How to install the default app on Android Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible settings, but changing apps by default often raises questions for users. Unlike “pure” Android, Xiaomi’s shell hides some parameters in non-obvious menu sections, and after updates, the interface can change dramatically. This article will help you understand how to assign any application by default — whether it’s a browser, messenger, gallery or even system utilities — on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices of all generations.

We will look at the official methods through MIUI settings, workarounds for stock applications (for example, replacing the Gallery with Google Photos), and also analyze the typical errors that make the smartphone “do not see” alternative programs. We will pay special attention to the nuances for MIUI 14 and later – here the algorithm is different from the old versions. If you encounter the message “No applications to perform this action” or want to return standard programs after reset, this guide will become your “reach-goal wand”.

Why Xiaomi limits the choice of applications by default

MIUI is known for its user-care, which often comes in the form of a strong link to branded services, such as the Mi Browser browser automatically becoming the primary browser, and the Gallery blocks access to media files for third-party applications, which is due to:

• 🔒 Xiaomi integrates its own data protection solutions (e.g., Security App) into firmware that conflict with alternatives.
• 📊 Monetization: Pre-installed apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) display ads and collect anonymous statistics.
• 🔄 Optimization MIUI: Some features (for example, Duplicate Photos or Video Effects) work only with native utilities.

However, MIUI 12.5+ has the ability to flexibly configure default applications without root rights, although the path to these settings remains unintuitive.

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings (for most applications)

This method works for browsers, instant messengers, music/video players and other programs that support processing certain types of files or actions. MIUI 11–14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. In the list, find the category you want to change (for example, Browser or Gallery).
5. Slip on the current app and select an alternative from the list.

If the program is not listed, it is not declared as the processor of this type of activity. SMS-by default, and VLC — Music player if you do not support audio files.

Make sure the alternative app is installed | Check compatibility of the MIUI version (settings may differ) | Close all background programs before changing |Reboot the smartphone after settings are applied-->

Method 2: For system applications (calling, SMS, camera)

Replacement of the bell, SMS-The messenger or camera requires additional steps, as these components are deeply integrated into the camera. MIUI. For the call and SMS:

1. Install an alternative app (e.g. Google Messages or Truecaller).
2. Open it and follow the settings (usually a pop-up with a suggestion to make the program the main one).
3. If the window does not appear, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the desired application and tap Install by default.

For the camera, the situation is more complicated: MIUI blocks the replacement of the standard Camera app with third-party ones (like Google Camera or Open Camera).

• 📷 Install an alternative camera and run it manually through the icon.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-commands to disable the system camera (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Table: Application compatibility by default in MIUI

Note: On devices with MIUI for POCO (like POCO F5 or X6 Pro), the path to settings may be different – instead of App Management, look for All Apps.

Errors and their solutions: "There are no applications to do this action"

This message appears when the system does not find the right software to process the action.

• 🚫 App not installed: Make sure an alternative (like Chrome) is downloaded from Google Play.
• 🔄 Cash conflicts: Clear cache and app data Settings (Settings) → Annexes → All applications → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Some actions are strictly tied to system utilities (for example, processing.apk files always goes through the Packet Installer).
• 🔒 Error Rights: If you use Work Profile or Second Space, default settings may be reset.

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If it doesn’t open files after changing the application by default, try manually selecting it through the Open with Menu when you first start the file.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 10, Mi 11) post-update MIUI 13/14 To avoid this, make a backup copy before the update via Settings. → The phone. → Backup.

How to return standard MIUI applications

If you want to return to factory programs after experimentation, do the following:

1. For Browser/Gallery: Repeat the steps from Method 1 and select Mi Browser or Gallery.
2. To call/SMS: Open an alternative app (like Google Messages). Go to its settings and find the option Set by default → Cancel.

full-dump

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

Resetting application settings

If standard applications have disappeared from the list (for example, after manual removal), they can only be restored through factory reset or MIUI flashing.

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Resetting to factory settings will delete all data from the device, including photos and contacts.

Additional Tricks: ADB, Launcher, and Hidden Settings

For advanced users, there are ways to circumvent MIUI restrictions without root rights:

• 🔧 ADB-commands: Allows you to manually assign handlers for certain actions, such as to make Google Photos a default gallery: adb shell cmd role add-role-holder android.role.GALLERY com.google.android.apps.photos
• 🏠 Change Launcher: Install Nova Launcher or Hyperion – they offer their own default app settings.
• 🔍 Hidden menus: Enter ##4636## in the call, then go to Usage statistics → Default apps (not available on all models).

Use these methods with caution – incorrect ADB commands can cause system failures. For safety before experimentation, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up apps by default