Have you ever encountered a situation where your Xiaomi smartphone automatically opens links in the wrong browser and photos in the wrong app? or, for example, after installing a new messenger, messages still open in the standard one. SMS-All of this is the result of fixed default actions that Android (and the shell) MIUI Default Action Reset is designed to solve these problems, but many users do not understand what it is and when it should be used.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what is a default action reset on Xiaomi, how it differs from a complete reset, in which cases it can come in handy, and how to use it correctly so as not to harm the system. MIUI 14 and newer, and why sometimes after a reset, apps still don’t want to “accept” the new default settings.
What is the default action in Android and MIUI
In the Android operating system (and its proprietary shell) MIUI Xiaomi has a mechanism that allows you to assign certain applications priority when processing certain actions:
- 🌐 Opening web links (the default browser)
- 📷 View photos and videos (default gallery)
- 💬 Sending. SMS or chat messages (messaging by default)
- 🎵 Playing music (default player)
- 📄 Opening of documents (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
When you first try to open a file or link, the system asks, “Which app to open?” If you choose the “Always” (or “Use by default”) option, Android remembers that choice and in the future automatically uses the selected application. Over time, dozens of such “fixes” accumulate, and if you, for example, changed your browser or messenger, the system can continue to open links in the old application – even if it is long removed.
That's why Default Action Reset is there, and it resets all anchors, bringing the system back to a state where the first time you open a file or link, you re-open the app selection window, and it's important to understand that this reset doesn't affect user data (photos, contacts, messages) or delete applications, it just untitles them with certain types of actions.
Difference from "Reset to factory settings"
Many users confuse default reset with a full reset to factory settings.
| Parameter | Resetting the default action | Reset to factory settings |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 Deletion of applications | ❌ No. | ✅ All user applications are removed |
| 📂 Deletion of user data | ❌ No (photos, videos, documents saved) | ✅ All data is deleted (except memory cards) |
| ⚙️ System settings | ❌ Not reset (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound remain) | ✅ All settings are back to factory. |
| 🔗 Linking applications to actions | ✅ Reset (for example, the browser by default) | ✅ Also dropped |
| ⏱️ Implementation time | ⚡ Instantly (1-2 seconds) | ⏳ 5-15 minutes (depending on the model) |
When to use the default action reset?
- 🔄 You have changed your browser/messenger/gallery, but the system persistently opens links in the old app.
- 🚫 The application “forgot” that it should be the main one for a certain type of files.
- 🛠️ After updating MIUI Some functions have stopped working correctly (for example, they do not open). PDF).
- 📲 You have installed a new application, but it does not appear in the list of possible files to open.
If your Xiaomi smartphone is slowing down, overheating frequently, or making errors, default resets are unlikely to help, and in such cases, you should consider a full reset or launch in safe mode.
💡
If after resetting the default action, the application still does not become the main one, try first to remove it, then reboot the smartphone and install it again. MIUI caching old settings.
How to Reset Default Actions on Xiaomi: Step-by-step instructions
The reset procedure is the same for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO steerable MIUI 12/13/14. The instructions are relevant for devices from Redmi Note 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Close all active applications (especially browsers and instant messengers)
Connect your smartphone to charging (in case of a long setup after resetting)
Make sure that the new app (which you want to make the main one) is installed.
Take a screenshot of your current settings (in case something goes wrong)-->
Step 1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
Step 2. Scroll down and select the Application section → Application management.
Step 3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Reset by default (on some firmware, the item may be called Reset application settings).
Step 4: Confirm the action by clicking Reset in the window that appears. The system will immediately apply the changes - no reboot is required.
After that, when you first open any type of file or link, the system will again ask which application to use, for example, when you click on a web link, a window will appear:
Open by:
▢ Chrome
▢ MIUI Browser
▢ Firefox
☑ Always (optional)It's important! On some models, for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) The path may be slightly different: → Annexes → Application settings (⚙️) → Resetting the default action.
What if the “Default Reset” item is not on the menu?
Problems after resetting and how to solve them
Most default resets are smooth, but sometimes users face unexpected consequences, and let's look at some of the most common problems and how to fix them.
⚠️ If an app (like Google Chrome or Telegram) stops opening files at all after resetting, check if it has permissions disabled. → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Permits and include all necessary.
Problem 1: The app doesn’t appear in the default selection list.
- 🔹 Make sure the application supports opening this type of file (for example, not all browsers are able to open). PDF).
- 🔹 Reinstall the app.
- 🔹 Check if it is disabled in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Disconnected).
Problem 2: The system still opens files in the old application.
It could be because of the cache. MIUI. Try it:
- Clear the application cache that should be the main one (Settings) → Annexes → [Annex] → Clear the cache).
- Reboot the smartphone.
- If it doesn’t help, reset the default action again.
Problem 3: After reset, the app icons on the home screen disappeared.
It is not directly related to resetting actions, but sometimes MIUI It drops shortcuts. Just add them back by holding your finger in the free seat of the home screen and selecting Widgets/Apps.
Issue 4: Some system applications (e.g, MIUI Browser or Music don’t want to give away the default status.
It's a feature. MIUI: Some standard applications have priority:
- 🔹 Disable the system application through Settings → Annexes → Disable (if possible).
- 🔹 Use it. ADB-command to reset (requires PC and enabled debugging on USB):
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.settings💡
If you use custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), default reset may work differently.
When the default action reset will not help
The fastened action reset function solves only one problem: it unties applications from file types. It doesn't fix the following problems:
- 🐢 Slow operation of the smartphone (needs a cache reset or factory settings).
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge (check background processes in Settings) → Battery).
- 📵 Network or Wi-Fi problems (try resetting network settings in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
- 🛑 Hanging or rebooting (possibly the fault of the “iron” or damaged firmware).
If your goal is to completely reset your smartphone, for example, before selling it or because of a major crash, then resetting by default is not the right thing to do, and in such cases you need a full reset that will delete all the data, and we will explain how to do it safely in the next section.
How to make a full reset on Xiaomi:
- Create a backup of data (Settings → About Phone → Backup).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
- Wait until the end (the smartphone will reboot).
Safe Mode is another diagnostic tool, and to boot in it, hold the power button, then press and hold your finger on the "Stop" button until you request to go to Safe Mode, and it only runs system applications, which helps you identify a problem caused by third-party software.
Hidden settings MIUI: How to Manage Default Actions Manually
MIUI It offers more flexible application binding management than standard Android.For example, you can manually assign the default app for a specific file type without waiting for the system to ask for it.
How to Assign the Default Application to MIUI:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want (like Google Chrome).
- Switch to Open by Default (or Default Settings).
- Turn on switches for the types of files that this application should handle.
If the Open default option is missing, then the application does not support processing of these file types. For example, Instagram can not be the default browser, and VLC — messenger.
How to see all current bindings:
MIUI It doesn’t provide a single list of all default actions, but you can check them for each application separately:
- Go to Settings → Applications.
- Select any application (e.g. Gallery).
- If there is a default Open option at the bottom, tap it – it will list all the types of files attached to this application.
ADB-Teams for Advanced Users
If you need more precise control, you can use it. ADB (For example, to reset all default actions for a particular application (e.g. com.android.chrome), run:
adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.chromeTo see all the apps that have fixed actions:
adb shell dumpsys package | grep "preferred activities"⚠️ Attention! Use! ADB-The teams require the included debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → Developer settings → Debugging by USB). Incorrect commands can disrupt the system!