How to return the choice of the application to open links to Xiaomi: all ways

Have you ever encountered a situation where your Xiaomi automatically opens all links in one browser — like in Mi Browser — without the ability to choose Chrome, Firefox or another app? This problem is typical of MIUI firmware, where the manufacturer often blocks the standard default app selection dialogue, resulting in users losing control over which application handles web links, files or even phone numbers.

The reason for this behavior lies in Xiaomi’s aggressive policy of promoting its own services. The system can reset default settings after updates, install priority applications without the user’s knowledge or even hide the option of choosing. Fortunately, you can regain control in several ways, from simple settings in the menu to deep changes through ADB or third-party utilities. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 12-15, including bypassing the restrictions for models with HyperOS.

Before you start settings, make sure that the problem is not related to a particular application. For example, some messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) have their own built-in browsers and can ignore system settings. Also check if the device has management profiles (such as Mi Work or corporate policies) that block changes.

1. Standard reset default settings in MIUI

So, to start with the obvious, check the basic settings of the system, and most of the time, the default application menu solves the problem, but in MIUI, this section is often hidden or limited. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the "Settings" (cog 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. In the list, find the category "Browser" or "Open links" and tap it.
5. Select the desired app (like Google Chrome) or click Reset to return the selection dialog.

If the default App item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Search by settings: enter in the search bar (magnifying glass at the top) the request "default applications" - the system can give a hidden partition.
• 📱 Through application information: Open the settings of any browser (such as Chrome), find Open Supported Links and enable the Open option in this app.
• 🔄 Resetting all settings: in Settings → The phone. → Reset settings select Reset application settings (does not delete data, only returns settings to factory settings).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5) After reset, you may need to restart the device to make the changes effective. If the selection dialog never appears, move on to the next method.

Note that MIUI 14+ and HyperOS may have different paths to settings. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS 1.0, the App section is moved by default to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Default Apps. If you don’t find an option, search by settings.

2.Use of ADB for forced discharge

If the standard settings do not help, you will have to connect the debugging USB use the team ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method works on all versions MIUI, including the latest, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

First, prepare the device:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via a cable (preferably original) and confirm your trust in your computer on your smartphone screen.

Now, follow the commands in ADB:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter alternately: adb shell pm clear-defaults (resets all default settings) adb shell cmd appops set com.android.browser NOOPEN_LINKS_WITHOUT_USER_ACTION allow (allows you to choose a browser for Mi Browser)

For specific applications (such as Chrome) use:

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

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They may be in conflict with politicians. MIUI. If you still open the links in Mi Browser after you do this, try to disable it further by: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 But remember: this will completely remove the standard browser from the system, which can lead to errors in the operation of certain functions (for example, Mi Account).

Developer mode activated

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB drivers on PC

Smartphone connected with original cable

Confirmed trust in the computer on the phone-->

3. Third-party utilities for managing settings

If manual methods don't work, specialized applications will come to the rescue, which allow you to bypass the limitations of MIUI without ADB or root rights, and here are proven tools with instructions.

Let’s look at Default App Manager in more detail:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the permissions requested.
3. In the list, find the category "Browser" (browser) or "Links" (links).
4. Slip on the current default app (like Mi Browser) and select Clear (clean).
5. The next time you open the link, a selection dialog will appear.

For App Manager:

• 🔧 Open the app and find it in the Mi Browser list or another browser.
• 📋 Go to the Permissions tab and find the Open supported links.
• 🔄 Turn off the option Open by default (open by default).

⚠️ Note: Applications like SetEdit require root rights and can disrupt system stability. Use them only if other methods fail and you understand the risks. For example, changing the settings.db database incorrectly can lead to bootloop).

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If you open links in an empty window after using third-party utilities, reboot the device. This will reset the system cache and apply changes.

4. Manual editing of system files (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root access, and allows you to manually change the priorities of applications in system files, but requires caution.

In MIUI, two key files are responsible for link processing:

• /data/system/users/0/settings_global.xml — Contains global settings including default apps.
• /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml – restrictions on link opening for specific packages.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Cross the path. /data/system/users/0/ and find the file. settings_global.xml.
3. Make a backup copy of it (copy it elsewhere).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with: <setting id="default_browser" value="com.android.browser" /> Replace the value with the desired package (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome).
5. Save the changes, restart the device.

To reset all restrictions, you can delete the package-restrictions.xml file (the system will recreate it when you reboot it), but this can cause other application permissions to reset.

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without a backup could make the device inoperable.Before editing, make sure you have a backup NVRAM or full copy /data.

5. Features for HyperOS and new Xiaomi models

With the release of HyperOS (starting with Xiaomi 14 and Redmi K70), the logic of link processing has changed, now the system more actively blocks third-party browsers, and the default settings are hidden deeper.

• 🔄 Reset via Digital Well-being: Go to Settings → Digital well-being → Toolbars → Default applications.
• 📵 Disable Mi Browser: in Settings → Annexes → App management find Mi Browser, click Disable (do not delete!).This will force the system to suggest alternative browsers.
• 🔧 ADB-command for HyperOS: adb shell cmd role remove-role-holder android.app.role.BROWSER com.android.browser (removes Mi Browser from the default browser role).

HyperOS also has a feature called "Intelligent Link Opening," which automatically selects an application based on its history of use, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Smart features.
2. Find the option Intelligent Link Opening and deactivate it.

For the POCO F6 and Redmi Note 13 models with HyperOS, an additional step may be required – cleaning the system cache:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Choose Deep Cleanup and confirm the action.
3. Reset the device.

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On HyperOS, standard methods (like resetting through Default Apps) may not work. Always check for new menu items under Digital Well-Being or Special Opportunities.

Alternative solutions: circumvention of restrictions

If none of these methods work, there are workarounds that don't restore the choice dialogue, but they allow you to control which application opens the links.

• 🌐 Use Open in Browser: Many apps (such as Twitter or Instagram) offer the option to Open in the browser with a long tap on the link. Select it, then manually copy it. URL and insert it into the right browser.
• 🔗 Interceptor Apps: Open Link With allows you to select a browser for each link separately. Better Open With creates a notification when you open a link with the choice of the application.
• 📥 Changing the link handler via Tasker: Install Tasker and the AutoInput plugin. Create a task that intercepts clicks on links and redirects them to your chosen browser.

For enterprise devices or phones with managed profiles (e.g., Mi Work or Android Enterprise), you may need to contact an administrator.Some policies block changing default settings at the system level.

If the issue occurred after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous version via Fastboot or MIUI bootloader. Instructions for rollback can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums for a particular model.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you reconnect the application selection dialogue, users often face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If after all the manipulations the problem remains, check:

• 🛠️ Presence of viruses or malware: Some Trojans change default settings.Scan the device via Malwarebytes.
• 📦 Application conflict: remove newly installed browsers or launchers (for example, Nova Launcher sometimes intercepts links).
• 🔄 Regional restrictions: on firmware for China (China) ROM) Some settings are blocked. Consider flashing on Global. ROM.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions