How to Choose the Default Browser on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible settings, but changing the default browser is often a challenge. Unlike “pure” Android, where it takes a couple of clicks to select a link-opening app, MIUI can hide this process behind several menu layers — or not at all. Why is that? It’s Xiaomi’s policy that integrates its Mi Browser browser deep into the system, linking it to sync services, the cloud, and even smart home features.

In this article, we will look at all the default browser options available on Xiaomi devices, from official settings to workarounds for advanced users, focusing on the nuances of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), the limitations on individual models (such as Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5), and alternative solutions if standard options are not available, and learn how to bypass blocking browser changes on some firmware without resorting to root rights.

Why can’t Xiaomi just change the default browser?

The main problem lies in the architecture of MIUI. Unlike Google Chrome on Android stock, which is easily replaced by any other browser, Mi Browser at Xiaomi acts as a system component. It is responsible not only for opening web links, but also for:

• 🔗 Handling “fast links” in the Share menu (share)
• 📱 Synchronize bookmarks through Mi Account (Xiaomi account)
• 🛡️ Integration with security system (checking malicious links)
• 📊 Displaying web content in widgets (such as weather or news)

In MIUI 12-14 versions, the company has made the process somewhat simpler, but so far on some devices (especially in China or on firmware for the global market with pre-installed services), the browser change option can be hidden or blocked. For example, on Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5, users often face the absence of the “Browser by default” option in application settings.

⚠️ Note: On devices with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM) The default browser change can be completely blocked without the possibility of bypassing without root rights.

Official way: change the browser in the settings MIUI

If your device supports the standard Android mechanism, follow this instruction.It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 13/14 (global versions):

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
4. Slip on Browser.
5. In the list, select the browser you want (e.g. Chrome, Firefox or Edge).

If there is no default App, try an alternative path:

1. Open any browser installed (such as Chrome).
2. Enter about:flags and press Enter.
3. Find the Enable command line on non-rooted devices and activate it.
4. Close the browser and try to open any link – the system should suggest choosing the default browser.

Install an alternative browser from Google Play|Check the version. MIUI at the Settings → The phone.|Close all background applications|Restart the device before setting up-->

On some devices (e.g. POCO F4), a notification may appear after selecting a browser saying, “Some features may not work properly” because MIUI uses the Mi Browser system APIs to integrate with other services, and you can ignore it, because the basic functions (open links, download files) will work.

Alternative methods: if the standard method does not work

If you don't have a browser change option in your settings, try one of these methods. They don't require root rights, but they can vary in effectiveness depending on the model and firmware version.

Method 1: Use of ADB (for advanced users)

This is a good way to do things with USB debugging enabled, and you'll need a computer with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed:

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


adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.Main

Replace com.android.chrome with the browser package you want (e.g. org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox). After you execute the commands, restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures. Before executing commands, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 2: Removing Mi Browser Updates

On some Mi Browser devices, you can “roll back” to the factory version, which sometimes unlocks the possibility of turning it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.
4. Try to set the browser by default again through the settings.

Method 3: Use of third-party launchers

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to flexibly configure link processing.

1. Open the launcher settings.
2. Find the default section of the App or Link Processing.
3. Select your preferred browser to open web addresses.

This method does not change the system settings, but intercepts clicks on links on the home screen and in the application menu.

Comparison of browsers for Xiaomi: which one to choose?

Before you change your browser by default, you should evaluate the alternatives. Below is a comparison of popular solutions by key parameters:

For devices with 4GB of RAM or less, Opera or Chrome are better optimized for weak hardware. If privacy is the priority, choose Firefox with enhanced protection settings or Brave (but be prepared for possible bugs on MIUI 12).

💡

Before installing an alternative browser, clear the Mi Browser cache in the application settings. This will help avoid conflicts when opening links.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful browser change, Xiaomi users may experience problems, and let’s look at typical scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Links still open in Mi Browser

If, after changing your browser by default, links from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or mail open in Mi Browser, follow the following steps:

1. Open the settings of the application from which the link opens (for example, Telegram).
2. Find the section Opening Links by Default or Processing URLs.
3. Reset the settings to the default values.
4. Re-select the browser you want the next time you open the link.

Problem 2: “App is not responding” error when selecting a browser

This error often occurs on MIUI 12.5 when you try to assign the default browser.

• 📱 Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button) → Safe regime).
• 🔄 Repeat trying to change your browser.
• 🚫 If the error persists, uninstall the updates for Mi Browser (see method 2 above).

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the default browser reset

Xiaomi sometimes resets its default settings after major updates.

1. Before updating, back up the settings through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. After the update, do not click Ready in the setup wizard – first return the browser by default.
3. Turn off the automatic Mi Browser update on Google Play.

💡

If none of these methods worked, check if your device has China ROM, in which case the default browser change is only possible after flashing to the global version of MIUI.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of changing the browser may vary depending on the model and firmware version, and below are the key nuances for popular devices.

Redmi Note 10/11/12 Series

On these models with MIUI 13/14, the browser change option is usually available via the standard Settings menu → Apps → Default Apps. However, on the Chinese versions (China ROM), the option may not be available.

• 🌍 Install a global firmware through MIUI bootloader.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-commands (see method 1 above).

POCO F3/4/5 Series

POCO devices often come with a lightweight version of MIUI, where the Mi Browser can be turned off completely:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Install an alternative browser and assign it by default.

Xiaomi 12/13 Series

Flagship models with MIUI 13/14 have the most flexible settings, but can conflict with Chromium-based browsers (such as Brave or Kiwi).

• 🛠️ Turn off hardware acceleration in browser settings.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of Android System WebView in the application settings.

Redmi 9A/9C/10A

Budget models often lack the option to change browsers due to limited resources.

1. Install Firefox Focus, a lightweight browser without synchronization.
2. Use it as a “secondary” browser by copying the links manually.

Security: Risks of changing the default browser

While replacing the Mi Browser with an alternative browser seems like a harmless procedure, it can affect some of the features of MIUI.

1. Loss of synchronization with Mi Account

Mi Browser is integrated with Xiaomi’s cloud, so after it’s turned off:

• 🔄 Bookmarks and history will not sync between devices.
• 📁 Files downloaded through the browser can be saved to unpredictable folders.

Solution: Use a sync-enabled browser via Google or Firefox Account.

2. Problems with system notifications

Some MIUI notifications (e.g., new features or updates) contain web links that may not open in an alternative browser.

1. Open Settings → Notifications → Additional settings.
2. Find the Link Processing section in the notifications.
3. Select your browser manually.

3. Conflicts with system applications

Applications like Mi Video or Mi Music are sometimes redirected to web pages via Mi Browser, ignoring the default settings.

• 📦 Remove updates for problematic applications.
• 🔗 Use alternative players (e.g., use alternative players, VLC or YouTube Music).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and below attempt to disable Mi Browser via ADB This can cause system services that handle push notifications to crash!

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi