Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive behavior from a system that aggressively promotes its own product, the Mi Browser. When trying to open a link from a messenger or social network, the device may ignore your choices and run an embedded application, which annoys many users accustomed to the Google ecosystem, due to the deep integration of the manufacturer’s services into the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS.
Fortunately, Android provides a flexible way to manage application priorities, allowing you to force Chrome to be the main surfing tool. The setup process does not require root rights or complex manipulation of ADB, but in recent versions of the firmware menus may have shifted, which raises questions among users. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you regain control of the device.
Properly configuring the browser by default is not just a matter of convenience but also security, as Google Chrome regularly receives security updates and has built-in Safe Browsing phishing protection. Ignoring this step can lead to dangerous links opening in a less secure built-in browser that sometimes contains redundant ads.Let's look at how to fix this situation once and for all.
Preparation of the device and installation of the current version
Before you start changing your system settings, you need to make sure that the Google Chrome browser is properly installed and updated to the latest version. Many Xiaomi smartphones, Chinese versions or some regional builds of this application may not be in the basic configuration, in which case the first step is to visit the Google Play store and download the current distribution.
If the application is already installed but is not stable or appears in the list of available browsers, it makes sense to clear its cache and data. This action will not delete your bookmarks or passwords if sync is enabled, but will reset temporary files that could have caused a conflict with the system.
It is also important to check if the application is disabled accidentally. In rare cases, MIUI system optimizers can “freeze” background processes, considering them unnecessary. Make sure that Chrome allows autoload and work in the background, otherwise the system will constantly terminate its process and it will not be able to open links correctly.
- 📲 Open the Google Play Store and make sure that the “Open” button is opposite the application, not “Install” button".
- 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All apps and find Chrome in the list.
- 🔄 Click About and select Clear Data, then confirm the action to reset the cache.
- 🔋 In the "Saving charge" section, select "No restrictions" so that the system does not close the browser.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a global firmware version but you have a Google account in a restricted region, the Play Store may not show some updates. APK-files from verified sources.
Basic configuration through the Android system menu
The default default destination path for Android is the same for most versions of the operating system, but in the Xiaomi shell it can have its own visual features. You will need to find a section responsible for managing all installed programs. It is usually in the general settings of the device, not inside a particular application.
Once you log into the application management menu, you have to locate a item called "Default Apps," and that's where you prioritize different types of actions, like calls, messages, and, of course, web browsing, and you have to choose from a list of all browsers that you've installed, which will open automatically.
When you select Chrome as your primary browser, you will notice that the next time you click on any link on Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber, the page will open in the Google interface. If that doesn’t happen, it may still have old file associations that you need to manually reset through additional settings.
☑️ Checking browser settings
In some cases, especially after major Android or MIUI updates, the system may ignore this choice and return the Mi Browser when rebooted.This behavior is associated with an aggressive policy of retaining the user within the manufacturer's ecosystem. To avoid this, it is also recommended to disable recommendations in the built-in browser.
Specificity of the MIUI and HyperOS interface
The MIUI shell and the HyperOS that replaced it have a unique menu structure that can confuse users who are switching from other brands. Settings are often duplicated or renamed depending on the firmware version (Chinese, global, European). For example, in new versions, the browser selection point may be hidden inside the "Additional" section.
One of the features of Xiaomi is the presence of the feature "Recommendations" in the built-in browser, which can redirect search queries from the desktop address bar to the Mi Browser, ignoring the default settings. This is not a bug, but a feature of the implementation of search widgets. To change this, you need to separately configure the widget on the desktop.
Also worth paying attention to is the Security section and the built-in antivirus, which sometimes labels third-party browsers as unoptimized and suggests "accelerating" the device by closing them, which can create the illusion that the browser is not working by default, when in fact it is simply blocked by the power saving system.
- 🔍 Use the search by settings, typing the word "browser" to quickly find the desired item in the confusing menu MIUI.
- 🛡️ Check the Security app settings and add Chrome to the exclusion list for optimization.
- 🏠 (Long-clicking) on Google search widget on desktop can open search engine selection settings.
- ⚙️ In HyperOS, the path may look like Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Default applications.
Hidden settings of Mi Browser
HyperOS users may also encounter a new settings interface that looks more like pure Android, but retains some MIUI elements. If the standard path doesn't work, try searching for settings, as the logic of the item layout may have changed with the developers in the new versions.
Resetting application preferences to solve problems
If the default browser choice is not saved or the system constantly resets it to Mi Browser, the most effective solution is a complete application preference reset, which returns all settings of file associations and actions to factory state without erasing your personal data, photos or contacts.
Once you reset, the system will ask you again when you first click on the link than to open the file or page. At this critical moment, it's not just about clicking "Once," but always choosing "Always." Many users miss this step, causing the question to reappear or the choice to be missed globally.
This procedure also helps to resolve issues when links open in an empty window or the app is launched but does not download content.Reset clears the cache of Android Intent associations that could have been corrupted after a system update or installation of conflicting software.
| Action. | The result | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting preferences | Return of file opening settings to factory | Data is retained |
| Cleaning up Chrome's cache | Delete temporary browser files | Passwords and bookmarks are saved |
| Removing Chrome Updates | Retreat to the factory version of the browser | Data is saved, functionality is reduced |
| Resetting all phone settings | A complete return to the state out of the box | All data is deleted |
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Before resetting preferences, make sure you remember your primary account passwords, as in rare cases, some apps may require re-authorization after resetting the associations.
It's worth noting that the preference reset affects all applications at once, which means you'll have to re-choose over opening PDFs, videos, or images if you have dedicated players or readers installed, and be prepared for the system to start asking questions about your choices again.
Removing conflict and intrusive advertising
A common reason Xiaomi doesn’t let you change your browser is because of system components that force you to run the Mi Browser, such as weather widgets, news feeds in the lock screen, or special negative screen cards (Mi Vision/Google Discover), which are often hard-wired to use the internal engine.
In addition, some installed applications, especially Chinese-origin or “optimizers,” may contain hidden modules that change the behavior of the system. They can add their services that intercept links. Check the list of recently installed programs and remove suspicious utilities that promise to speed up or clear memory.
Another source of problems is MSA (MIUI System Ads) advertising modules, which, while they don’t directly change the browser, can create pop-ups that masquerade as system notifications and redirect to Mi Browser. Disabling ads in system settings (password and privacy) can reduce the frequency of such cases.
- 🚫 Disable "Receive recommendations" in the lock screen settings and in the "Conductor" application".
- 🔍 Check the Settings section → Passwords and security → Access to personal data and disable access to MSA.
- 📱 Remove any software or antivirus applications other than those built-in if they are suspicious.
- 🌐 In Mi Browser settings, disable Page Load Acceleration, which can redirect traffic.
⚠️ Warning: Complete shutdown of system components through ADB (For example, com.android.browser can cause system instability if other applications depend on them. Use this method only if you are an experienced user and understand the risks.
Advanced Methods and Working with ADB
For advanced users who were not helped by standard methods, there is the possibility of forced disabling the built-in browser through debugging. USB tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to “freeze” the system application, making it invisible to the system, which is guaranteed to force Android to use Chrome.
This requires activating the developer mode by enabling USB debugging and connecting the phone to the computer. With pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser, you can deactivate the standard browser, but remember that once the phone is reset to factory settings, these changes will be reversed.
Using ADB requires caution: an incorrect command can disrupt other system functions, for example, removing WebView components can ruin many applications, and this method is recommended only as a last resort.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browserIf you decide to do this, be sure to save the command to turn back (pm enable) in order to return everything as it was, if necessary.
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Using ADB is a radical method that gives 100% results, but requires technical literacy and caution when typing commands.