What browser is used in Xiaomi: an overview of the standard solution and alternatives

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the question: which browser is installed in their device by default? the answer depends on the version of the MIUI firmware, the region of sale and the phone model. In most cases, this is the branded Mi Browser browser, but in some regions (for example, in Europe) Google Chrome or Firefox Focus may be preinstalled.

It's important to understand that the standard browser at Xiaomi is not just a surfing app, but part of the MIUI ecosystem integrated with the company's services. It offers synchronization with your Mi Account, ad blocking and accelerated page loading. However, many users have questions about its security, functionality and replacement options.

Standard browser in Xiaomi: what kind of application is it?

By default, Xiaomi smartphones (except for models for the European market) have Mi Browser installed – the development of the company itself. This application is based on the Chromium engine, like most modern browsers, but has a number of unique features:

• 🔍 Built-in ad blocker (works at the level) DNS content).
• 📱 Synchronize bookmarks, history and tabs through Mi Account.
• 🚀 Turbo Mode to Speed Up Page Loading (Traffic Compression).
• 🌙 Night mode with automatic switching.

But Mi Browser has its drawbacks, such as collecting user activity data (including browsing history) to personalize ads on Xiaomi services, and some users complain about the erratic work with some web applications, especially if they are optimized for Google Chrome.

In models for Europe (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12), instead of Mi Browser is often preinstalled Google Chrome - this is due to the requirements of GMS (Google Mobile Services), in such cases, Mi Browser may be missing or hidden in the folder Other applications.

How to determine which browser is installed in your Xiaomi?

To find out which browser is default, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the Browser or Mi Browser section.
3. If it’s not, check the Google folder – there could be Chrome.

You can also check through the default settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications.
2. Find the Browser item - the current application will be indicated there.

If there are multiple browsers on the list, then the device has alternative solutions (such as Chrome or Firefox), in which case you can choose any of them as the main one.

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If the settings do not include the “Browser” item, then your Xiaomi uses firmware without a pre-installed browser (for example, custom or for some regions).

Mi Browser vs. Alternatives: Which is Better?

To see if you should change the standard browser, compare it with popular alternatives:

The table shows that the Mi Browser is losing out on privacy and extensibility, but it is winning in integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem. If you care about speed and minimalism, consider Brave or Firefox Focus. If you are actively using Google services, Chrome will be the best choice.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. India), Mi Browser may contain pre-installed bookmarks for affiliate services, which can be manually removed in your browser settings.

How to Remove or Replace a Standard Browser in Xiaomi?

If you're going to get rid of Mi Browser, you can't completely remove it, because it's a system application.

• 🔄 Disable (deactivate) through settings.
• 📥 Install an alternative browser and make it the primary browser.
• 🗑️ Remove updates (return to factory version).

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser and open its page.
3. Click Disable (the button may be gray if the browser is system-based).

To make another browser the main one:

1. Install an alternative (such as Chrome or Firefox) from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
3. Select the browser and specify the desired application.

Download an alternative browser from Google Play|

Create a backup copy of bookmarks (export to HTML)|

Check if Xiaomi services tied to Mi Browser| are used

Turn off notifications from Mi Browser in settings-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5) Disabling Mi Browser can cause weather or news widgets to crash, as they use its engine to display content.

Mi Browser Optimization: How to Improve It?

If you choose to keep a standard browser, it can be configured for better performance and security:

• 🛡️ Enable ad blocking in the settings: Mi Browser → Settings → Confidentiality → Blocking ads.
• 🚀 Activate Turbo mode to speed up booting: Settings → Additionally. → Turbo mode.
• 🔒 Turn off data collection: Settings → Confidentiality → Personalized recommendations (turn off the slider).
• 📁 Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Clear the data → Cash.

You can also change the default search engine.

1. Open Mi Browser and go to Settings.
2. Select Search Engine and select Google, Yandex or DuckDuckGo.

If the browser is slowing down, try resetting its settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Browser.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the data (this will delete the history and bookmarks!).

Browser problems in Xiaomi: common mistakes and solutions

Users often face the following problems:

• 🔄 The browser constantly redirects to advertising sites → This can be caused by malware. Check the device with an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and reset your browser settings.
• 📱 The pages are not open, although the Internet is → Check the settings. DNS (Try 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8) or change your browser.
• 🔒 Account login is not working → Clear cookies or update your browser via Google Play.
• 🛠️ The browser flies off when it opens → Remove updates or reinstall the application.

If the problem persists, try the following steps:

1. Reset the device.
2. Check for MIUI updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → Connections and Sharing → Reset network settings.

If neither of these methods worked, it might be the firmware problem, and you should go to a service center or install custom firmware (like LineageOS), but that would require unlocking the bootloader.

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Most browser issues in Xiaomi are related to cache or conflicts with other apps. Before you reset your phone, try clearing your browser data and restarting your device.

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi: which one to choose?

If Mi Browser doesn’t suit you, consider the following options:

• 🌍 Google Chrome is the most popular browser with support for all web standards, suitable for working with Google services (for example, Docs or Meet).
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – privacy focus, support for extensions (e.g. uBlock Origin or Dark Reader).
• 🦁 Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default, supports cryptocurrency rewards for viewing ads.
• 🔍 DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser – Minimalist browser with maximum data protection (does not save history).
• ⚡ Microsoft Edge is a good Chrome alternative with built-in read mode and sync with Windows.

When choosing, pay attention to:

• 🔋 Battery Consumption – Chrome and Edge can consume more power than Firefox or Brave.
• 📡 Extension support – if you need adblocks or password managers, choose Firefox or Kiwi Browser.
• 🛡️ Privacy layer – Brave and DuckDuckGo do not collect data for targeted advertising.

To test browser speed, you can use services like BrowserBench or HTML5Test to help you objectively compare performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the browser in Xiaomi