Modern Xiaomi smartphones, powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, have advanced application management systems that often impose their own services on the user. The standard browser may not meet all the requirements of speed, synchronization with the desktop version or the presence of an integrated translator, which forces many owners to look for alternatives. Installing a third-party web browser, such as a product from Yandex, as a primary tool for surfing is not always obvious due to the aggressive policy of the system to preserve the ecosystem.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of the process of changing the priority application to open links. You will learn how to bypass the limitations of the system, where to look for hidden settings and what to do if the phone persists in opening links in the native application, ignoring your choices. The right setup will allow you to automatically launch the desired pages immediately after clicking on a link in the messenger or social network.
Before we get into the technical steps, it’s worth noting that the interfaces of different versions of firmware can vary slightly in the location of menu items. However, the logic of the Android operating system remains the same for all devices, whether it’s a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi.
Preparing for setting and setting priorities
The first and most obvious step is to have the app on your device. If you haven’t downloaded the installation file, do it through the official Google Play store or GetApps. Once you’ve completed the installation, Android usually prompts you to choose the default app when you first run any link, but often users miss this point or choose the “Always” option for the wrong application.
It is important to understand that there is a permission hierarchy in the MIUI shell. Even if you install Yandex Browser, the system may require additional confirmations for some functions to work, such as access to the clipboard or geolocation. The initial setup involves not only installing, but also providing the necessary rights to display pages correctly.
Make sure your Yandex account is synchronized if you plan to use saved passwords and history from your computer.This does not affect the default status of your browser, but is critical for comfortable use.Without this step, you will get an empty shell devoid of your personal data.
☑️ Preparation of the device
Basic configuration through the application menu
The easiest way to make Yandex Browser the main one is to use a direct transition through the settings of a particular application. This method works 90% of the time on current versions of Android and does not require deep immersion in the system partitions. You need to find the application icon on the desktop or in the menu of all programs.
Click on the icon and hold your finger until the context menu appears. From the options list, select "About the app" or the icon with the letter "i" in the circle. You will see an application card that displays information about the version, memory usage and access rights. This is where the key switch is hidden.
In the menu that opens, look for the "Open by default" or "Default Launch" line. When you click on it, you'll see the current status. If the status is "Not specified" or another browser is specified, click "Open supported links." The system will offer a list of link types (http, https) and options. Select the option "Open in this application" or "Always open in this application."
⚠️ Note: If the action button is inactive (gray), it means that the system has already hard-coded another browser with the priority "Always", in which case you must first reset the competitor's settings, which we will discuss in detail in the next section.
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If you can’t find the “About App” item through a long press, go to General Phone Settings → Apps → All Apps and find Yandex Browser in the list.
Resetting competitor settings and cleaning associations
When a phone ignores your attempts to change your browser, it is most often due to the fact that another application (such as Google Chrome or Mi Browser) has an Always flag. As long as this priority is active, the MIUI system will not ask you about the choice when you click on a link, automatically launching a competitor.
To fix this, you need to find a competitor app in the installed program list. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the browser that is currently opening instead of Yandex (often Chrome or the built-in Mi Browser) in the list. Go to its menu and find the Open by Default button at the bottom of the screen.
Click on Reset or Delete Default Settings. After that, the system will "forget" the preference for this browser. Now, the next time you click on any link from Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber, the phone must show you the selection menu where you can select Yandex Browser and click "Always".
- 🔄 Find the current default browser in the list of applications.
- 🗑️ Click "Clear Default Settings" in the app menu.
- 🔗 Click on any link in the messenger for verification.
- ✅ Select Yandex Browser and confirm the action "Always".
Sometimes you need to reset more than one browser if you've experimented with prioritizing, and don't be afraid to do this, because it doesn't delete your history, passwords, or bookmarks, but it just resets the logic of choosing an app to open links.
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Resetting the default settings from a competing browser is a must if the system does not allow you to select a new application.
Use of global system settings
Some versions of HyperOS firmware or older MIUI builds have a separate global section that manages the default applications for all types of actions, a method that is more robust because it prioritizes the system rather than the individual application.
Go to the main smartphone settings menu. Scroll down to the Apps section and select All Apps. At the top of the screen (usually on the right or in the three dots menu), find the Default Apps option. Here is a list of all action categories: calls, messages, navigation, and of course the browser.
Click on "Browser." You'll be offered a list of all installed web browsers. Select Yandex from the list. If it's not on the list, make sure the app is installed correctly and has not been removed by antivirus or cleaning system.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Main menu | Configuration input |
| Annexes | Settings → Applications | List of programmes |
| By default. | Menu (3 points) → By default | Global choice |
| browser | Choice from the list | Setting priority |
Once selected, the changes take effect instantly, you can close the settings and check the result by opening any web page. If done correctly, the page will load in the Yandex interface, saving your tabs and session.
Why can the browser list be empty?
Solving Link Launch Problems in MIUI 13 and 14
Users of MIUI 13 and 14 shells often encounter a bug when links from certain applications (such as VKontakte or Instagram) continue to open in the built-in browser, ignoring system settings, due to the feature of the Built-in Application Browser, which intercepts links within other programs.
To disable this interceptor, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find an app that doesn’t open links correctly (like VK or Telegram) Go to Open by Default and turn off the Open Supported Links option or select Always Ask.
Also, check the settings of the built-in component itself. Search for the phone's settings, type "Embedded." If you find "Embedded Services" or "Browser Framework," try to clear it or disable it, which will cause the system to look for an external link handler, which will be your Yandex Browser.
⚠️ Note: Disabling system components may affect some functions, such as previewing links in messengers. If previews stop opening after the shutdown, return the settings back and try resetting only the settings of the specific source application of the link.
Another cause of problems may be energy saving. Xiaomi aggressively "sleeps" the background applications. Go to the battery settings, find Yandex Browser and set "No Limits" mode. This ensures that the browser is always ready to open the link instantly, even if it was not launched before.
- 🔍 Check the "Open by Default" settings for social networks.
- 🚫 Disable the built-in application browser if it interferes.
- 🔋 Set up the energy saving mode "Without restrictions".
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the problem application causing the error.
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For diagnosis, try copying a link and pasting it into the address bar manually, and if the page opens, it's Deep Links, not the browser itself.
Additional features and synchronization
After successfully installing Yandex Browser as a major, it makes sense to customize it for maximum comfort. Unlike standard solutions, this browser offers powerful tools for working with content, which are especially useful on mobile screens of Xiaomi smartphones.
Be sure to enable sync via Yandex ID. This will allow you to have a single history, bookmarks and passwords on all devices: smartphone, tablet and computer. To log in, click on the profile icon at the bottom bar and log in. Turbo mode should be kept on, especially if you use mobile Internet, as it saves traffic and speeds up the loading of heavy pages.
Don't forget to set up the voice assistant Alice, which is built into the browser. It can execute commands, search for information and manage the Yandex smart home, if you have such devices. Integration with the company's services provides a seamless transition between search, music and navigation.