How to return the choice of the application to open files on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

The situation is familiar to many: you download a new file, try to open it, but instead of the usual window with the selection of the application (MIUI automatically launches the last used one), or worse, the system ignores your preferences and stubbornly opens the document in an unnecessary program. On Xiaomi smartphones, this problem arises from the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively caches file associations. Unlike “pure” Android, where resetting a selection takes a couple of clicks, additional manipulation is often required.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to return the dialog of the choice of the application – from standard settings MIUI to hidden features for power users, and we will focus on Redmi models, POCO and flagships of the Xiaomi series 13/14, Where the logic of the work may differ, you will also learn why after the update MIUI 14/15 The problem comes back, and how to avoid it. All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (2023–2026 d.) and do not require root rights.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the choice of application for files

The reason is MIUI’s policy of optimizing user experience: Xiaomi’s shell uses file associations to remember your latest choices and automatically apply them to similar files, which is convenient in theory, but in practice leads to two key problems:

• 🔄 Hard caching: MIUI not just remembers the choice, but fixes it at the system level, ignoring changes in application settings.
• 📱 Manufacturer conflict: For example,.apk files are opened by default in the MI File Manager, even if you have an alternative conductor installed.
• 🔄 Failures after updates: After May updates MIUI 14.0.5+ Many users complain about the reset of associations to factory values.

It's important to understand that this is not a bug, but a feature, which is how Xiaomi tries to speed up file openings. However, for users working with multiple applications (such as WPS Office + Microsoft Word + Google Docs), this behavior becomes a serious obstacle. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this limitation.

Method 1: Reset file associations in MIUI settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It works on all models starting with MIUI 12, but the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. In the window that appears, activate the option to Reset the default opening settings and confirm the action.

This method resets all file associations for all applications, so after applying it, you will have to re-select programs for each file type. If the problem is only one extension (for example,.pdf), move to the next method.

💡

If the item "Reset application settings" is not in the menu, try the path: Settings → System → Additional → Resetting → Reset application settings.

Method 2: Manual reset for a specific file type

If you only need to return a choice for a specific format (like.jpg or.mp3), use this method. It pinpoints the association without affecting other files.

1. Find the file type in MI File Manager (or any other conductor).
2. Hold your finger on the file until the context menu appears, and select Open with help.
3. At the bottom of the screen, tap on More Details (or More), then select Clear Silences.
4. Now, the next time you open a file of this type, an application selection dialog will appear.

This method does not always work – for example, for.apk files, MIUI can block reset for security reasons, in which case cleaning the cache (method 3) will help.

Method 3: Clearing the cache and data "Settings" and "Conductor"

Sometimes the problem lies in the corrupted cache of the system applications responsible for processing files, a method that is more radical, but is effective in 80% of cases when a standard reset does not help.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings app (the icon with the gear) and open its page.
3. Slip on the Storage and select Clear Cache and Clear Data.
4. Repeat steps 2–3 for the MI File Manager application.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Warning: Clearing the Settings app data will reset some personal settings (e.g., the order of the tiles in the notification curtain) however, this does not affect the user's basic data (photos, contacts, etc.).

Take screenshots of the current screen settings

Remember the order of the icons in the control panel

Make sure you know the Wi-Fi password (it may reset)

Make sure that important files are not stored in the MI Cloud-->

Method 4: Using ADB to reset all associations

If previous methods don’t work, you’ll need to connect the ADB debugging bridge, which requires a computer but is guaranteed to reset all file associations, including those blocked by MIUI.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.providers.media


adb shell pm clear-defaults com.miui.fileexplorer

These commands reset the associations for media files and Xiaomi Explorer. Once done, restart the device. If you want to reset the associations for a particular application (like Google Chrome), use:

adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome

Important: After completion ADB-Some system applications (such as Gallery) may temporarily run unstable, which is normal, after 1-2 reboots, everything will recover.

💡

ADB-The method is the only way to reset associations for.apk files and system formats that are MIUI lock-in.

Method 5: Installation of an alternative conductor (bypass)

If none of the methods worked, the radical solution is to completely abandon the standard MIUI Explorer.Install an alternative file manager (such as Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Total Commander) and configure it as the default application.

How to do this:

1. Install the selected explorer from Google Play.
2. Open any file through a new Explorer and select it in the Open with dialog.
3. Always tick (or use it by default).
4. In MIUI settings, disable or freeze the standard MI File Manager (via Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disable).

The advantage of this method is that alternative conductors (like Solid Explorer) don't impose file associations and always show a choice dialog, but you have to get used to the new interface.

Note: If you disable MI File Manager, some system functions (such as file sharing via Mi Share) may not work properly, in which case return the standard Explorer and use the alternative only to open files.

How to prevent the re-disappearance of application selection

Even after a successful association reset, MIUI can block app selection again. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Regularly clean the Settings and Explorer app cache (once every 1-2 months).
• 🚫 Don't update. MIUI in the first 2-3 weeks after the release of the new version – wait for reviews about bugs with associations.
• 📱 Use the "Lite" versions of applications (for example, WPS Office Lite, which are less likely to conflict with MIUI.
• 🔧 Turn off optimization. MIUI for critical applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Battery → No restrictions.

If the problem comes back after each update, consider switching to custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS).They lack the aggressive file association policy inherent in MIUI. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and losing warranty.

adb shell dumpsys package d > associations_backup.txt

This file can be used to restore settings after the update.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about choosing applications on Xiaomi