Are you tired of having links to your Xiaomi automatically open in the standard MIUI browser?Want to make Yandex Browser the main one for all web pages, but do not know how to get around the limitations of the system?This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO and other brands - despite the installation of an alternative browser, Android stubbornly ignores your choice.
In this article, we will discuss all working ways to change the default browser to Xiaomi in the 2026 From standard settings to bypassing hidden restrictions MIUI. You will learn why the system can reset your settings, how to fix the error “failed to install the default browser”, and what to do if Yandex Browser disappears from the list of available applications. 10-14 and MIUI 12-15, including recent updates.
Important: Some methods require developer rights or additional manipulation of system settings, and we noted such steps with special warnings – do not miss them to avoid malfunctioning of the smartphone.
Why Xiaomi does not allow you to change the browser by default?
Xiaomi is actively promoting its own services, including the Mi Browser browser, which is integrated into MIUI firmware, which creates several problems for users:
- 🔄 Automatic reset: Even after manually changing the browser, the system can return the Mi Browser as the main one after restarting or updating.
- 🚫 Limited choice in settings: in some versions MIUI Yandex Browser just doesn’t appear in the list of available apps for link opening.
- 📦 Pre-installed services: Mi Browser browser cannot be completely deleted without root rights, which creates conflicts with alternative programs.
Google has also tightened its default settings on Android 10+, and can now block changes to standard apps if they are linked to key OS features (like link processing or phone calls), which is compounded by additional restrictions from the manufacturer on Xiaomi.
Method 1: Standard browser change through Android settings
Let’s start with the simplest method, which works on most Xiaomi devices without any additional manipulation, and this method is suitable if:
- ✅ Yandex Browser installed and updated to the latest version.
- ✅ You see it in the list of available browsers.
- ✅ Your firmware does not have strict restrictions (for example, MIUI Global or MIUI Europe).
Instructions:
- Open your smartphone settings (the gear icon on your desktop).
- Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
- Slip on Browser.
- In the list that appears, select Yandex Browser (if not, see the section on solving this problem).
- Confirm the choice by clicking Set by default.
Remove the Yandex Browser cache (Settings → Applications → Yandex Browser → Storage → Clear the cache)
Update Yandex Browser to the latest version in Google Play
Reboot your smartphone before changing your settings
Make sure you have enough free memory (minimum 500MB)-->
⚠️ Attention: on some firmware MIUI (Especially Chinese versions) the default item of the App may not be available. In this case, move to the developer rights method.
Method 2: If Yandex Browser is not displayed in the list
A common problem with Xiaomi is that there are no alternative browsers in the selection menu, because it doesn't recognize Yandex as a full-fledged web link processing application, and it solves this in two ways:
Method A: Resetting application settings
Sometimes it helps to reset all default settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on three points → Reset application settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
- After switching on, repeat the steps from Method 1.
Method B: Manual Addition via ADB (for Advanced)
If the reset did not help, you can manually add Yandex Browser to the list of link handlers through ADB:
adb shell pm set-app-links --package com.yandex.browser default true
adb shell pm clear com.android.browserThese teams:
- 🔗 Forced installation of Yandex Browser (com.yandex.browser) as a link handler.
- 🧹 Clear the data of the standard browser (com.android.browser) to avoid conflicts.
💡
If you don’t have experience with ADB, use Minimal ADB. Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB Debugging in the developer settings, and enter commands in the terminal.
Method 3: Using the Developer Mode
On some MIUI firmware (especially MIUI China), browser change is blocked at the system level, in which case activation of the developer mode and forced change of settings will help.
Steps:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.
For developers
Install the application by default
Default app settings
browser
Yandex Browser
In some versions of MIUI, you also need to disable the option “Prohibit changing applications by default” (if any).
⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Developer settings may be reset. We recommend that you fix the browser selection through ADB (See Method 2 to avoid automatic reversion to Mi Browser.
Method 4: Forced installation through third-party utilities
If all previous methods failed, you can use specialized applications to manage default settings.
| Annex | How it works | Need root? | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default App Manager | Allows you to manually assign handlers for all types of links (HTTP, HTTPS, web pages) | ❌ No. | Google Play |
| SetEdit | Edits Android system settings, including default apps | ✅ Yeah (magisk needed) | XDA |
| App Cloner | Creates a copy of Yandex Browser with priority over system applications | ❌ No. | Google Play |
The most reliable root-free option is Default App Manager.
- Open the utility and provide all the permissions requested.
- Select the Browser category (Browser).
- In the list, find Yandex Browser and click Set as default.
- Reboot your smartphone.
Problem 2: Yandex Browser opens links, but does not save passwords / bookmarks
This is due to a data conflict between browsers.
- Open Yandex Browser and log in to your account.
- Go to Settings → Synchronization and enable saving bookmarks / passwords.
- Clear your Mi Browser data (Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage → Clear Data).
Problem 3: Some links still open in Mi Browser
Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Community) are tightly tied to the Mi Browser.
- 🔗 Use Default App Manager to Force Link Redirects.
- 🚫 Disable unnecessary system applications through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.video
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If none of these methods worked, consider installing custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that removes MIUI restrictions completely, but requires unlocking the bootloader and may take away warranty.