Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS offer users a wide range of personalization tools. One of the first steps after buying a device is often to install your preferred web browser, as standard Chrome or built-in Mi Browser is not everyone’s problem, and this is especially relevant for users of the Yandex ecosystem, who are used to synchronizing passwords, history and bookmarks between a computer and a mobile device.
However, simply installing an app from Google Play or GetApps doesn’t automatically make it the main one for handling all Internet links in the system. Android has a strict hierarchy of priorities, and without manually configuring the system will continue to open links in a previously selected or system browser.This can cause confusion when you click on the address in the messenger, and opens not the browser you expected to see.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly assign Yandex browser to the default application on Xiaomi smartphones. We will consider the features of working with different versions of the operating system, resetting the preferences of other programs and fine-tuning notifications so that your interaction with web content becomes as comfortable and predictable as possible.
Preparation for installation and initial setting
Before you change system priorities, you need to make sure that the Yandex browser is properly installed and updated to the latest version. On Xiaomi devices with global firmware, the Google Play store is usually preinstalled, from where it is recommended to download the software. Users of devices with Chinese firmware (CN Version) will need to use the built-in GetApps directory or download the APK installation file from the official developer website.
Once installed, it is important to perform the initial configuration of the application itself. When you first run, Yandex will request permissions to access geolocation, microphone and memory. To properly work the voice assistant and download maps, access to the location is mandatory. The system can also offer to import data from other browsers, which will speed up the process of getting used to the new interface.
Don’t ignore the login step in your Yandex ID account. It is the account that ensures that the tabs you opened on your computer are synchronized and passwords are saved. Without logging in, the browser will work as an isolated application, which significantly reduces its functionality and usability in everyday life.
- 📱 Download the latest version of the application from the official source.
- 🔐 Sign in to your Yandex account ID data-synchronization.
- ✅ Provide all the requested permits for full-time work.
- 🔄 Check for updates in the app settings menu.
☑️ Checking before setting up by default
Default browser assignment algorithm in MIUI and HyperOS
The process of changing the standard web application in shells from Xiaomi has its own features, which may differ from the “pure” Android. In the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the settings menu has been regrouped, so the path to the desired switch can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware. Most often the item you search for is in the Applications section -> Settings -> Default Applications.
If you don’t see the browser in this menu or it’s inactive, it could mean that the system has tightly tied this feature to the system component, in which case you need to go to the Apps menu -> All apps, find the current default browser (such as Chrome or Mi Browser) in the list, and force clear the default settings. Only after this operation, the system will ask you which application to use when the next link is opened.
Importantly, in some regions, the MIUI shell may hide the ability to change the default browser without further manipulation, due to the company’s partnership agreements. If the standard path doesn’t work, try searching by settings: type the word “browser” into the search bar at the top of the settings screen, and the system will suggest you go to the desired program selection menu.
What to do if the browser is grey?
Resetting the preferences of other browsers
A common problem users face is when links continue to open in Chrome or another browser despite all attempts to change the settings in the menu.This is because Android has a last-choice rule. If you once clicked "Always open in this app" for another program, the system remembers that choice and ignores the general settings until you reset that priority.
To solve the problem, you need to find the app that intercepted the link opening. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All apps. Find Google Chrome, Mi Browser, or any other browser that is behaving incorrectly. Inside the app menu, find Open by default or Run by default.
In the menu that opens, you will see Reset default settings or Remove default settings. Pressing this button returns the system to a state where it does not know how to open links. Then the next click on a hyperlink in any application (Telegram, WhatsApp, VK) will appear the system window with the question “What to open?”.
In the window that appears, select Yandex browser and be sure to click the “Always” (or “Always use”) button. This action will record your choice at the system level, and no additional settings will be required.
| Action. | Path to the menu (MIUI/HyperOS) | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Search for applications | Settings → Applications → All applications | List of all installed programs |
| Resetting priority | Selected Application → Open by Default → Reset | The system will “forget” the old choice |
| New choice | Click on a link in any application | A program selection window will appear |
| Fixation | Choice of Yandex + button "Always" | Yandex becomes the main browser |
Configure widgets and quick access
Once the technical part of the setup is complete, it makes sense to optimize the appearance of the desktop for quick access to frequently visited sites. Xiaomi shells allow you to place Yandex browser widgets directly on the home screen. These can be shortcuts for a quick transition to Incognito mode, voice search or opening a specific bookmark.
To add a widget, click and hold your finger on an empty part of your desktop, then select Widgets from the bottom menu. Search Yandex for the list and select your favorite size and style. Voice search widgets are especially convenient because they allow you to instantly ask Alice a question without opening the app first.
Also worth paying attention to is the notification panel and curtain. In some versions of MIUI, you can add a quick browser start button to the control center, which is especially true for users who use a smartphone in conjunction with the Xiaomi smart home and often switch between managing gadgets and searching for information on the network.
- 🏠 Place the Voice Search widget on the home screen.
- 🔍 Add Shortcut for Incognito for Privacy.
- 📲 Swipe the search bar for quick access to your story.
- 🎨 Choose a theme that fits your wallpaper.
💡
Use the Yandex News Feed widget on your desktop to keep up to date without opening your browser. This saves traffic and startup time.
Addressing common problems and conflicts
While the procedure is simple, users may face a number of specific problems that are common to the Android and Xiaomi ecosystems, such as resetting the system after upgrading, and prioritizing the system browser again, resetting the competitor’s preferences will have to be done again, and problems may arise with third-party launchers that have their own link processing rules.
Another common situation is opening links within apps. Some social networks or messengers have built-in browsers and can ignore system settings by opening content in their window. To get them to use an external Yandex browser, you need to go to the settings of the application itself (for example, Telegram or VK), find the "Web pages" or "Media" section and select the "Open in an external browser" option.
If you notice that after installing Yandex browser, the phone started to run slower or discharge faster, check the power saving settings. The MIUI aggressively operates a battery optimization system that can limit the background activity of the browser, which can cause load notifications or synchronization to come with a delay. Add the application to the exception list or select No restrictions mode.
⚠️ Note: If links from specific applications (e.g., a banking client) have stopped opening by default after changing the browser, check the security settings of this application. Some banks block the opening of pages in “external” browsers for security reasons, requiring the use of only the system component of WebView.
💡
Aggressive energy savings in MIUI can block the browser from running in the background. be sure to set up the "No Limits" mode for stable synchronization and notifications.
Optimization of the browser on Xiaomi devices
For owners of Xiaomi smartphones with a RAM of 4 GB and less important to properly configure the Yandex browser to avoid unloading it from memory. The system often “kills” background processes to free up resources, which leads to a constant reboot of tabs when you return to the application. To avoid this, block the application from the menu of running tasks.
Swipe from the bottom up (or click the menu button) to open a list of running apps. Find the browser's Yandex window, click on it and hold your finger (or tap the lock icon if it shows up) and a lock icon will appear that will prevent the system from closing this process when you clear the memory with the Clear All button.
It is also recommended to enable Turbo mode in the browser settings if you often use mobile Internet.This feature compresses traffic on Yandex servers, which speeds up page loading and saves battery power, which is critical for mobile devices. AMOLED-Xiaomi smartphone screens dark theme browser also helps to extend battery life.
Why do links open in Chrome, even though I chose Yandex?
Can I remove the Mi Browser from my phone?
Is it safe to save passwords in Yandex browser?
What if the settings are lost after the MIUI update?
⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings, all your preferences, including the default browser choice, will be lost. After the reset, you will have to reconfigure the system, but synchronizing with your Google and Yandex account will allow you to quickly restore bookmarks and passwords.
💡
Blocking the application in the menu of running tasks (lock icon) is the most effective way to prevent the browser from unloading from memory on Xiaomi smartphones with a small amount of RAM.