How to remove the default browser on Android Xiaomi

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter a situation where the built-in application MIUI Browser or Chrome automatically opens when you click on any link in instant messengers or social networks. This is an Android system behavior that records the user's choice after the first confirmation. However, over time, preferences may change: someone wants to use Firefox for privacy, while others prefer Opera or Brave.

The problem is that in the shell MIUI or new HyperOS there is no one magic “Reset all” button browsers". The system stores this setting deep in the application settings. To change the priority, you must follow a sequence of steps to clear the default settings for a specific application. This does not delete the application itself, but only breaks its tight connection with the processing of web links.

In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for different firmware versions. You will learn how to find the desired section in the menu, which items may have different names depending on the regional version of the software, and how to avoid common mistakes during setup. We will also look at the nuances of working with system applications, which sometimes try to impose themselves on the user even after resetting the settings.

Why a smartphone opens links in the wrong browser

The operating system mechanism Android implies the presence of a handler for each type of action. When you click on a hyperlink, the system sends a request to all installed applications that can display web pages. If you previously selected the “Always” option, the system remembers this choice in a special section Default settings. It is this flag that forces the phone to ignore the question about selecting an application on subsequent clicks.

In the ecosystem Xiaomi the situation is aggravated by the presence of its own browser, which is often preinstalled as a system component. Shell developers can prioritize the native application com.android.browser or its modifications. Even if you have installed third-party software, the system may continue to offer the native browser if the reset settings were performed incorrectly or if the third-party application was not registered as the main protocol handler http i https.

⚠️ Attention: On some global firmware versions, the menu item may be called “Default Applications”, and on Chinese or Russian assemblies - “Manage Applications”. The interface may differ depending on the version. mechanisms for opening links. They can use the system WebView or call a specific application directly, ignoring general system settings. Therefore, if resetting the phone settings did not help, you should look for the problem in the settings of the messenger itself. MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS.

It is also worth considering that some messengers, for example Telegram or WhatsApp, have their own built-in mechanisms for opening links. They can use the system WebView or call a specific application directly, ignoring general system settings. Therefore, if resetting your phone settings did not help, you should look for the problem in the settings of the messenger itself.

Step-by-step guide: resetting settings through the app menu

The most reliable and universal way to change the behavior of the system - this is to go to the settings of the specific application that is currently intercepting links. You don't need to look for general phone settings, just localize the problematic application. This method works on most devices with processors Snapdragon and MediaTek regardless of the year of manufacture.

First, open the main settings menu of your smartphone. Go to section Applications, then select item All applications. In the list that opens, find the browser that is currently undesirable to open (most often it is MIUI Browser or Chrome). Tap on the name of the application to get to the information screen about it.

At the bottom of the application information screen you will see a button Default. If it is active (not gray), it means that automatic launch rules have been set for this application. Click on this button. In the menu that opens, select the option Remove default settings or Reset default settings. After this, the button should become inactive, which signals a successful reset.

Now, when you follow the link in any application, the system will again ask you how to open this content. At this point, select your desired browser and click “Always”. This action will overwrite the previous config and assign the new priority. If the list does not appear, there may be another application left in the system with default rights, which also needs to be reset.

Setting through the “Default Applications” section

In newer shell versions HyperOS and recent updates MIUI 14 a more centralized way of managing priorities has appeared. This method allows you to see at a glance which app is set as your primary app for different types of activities, including web browsing. This is especially convenient if you do not remember which browser is currently the main one.

Go to Settings and use the search for settings by entering the query “default”. The system will display the section Default applications. Enter it. Here you will see a list of categories: “Browser”, “Phone”, “SMS” and others. Find the “Browser” line and click on it.

A list of all installed browsers will open. Select the one you want to use as your main one. If you want to disable automatic selection completely, some versions of the firmware allow you to select the “Not Specified” or similar option, although in pure Android this is rarely the case. Usually you just need to click on the icon of the desired application, for example Yandex or DuckDuckGo.

Action	Path to MIUI 13/14	Path to HyperOS
Search settings	Settings → Applications	Settings → Applications
Management section	All applications → [Browser selection]	Default applications → Browser
Reset configuration	Default button at the bottom	Select from the list in the menu
Additional. settings	Opening links	Managing links

This method is preferable because it clearly shows the current state of the system. You can immediately see which application is taking control. However, if, after selecting a new browser, links still open in the old one, return to the full reset method through the app card described in the previous section.

Managing the opening of links in advanced settings

Sometimes simply selecting an application is not enough, since modern browsers have complex mechanisms for processing links. In the settings of each application there is a section responsible for which links it can open. This section is often called Default opening or Supported links.

Go to the settings of the problematic browser (the one you want to remove). Find item Open by default. Here you will see a toggle for “Open supported links.” If enabled, the application will aggressively try to intercept any web request. Try turning off this toggle switch.

Below there may be a list of domains. If specific sites are listed there (for example, google.com, xiaomi.com), the system will only open them in this browser. You can choose the option “Don't open in this app” or “Ask every time.” This will give you full control over which application is launched for specific resources.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling link support for the system browser may cause some internal shell functions (such as widget search) to stop working correctly or throw errors when you try to open results.

For third-party browsers such like Brave or Vivaldi, these settings are also critically important. If you want them to open everything, make sure "Open all supported links" is selected in this menu. Competition between browsers for the right to process links is resolved at this configuration level.

What is Android WebView?

Android System WebView is a system component that allows other applications to display web pages within itself without launching a full browser. If it's out of date or not working properly, links may not open correctly or the app may crash. Update it through the Google Play Store if problems arise.

Features of the MIUI system browser

Smartphone owners Xiaomi know well that the native browser is deeply integrated into the system. In some cases, it cannot be removed using standard means without obtaining root access or using ADB. Even after resetting the settings to default, the system may after some time independently return it to the status of the main one, especially after major firmware updates over the air (OTA).

This behavior is due to the company's policy of promoting its services. The browser MIUI is often used to display advertisements in system folders and the news feed. To minimize its impact, it is recommended not only to reset settings, but also to revoke permissions. Go to the MIUI browser settings, section Privacy or Permissions, and deny access to notifications and background work.

If you want to completely get rid of the annoying behavior of the system browser, you can use the command via your computer. Connect your phone in USB debugging mode and run the command to freeze or uninstall the app for the current user. This is safe and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

After executing this command, the browser icon will disappear from the desktop, and the system will no longer be able to use it as the default application. However, be careful: some system functions that depend on WebView may require the installation of an alternative browser to work correctly.

Solving problems if settings are not saved

There are situations when you completed all the steps, but when you click on the link, the old browser opens again. This could be caused by system settings caching or a conflict between multiple applications vying for the same role. In such cases, a deeper cleaning or checking specific settings is required.

Try clearing the cache and data of the Settings application (not the browsers themselves, but the system settings application). To do this, go to Applications → All applications → Settings → Storage → Clear cache. This will not delete your personal data, but will reset temporary interface configuration files.

Also check whether you have installed aggregator applications or launchers that have their own rules for processing links. Some antiviruses or optimizers can intercept traffic. Disable them temporarily and check the links work. If the problem disappears, look for the "Browser Protection" or "Safe Browsing" setting in the settings of this application.

• 🔄 Reboot the device after resetting the settings to default - this is a mandatory step to apply changes to the system kernel.
• 🗑️ Uninstall MIUI system browser updates through the app menu to roll it back to the factory version, which is less aggressive.
• 🛡️ Check the "Over other applications" access rights for new browsers - sometimes they do not have enough this permission to correctly intercept links.

If all else fails, the last resort is to create a new user on the device (if the function is supported by your version of Android) and set preferences there, or completely reset the device to factory settings. But in 99% of cases, the problem is solved by correctly following the steps from the “Step-by-step guide” section.

⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and item names may change with the release of new versions of MIUI and HyperOS. If you do not find the described item, use the search inside the settings menu using the keywords “default” or “links”.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to completely remove the MIUI browser without root access?

It is impossible to completely remove a system application without root access using standard means. However, it can be “frozen” or deleted for the current user via a computer using the ADB command pm uninstall -k --user 0. This will hide the application and disable it, freeing up space, but when you reset the phone, it will return.

Why does the phone prompt you to select a browser again after resetting?

This is normal behavior of the Android system. After clearing the default settings, the system “forgets” your choice. The next time the link is clicked, it must ask the user which application to use. You will need to select a new browser and click “Always” to commit the choice.

Does choosing a default browser affect the speed of your phone?

The choice of browser itself does not affect the overall speed of the system. However, heavy browsers with many background processes (for example, some versions of Chrome on weaker devices) can consume more RAM, which indirectly affects multitasking. Lighter browsers, such as Via or DuckDuckGo, can work faster.

What to do if links are opened in the application and not in the browser?

Many applications (VKontakte, Telegram, Instagram) have built-in browsers. In order for the link to open in an external browser, you need to go to the settings of a specific messenger application and find the item “Open links in an external browser” or similar, and activate it.

Have you reset the settings, but the "Default" button is still active?

This may mean that the application has several types of default actions (not only opening links, but also files of certain types). Try pressing the button again to make sure you clear all categories, or delete the application data, which will reset its state more completely.