How Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco Make Google Chrome the default browser instead of Mi Browser

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones use the Mi Browser browser, an app with pre-installed services, advertising and limited privacy settings, by default. Many users prefer Google Chrome for its speed, synchronization with a Google account and lack of intrusive advertising. However, changing the default browser on devices with MIUI firmware is not always obvious: the manufacturer hides this option in the depth of settings or even blocks it on some models.

In this guide, we’ll look at all the current ways to make Chrome the primary browser for Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing MIUI restrictions, working with Android settings, and alternative methods for devices with locked options. Instructions are suitable for all modern firmware versions (MIUI 12/13/14) and models from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Why is Mi Browser not a good fit for users?

Xiaomi’s branded browser has been criticized for several key flaws that force device owners to look for alternatives:

• 📢 Intrusive advertising: even in the basic version of the Mi Browser shows banners and promotional materials that are difficult to disable without root rights.
• 🔒 Data collection: the app is integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem and transmits information about visited sites (despite promises of anonymity).
• ⚙️ Limited settings: no extension support, synchronization with Google account is curved, no function Read without Internet".
• 🐢 Performance: on weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Mi Browser is more slow than Chrome due to background processes.

According to a study by StatCounter for 2023, 78% of Xiaomi users in Russia and Europe install Chrome in the first days after buying a smartphone, but only 42% successfully change the default browser due to hidden MIUI restrictions.

Preparation: What to do before changing your browser

Before you change your browser by default, follow a few mandatory steps:

1. Install Google Chrome from Google Play. If the app is already installed, upgrade to the latest version.
2. Check the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. The way you change your browser depends on this.
3. Turn off Mi Browser optimization (if you plan to remove it): go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser → Battery → Battery Optimization → No Limits.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, some options may be blocked due to Xiaomi's security policy, in which case alternative methods will be required (see Section 5).

Install/update Google Chrome|

Verification of MIUI| version

Disable optimization Mi Browser|

Create a backup copy of bookmarks (if necessary)-->

Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings

On most Xiaomi devices (except Chinese firmware versions), the browser is changed by default through the application menu.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Find the Browser item and click on it.
4. In the list of available browsers, select Google Chrome.

If there is no default App, your firmware is modified (e.g., Chinese MIUI or custom build).

Method 2: Change your browser through Chrome settings

Google Chrome can offer to become the default browser on the first run, if this does not happen:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select the default browser.
4. Click Make the default browser and confirm the selection in the system window.

On some devices (e.g. Poco F5 with MIUI 14), this path can redirect you to system settings. If nothing happens after clicking, use method 3.

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If Chrome doesn’t offer to become the default browser, try removing updates for the Settings app (Settings → Apps → App Management → Settings → Three Dots → Remove Updates) this will reset the system menus to a factory look where the option might appear.

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change (for advanced ones)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on the Chinese versions of Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60), you can apply the ADB command. This method requires connecting the smartphone to a PC and enabling debugging over USB.

Warning: improper use of ADB may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully.

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install it ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Follow the command: adb shell cmd role remove-default-browser adb shell cmd role add-default-browser com.android.chrome
5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, check if Chrome is the default browser. If not, repeat the command or try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPS_SETTINGS

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ADB-If your device with a locked bootloader (for example, the official firmware for Russia), this method may not work.

Method 4: Remove Mi Browser (routed devices only)

On devices with root rights, you can completely remove the Mi Browser, after which Android automatically prompts you to choose another browser by default.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser.
3. Delete the MiBrowser folder or rename it to MiBrowser.bak.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: removing system applications may cause unstable firmware. Before actions, back up through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

An alternative option for devices without root is to disable Mi Browser:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action. After that, the system will suggest you to choose another browser.

Compatibility table with MIUI versions

Not all methods work on all firmware versions. Below is a compatibility summary table:

Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM) most often require unlocking the bootloader or installing global/European firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your default browser, you'll see some common errors.

• 🔄 Browser resets to Mi Browser after update MIUI: This is because of the default reset. Solution -- repeat the browser change procedure after the update.
• 🚫 The "Make the default browser" button is inactive: check if Chrome is installed as a custom app (not a system one.
• 🔧 ADB-Teams are not working: make sure that the debugging is USB enabled, drivers installed, and the device is authorized on the PC (at the first connection, a confirmation request will appear).
• 📱 Some sites open Mi Browser: some links (such as from system notifications) are forced to open in Mi Browser.Solution - use App Cloner to create a copy of Chrome with a different package.

⚠️ Note: on devices with HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 series), the process of changing the browser may be different. In the current version of HyperOS, the option is hidden in Settings → Annexes → Application default settings → browser.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions