How to Remove the Default App on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Did you accidentally choose Google Chrome as the default browser — and now all links open only in it? Or did the system impose Mi Browser instead of your favorite Firefox? Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) often automatically assign standard apps for calling, SMS, opening files or viewing photos. Let's figure out how to remove the default app and take back control of the phone.

Complicating the problem, different versions of the MIUI shell (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) may have different paths to settings, and some system applications (such as Mi Gallery or Mi Music) block the ability to reset through the standard menu. In this article, 5 proven ways, including hidden developer settings and bypassing restrictions for stock firmware.

Important: If you’re trying to remove a system application (like Mi Browser or Mi Video), it can’t be completely removed without root rights, but you can disable auto-start and reset the file types. For third-party applications (like WhatsApp or VLC), the process is simpler – just a few taps.

Why Xiaomi imposes the application by default

The MIUI shell (and its new version of HyperOS) is optimized to work with Xiaomi’s branded services, which means that:

• 📱 When you first start your phone, the system automatically assigns Mi Browser to open web links, Mi Gallery to photo, and Mi Music to audio files.
• 🔄 After updating the firmware settings can be reset, and standard applications return to "the circle".
• 🔒 Some system applications (such as Mi Video) block the ability to reset via the Default Apps menu – they must be disabled through the Developer Settings.
• 📦 Pre-installed applications (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may arbitrarily assign themselves as processors for certain file types (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home, PDF or APK).

Xiaomi is also actively integrating its services with cloud-based features (such as syncing bookmarks in Mi Browser or backing up photos in Mi Cloud), which creates the illusion of “needing” to use proprietary applications, although in practice they can be replaced with analogues from Google or third-party developers.

⚠️ Note: If you reset Mi Browser as the default browser but don't assign a replacement (like Chrome or Firefox), links from messages and emails will stop opening automatically.The system will request an app selection with each click.

Method 1: Standard reset via settings (MIUI 12–14, HyperOS)

This is the easiest method that works for most third-party applications (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, VLC). For system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Gallery) it may not work - go to method 2 or 3.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. In the list, find the category you want to change (for example, Browser, Gallery, Music).
4. Click on the current default app (like Mi Browser) and select Reset or another app from the list.

If the app you want isn’t listed (for example, you want to assign Firefox but it’s not among the options), install it from Google Play first and repeat the steps.

Make sure that an alternative app is installed (e.g. Chrome for the browser)

Close all background processes (click Clear Everything in the Multitasking Menu)

Check the MIUI version (in Settings → About Phone)

Take a screenshot of the current settings (in case of an error)-->

On some firmware, the default App may be called Silence or Default Settings. If you don't find it, search the settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

Method 2: Reset via specific application settings

If the standard method didn’t work (for example, for Mi Browser or Mi Gallery), try resetting the settings directly in the application information. MIUI, including HyperOS.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want to remove (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. Scroll down to the Open by default (or default settings) block.
4. Click Reset settings or Clear silences.

The system will then request an application selection when the appropriate file type is opened next (e.g., when you click on a link or start a photo).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or X-ray) POCO X5) Resetting Mi Browser can cause links to stop opening altogether, in which case, immediately after reset, assign another browser (such as Chrome) manually.

Method 3: Using developer settings (for system applications)

If previous methods didn’t work (for example, for Mi Gallery or Mi Video), turn on developer mode and use hidden settings.This works on all Xiaomi devices, including Redmi and POCO.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS build number).
3. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.
4. Return to the main Settings menu and a new item for developers will appear.

Now reset the default settings:

1. Open the Settings. → For developers.
2. Find the option Reset app preferences (or Reset app preferences in English).
3. Confirm the reset. This will remove all default assignments for all applications.

Once reset through developer mode, you’ll have to reconfigure permissions for all applications (camera, microphone, geolocation) – a radical method, but one that’s guaranteed to work for even the most stubborn Xiaomi system applications.

Mi Browser

Mi Gallery

Mi Music

Mi Video

Other-->

Method 4: Disable system applications via ADB (for advanced)

If you’re ready to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can completely disable Xiaomi system applications that are imposed by default.This method requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer (download from the official website).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings → Developers → USB debugging).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Make sure the device is determined.)

adb shell pm list packages | grep miui

(This team will display a list of Xiaomi system packages.)

To turn off, for example, Mi Browser, use:

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

For Mi Gallery:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.gallery

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications can cause the phone to function in an unstable way, for example, if you turn off the Mi Gallery, some camera features (such as watching photos taken right after shooting) may stop working.

💡

Before disabling system applications via ADB, back up your data. Use the command adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab to save all applications and their data to your computer.

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use specialized apps from Google Play that allow you to manage default settings without manually entering commands.

Top.-3 Default application resetting utilities:

• 🔧 App Manager (AppOps) – shows all system and user applications, allows you to reset silences and manage permissions.
• 🛠️ Default App Manager – specializes in resetting standard applications, supports Xiaomi and other brands.
• 🔄 Reset Default Apps – a simple tool for quickly resetting all silences with one tap.

How to use:

1. Install one of the apps (e.g. Default App Manager) from Google Play.
2. Open it and give you access to settings (Usages Access permission may be required).
3. Find the app you want to remove (such as Mi Browser).
4. Then, click on it and select Clear Defaults.

The advantage of these utilities is that they show all applications, including those hidden in the standard MIUI settings. For example, through them you can reset the silences for Mi Video Player or Mi File Explorer, which are not usually displayed in the Default Applications menu.

What to do if nothing helps

If none of these methods worked, the following reasons are possible:

• 🔒 Your firmware has been modified (for example, customized). MIUI or Global ROM restrictively).
• 📱 The device is blocked by the operator (for example, some Redmi models for the Russian market have strict silences).
• 🔄 The latest update resets settings and returns system applications by default.
• 🛡️ System Protection (in some versions) MIUI 14 She blocks the change of silence).

Decisions:

1. Check the MIUI version: some of the default reset bugs have been fixed in the latest updates. Update the firmware through Settings → System Update.
2. Do a reset (without deleting data): Settings → Additional → Reset. This will return all settings to factory settings, but will not delete your files.
3. Install custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) if you are annoyed by MIUI limitations.
4. Contact Xiaomi for support: If the problem is caused by a firmware bug, they may offer a solution (e.g., a test version of the update).

💡

If you use Xiaomi with firmware for the Russian market (for example, Redmi Note 11 RU), some system applications (for example, Mi Browser) may be rigidly tied by default due to local legislation, in which case only the installation of global (Global) or European (EEA) firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting apps by default