Modern Chinese-made smartphones, especially popular models from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, often come with a pre-installed set of software, which the manufacturer considers the most optimal. In most cases, this concerns a proprietary browser MIUI Browser or its analogue in a new shell HyperOS. However, many users in Russia and the CIS countries are accustomed to an ecosystem Yandexwhere synchronization of bookmarks, passwords and search history between computer and phone works seamlessly.
Changing the default browser is not just a matter of personal preference, but also a way to improve the usability of the device. When you click on a link in a messenger or social network, the system should automatically open it in the application of your choice, and not ask you every time or launch an unnecessary service. Unfortunately, the interface MIUI sometimes hides these settings deeper than in the pure one Android, which causes difficulties for beginners.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for all current firmware versions. You will learn how to correctly assign Yandex Browser the main tool for surfing, how to avoid application conflicts and what to do if the menu item is inactive. We will also touch on the nuances of the new operating system HyperOS, which is gradually replacing the classic shell on new smartphone models.
Preparing the device and installing the application
Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the target application is installed correctly and is ready for use. Often, users try to set a default browser without completing the initial setup or without providing the necessary permissions. Download the current version Yandex Browser from the official store Google Play or GetAppsif you are using the global version of the smartphone without Google services.
After installation, launch the application and go through the initial configuration process. The system may request permission to access geolocation, notifications, or file storage. For the Alice function to work correctly and download files, be sure to allow access to the storage and microphone. If you skip this step, the browser may not appear in the list of available options when you try to make it the main one.
Make sure that the latest version of the software is installed on your device. In older builds MIUI sometimes there are bugs when the system does not see third-party browsers in the default selection menu. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the system version to check for updates. This action ensures the compatibility of all interface components.
Before changing the browser, export bookmarks from the old application if they are not synchronized with the cloud, so as not to lose important links during the transition.
Setting through the standard MIUI and HyperOS menu
The interface for setting up default applications in shells from Xiaomi may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the personalization layer. In classic MIUI 12-14 The path to the settings is usually located in the general system settings section. You need to open the main settings menu and find the item responsible for managing installed apps.
The action algorithm is as follows: go to Settings, scroll down the list to the section Applications. Inside this menu, select the option Manage applications. Next, you will need to find a tab or button called “Default Applications.” In some firmware versions, this item is placed in a separate menu at the very top of the list or hidden under three dots in the right corner of the screen.
In the list of categories that opens, find the line Browser. By default, the name of the system browser will be indicated there, for example, MIUI Browser or Chrome. Click on this line to expand the list of all browsers installed on your device. In the window that appears, select Yandex. The system may ask you to confirm the action - agree with it.
☑️ Checking default settings
In the new operating system HyperOS the logic remains the same, but the visual design of the menu has become more minimalistic. The browser selection item is now often integrated directly into the application card when you long press the icon. Try holding the icon Yandex Browser on the desktop, select the “i” icon in the corner and find the “Open by default” option. If it says “Not specified” or there is another browser, click “Clear default settings”, and then perform the selection procedure again through the main menu.
⚠️ Attention: In some regional firmware versions (for example, for China), the browser selection item may be blocked or hidden. In this case, you will need to change the region in the phone settings or install a global version of the software.
Method of opening links for forced installation
Sometimes the standard path through the settings does not work due to software errors or cached system data. In such cases, the “reverse” method helps, when you provoke the system to select an application through an action. This method is universal for all versions Android and often turns out to be more effective than manual settings in the menu.
Find any link in a message WhatsApp, Telegram or in an email. Click on it. If you have not previously selected a default browser, the system will immediately offer a list of applications. Select Yandex and be sure to press the button Always. If you accidentally clicked “Only once”, the system will have to be reset through application settings, as described above.
If when you click on the link, another browser immediately opens without asking, then it has already been given priority. You need to reset this competitor. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications, find the browser that is opening now (for example, Chrome). Go to its settings and click the button Open as default, and then select Delete default settings.
After completing this procedure, try opening the link again from messenger. Now Android has to show a selection dialog where you can pin Yandex Browser as the main one. This method is especially useful when, after a system update, application priorities are lost and returned to factory values.
Solving problems with inactive menu items
Users often encounter a situation where the browser selection item is grayed out or there is no option to change the current assignment. This is a common shell problem associated with system application protection or access rights conflicts. Most often, the reason lies in the fact that the system browser has the status of a device application that cannot be deleted or disabled using standard methods. MIUIrelated to the protection of system applications or access rights conflicts. Most often, the reason lies in the fact that the system browser has the status of a device application, which cannot be deleted or disabled using standard methods.
To unlock the ability to select, try temporarily disabling the system browser. In the menu Application Management find MIUI Browser or Browser. If the Disablebutton is active, click it. This action will hide the system application from the list of available options, and the system will automatically switch priority to the next available application, which should be Yandex.
Another reason may be working in the "Second Space" mode or using guest profile. In these modes, application settings are isolated. Make sure you are setting up in the device owner's main profile. You can switch between spaces through Settings → Additional settings → Second space.
| Problem symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Item “Browser” is gray | The system browser is active with administrator rights | Disable the system browser in the settings |
| Yandex is not in the selection list | The application is not updated or damaged | Reinstall Yandex Browser from the store |
| Links open in Chrome | Chrome is set to "Always" priority | Clear default settings for Chrome |
| The settings menu is empty | The launcher or system cache failed | Reboot the device in safe mode |
What to do if the “Disable” button is inactive?
If the system does not allow you to disable standard browser, try using ADB commands from your computer. Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging and enter the command: pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser (package name may vary). This will forcibly hide the application without root access.
Features of working in power saving mode
Aggressive memory and power management policies in smartphones Xiaomi may interfere with the correct operation of the default browser. The system can “kill” a process Yandex Browser in the background, considering it to be of lower priority than system services. This leads to the fact that when opening a link, the application launches with a delay or does not respond to the command at all.
To exclude such situations, you need to add the browser to the battery exception list. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Yandex. Select item Battery saving and set the value No restrictions. This will allow the application to run in the background and instantly respond to requests to open links from other apps.
It is also recommended to pin the application to memory. Open the menu of running applications (swipe up from bottom and hold or the menu button), find the window Yandex, hold it and click on the lock icon. Now the system will not close the browser when clearing memory with the “Cross” button or automatic optimization scripts.
Setting the power saving mode is critical for instant opening of links, since MIUI often blocks the background activity of third-party applications.
Reset settings and return to factory settings
If none of the above methods helped, and the system continues to stubbornly open links in the wrong application, there may be a deep failure in the system preferences configuration. In this case, the only effective solution is to completely reset application settings to default. This action will not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but will return all file associations to their original state.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select Reset application settings. Confirm the action. After rebooting the phone, you will have to re-select the default browser the first time you click on any link on the Internet.
Keep in mind that after this procedure, all previously set preferences (for example, opening maps) in Yandex.Maps, and not in Google Maps) will be reset. You will need to reconfigure all file and link associations to suit your current needs. This is a good way to get rid of accumulated application registry errors.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may change with the release of new MIUI and HyperOS updates. If you do not find the described path, use the search in the settings by entering the query “default” or “applications”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why are the browser settings reset after the phone is rebooted?
This behavior usually indicates the work of third-party optimizer applications or "cleaners" which forcefully reset the system settings to save memory. The cause may also be virus software or unstable custom firmware. Check the list of installed applications for suspicious utilities.
Is it possible to completely remove the MIUI system browser?
Without obtaining root access, it is impossible to completely remove a system application, since it is built into the system partition. However, it can be disabled through settings or hidden using ADB commands, which actually makes it inoperative and frees up space in the default selection list.
Does the choice of browser affect the speed of the Internet?
The choice of application itself does not affect the connection speed, which depends on the operator and signal. However, different browsers use different traffic compression algorithms and rendering engines. Yandex Browser With Turbo technology, it can load pages faster in poor connection conditions compared to some other browsers.
What to do if Yandex Browser does not open when you click on links in specific applications?
Some applications (for example, the built-in browser of Instagram or Facebook) open links within themselves, ignoring system settings. This is a feature of the work of social networks themselves. To open a link in an external browser, you usually need to click on the three dots in the corner of the screen inside the application and select “Open in browser.”
Is it safe to use ADB to disable system applications?
Using ADB is safe if you know exactly the package name of the application you are disabling. Incorrectly disabling critical system components (such as the update service or launcher) may cause your phone to reboot cyclically. Always check the names of packages in reliable sources before entering commands.