How to allow the browser to access the Internet on Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide

Have you encountered a problem when a browser on Xiaomi refuses to open web pages, even though the Internet on the phone works? MIUI — Especially after a system update or change SIM-The reasons may lie in network settings, limitations. MIUI Optimization, conflicts with VPN or even in the blocking of traffic at the operator level.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return your browser to Internet access — from basic connection checks to fine APN settings and application permissions. The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 14/15 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5). If you use alternative firmware like HyperOS, individual points also apply.

Before you go to complex manipulations, make sure that the problem is not in the site itself (try to open google.com or ya.ru) and that you do not have an active limit of traffic from the operator - some tariffs block access to the site. HTTP/HTTPS after the data packet has been exhausted.

1. Check the basic network settings

Start by diagnosing the connection — often the problem lies in the banal things that users overlook. Open the notification bar and make sure:

• 📶 Mobile Internet is enabled (Icon) 4G/5G/E status-line).
• 🔄 Flight mode is disabled (even if it was activated accidentally).
• 📡 Wi-Fi connected to the Internet (check on another device).
• 🔒 No active VPN-connection (key icon in the notification panel).

If you use mobile data, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access point (APN) and make sure that the profile APN For most Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2), it is enough to choose an automatic profile, but sometimes manual input is required:

⚠️ Note: If after the change APN The Internet is not working, restart the phone. Some carriers (for example, Yota) require additional settings — check them on the official website.

2. Set up permissions for the browser

MIUI aggressively restricts the background activity of applications, including browsers, if you notice that pages load only when the application is open, but stop loading in the background, the problem is the permissions.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select your browser (e.g. Chrome or Mi Browser).
3. Tap Permits and turn on: 🌐 Internet access (required!). 📡 Wi-Fi and mobile data. 📍 Location (required for geo-dependent sites).

Battery → No restrictions.

Auto-start

Background activity

For Mi Browser (the built-in Xiaomi browser), check the settings in the app itself:

1. Open Mi Browser. → ⋮ → Settings → Confidentiality.
2. Turn off Ad Blocking (sometimes it filters out legitimate traffic).
3. In the Network section, select No Proxy.

If you’re using Google Chrome, upgrade to the latest version via Play Market – older versions have had bugs running MIUI 14+ due to changes in energy saving policies.

3. Resetting network settings

If previous steps didn’t help, the cause could be a network settings conflict — especially after a firmware update or a change. SIM-Resetting the network will return all settings to factory, but will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords and settings. APN.

How to reset your network settings on Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Tap Network Settings Reset (or Additional → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth on newer versions of MIUI).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, you will need to reconnect to all Wi-Fi networks and configure APN If you use two-factor authentication (for example, for banking applications), make sure you have backup codes – some services may block access when you change the network.

If the reset didn’t help, try manually removing the problematic Wi-Fi network:

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of your network → Delete.
3. Connect again by entering the password.

4.Problems with MIUI Optimization and VPN

MIUI Optimization is a built-in Xiaomi service that optimizes the system, but sometimes blocks network traffic for individual applications, to disable its effect on the browser:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").

Settings → Additional → For Developers

MIUI Optimization

Turn it off.

Reboot the phone.

If you use a VPN (such as 1.1.1.1, ProtonVPN or built-in MIUI VPN), it can redirect browser traffic through its servers, leading to connection errors.

• 🔌 Turn it off. VPN notification-bar.
• 🛠️ Delete. VPN-appendix if it is not needed.
• 🔍 In the browser settings (Settings) → Network) make sure that the proxy is disabled.

💡

If you use a VPN frequently, add your browser to exceptions. for example, in 1.1.1.1 this is done through Settings → Apps → Delete Chrome.

5. Check the hosts file and antivirus

In rare cases, Internet access is blocked at the hosts file level (for example, after viruses or incorrect edits) to check it:

1. Install any file manager with access to the root folder (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts.
3. Open the file with a text editor and make sure it doesn’t have strings like 127.0.0.1 google.com (this is redirecting traffic to a local host).

If you find suspicious entries, delete them (root rights required) or reset the file to factory state via Settings → Reset → Reset all settings (without deleting data).

Also check out antivirus apps (such as Avast, Kaspersky, or built-in MIUI Security):

• 🛡️ Open the antivirus. → Network protection or Firewall.
• 🔓 Add a browser to exceptions.
• 🗑️ Temporarily turn off the protection to check if it is blocking traffic.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the browser is redirecting you to strange sites (for example, instead of vk.com, an ad opens), this is a sign of a virus.

Alternative solutions

If none of these methods worked, try these options:

• 📱 Change browser: Install Firefox or Opera – they use their own connectivity mechanisms that can bypass restrictions MIUI.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and check for updates.
• 📡 Use another one. DNS: Change the Wi-Fi or mobile network settings DNS 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
• 🔧 Reverse to factory settings: If the problem appears after the update, reset via Settings → Reset → Reset all settings (save data in advance!).

For POCO and Redmi users with an unlocked bootloader, there is a radical method – firmware custom Recovery (such as TWRP) and installing Magisk to manage permissions at a low level.

💡

In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by resetting the network or setting browser permissions, if the Internet does not work in any application, the operator or hardware malfunction (for example, a corrupted modem) is to blame.

FAQ: Frequent questions