How to make any browser the main one in Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO shell-based MIUI They're known for their flexibility, but the default browser is often a question, unlike pure Android, where it takes a few clicks to change a standard app. MIUI 12-15 This process may be hidden behind unobvious settings or blocked by the system, due to aggressive integration of the proprietary Mi Browser browser, firmware level restrictions and features of the Chinese version of the software.

Complicating the problem, the way to setup can change after the system updates, and some models (especially for the Chinese market) do not have the ability to change the browser through the standard menu. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to make Chrome, Firefox, Edge or another browser the main one, from official methods to bypassing system restrictions.

If you are faced with a situation where after installing a new browser links still open in Mi Browser, or the system ignores your choice - this guide will help to regain control. We tested all methods on the current versions of MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese firmware) and took into account the nuances for popular models: Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5.

Why Xiaomi limits browser choice by default?

The branded Mi Browser browser is deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s ecosystem – it is responsible not only for opening web pages, but also for processing links from system notifications, messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and even some MIUI features, such as Quick Answers in the notification panel.

• 🔗 Traffic monetization: Mi Browser uses its own servers to compress traffic and displays ads on the homepage.
• 🛡️ Security: In China, browsers must comply with local censorship laws, so Xiaomi is blocking alternatives on firmware for the domestic market.
• 📱 Common experience: The company strives for unification of the interface, where all system applications work out of the box without additional settings.
• 🔄 Bypassing Android Restrictions: Starting with Android 10, Google has tightened the default browser choices, but Xiaomi uses its own mechanisms to bypass those rules.

On global firmware (MIUI Global), the restrictions are milder, but even here, users are faced with the fact that after updating the system, browser selection is reset. On the Chinese versions (MIUI China), the default browser change is often not available at all without additional manipulation.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with firmware MIUI China (you can recognize it by the absence of Google services) an attempt to change the browser through standard settings can lead to a failure to open links from WeChat or QQ. In this case, the method of using ADB (described in section 3).

Method 1: Standard browser change via MIUI settings

This method works on most global firmware MIUI 12-15 (except for the Chinese versions), the instructions are relevant for models Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and other smartphones based on Android 11-14.

Steps to change the browser:

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on the Browser item and select the desired application from the list.

If the browser item is not in the menu, try an alternative way:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Autostart.
2. Find your browser (such as Chrome) in the list and enable AutoRun option for it.
3. Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management and check for the Browser item.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)|Open the autorun settings for the browser|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 10A or POCO M4 Pro), a notification may appear after selecting the browser: "It is impossible to install this application by default." This means that the system browser is locked at the firmware level.

Method 2: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use apps that force you to change your default settings through the Android Accessibility Service.

• 📱 Default App Manager – allows you to manually assign the browser by default, bypassing restrictions MIUI. Link to Google Play.
• 🔧 SetEdit – System Settings Editor (requires inclusion) ADB Read more about the settings below.
• 🛠️ App Cloner creates a copy of the browser with the right to be "default"; useful if the original application is blocked by the system.

Instructions for Default App Manager:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Provide access to Special Opportunities (a pop-up will appear automatically).
3. In the main menu, select Browser.
4. Slip on the desired application and confirm the choice.

SetEdit will require a PC connection:

1. Install SetEdit and connect the phone to your computer via USB-Debugging (how to turn on - see Section 3).
2. Enter the command at the terminal: adb shell pm grant com.setedit.android appops SET_DEFAULT_APPS
3. Open SetEdit, find the Default Apps section, and manually write a browser package (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome).

⚠️ Note: Applications like SetEdit can cause system instability if you edit your settings incorrectly. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Google Chrome|Mozilla Firefox|Microsoft Edge|Opera|Other-->

Method 3: Change browsers via ADB (for advanced users)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is the most reliable way to get around the limitations of MIUI, especially on Chinese firmware, and does not require root rights, but requires a computer and basic command-line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn it on. USB-Debugging: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, To activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and include USB-debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

• Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
• Connect your smartphone via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
• In the Platform Tools folder, run the terminal (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here for Windows).
• Follow the commands: adb devices (should appear with a serial number) adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.browser (clears the settings of the standard browser) adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main (replaces com.android.chrome with your browser package, see the table below)

After completing the commands, restart your phone. If the links still open in the Mi Browser, follow the additional command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

This command will completely disable the system browser, but may cause some MIUI features to crash (e.g., quick notification responses).

💡

If, after use, ADB browser resets after restart, add the command adb shell pm grant [browser packet browser] android.permission.SET_PREFERRED_APPLICATIONS (Replace [browser packet] with a real name, such as com.android.chrome).

What if links do not open in the selected browser?

Even after a successful browser change by default, Xiaomi users often find that links from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or email clients open in Mi Browser.

• 🔄 Messenger cache: Clear the app cache from which links are not opened (for example, Settings) → Annexes → Telegram → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📌 Messenger settings: In some applications (e.g, VK or Facebook) the browser is set up separately by default. Go to the messenger settings and find the section "Open links in the browser...".
• 🛠️ Intent filter conflict: If multiple browsers are installed, Android can reset the choice.Remove unnecessary browsers or use Default App Manager to force the assignment.
• 🔗 Reset application settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Reset application settings. Attention: this will reset all default settings, including SMS, phone.

For Telegram and WhatsApp, there is a separate solution:

1. Open the messenger and send yourself any link.
2. Hold your finger on the link and select Open in the browser.
3. In the window that appears, select the desired browser and tick Always.

Features for Chinese firmware (MIUI China)

On devices with MIUI China firmware (without Google services), the default browser change is complicated by the lack of Google Play and severe system-level restrictions, with only two methods working:

• 🔧 ADB-commands (described in the method) 3), But with an additional step: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser This command completely removes the system browser, which can disrupt some functions (for example, payment via Mi Pay).
• 📦 Installation of global firmware: Radical method - flash the device on MIUI Global via Fastboot. Instructions and firmware can be found on Xiaomi Firmware Updater.Risk: loss of warranty and possible brick (turning the phone into a brick").

Chinese firmware also has a problem where links from WeChat or Alipay stop opening after a browser change, because these apps are tightly tied to Mi Browser for payment processing.

1. Install a parallel version of the browser via App Cloner or Island (sandbox).
2. Assign a default browser clone by leaving the original Mi Browser to work with Chinese services.

💡

On Chinese firmware. MIUI China’s only reliable way to change browsers is to use ADB-However, this can disrupt payment systems and instant messengers, so weigh the risks.

Alternative solutions: bypassing restrictions without changing the browser

If none of the methods worked, or you don’t want to risk system stability, consider alternative ways to use your favorite browser:

• 🌐 Browser widget: Add the desired browser widget (e.g. Chrome) to the home screen for quick access.
• 🔗 Open C.: Install a utility like Open Link With that lets you manually select a browser for each link.
• 📱 User profiles: Create a second user in the system (Settings) → System system → Multiple users) and assign the default browser to it only.
• 🛠️ Install LineageOS or Pixel Experience – there are no restrictions MIUI. Disadvantage: Loss of camera functions and some sensors.

For users who often work with links from messengers, the following life hack is suitable:

1. Copy the link from the chat.
2. Open the desired browser and insert the link in the address bar.
3. Use extensions like Copy Link Text (for Chrome) to make the process easier.

If it’s critical to open all links in one browser, but standard methods don’t work, consider buying a device with a “clean” Android (like Google Pixel or Nothing Phone) or a smartphone from another brand (Samsung, OnePlus), where there are no such restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi