Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come pre-installed with the Mi Browser, which the company positions as the main tool for browsing the Internet. However, many users prefer the Google ecosystem for its synchronization with the account, advanced security features and familiar interface. The process of replacing the standard application with Google Chrome is not always obvious due to the features of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of switching system links, so that when you open URL-The browser you selected automatically started from the messenger or email addresses, and you will learn how to bypass the limitations of the system and where to look for hidden settings that are not visible on a superficial inspection of the menu.
Often, device owners are faced with a situation where, after installing Chrome, it does not become active by default without manual intervention. This is not a bug, but a feature of priorities in Android that requires the user to clearly specify preferences.
Preparation for installation and configuration of the system
Before you start changing system settings, make sure your device has the latest version of Google’s browser installed. Often, betas or updates are available in the Play Market store that contain critical security patches and improve your experience with new web development standards.
Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection, as initial synchronization of passwords and history may require data transfer. Without this step, the transition may be successful, but functionality will be limited.
It is worth noting that some global versions of MIUI firmware may have a slightly different process than the Chinese versions, and Chinese builds aggressively introduce their own services, so additional authorization or confirmation of actions may be required.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the system Mi Browser completely through third-party tools without root rights, as this can lead to unstable widgets and search bar on the desktop.
For a comfortable experience, it is recommended to sign in to your Google account in advance inside the Chrome app, which will allow you to access all bookmarks, saved passwords and open tabs from other devices immediately after installing it by default.
Basic installation through Android system settings
The most reliable and standard way to change a priority app is in the depths of the system menu.The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version (11, 12, 13 or 14), but the logic remains the same across the ecosystem.
You need to go to the Settings menu, then find the App section. In some shell versions, this item may be called Apps and Notifications. Next, select the default App option, which is usually located at the top of the list or inside the optional menu.
Find the Browser. The default is Mi Browser. Click on it and the system will suggest a list of all browsers installed. Select Chrome from the list suggested. The system may warn you that some features may work differently, but for basic navigation it is safe.
- 📱 Open the smartphone settings.
- 🔍 Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- ⚙️ Click on the menu button (three dots) and select the Default Apps.
- 🌐 In the browser bar, change Mi Browser to Google Chrome.
Once you do this, all the links you open from any other application will automatically run in the environment you choose, whether it’s messaging, documents or email.
☑️ Checking the default settings
Setup via Google Chrome app
There is an alternative and often faster way that the app itself offers: When Chrome is first launched or after an update, it can independently request rights to use as the primary tool, but if you missed this window, it can be artificially invoked.
Open the Chrome app, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and go to Settings. Scroll down to the Basic or Systems section, where you'll see Set as the default browser or Open Links in that app.
When you click on this item, the system will redirect you to the corresponding Android settings menu described in the previous section. This is convenient, since you do not need to search for the desired item in the wilds of the system menu of the phone.
⚠️ Note: If the button in Chrome settings is inactive (gray), this means that the system has already firmly set the priority for another application, and the reset must be performed through the general settings of Android.
It is also important to check permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → Chrome → Other permissions. Make sure that you allow links to open. Sometimes Xiaomi’s system blocks this action by default for third-party applications for security purposes.
Solving problems with automatic link launch
Even after prioritizing, users may find themselves in a situation where links continue to open in Mi Browser, often due to cached settings or specific MIUI settings that redirect web content.
The first thing to do is clear the cache and data of the Mi Browser application. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, find Mi Browser and click Clear → Clear all data. This will reset its internal priorities.
The second step is to check the Open by Default settings for Chrome itself. In the Chrome app information menu, find the Open by Default section and make sure the Open Supported Links switch is active. If it is turned off, the system will ignore your choice.
| Parameter | Meaning for Chrome | Meaning for Mi Browser | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default status | Included. | Off. | You have to switch. |
| Supported references | Open in annex | Always ask | To avoid conflict |
| Access to the buffer | Permitted. | Permitted. | No change. |
| Auto-start | Forbidden. | Forbidden. | To save battery life |
If the problem persists, try removing Mi Browser updates to the factory version. Sometimes newer versions of Xiaomi system applications contain errors in the processing ofintent filters that interfere with the correct operation of third-party counterparts.
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If links are opened in the wrong browser, try copying the link, opening Chrome, and pasting it manually, which will help the system to remember your choices for this type of content.
Features of work in the shell of HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, which gradually replaces MIUI on new Xiaomi models, the configuration algorithm has become more stringent, but also more transparent.
HyperOS has an improved permissions manager. When you try to open a link, the system can show a pop-up asking, "Open to...?" It's important not just to select an app, but also to click Always or Remember a choice. If you just click once, the question will arise all the time.
The new shell also changes the logic of the Google Search or Xiaomi Search widget on the desktop, and even if Chrome is installed by default, the search widget can use the Mi Browser engine to preview pages, which is customized separately in the widget settings.
- 🔄 HyperOS is more likely to ask for confirmation when changing standards.
- 🔒 Increased control over background browser activity.
- ⚡ Memory Optimization Could Close Chrome Tabs Faster Than Systems.
HyperOS users are also encouraged to check battery settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Battery and make sure there is no background activity restriction for Chrome, otherwise pages may not load in the background.
Synchronization and data transfer from Mi Browser
After successfully installing Google Chrome as the primary, the question of transferring accumulated history and passwords arises. Fortunately, modern browsers make it easy to import data if it is saved in a Google account or exported.
If you've used Chrome on a PC or other phone before, just log in to your account. All bookmarks, passwords and history will be automatically pulled through the cloud, and this is the easiest and most reliable way to migrate.
To transfer data directly from the Mi Browser, you need to export your bookmarks from the Mi Browser to an HTML file, and then import this file to Chrome. To do this, find Bookmarks in the Mi Browser settings, select Import/Export, and save the file to the device memory.
⚠️ Note: Passwords saved in Mi Browser may not always be automatically transferred to Chrome for security reasons, and it is recommended to pre-write important logins or use Google password manager to save them again.
In Chrome settings go to Bookmarks → Import bookmarks and specify previously saved HTML-After that, your link library will be fully restored in the new environment.
What to do with the accumulated cache?
Additional privacy and security settings
Switching to Google Chrome gives you access to more flexible privacy settings. Unlike a standard browser, you can set the level of protection when browsing in detail here. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security.
It is recommended to enable Browsing-Free for certain sites or activate tracking protection. Chrome automatically blocks dangerous sites and alerts you to potential threats using Google Safe Browsing database, which is updated in real time.
Also worth paying attention to location and camera settings. In the Site Settings section, you can deny all sites access to your geo-location by default, allowing it only for trusted resources such as maps or delivery services.
- 🛡️ Enable "Safe Browsing" to protect against phishing.
- 🚫 Disable location access for unknown sites.
- 🧹 Set up automatic history cleaning when tabs close.
For users concerned about surveillance, Incognito mode is available, which does not store history, cookies and site data. Unlike Mi Browser, this mode also blocks extensions on Chrome, which increases the level of anonymity.
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Correctly configuring access rights and regularly cleaning up these sites in Chrome provides a level of security that far exceeds the standard capabilities of the Mi Browser.