Modern Xiaomi smartphones come with a pre-installed shell MIUI or a new one HyperOSthat have their own set of applications. Users often encounter a situation where links from instant messengers or other apps are opened in a browser that is not convenient for them. Instead of the usual Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox the system may persistently suggest using the built-in browser. MIUI Browser.
This situation causes discomfort, especially if the standard application is overloaded with a news feed or advertising. Fortunately, the operating system Android allows you to flexibly manage application priorities. In this article, we will look in detail at how to change the settings so that all web links automatically open in the application of your choice, saving you from unnecessary clicks and selections every time you go to an address.
Why the system resets the browser selection
Many device owners notice strange behavior: after updating the firmware or accidentally clicking the links open again in the standard application. This happens due to the peculiarities of the work Android Intents - system of requests between applications. When you click on a link, the system looks for an application that can handle this request, and if the current browser does not have a hard priority, it offers a choice.
The shell MIUI is known for its aggressive policy regarding its own services. Developers strive to keep the user in the Xiaomi ecosystem, so the built-in browser often gets priority by default after resetting the settings or clearing the system cache. Understanding this mechanism helps you consciously approach the procedure for installing the software you need.
In addition, some firmware versions can automatically reset settings if the browser application has not been updated for a long time or if critical changes to file associations have occurred in the system. To avoid constant questions “How to open the link?”, you must complete the forced assignment procedure.
⚠️ Attention: After major system updates (for example, moving from MIUI 13 to 14 or to HyperOS), default application settings may be reset to factory settings. This is normal behavior of the security system and requires re-configuration by the user.
Step-by-step guide through the settings menu
The most reliable and universal way to change the default browser on any device Xiaomi is to use the system settings menu. This method works regardless of the Android version and does not require installing third-party software. It will only take you a few minutes to complete the following steps.
First, unlock your smartphone screen and find the icon Settingswhich usually looks like a gear. In the menu that opens, scroll down the list to the section Applications. In some versions of the shell, this item may be called All applications or located inside a category System applications. Click on it to go to manage the installed software.
Inside the applications section you need to find the item Default Applications. It may be hidden in a submenu or have a checkmark icon. By clicking on this item, you will see a list of categories: phone, messages, launcher and, of course, browser. The system will show the current value, which is most likely set to Browser or MIUI Browser.
☑️ Checking the default settings
Click on the line Browser. You will see a list of all browsers installed on your device that can process web traffic. Choose the one you use most often, for example Chrome, Yandex or Opera. As soon as you check the box next to the desired name, the system will remember this choice and stop asking you the next time you click on the link.
Changing a setting in this menu has global priority and overrides temporary associations created by random selection in the past.
Resetting the settings of a specific application
Sometimes it happens that in the “Default Applications” menu the desired browser is not displayed in the list at all, or the system does not allow you to select it. This can happen if you previously accidentally pressed the Always button for another app and the system blocked the selection. In this case, you need to force reset the settings of the application that is currently intercepting links.
Return to the menu Settings and go to the section Applications -> All applications. Find in the list the browser that is currently opening instead of the desired one (often this is standard MIUI Browser). Click on the name of the application to open its properties card.
At the bottom of the screen or in the additional settings menu (three dots in the corner) find the item Default or Open by default. Inside you will see a button Clear default settings or Reset preferences. Click on it. This action will not delete history or bookmarks, it will only “forget” that this application should open links automatically.
After performing the reset, try going via any link from the messenger. The system will ask you again: “How to open the link?” At this point, select the desired browser and be sure to click the button Always, and not “Only now”. This will fix the choice at the system level.
- 🔍 Find the application that is currently opening links incorrectly.
- 🗑️ Go to its settings and click “Clear default settings.”
- ✅ The next time you click on a link, select the correct browser and Click Always.
What if the reset button is grayed out?
If the Clear Settings button is gray or unclickable, it means that this app does not currently have a "default" status for web links. In this case, try resetting the settings in another browser that may intercept traffic, or restart the device and try again.
Setting features in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells have their own unique features that can confuse a user accustomed to “pure” Android. In the latest versions HyperOS i MIUI 14 the settings menu has become deeper and is sometimes duplicated in the “Security” section. It is important to know where exactly to look for the necessary switches so as not to get confused.
In some regions (for example, in the global firmware version), the standard Xiaomi browser can be replaced with Google Chrome even during the initial setup of the phone. However, the versions for China or India come pre-installed with their own browser with a news feed. If you bought a phone with such firmware, changing the default browser becomes critical for comfortable use.
It is also worth paying attention to the “Optimization” function in the application Security. Sometimes, after scanning the system for viruses or cleaning up garbage, a smart algorithm may suggest “optimizing” the browser settings, which actually means returning Xiaomi to factory settings. Be careful when using such functions.
| Shell version | Settings location | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings -> Applications -> Default | Classic menu, minimum restrictions |
| MIUI 14 | Settings -> Applications -> Application management | More strict permission policy |
| HyperOS | Settings -> Applications -> Default applications | Integration with the ecosystem, hints are possible |
Eliminating advertising in the system browser
If for some reason you are forced to use the standard Xiaomi browser, but it annoys you an abundance of advertising and news on the start page, these elements can be disabled. This will make using the application cleaner and faster, although changing to a third-party analogue is still the preferred solution.
Open the application Browser and click on the profile icon or the three menu bars at the bottom of the screen. Go to section Settings. Here you need to find the item responsible for the main page or content. It is usually called Home page or News feed.
Inside the home page settings disable the switch Receive news or Recommendations. It is also worth going to the Privacy and security section and enabling the function Ad blocking. This is a built-in tool that does a good job with banners on visited sites.
For deeper Cleaning can remove browser updates or disable it in system settings if / root access is not required for basic system functionality. However, completely removing a system application without superuser rights is often impossible, so adjusting the internal configuration is the best way.
To completely block ads in all applications, not just in the browser, you can use the “Private DNS” function. In the connection settings, specify the address dns.adguard.com - this will cut off most of the network garbage.
Problems with opening links from specific applications
There are situations when the default browser is configured correctly, but links from certain applications (for example, Telegram, Instagram or VKontakte) still open incorrectly or do not open at all. This is due to the fact that some instant messengers use their own built-in web views (mini-browsers) to display content, ignoring system settings.
To force Telegram or other applications to open links in an external browser, you need to change the settings inside the messenger itself. Go to Settings applications -> Data and memory (or a similar section) and find the item Built-in browser or Open links. Disable this option.
After disabling the built-in view, when you click on a link in the chat, the system will automatically will redirect you to the browser you chose as your primary browser in the first section of this article. This also increases security, since you see the real page address in the address bar of a full-fledged browser.
⚠️ Attention: On some social networks (for example, Instagram), switching to an external browser may interrupt the authorization session or make it difficult to return to the application. If you often switch between viewing the feed and reading articles, the built-in browser may be more convenient, despite the limitations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove the standard Xiaomi browser?
Without obtaining root access and using special utilities (for example, ADB AppControl) it is impossible to completely remove a system application. However, you can disable it in application settings, hide it from your desktop, and set another browser as your primary browser. The system will ignore the disabled application when opening links.
Why does it reset to MIUI Browser again after selecting Chrome?
This may be due to the aggressive operation of the battery optimizer or the “Security” function, which resets the settings after clearing the cache. Try to pin the desired browser in memory (block it in the multitasking menu) and disable autostart for the standard browser in the permission settings.
How to make the default browser for different types of links?
It is impossible to select different browsers for different types of links (for example, http for one, and https for another) using standard Android tools. The choice is global for all web protocols. Complex routing requires third-party launchers or redirector applications.
Does the choice of browser affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, it does indirectly. Heavy browsers with many background processes may consume more RAM. If you have a budget Xiaomi model with a small amount of RAM, choosing a lightweight browser (for example, Via or Opera Mini) as the main one can slightly speed up the overall responsiveness of the system.