How to choose a browser on Xiaomi: comparison of speed, security and convenience

Choosing a browser for a Xiaomi smartphone is a more difficult task than it seems at first glance. Unlike iOS, where users are limited to Safari and a couple of alternatives, owners of devices on MIUI get access to dozens of solutions — from the standard Mi Browser to niche applications with unique features. But how not get lost in this variety and choose an option that will be fast, safe and convenient for you?

The problem is complicated by the fact that the performance of the browser depends not only on its internal optimization, but also on the version of MIUI, the model of the smartphone (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13 Ultra), as well as on your habits: someone is important to synchronize with a Google account, someone – blocking ads, and someone – support for extensions. In this article, we will analyze the key selection criteria, compare popular browsers on real tests and give recommendations for different use cases – from traffic savings to maximum privacy.

Why the standard Mi Browser isn’t always the best choice

The Mi Browser is installed by default on all Xiaomi smartphones and integrated into the MIUI shell. It has its advantages: light weight (only ~50 MB), fast launch and minimal RAM consumption.

• 📊 Data collection: Mi Browser transmits information about visited sites to Xiaomi and partners (for example, for targeted advertising), as confirmed by research by Forbes and the German IT Security Agency.
• 🚫 Limited ad blocking: The built-in blocker works poorly, especially on mobile versions of websites.
• 🔄 No sync with other devices: If you use Chrome on a PC, history and bookmarks won’t be automatically migrated.
• 🛠️ No extensions: Unlike desktop browsers, you can’t install AdBlock or Dark Reader.

Moreover, in some regions (e.g. Europe), the Mi Browser comes pre-installed with Xiaomi affiliate services, which can annoy users. If privacy or functionality is critical to you, consider alternatives.

Key criteria for choosing a browser for Xiaomi

Before you install the first browser you see from Google Play, determine what is most important to you. We have identified 5 main parameters that are worth assessing:

1. Page loading speed – depends on the browser engine (Chromium, Gecko, Blink) and optimization for MIUI.
2. RAM and battery consumption – Some browsers (like Opera Mini) save traffic but slow down on weak devices.
3. Privacy Level – whether the browser collects data about you, whether there is a built-in VPN or tracker blocker.
4. Synchronizing with other devices is important if you are working with a smartphone, tablet, and PC at the same time.
5. Additional functions - support for extensions, dark theme, control gestures, built-in translator.

Important: on Xiaomi smartphones with 4-6 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 9A or Poco M4 Pro), heavy browsers like Chrome or Firefox can cause slowdowns when opening 10+ tabs. In such cases, it is better to choose lightweight versions (Chrome Lite, Opera Mini) or browsers with traffic compression function.

Comparison of popular browsers for Xiaomi: a table of characteristics

We tested the 7 most popular browsers on Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi Note 11 and Xiaomi 12T models) and compiled a comparison table. The scores are given on a 5-point scale, where 5 is the best result.

You can see from the table that Chrome and Kiwi Browser show the best balance of speed and functionality, and Firefox or Brave will do the best for maximum privacy.

⚠️ Warning: DuckDuckGo blocks trackers more aggressively than others, but because of this, some sites (such as bank or government portals) may not display correctly.

Which browser to choose for different use cases

There is no universal solution - the optimal browser depends on your tasks.

1.To save traffic and battery

If you have a limited rate or a weak smartphone (Redmi 8A, Poco C31), choose browsers with built-in data compression:

• 📉 Opera Mini – Compresses traffic by up to 90%, but cuts down on image quality.
• 🔋 Chrome Lite is a lightweight version of Chrome, consumes 40% less RAM.
• 🌐 UC Browser is popular in Asia, has a night mode and ad blocker.

2. For confidentiality and security

If you log in to bank accounts or work with sensitive data frequently, tracking protection and encryption are the priority:

• 🔒 Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default, supports Tor mode.
• 🦊 Firefox Focus – automatically deletes history and cookies after closing.
• 🕵️ DuckDuckGo does not save history, integrated with the search engine of the same name.

3. To work with multiple tabs

If you’re used to keeping dozens of tabs open (for example, for research or work), pay attention to:

• 🗂️ Chrome is the best PC sync, but eats up a lot of RAM.
• 🧩 Kiwi Browser – supports Chrome extensions (e.g., OneTab for tab grouping).
• 🔄 Vivaldi – has a built-in tab panel and control gestures.

Tip: On Xiaomi smartphones with 8 GB of RAM and higher (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Black Shark 5) you can safely use Chrome or Firefox without fear for performance. On budget models (Redmi 10A) it is better to limit yourself to 5-7 tabs.

How to Install and Configure an Alternative Browser on Xiaomi

Installing a browser on Xiaomi is no different than other Android devices, but there are a few important nuances associated with MIUI:

1. Download: Install browsers only from Google Play or an official website (e.g. https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/mobile/). Avoid third-party APKs - they may contain malicious code.
2. Permissions: Once installed, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Browser Name] → Permissions and enable access to memory (for downloading files) and microphone/camera (if you need voice search).
3. Default Browser: To open links in a new browser, go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser and select the desired one.
4. Optimization: MIUI has a Battery and Performance feature that can limit your browser’s performance in the background. Disable it for your browser in Settings → Battery → Application Selection.

For browsers with extension support (Kiwi, Firefox) we recommend installing:

• 🛡️ uBlock Origin is an ad blocker and tracker.
• 🌓 Dark Reader is a forced dark mode for all websites.
• 🔍 Google Translate is a fast translation of highlighted text.

⚠️ Warning: Some firmware MIUI (especially Chinese ones) may have Google Play blocked, in which case download browsers from official sites in.apk format, but pre-check the hash file on VirusTotal.

💡

If pages load slowly after installing the browser, try clearing the DNS cache. To do this, type chrome://net-internals/#dns (for Chrome) or about:networking#dns (for Firefox) and click "Clear host cache."

Speed Testing: Which browser is the fastest on Xiaomi?

We ran tests on the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) and Redmi Note 11 (Snapdragon 680) using Speedometer 2.0 (Javascript performance score) and JetStream 2 (engine optimization test).

Google Chrome leads the way, but the difference with Kiwi Browser is minimal. Interestingly, Firefox, despite lower scores in tests, subjectively feels faster on weak devices due to optimized resource consumption.

Bottom Line: If you want top speed, go for Chrome or Kiwi, and if stability is more important on budget smartphones, Firefox or Opera.

💡

Not only does the browser’s performance affect its engine, but the MIUI version as well. On firmware older than MIUI 13, some browsers (such as Vivaldi) may not work stable due to outdated WebView components.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When using alternative browsers on Xiaomi, users experience typical errors, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

1.The browser is permanently closed

Reason: Lack of RAM or conflict with MIUI Optimization.

Decision:

• Turn off battery optimization for the browser in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• Clear the browser cache in Settings → Apps → [Browser] → Memory → Clear the cache.
• If the problem remains, try to roll back the browser to the previous version (you can download APK on APKMirror).

2. Videos on websites are not working

Reason: No codec support or ad blocker interferes with downloading.

Decision:

• In Chrome or Kiwi, enable Settings → Site Settings → Media → Autoplay.
• For Firefox, install the h264ify extension (allows you to play H.264) video.
• Check if AdBlock blocks the player scripts (disable it on the problem site).

3. Bookmarks are not synchronized

Reason: Account conflict or an outdated version of the browser.

Decision:

• Make sure you are logged in to the same Google/Firefox account on all devices.
• In Chrome, check your sync settings: Settings → Your profile → Sync.
• If you use Mi Account, remember that it doesn’t sync with other browsers, just Mi Browser.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions