) and turn it off.
5. Reboot your smartphone.
6. After restarting, repeat Method 1 (change browser through settings).

Shutdown MIUI Optimized Setup can lead to:

• ⚠️ Increased battery consumption (the system will stop optimizing background processes).
• 🔄 Reset some personal settings (such as animations or gestures).
• 📱 Notifications about “unoptimized” applications.

Attention, firmware. MIUI 13-14 shutdown MIUI Optimized Setup can cause some system applications to work unstable (such as Theme Store or Security).If the changes have lags, return the setup to its original state.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Browser Change

If none of the previous methods worked, there is still "heavy artillery" - the commands. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is a way for power users, and it requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer. It works on all versions. MIUI, including the most "stubborn" builds.

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi Note 7 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the batch name of your browser (for example, for Chrome it is com.android.chrome, for Firefox it is org.mozilla.firefox).
5. Run the command to reset current handlers: adb shell cmd package clear-defaults com.android.browser (replace com.android.browser with the default batch name of the current browser).
6. Install the new browser by default: adb shell cmd package set-home -p com.android.chrome (replace com.android.chrome with your browser’s batch name).
7. Reboot your smartphone.

Attention, misuse ADB Do not change the settings of other applications unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, the adb shell cmd package clear-defaults command without specifying the package will reset all applications by default, including the launcher and phone.

Method 4: Chinese firmware bypasses (without Google Services)

If your Redmi Note 7 is running on the Chinese version MIUI (Without Google Play Services, standard browser swap methods may not work due to the lack of Google’s Android WebView components.

Option 1: Install Google WebView manually

1. Download. APK-Android System WebView file from APKMirror (select the version compatible with your version of Android).
2. Install. APK through any file manager (e.g., Xiaomi Files).
3. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Android System WebView and enable all permissions.
4. Repeat Method 1 (change browser through settings).

Option 2: Use a browser with its own engine

Some browsers (such as Firefox or Kiwi Browser) use their own engine instead of WebView, which allows you to bypass the restrictions of Chinese firmware.

1. Download. APK browser from the official website (for example, Mozilla for Firefox).
2. Install APK by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
3. Open the browser and in its settings, find the option Make the default browser (usually in the General or Additional section).

Option 3: Transition to global firmware

If the workarounds are not satisfied, the radical solution is to flash the Redmi Note 7 to the global version. MIUI It's Google Services-enabled:

• Download the official global firmware from the Xiaomi website.
• Use the Mi Flash Tool for firmware (instructions are available on the forums) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
• After the firmware, reset the settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).

💡

On Chinese firmware without Google Services, standard browsers (Chrome, Opera) may not work correctly, with Firefox or Chromium-based browsers with their own engine (such as Kiwi Browser) being the best choice.

Typical problem solving

Even after a successful default browser change to the Redmi Note 7, there may be problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Links open in Mi Browser despite settings

Reason: Mi Browser system app intercepts links through service MIUI Browser Provider.

Decision:

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Find Mi Browser and click Disable (Do not delete!).
• Clear the cache and app data MIUI Browser Provider (if any).
• Reboot your smartphone.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the browser reset

Reason: Updates MIUI frequently reset link handlers.

Decision:

• Before updating, write down the current browser name by default.
• After installing the update, repeat the settings through Settings. → Annexes → Default applications.
• If the browser does not appear in the list, clear the Google Play Services cache.

Problem 3: The browser is not saved as standard

Reason: Conflict with the Android System WebView application.

Decision:

• Update Android System WebView via Google Play.
• Open the Settings. → Annexes → Android System WebView → Additionally. → Open supported links and select Open in this app.
• Reset the device.

Problem 4: Some links open in Google App

Reason: Quick search results from Google widget use its own handler.

Decision:

• Open the Google app.
• Go to Settings. → General. → Opening web pages.
• Choose to always open in the browser.

💡

If after all the manipulations the browser is still reset, try rolling back updates for the application. MIUI Security (in some versions, it is responsible for managing link handlers).

Additional tips and life hacks

Besides the basic ways to change your browser, there are a few useful tricks that will make it easier to work with web pages on Redmi Note 7:

• 🌐 Use gesture-enabled browsers: For example, Chrome or Opera lets you quickly swipe tabs, which is handy on the Redmi Note 7 screen (6.3 inches).
• 🔒 Set up sync: If you use Chrome or Firefox, enable sync with your account Google/Mozilla, So as not to lose bookmarks and history when resetting settings.
• 🚀 Turn off unnecessary notifications: Xiaomi push notifications are enabled by default in Mi Browser. Turn them off in your browser settings to save battery life.
• 📱 Use browsers with traffic saving mode: on Redmi Note 7 with its modest iron by modern standards (Snapdragon) 660 + 3/4 GB of RAM – browsers like Opera Mini or Chrome Lite will help save resources.

If you’re a frequent web app user (like Google Docs or Trello), consider creating shortcuts on the home screen:

1. Open the desired web page in the browser.
2. Press three points (⋮) and select Add to the main screen (or Set a shortcut).
3. Set a name to the label and confirm the creation.

This will allow you to quickly open frequently used services, bypassing the search in the browser.

For privacy lovers, we recommend browsers with ad blocker and protection from trackers:

• Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default.
• Firefox Focus automatically deletes your history after closing.
• DuckDuckGo Browser does not store personal data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Redmi Note 7