How to install the default app on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: a complete guide with the nuances of MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro smartphones based on the MIUI shell offer flexible default settings, but it is not always obvious where to change them. Did you install a new browser, but the links still open in the standard Mi Browser? Or are the photos automatically saved to the Xiaomi Gallery, although you prefer Google Photos? The problem is not your actions - it is the features of the firmware.

MIUI Often "hiding" critical options in non-obvious menu sections, and sometimes even blocking the change of applications by default for certain types of files. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from a basic browser replacement to solving problems with "gray" buttons in the settings. We will also find out why after the update. MIUI Your preferences may be reset – and how to avoid it.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro (M2003J6A1G models for the global market and M2003J6C3G models for China) is that the default application setting depends on the version of MIUI. For example, in MIUI 12.5, the path to the menu differs from MIUI 14, and in some regional firmware, options may be limited to Xiaomi policies. We took into account all these nuances - the instructions below are relevant for any version of your device's software.

Let’s warn you beforehand: if you use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion), some of the default settings may duplicate or conflict, and then you’ll have to set them up separately, which we’ll talk about.

1. Basic settings: how to change the default application in MIUI

To start with, the simplest thing is to change the standard app to open links, photos or files, and in MIUI, this process is a little different from pure Android, but not more complicated.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. Find the one you want to make the main one (for example, Chrome instead of Mi Browser), and tap it. In the menu that opens, select Default (or Open supported links in new versions of MIUI).

If the default button is active, just press it. If it's shaded in gray, it means that the application is not associated with any file type yet.

• 🔗 For links: Open any web page in a non-standard browser (for example, in Firefox), and the system will prompt you to make it the main one.
• 📷 For images: try opening a photo from the file manager – the app selection window will appear.
• 📄 For documents: similar: Open PDF or DOCX from the conductor, and the system will ask which application to use.

Important: In MIUI 13+, Xiaomi added a restriction on changing some default apps (like Gallery or Camera) due to integration with cloud services.

2.Gray button problems: why MIUI blocks app change

If you see a blocked gray button when you try to install the default app, the reasons may be as follows:

1. MIUI system limitations. Some applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Gallery, Camera) are protected from replacement due to deep integration with Xiaomi services. In this case, only disabling the system application through Settings → Apps → Show all applications → System (but this can lead to unstable phone operation).

2. Regional firmware: In the Chinese versions of MIUI (CN ROM), many default settings are locked at the firmware level, the solution is to reflash the phone to the global version (Global ROM) or EEA ROM (for Europe).

3. Duplicate application conflict. For example, if you have both Google Photos and Xiaomi Gallery installed, the system can freeze when choosing the main one, the solution is to temporarily disable one of them.

To check if MIUI is blocking your actions, try the following:

1. Open Settings → Special Features → Simplified Mode and make sure it’s turned off.
2. Check if work profiles (Settings → Battery & Performance → Performance Modes) are installed that may limit the background activity of applications.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version – in the new firmware Xiaomi gradually removes artificial restrictions.

3.Setting up applications by default for specific file types

MIUI allows you to flexibly configure which application will open a particular file type, for example, you can make it so that:

• 🎵 Music was opened in Spotify, not Mi Music;
• 📽️ The video was played in VLC, Not in a standard player;
• 📄 PDF-The files were opened in Adobe Acrobat, not Mi File Explorer.

For this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Default (or Default Settings in newer versions).
3. Select the file type (e.g. Audio, Video, Images) and specify the application you want.

If the file type is not listed, MIUI does not support reassignment, in which case only opening the file manually through the context menu (long press on the file → Open with help) will help.

Important for the Redmi Note 9 Pro: MIUI 12.0.x and below, the default application setting for APK-This is due to Xiaomi's security policy - installation APK It is only allowed through Mi File Explorer.

Update MIUI to the latest version | Check if simplified mode is enabled |Remove duplicate applications (e.g., two browsers) | Backup settings (Settings → About Phone → Backup)

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4. How to make a messenger or social network application by default

With instant messengers and social media, the situation is more complicated: MIUI does not allow you to directly designate WhatsApp, Telegram or VK as “default apps” in the classical sense.

For links to chats and profiles:

• 🔗 Open a type reference https://t.me/username or https://wa.me/1234567890 browser-wise.
• The system will suggest selecting an application to open. Check Always and confirm.

For SMS (If you use the messenger as SMS-client):

1. Open the messenger settings (e.g. Google Messages).
2. Find the default SMS and follow the instructions.
3. MIUI may need to additionally confirm the selection in Settings → Applications → SMS.

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Note: If you are using Dual Apps (app cloning function) MIUI), The default setting will have to be done separately for the main and cloned applications, and the system can reset the selection after the reboot - this is a well-known bug that Xiaomi has not yet fixed.

5. Resetting default settings: what to do if everything breaks

If, after experimenting with settings, applications have started to open in the wrong programs or the system is constantly asking what to use, resetting the default settings will help.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings (or Reset Preferences in newer versions).
3. Confirm action. This won't delete the application data, it'll only reset the attachment to the file types.

If there is no reset option, try an alternative method:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → System system → Resetting settings.
• Choose App Reset (not to be confused with a full phone reset!).

After resetting, you will have to reconfigure all applications by default, but this will eliminate conflicts and “hungry” preferences.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi Note 9 Pro firmware (especially Chinese), resetting app settings may also reset permissions for autorun and background activity. → Battery and productivity → Battery management.

Table 6: Application compatibility by default with MIUI

Not all applications can be made the main one on the Redmi Note 9 Pro. In the table below, you can find the latest compatibility data for MIUI 12.5-14:

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If you often work with files of different types, install File Manager+ or Solid Explorer. These applications allow you to manually select the program to open each file, ignoring the default MIUI settings.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Problem 1: After the MIUI update, all default settings have reset.

Solution: This is a well-known feature of Xiaomi firmware. After updating, go to Settings → Apps and reassign the programs you need. To avoid problems in the future, back up your Settings → About Phone → Backup (select System Settings) before upgrading.

Problem 2: The application does not appear in the default list available to select.

Solution: It is possible that the application does not support this type of file. For example, Telegram cannot be the main file. SMS-Spotify is a non-premium music player, and Spotify is a non-premium music player.

Problem 3: The default settings are reset after the reboot.

Solution: This is a MIUI bug related to battery optimization. Open Settings → Battery & Performance → Battery Management, find the right application and turn off background restriction for it.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 9 Pro with firmware MIUI 13+ There may be a conflict between Google Assistant and the standard Xiaomi assistant. If after changing the default browser, voice commands stop working, reset the assistant settings in Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, helper and voice.

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On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 14, the default application setting is more stable if you turn off MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developers → MIUI Optimization).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions