How to find out which browser is installed on Xiaomi phone: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Have you ever tried to open a web page on Xiaomi but couldn’t figure out which browser is the default browser? Or maybe you had to send a link from a specific browser but didn’t know its name? This situation is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi smartphones – especially after MIUI updates or the transition to HyperOS, when standard apps suddenly change.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 reliable ways to identify a browser on your device, from viewing default settings to using hidden developer menus, how to distinguish Mi Browser from Google Chrome, why some models use Via Browser, and what to do if the browser is not in the list of applications at all, and how to change the default browser if the current one does not suit you.

All instructions are valid for all versions of MIUI (including 12, 13, 14) and HyperOS, as well as for devices running pure Android (for example, POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T).If your smartphone is released after 2020, these methods are guaranteed to work.

1. Verification through default settings

The fastest way is to see which browser is assigned to open web links, which works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS, including the most recent updates from 2026.

Open Settings → Applications → Default Apps → Browser. Here you will see the current app that opens links. On most Xiaomi devices, the default is Mi Browser (formerly called MIUI Browser), but once you manually install Chrome or Firefox, it can change.

• 🔍 Mi Browser – a standard browser from Xiaomi with ad blocking and turbo mode.
• 🌐 Google Chrome – if you manually install it from the Play Market.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox or Via Browser – less common, but found on budget models.
• ❓ The browser is not selected, so the system requests a choice every time a link is opened.

If this menu is empty or there is an unknown name, move to the next method - perhaps the browser is hidden or deleted.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI For global markets, the browser may not be in the default settings. №2 or №3.

2. View the list of installed applications

If the browser does not appear in the default settings, check the full list of installed programs.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top search box, type the word “browser” (in English – “browser”).
3. The system will show all applications in the name or description of which there is this word.

On Xiaomi, you can see:

If there is no browser on the list, it means that it is either deleted (which is unlikely on stock firmware) or hidden. №4 using ADB.

3. Definition of the browser through an open web page

If you have access to the Internet, you can find out the name of the browser right while surfing.

1. Open any web page (e.g. mi.com).
2. Touch the badge. ⋮ (three points; or ⚙️ (gear) in upper right corner.
3. Select "About" or "About" (in English).
4. The window that opens will indicate the name of the browser and its version.

For example, in Mi Browser you will see a line like Mi Browser 14.5.20 (MIUI 14), and in Chrome you will see Google Chrome 124.0.6367.91.

If the menu is in English, look for items like Settings → About Chrome (for Chrome) or Settings → About browser (for Mi Browser).

⚠️ Note: On some versions of HyperOS, the "About Program" item may be hidden behind additional settings. If you don't find it, try long-term clicking on the browser icon on the home screen and select "Application Information".

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If the browser opens pages in "Lite Mode", its name may not appear in the menu. №2 or check the app icon in multitasking (swipe up and hold).

4.Use of ADB for hidden browsers (advanced method)

If the browser is not visible in the settings and does not open web pages, but you suspect that it is installed (for example, after resetting to factory settings), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Do it in the command line:

adb shell pm list packages | grep browser

The system will display a list of packages associated with browsers.

• com.android.browser is a standard Android browser (rarely found on Xiaomi).
• com.mi.globalbrowser - Mi Browser (Global Edition)
• com.android.chrome — Google Chrome.
• mark.via — Via Browser.

If the teams don’t work, try:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "browser"

⚠️ Note: Packet names may vary on HyperOS devices, such as Mi Browser, which may be called com.mi.browser.global or com.mi.browser.overseas.

Check through the "Recent Appendices" menu

If the browser was opened recently, it can be identified through the multitasking menu:

1. Open any web page (for example, click on the link in the message).
2. Swipe up and hold (or click on the square icon in the navigation bar).
3. Find the open browser window in the list and look at its icon and name.

Notice the badges:

• 🔵 Blue circle with white letter "e" - Mi Browser.
• 🟢🟡🔴 Colored Circle – Google Chrome.
• 🦊 Orange Fox - Firefox.
• 🌍 Globe – Via Browser or other lightweight browser.

If the icon is unfamiliar, take a screenshot and check it out through Google’s image search (e.g. Google Lens).

Open any link from the message|Look at the icon in multitasking|Check with the list of standard Xiaomi browsers|If necessary, install Chrome from Play Market-->

How to Change the Default Browser to Xiaomi

If you have identified your current browser but want to change it to another browser (e.g. from Mi Browser to Chrome), follow these steps:

1. Install your desired browser from the Play Market or Mi App Store.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
3. Select the browser you want from the list (e.g. Chrome).
4. Confirm the change.

On HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⚙️ (settings) → Default applications → browser.

If the desired browser is not in the list, first open it manually and wait for the system request for the default assignment.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (without Google services), Chrome may not appear in the default list.In this case, use Mi Browser or install Firefox from alternative sources.

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On Xiaomi with HyperOS, changing the default browser may require a device reboot to take effect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about browsers on Xiaomi