Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where clicking on links from messengers or social networks opens the wrong web browser they planned to use.The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has its own pre-installed solutions, such as Mi Browser, however, many users prefer the functionality of Google Chrome, Opera or Yandex. Understanding how to change the priority application to open links is a basic skill for comfortable use of a smartphone.
The process of changing settings can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the relevance of the Xiaomi interface. In older versions of the firmware, the path to settings was quite direct, whereas modern security and interface updates sometimes hide these options deeper in the menu or require additional actions. This is done so that the user does not accidentally disrupt the system components, but for advanced users this creates certain inconveniences.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods of assigning the default browser. We will look at standard methods through system settings, the nuances of working with access rights in the new versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, and also discuss the issues of cleaning the cache if the settings do not apply automatically. You will learn how to get the phone to open links in the application that is convenient for you, and not imposed by the manufacturer.
Why Change the Standard Browser on Xiaomi
Many users leave settings as they were out of the box without thinking about alternatives. However, the standard browser preinstalled on Xiaomi smartphones often contains aggressive advertising, news feeds and features that can distract or slow down the device. Replacing with a lighter or more functional counterpart can significantly improve page loading speed and improve the overall experience of interacting with web content.
In addition, third-party browsers often offer advanced synchronization capabilities. If you use a computer or tablet, setting the default browser with support for synchronizing history, passwords and bookmarks across devices becomes critical, allowing seamlessly to move from one device to another without losing context.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a new browser from unknown sources, always check the digital signature of the application. Using modified versions of popular browsers can lead to personal data leakage or malicious code insertion.
There's also the privacy aspect: embedded solutions sometimes collect more telemetry than the user would like; switching to privacy-focused products minimizes the digital footprint; choosing a browser is not just a matter of icon aesthetics; it's a matter of choosing a tool to work with information.
The main reasons why you should think about changing:
- 🚀 Speeding up page loading with optimized rendering engines.
- 🛡️ Built-in ad blockers and trackers that are not available in stock versions.
- 🔒 Advanced security settings and incognito modes with additional features.
- 🔄 Easy synchronization with desktop versions and other gadgets.
Preparation for installation and configuration
Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the desired application is already installed on your device. If you plan to use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or any other option, download its official installer from the Google Play store. Use of third-party APK-Files are only allowed if you trust the source, as this app accesses your traffic.
An important step is to check for updates to the operating system itself. Sometimes the menu items responsible for the default applications can be hidden or renamed depending on the version of MIUI. Make sure your smartphone is running the current version of the firmware so that the instructions match the interface.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Also, you should prepare your accounts in advance if you need synchronization, log in to your profile in the new browser immediately after installation, so that when you switch all your data is already in place, this will eliminate the need to re-authorize on sites after changing the priority application.
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Tip: Before the global change of settings, open a new browser and perform the initial setup (accept agreements, configure the search engine) so that when the system is first launched, it is fully ready to work.
Instructions: change the browser through the settings MIUI and HyperOS
The main method of changing the priority application is in the deep menu of system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices. First, open the main settings menu, find the Apps section and go to the All Apps subsection.
In the list that opens, look for the default apps option, which in some versions of MIUI can be simply called default, or it can be in a menu with three dots in the corner of the screen, and that's where roles are allocated for different types of actions: calls, messages, and of course, web surfing.
Find the category "Browser" or "Web browser" in the list. The default category will be Mi Browser or the one that was used last. Click on this item and the system will give you a list of all the Internet browsers installed on the phone. Select from the list the one you want to make the main one, for example, Chrome or Yandex.
| MIUI/HyperOS version | The path to settings | Features of the interface |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Applications → Settings → Default Applications | Classic menu, quick access |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Applications → All Apps → (three dots) → Default Apps | Item hidden in the action menu |
| HyperOS | Settings → Applications → Application Management → (three dots) → Default Apps | Updated design, logic Android 14 |
| Android Stock | Settings → Applications → Applications by default | Standard Google Interface |
Once you select a new app, the system will remember this choice, and any link you click on on on WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber will automatically open your browser of choice, and if that doesn’t happen, you may need to clean up your settings further, as discussed below.
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Main conclusion: Changing the settings in the Default Apps menu is a priority and overrides the choices made within individual apps.
What to do if the settings are not saved or hidden
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions with a strict security policy, the system may ignore user choices or return settings to the original settings after a reboot, often because the application does not have the necessary permissions or has not been verified by Xiaomi’s security system.
The first thing you need to do in this situation is to check permissions. Go to the settings of a particular browser, look for the "Permissions" section and make sure it is allowed to open links. Sometimes you need to manually enable the "Open Supported Links" option.
⚠️ Attention: If the security system MIUI flags a new browser as potentially dangerous, this can block its operation as the main one.
Another cause of problems could be the cache of the system component responsible for running applications. Try clearing the cache and data of the Settings or Security app, but be careful: this can reset some of the interface's personalization. A safer way is to restart the device in Safe Mode and check if the problem persists.
If none of the standard methods work, you can use a hidden settings menu, enter a special code in the Phone app or use commands via ADB, but this requires a computer and basic debugging knowledge. For most users, it is enough to simply reinstall the problematic application.
Hidden debugging menu
Resetting default settings for all applications
If you have a mess with file and link openings on your phone and you don't remember where you set up what, there's a full reset feature that brings all app priorities back to factory values. This is useful if you accidentally installed the wrong browser as your primary browser and now you can't find where to fix it.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the upper right corner, click on the menu (three dots or gear) and select Reset App Settings or Reset Preferences. The system will alert you that all file associations will be deleted.
Once you confirm the action, the next click, the phone will ask you again, "What to open?" This is the perfect moment to select the right browser and click "Always", securing your choice, guaranteed to overwrite any erroneous configurations.
- 🔄 Reset does not delete personal data, browser history or passwords.
- ⚙️ Only the priorities of action return to factory values.
- 📱 Useful when installing a new launcher or browser.
- 🛠️ Solves problems with “sticking” old settings.
Features of working with several browsers
Having multiple browsers on one device is a common practice for many users: one can be used to work with a Google account, another for Yandex services, a third for testing web development or private, and Android allows you to flexibly manage this fleet of applications.
It is important to understand that the default browser is only a reaction to external links. You can manually open the second or third browser at any time through the icon on the desktop. They will work independently of each other, with their own caches and cookies.
Some users use aggregator apps or launchers that allow you to choose your browser dynamically. However, the standard Xiaomi means you can assign only one global HTTP and HTTPS link handler. To switch between them, you will either have to change the settings in the menu or use special shortcuts.
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The system allows you to have as many browsers as you want, but only one is responsible for opening links from other applications by default.