How to install the default app on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users incredible flexibility in managing the system. However, unlike pure Android, the settings interface has its own unique features that can confuse even an experienced gadget owner. Often, after installing a new launcher, browser or messenger, the system continues to stubbornly run standard services, ignoring user preferences. This creates a sense of limited control over the device, although in fact all the necessary management tools are hidden in the depth of the menu.

Understanding how to prioritize programs is key to personalizing your smartphone experience. In this guide, we’ll go through the algorithms for different firmware versions, explain the difference between standard permissions and default apps, and look at the frequent challenges that Redmi and Poco owners face. You’ll learn not just to change icons, but also to restructure the operating system logic to your needs, making use of the device as comfortable and efficient as possible.

It’s important to note that the menu structure may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific model of your device. However, the general principles of navigation remain the same for the entire ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer. We will look at both classic methods through customization, and alternative ways that can come in handy in non-standard situations. Get ready to dive into the finer details of the setup so that your smartphone works exactly how you want, not how the engineers decided by default.

Navigation in MIUI and HyperOS settings

The first step to managing application priorities is to navigate correctly in the system menu. Xiaomi shells are known for their density of settings, where the desired option can be hidden behind several layers of nesting. Unlike stock Android, where the path often lies through the Applications section, in MIUI, the logic of grouping parameters can vary. Usually, it all starts with the main settings screen, where you can get by clicking on the gear icon or swiping down the notification curtain.

Most current firmware versions have the required section in the Applications category, and that's where you focus on managing all of your installed services, their rights and their behavior. If you're using the new HyperOS, the visual design may be more minimal, but the functional purpose of the partitions remains the same. It's important not to confuse this section with the Application Manager, which is used to clean up memory and close processes.

Inside the Apps menu, you'll need to find a subsection that's often called Settings or has a gear icon in the corner of the screen, and that's where the key priority management option is hidden. Users get lost sometimes when they see a long list of all the installed programs, but what we need is a system configurator, not a software list. Mindfulness at this point will save you time and save you unnecessary clicks.

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In the newer versions of HyperOS, settings search works great: just type the word “default” into the search bar at the top of the settings screen to instantly jump to the desired menu.

It’s also worth mentioning that in some regional firmware versions (such as China or India), item names can be translated differently or have slight differences in location. If you don’t find the right item right away, use the built-in search by settings by entering keywords. This is a versatile method that works on almost any Xiaomi device, regardless of the year of release and model.

Selecting applications by default: browser, calls and messages

The most frequent request for users is to change the standard browser and the call app. Android defaults to use Google's own services or MIUI system utilities, but many prefer third-party solutions like Chrome, Firefox, Truecaller or Telegram for calls. To change this setting, you need to go to the Apps menu → Settings (cog) → Default Apps.

In the list that opens, you'll see categories like browser, phone, messaging, assistant, and more. By clicking on a specific category like Browner, the system will show you a list of all the browsers that you've installed. Choose the right option, and from now on all links will open in the selected application. A similar algorithm acts to replace the "caller" or the client for the user. SMS-messages, which is especially important for those who use corporate solutions or specific messengers.

Special attention should be paid to settings for Android Auto and assistants. If you use a navigator or voice control, make sure that the appropriate points are the apps that you use daily. A mistake in choosing here can lead to unnecessary service running when connecting to the car or voice commands being processed incorrectly, which is critical for safety and comfort of driving.

Sometimes, after updating the system, priorities may be reset, so don't panic: just repeat the selection process. Xiaomi’s system remembers user choices, but major firmware updates can (reset) some system preferences for factory values to provide a stable--Regularly checking these settings after an update is a good habit for any smartphone owner.

Set up the launcher and desktop

Changing the launcher is one of the most popular ways to customize the Xiaomi interface. The standard shell may not suit users with its functionality or appearance, and they set up alternatives like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. However, just by installing an application, you will not see the change: the system will continue to use the standard desktop. To activate the new launcher, you need to explicitly specify the system’s priority.

The activation process often happens automatically when a new launcher is first launched: the system will ask itself which application to use for the home screen. If you missed this window or chose "Only once", you will have to act manually. Go back to the Default Apps menu and find the Desktop or Home Screen option. From the list of available options, select the previously installed launcher.

It's important to understand the difference between the theme and the launcher. Themes change icons and wallpaper, but not the structure of the desktop. Launcher completely replaces the logic of interaction with the screen. If after the launcher change you encounter lags or strange swipe work, perhaps the chosen application is not optimized for your version of Android or MIUI. In this case, it is worth trying a different version or going back to the standard solution.

For productivity-driven users, installing a third-party launcher can be a revelation: the ability to customize the grid, add widgets of any size, and change animations opens up new horizons for smartphone use. However, remember that too heavy launchers can negatively affect battery life, as they are constantly active in the background.

Managing Permits and Access to Functions

In addition to prioritizing applications, permission management is a critical aspect of security and functionality. In MIUI and HyperOS, this is a particular focus. When you first launch an application, it requests access to a camera, microphone, geolocation or contacts. Denial of these permissions can lead to malfunctioning of the program, but blind consent also carries risks.

These rights are managed through the Privacy Protection section or directly in each application card in the Application Management menu, where you can customize what the program allows, for example, a navigator needs access to geolocation, but does not necessarily give it access to your SMS or calls, this segmentation of rights increases the overall security of the device.

The AutoRun feature deserves special attention. Unlike many other systems, Xiaomi by default forbids applications to run independently to save battery. If you want the messenger to come instantly or the step tracker to work in the background, you need to manually enable autorupture for a particular application. Without this step, the system will aggressively “kill” processes in the background.

Also worth mentioning are special features: some applications, like blue light filters or voice assistants, require "Above Other Windows" or "Special Features" permissions, which are in a separate settings menu and are often hidden deeper than usual, and without them, the functionality of such programs will be limited or completely inoperable.

Specifics of working with files and opening data types

A common situation is that you downloaded a file, clicked on it, and it opened in an unexpected application that you don't like. For example, PDF can open in a browser instead of a convenient reader, and video can open in a system player instead of a VLC or MX Player. In Android, and in Xiaomi in particular, this is governed by file associations. To change the program to open a specific type of file, you need to "clean by default" the current application.

The algorithm is to find the one that is currently opening “wrongly” in the application list (like Documents or Gallery) and go to its settings, scroll down to “Open by default” and click “Reset settings” or “Delete default settings,” and then the next time you run a file of this type, the system will ask you again what to open, and you can select the program you want to use and remember that choice.

This mechanism allows you to manage media content flexibly, so you can assign one player to music and another player to video, or you can use different readers for different book formats, and the key is to remember to reset the previous settings, otherwise the choice dialog box won't appear, which is a common mistake that users think the system has blocked the choice.

Solving problems: discharge and forced installation

Despite the clever logic, Xiaomi sometimes crashes. The app may stop opening by default, or the system may ignore your choices. In such cases, a complete reset of app preferences helps. This does not delete your data or accounts, but returns all priority settings to factory ones. You can find this option in the Apps menu → Settings (three dots or gear) → Reset application settings.

Another common problem is aggressive battery optimization: the system can forget your application by default if it finds it to be infrequently used or heavy. To avoid this, go to the battery settings for a particular application and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from unloading the application from memory and resetting its priorities.

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If resetting didn’t help, try removing updates to the system application that is causing the conflict through the Application Management menu → Three Dots → Remove Updates.

In extreme cases, when standard methods don't work, you can use USB debugging and ADB commands, but this is for advanced users. For most situations, it's enough to reboot the device after changing the settings. Restart ensures that all system services reread configuration files and apply new rules for launching applications.

⚠️ Warning: When you reset your app settings through the system menu, you will also reset notifications that you previously refused to show. Be prepared to reset push notifications for important instant messengers and social networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Warning: Installing launchers from unknown sources (not from Google Play) may pose a security risk.Always check the permissions that the new desktop requests, especially access to contacts and location.