How to set the default browser on Android Xiaomi: all methods for MIUI

Changing the default browser on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO often becomes a non-trivial task due to the features of the shell MIUI. Unlike “pure” Android, where selecting an application to open links takes a couple of clicks, owners of Xiaomi devices have to deal with system limitations, hidden settings and even firmware bugs. This is especially true after the MIUI 13/14 updates, where the logic for assigning default applications was redesigned.

In this article we will look at all working methods making the default browser on Xiaomi - from the standard method through settings to bypassing blocks using ADB commands. We will separately dwell on typical errors (for example, when the system “forgets” the selected application after a reboot) and explain why some browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Kiwi) may not appear in the list of available options. If you are tired of being forced to open links in Mi Browser or are faced with the message "There are no applications to handle this action", our instructions will help solve the problem once and for all.

Why does Xiaomi block changing the default browser?

Shell MIUI has historically been known for its aggressive policy towards third-party applications. This applies not only to browsers, but also to launchers, galleries or instant messengers. In the case of browsers, the reason lies in several factors:

• 🔗 Integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem: Mi Browser closely connected with the company's cloud services (bookmark synchronization, history, passwords via Mi Account). The system tries to keep the user in its ecosystem.
• 📊 Traffic monetization: The built-in browser shows advertising and affiliate links, which generates income for Xiaomi. Third-party browsers (for example, Chrome) deprive the company of this source.
• 🛡️ “Concerns about security”**: MIUI positions Mi Browser as a more secure solution with a built-in ad blocker and warnings about fraudulent sites. In practice, this often leads to false positives.

It is important to understand that the restrictions are not technical in nature - they are a marketing decision. For example, in European version of MIUI (EEA) changing the default browser usually works without problems, while in global or Chinese firmware the user may need additional actions.

⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi models (especially with Chinese firmware), the option to change the default browser may be completely blocked at the system level. In this case, only unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware will help.

Method 1: Standard change through Android settings

Let's start with the most obvious method, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer. The algorithm is simple, but there are nuances:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Default applications.
3. Tap on the item Browser.
4. In the list, select the desired application (for example, Google Chrome or Firefox).

If your browser is not in the list, do the following steps:

• 📱 Make sure the browser is installed and running at least once.
• 🔄 Reboot your device - sometimes MIUI does not update the default application list without rebooting.
• 🛠️ Clear cache and application data Settings (Settings → Applications → Settings → Storage → Clear cache/data).

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10 Pro) after selecting the system may return the browser Mi Browser as the default application after a reboot. This is a bug and can be circumvented by repeating the procedure 2-3 times in a row.

Method 2: Assigning a browser by opening a link

If the standard method does not work, try to “deceive” the system by initiating browser selection through an external one. link:

1. Open any application where there are clickable links (for example, Telegram, WhatsApp or Gmail).
2. Click on any link (for example, https://google.com).
3. In the window that appears, select Always and specify the desired browser.
4. Confirm the action by clicking OK.

This method often works even where MIUI settings ignore manual selection. The main thing is to use a link that has not previously been opened in Mi Browser. For example, if you always opened links. from Telegram to Chrome, try to do this from another messenger.

⚠️ Attention: On some versions of MIUI (for example, 14.0.3 for Xiaomi 12T), the system may offer the choice of browser only once if you accidentally selected Mi Browser. you will have to reset application settings (Settings → Applications → Reset application settings).

Method 3: Using ADB to force a browser change

If MIUI persistently ignores your attempts to change the browser, you can only resort to ADB commandsThis method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI. you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About phone → MIUI version (press 7 times) → Advanced → For developers → USB debugging).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to the computer and confirm permission to debug.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   Your serial number should appear device.

4. Run the command to reset all applications to default:

   adb shell cmd package reset-defaults

5. Now again open any link on your smartphone and select the desired browser with the option Always.

If this method did not work, use the direct command to assign a browser (replace com.android.chrome to your browser package, for example org.mozilla.firefox for Firefox):

adb shell cmd package set-home-activity com.android.chrome

Method 4: Removing or disabling Mi Browser

A radical but effective method - completely delete or disable standard browser This will force MIUI to use an alternative application. by default. Please note that on some firmware Mi Browser is a system one and cannot be removed without root access.

Instructions for disabling:

1. Go in Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Find Mi Browser (can be called simply Browser).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action. The system will warn that this may affect the operation of other applications - ignore the warning.

If the button Disable inactive, try:

• 📦 Uninstall updates for Mi Browser (three dots in the corner of the application screen → Uninstall updates).
• 🛠️ Use the ADB command to disable:

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

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, POCO F3 with MIUI 13), disabling Mi Browser may cause the weather widgets or news feed to malfunction. In this case, return the settings. back.

Problem solving: the browser is not saved or is not displayed in list

Even after successfully changing the default browser, Xiaomi users are faced with typical problems. Let's look at their causes and solutions:

Problem 1: The selected browser is reset after a reboot

This is a common MIUI bug related to the operation of the service com.miui.securitycenter. Solutions:

• 🔄 Repeat the browser selection procedure 2-3 times in a row.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache Security Center (Settings → Applications → Security Center → Storage → Clear cache).
• 📵 Disable battery optimization for your browser (Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → Select browser → Unlimited).

Problem 2: The browser does not appear in the default application list

Causes and solutions:

• 📥 The browser does not support processing Intents for links. Check if its manifest has a filter for android.intent.action.VIEW.
• 🔧 The browser is set as Work Profile (for example, via Island or Shelter).Move it to the main profile.
• 🔄 Reinstall the browser, first deleting all its data.

Problem 3: Links from some applications open in Mi Browser

Some applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Community) are forced to use Mi Browser to open links. Solutions:

• 🔗 Use the application Open Link With from the Play Market to redirect links to the desired browser.
• 🛠️ Disable Mi Browser via ADB (see Method 4).
• 📌 Set up rules in Tasker or MacroDroid for automatic redirection.

Alternative solutions: launchers and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work, third-party tools will come to the rescue. They do not always give 100% results, but they can make life easier:

1. Launchers with support for assigning default applications

Some. launchers (for example Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to flexibly customize the processing of links:

• 🏠 Install an alternative launcher and make it the main one.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the section Default applications or Link processing.
• 🌐 Assign the desired browser to open web links.

2. Application Default App Manager

Utility from Play Market provides advanced control over applications by default:

• 📱 Install Default App Manager and grant it rights via ADB:

  adb shell pm grant com.aboutmycode.defaultappmanager android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

• 🔧 In the application, select a category Browser and assign the desired application.

3. Using Tasker for forced redirection

For advanced users, automatic link redirection is suitable:

• 🤖 Create a task in Tasker with a trigger Intent Received (action android.intent.action.VIEW, data http*).
• 🔗 Add an action Open URL indicating your browser (for example, com.android.chrome).

These methods require more effort, but provide flexibility in configuration. For example, you can configure certain domains to open in one browser, and the rest in another.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the browser on Xiaomi

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser