How to install Google Chrome browser by default on Xiaomi: detailed instructions

Why Google Chrome is not the default browser on Xiaomi

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which is automatically assigned by the system as the default application for opening web links. Even after installing Google Chrome, many users find that the system ignores their choices or resets after an update. The reason lies in the aggressive policy of MIUI, which prioritizes its own services - this is not a bug, but a feature of the firmware.

Unlike “pure” Android, where changing the browser by default takes 2 clicks, on Xiaomi this process can be complicated due to:

• 🔄 Automatic resetting of settings after update MIUI (Especially relevant for versions 12-14).
• 📱 Duplicate settings menu – default settings can be hidden in different sections.
• 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5) MIUI Blocks browser change for system applications.

In this article, we’ll break down 3 working ways to assign Chrome to the primary browser, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI, and explain why settings are sometimes reset and how to prevent this.

Method 1: Standard change through Android settings

This is a basic method that works on most Xiaomi devices with Android 10 and later, but it may not work if MIUI has blocked changes to system applications.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Slip on Browser.
4. Select Google Chrome (if not, install it from the Play Market first).

If you still open links in Mi Browser after that, MIUI ignores Android settings.

Method 2: Reset app settings (if Chrome doesn’t appear in the list)

Sometimes Google Chrome just doesn't appear in the default browser selection menu, because of a cache failure.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on three points → Reset application settings.
3. Confirm the action (this won’t delete the data, but will reset the default settings for all applications).
4. Repeat Method 1 – Chrome should now be on the list.

⚠️ Note: Resetting your application settings will also reset the permissions for all programs (e.g., camera access or geolocation.

If that didn’t work, the problem may lie in the limitations of MIUI for European firmware (EAA), in which case only manual assignment via ADB (mode 3) will help.

Method 3: Assign Chrome through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option remains, a versatile method that bypasses the limitations of MIUI but requires a computer connection.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Come back to the extra. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices Wait for the serial number of the device to appear.
4. Follow the command to assign Chrome to the default browser: adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can cause system instability if entered incorrectly. Do not use them on devices with unlocked bootloader unless you are sure of the actions. For Xiaomi models on Android 13+ (For example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi. K60) Additional proof of rights may be required through the adb shell pm grant.

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If ADB Chrome doesn’t become the default browser after you use it, try first disabling Mi Browser through Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Disable. Note that this may affect the operation of system services associated with the browser (for example, push notifications).

Why are the settings reset after the MIUI update?

Many Xiaomi users complain that after updating the firmware browser default again becomes Mi Browser. This is due to the fact that MIUI when you update resets some of the settings of applications to "factory", especially when:

• 🔄 Major updates (e.g. with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14).
• 📦 Installation of regional firmware (transition from global to European or Chinese version).
• 🔧 Reset the cache of system applications through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

To prevent discharge:

1. Before updating, fix Chrome settings via ADB (see Method 3).
2. Turn off automatic cache cleaning in Settings → Memory → Autoclean.
3. Use applications like Default App Manager (available in Play Market) that block default settings.

On some models (such as the POCO F4 or Xiaomi 12T) it helps to disable battery optimization for Chrome:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Chrome → Battery.
2. Choose No Limits.

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If MIUI After the update resets the browser by default, the only reliable way is to use ADB-The alternative is to install firmware with the remote Mi Browser (e.g. customized ones). ROM Like Pixel Experience, but it requires unlocking the bootloader.

Alternative Solutions: Launch Chrome through a shortcut or third-party apps

If none of these methods worked, there are still workarounds:

1.Creating a Chrome shortcut on the home screen

Even if Chrome isn’t the default browser, you can:

1. Long to tap on the free seat of the main screen → Widgets.
2. Find Chrome Shortcuts and drag it to the screen.
3. Now links can be opened by copying them to the clipboard and pasting them into Chrome manually.

2.Use of the Default App Manager application

This is a third-party solution from the Play Market that allows you to:

• 🔗 Forced to assign applications by default, bypassing restrictions MIUI.
• 📵 Block resetting settings after updates.
• 🔄 Quickly switch between browsers.

However, please note that some features may require ADB or Accessibility Service permissions to function.

3. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced users)

If you are annoyed by the limitations of MIUI, you can consider switching to firmware like:

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Pure Android without Mi Browser).
• 🔧 LineageOS (open alternative with flexible settings).
• ⚡ ArrowOS (optimized for performance).

This will require:

1. Unlock bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool)
2. Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Sweep through the selected firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids warranty, can lead to data loss and unstable device performance.On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note) 12) Unlocking the bootloader often leads to problems with the Widevine module L1 (downgrading the quality of streaming in Netflix/Disney+).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you try to change the default browser, users often face typical problems.

Another common problem is that Chrome opens but doesn't save passwords or bookmarks, which is because MIUI can block the background activity of the app to fix:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Chrome → Battery.
2. Choose No Limits.
3. Turn on Auto Start and Background Activity.

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If Chrome doesn’t become the default browser after all the manipulations, check if the device has a corporate policy (for example, through Microsoft Intune or MobileIron), which can block changes to system settings. You can find out about this in Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Management.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions