How to install the default app on Xiaomi Redmi Note: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Smartphones Xiaomi Redmi Note based on the shell MIUI They offer flexible default settings, but it's not always obvious how to use them. You downloaded an alternative browser, messenger or gallery, but the system persists in opening standard applications? MIUI Is this a problem that many Redmi Note owners are familiar with? 8/9/10/11/12 — And today we're going to take it down to the smallest detail.

Unlike “pure” Android, where default settings are hidden in the app menu, MIUI It distributes them into different sections. You have to dig into Settings somewhere. → Apps, and somewhere in the parameters of a specific type of content (for example, calls or photos), and after major updates (for example, with the help of a new version of the content). MIUI 12 on MIUI 14) The paths to settings can change. This article provides current instructions for all modern firmware versions, including features of working with duplicate applications (for example, two browsers or two galleries).

We're not going to just go with basic tips like "find the gear icon." Instead, you'll learn:

• 🔍 Where exactly are the default settings for different types of content hidden (calls, SMS, photos, references, etc.)
• ⚙️ How to secure a third-party application if MIUI persistently returns the standard
• 🚫 What to do if the desired option is blocked (gray buttons, no menu items)
• 🔄 How to Reset All Default Settings After Experiments

1. Where is the default application settings hidden in MIUI?

Xiaomi Redmi Note does not have a single center for application management by default – options are scattered across several menus. MIUI, where the settings are divided into "system" and "user" for example, choosing a browser for links and choosing an application for SMS tune in at different locations.

Main paths (relevant to the MIUI 12–14):

• 📱 For most types of content: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Badge ⚙️ (top-right) → Default applications
• 🔗 For links and browsers: Settings → Annexes → browser → Open supported links (or a similar item in a particular browser settings)
• 📞 For calls and SMS: Settings → Annexes → A challenge → Calling app (similar to the same for SMS)
• 🖼️ For photos and videos: Settings can be like in a gallery → ⚙️ → Open by default, and in the settings of a particular player

Important: on the Redmi Note with MIUI 13/14 Some menu items may be called differently, for example, instead of "App Management" you will see "All Apps", and instead of "Default Apps" you will see "Default Settings". If you do not find the desired section, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi Note models (especially those with global firmware), the Default Apps section may not be in the Settings menu. → In this case, try an alternative path: Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Default applications.

2. Step-by-step instruction: how to install the application by default

Consider the process on the example of the most popular scenarios: changing the browser, gallery and applications for SMS. Instructions are universal for Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12, But it may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI.

2.1. Replacement of the browser by default

If you have installed Chrome, Firefox or another browser, but links still open in the standard browser MIUI Browser, follow the following steps:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Find it on the list. MIUI Browser (or your current default browser) and tap it

Select Open Supported Links (or Default)

Click Clear the default settings

Return to the main Settings menu → Apps and select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome)

Tap it and click Set by default (or Open supported links) → Turn on)-->

After that, all links from messengers, email and other applications will open in the selected browser. If there is no change, restart the smartphone.

Replacement of the standard gallery

Standard Gallery MIUI It's not always good for users, because some people prefer Google Photos, and some people prefer specialized viewers like QuickPic to replace it:

1. Open any image from the file manager (not from the gallery!).
2. In the window that appears, select the desired application (for example, Google Photos) and tick Always (or Use by default).
3. If the window does not appear, go to Settings. → Annexes → gallery → Open by default and reset the current settings.

Important: on some firmware MIUI The standard gallery cannot be completely disabled – it will still open for some system functions (for example, when selecting wallpapers.

2.3. Modification of the annex to SMS call

Here, the algorithm depends on whether you want to replace the standard Messages app with a third-party one (like Google Messages) or simply change the default handler.

For SMS:

1. Install an alternative messenger (e.g. Textra) SMS or Google Messages).
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions (usually there is a suggestion to make the application the main one).
3. If the window does not appear, go to Settings. → Annexes → Communications → Annex for SMS by default and select the desired.

For calls:

• 📞 Install an alternative app (e.g. Google Phone or Truecaller).
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → A challenge → Calling appendix.
• 🔄 Select the app you want from the list. If it's not available, try opening it first and making an outgoing call, which can unlock the option.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note models with firmware for China (CN) If you can change the call app, you can block it, and then you can only flash it to the global or European version. MIUI.

3. Typical problems and their solutions

Even after you set up the default app correctly, Xiaomi Redmi Note users are faced with bugs. Let's take a look at the most common and ways to fix them.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ (menu) → Reset application settings.
2. Confirm action. This won't delete your data, but it will reset all default settings and permissions.
3. After resetting, repeat the setting of the desired application.

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If you frequently change apps by default, create a shortcut for quick access: add Settings widget to the home screen → Labels → Default applications (not available on all firmware).

4. Features for different versions of MIUI

Interface. MIUI It is updated regularly, and the paths to customization may change. Below are the key differences for the popular firmware versions on the Redmi Note.

4.1. MIUI 12

In this version, the default settings are hidden the deepest:

• 🔧 Main path: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ (top-up) → Default applications.
• 🌐 For the browser: Settings → Annexes → browser → Open supported links → Clear the default settings.
• 📸 For gallery: settings may not be available – use the manual file opening method (see section 2.2).

4.2. MIUI 13

The interface has become a little simpler:

• 🔧 Main path: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Default settings (without additional menu) ⚙️).
• 📱 There was the ability to reset default settings directly in the application menu (long click on the icon) → Information on the annex → Reset the default settings).
• 🔗 For browsers, a separate Settings section has been added → Annexes → Opening of links.

4.3. MIUI 14

The latest version (at the time of 2026) offers the most user-friendly interface:

• 🔍 Search by settings now finds the desired partitions in 1-2 clicks (just type in "default apps").
• 📊 Default settings are placed in a separate menu: Settings → Annexes → Default settings.
• 🔄 There is a possibility of mass resetting of all default settings (useful after resetting the phone to factory settings).

If you have a version MIUI Not mentioned above, check it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. For older versions (below) MIUI 12) firmware update may be required.

5. Alternative methods: ADB and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to firmware limitations), you can use debugging on the Internet. ADB These are applications that are suitable for advanced users.

5.1. Configure through ADB

This method will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Tap 7 times on the version MIUI → Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.example.app/.MainActivity

Where com.example.app is your application’s packet ID (you can find it through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages), and.MainActivity is your entry point (usually.MainActivity or.LauncherActivity).

To reset all default settings, use:

adb shell cmd package clear-defaults com.example.app

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change the settings of system applications (for example, com.miui.home) unless you are sure of the consequences.

5.2. Applications for managing default settings

Google Play has some tools that simplify the process:

• 🛠️ Default App Manager – Shows all current default settings and allows you to change them.
• 🔧 SetEdit – Advanced Settings Editor (requires root).
• 🔄 App Cloner – allows you to create a copy of the application with separate default settings (useful for testing).

Before using third-party utilities, check reviews and ratings – some apps may contain ads or unnecessary permissions.

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ADB And third-party utilities should only be used if the standard methods have failed. MIUI.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting up apps by default, Redmi Note users often make the same mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Ignoring the permissions of the annex

If you have selected the default app but it doesn’t open files or links, check its permissions:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → [Your appendix] → Permits.
2. Make sure all necessary permissions are enabled (e.g. for the browser – Access to Storage and Open Links).
3. If permissions are not on the list, then the application does not support the desired function.

6.2 Conflict with battery optimizer

MIUI aggressively optimizes the background of applications, which can reset default settings:

• 🔋 Open the Settings. → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔍 Find your app in the list and select Without Limits.
• 🔄 Also add the application to Auto Start (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start).

Use of incompatible applications

Not all applications support the default work on MIUI. For example:

• 🌐 Some browsers (such as Opera Mini) may not be the primary for all types of links.
• 📞 Alternative calls (like ExDialer) may not work on firmware for China.
• 📸 Third-party galleries sometimes do not support opening files from system dialogs.

Before installing, check the compatibility of the application with MIUI in the description on Google Play or on forums (for example, 4PDA).

Wrong course of action

Many users first install the new application by default without resetting the old settings. This leads to conflicts.

1. Reset the current default settings for this type of content.
2. Install the new application by default.
3. Reboot your phone (optional, but recommended for stability).

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If it doesn’t open files after changing the application, try manually selecting it in the dialog box the next time you open the file (even if the “Always” box is already there).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions