Don’t like the default Mi Browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI? Check out how to change default browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI in this guide.
I’ve always been a fan of Xiaomi smartphones, their design and the fact that their OS is easy to use have been the sole reasons why I’ve stuck with my Xiaomi though there are other smartphones out in the market.
Check out our guide on How to change the default browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI below for all specific details.
With MIUI, the OS Xiaomi smartphones run on, you’re bound to receive a lot of ads and when it comes to the browser, there have been some privacy-related concerns floating online which have made me eager to change the default browser app on my Xiaomi smartphone.
Refer to our guide on How to change default browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI for all the details.
All Xiaomi smartphones come pre-installed with Mi Browser as their default browser. The drawback, this browser delivers a large number of push notifications and ad recommendations that can become a pain after some time. Moreover, it’s been known that the Mi browser collects user data even while using incognito mode.
I completely stopped using the browser after that and have made sure to change the default browser in all my Xiaomi phones. It’s extremely simple to disable the default browser.
To change the default browser, the user must access the settings and click on “apps”. Within apps, click on the “manage apps” tile. Next access the default apps in the top right corner of the screen and click on the browser to change the default browser.
Related: How to Protect Your Data on a Xiaomi Phone
How to change default browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI
MIUI 10 and later
If you have a recent Xiaomi phone that runs on MIUI 10 or later, follow these steps to change your default browser,
Step 1 Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi phone.
Step 2 Tap on Apps, then select the Manage apps option.
Step 3 Now, tap on the three dots at the top right of your screen.
Step 4 Select Default apps.
Step 5 Tap on Browser and then choose any browser from this list, remember that you need to have the browser installed on your phone.
That is all, you have changed the default browser on your Xiaomi phone running MIUI 10 and later.
MIUI 9 and later
- Begin by powering on your Xiaomi smartphone.
- Head to the “Settings” app and select “Apps”
- Within the Apps section, click on “Manage Apps”
- Proceed to tap on the three-dotted menu located in the top right corner.
- Now click on “Default Apps”, tap on “Browser” and select the “default browser”
MIUI 8 and earlier
There may still be a bunch of us who are using the older models of MIUI as your phones may not support the later versions. For those stuck on MIUI 8 or lower, you can change your default browser app by
- Unlock your Xiaomi smartphone and click on the “Settings App”
- Now click on “Installed Apps” and click on the gear icon that’s labeled “Default”
- Proceed to select “Browser” from the list and click on Chrome or Firefox or any other third-party browser as your default browser.
How to disable links from automatically opening in Mi Browser
With any Xiaomi smartphone running MIUI, any link which is opened on your smartphone will be opened with the default Mi Browser. This can be stopped with a simple fix.
For this, you have to long-press the Mi Browser icon and tap on “App info”.
Locate “Clear defaults” and disable it. Each time a link has to be opened you will be notified with a pop-up listing the available apps which can open the link.
Revoking the Mi Browsers Authorization
It is best to know that revoking authorization for the Mi Browser will kill the app from working completely and you’d have to undergo setting up and configuring the browser once again.
This option is recommended only to those who do not wish to have anything to do with the Mi Browser.
Revoking the authorization on the Mi Browser can be accessed from within the browser itself.
- Begin by launching the “Mi Browser”.
- Tap on the “three-dotted menu” in the top right corner.
- Click on the “Settings gear icon” and proceed to “Privacy and Security”
- Now scroll till you reach “Authorization” and disable it by tapping on the slider.
Removing the Mi Browser from the Swipe Up Gesture
Accidentally swiping up on your Xiaomi smartphone with Gestures turned on can activate the Mi Browser. However, though many of us don’t use the Mi browser for our everyday networking, there is a way you can turn off the Gesture to auto open the Mi browser.
- Start by opening the “Settings App” on your Xiaomi.
- Tap on “Home screen and Recents” and proceed to tap on the toggle next to “Swipe up on the Home screen to open search”
- Upon doing so you can swipe up on your Home screen and nothing will happen. The Mi Browser does not open anymore.
However, since the Mi Browser is an inbuilt app and is part of the MIUI system, deleting the browser is out of the question.
What are the best internet browsers for Xiaomi Phones?
There are many alternatives to the Mi Browser which are available on the App Store. Popular browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Opera are available for free and are easy to use. These browsers don’t have inbuilt ads which provide you with a safer and ad-free experience.
Alternatively, you can use any of these browsers as well instead of the three mainstream browsers listed above.
- DuckDuckGo Browser
- Microsoft Edge
- UC Browser
- Samsung Internet Browser
- Tor Browser
- Vivaldi Browser
- Dolphin Browser
#1 — DuckDuckGo
Originally a search engine like Google, DuckDuckGo is now a private internet browser that does not profile its users by collecting personal information or user data.
DuckDuckGo is an ideal counterpart to the Mi Browser and can do everything the Mi Browser can, without Ads.
#2 — Microsoft Edge
A cross-platform browser owned by Microsoft, Edge was released a few years back and it ranks better than Google Chrome in terms of user privacy and speed.
With Edge, you’re able to block unwanted ads from websites, browse in private mode and let you take control over all your data.
#3 — UC Browser
A subsidiary of the Alibaba group, UC Browser has been around for a long time now. With a fairly easy-to-use interface, loading pages become a breeze as the application is ahead of its time.
With features like Auto pager, Cloud Sync, and Speed mode 2, the UC browser is still a part of the game. Once you set up the browser with your relevant data and bookmarks, you’re not going to want to switch to any other browser.
#4 — Samsung Internet Browser
The Samsung Internet Browser is a smooth application that uses hardware acceleration to speed up its process.
The Samsung Internet Browser provides its users with a cutting-edge browser that’s surprisingly easy to use and user-friendly.
#5 — Tor Browser
Tor has been floating around the internet for quite some time thanks to the ability to hide your location and stop your traffic from being tracked.
One of the most secure and private browsers in the world, Tor Browser blocks out your IP address so your system can’t be traced. It is easy to set up this feature-rich browser.
#6 — Vivaldi Browser
Launched as a protected browser, Vivaldi protects the user from trackers while blocking unwanted ads giving you just the right amount of control you need over your browser.
With a fast and seamless user interface, the Vivaldi browser can sync your data with end-to-end encryption so all your passwords and personal data remain safe.
#7 — Dolphin browser
Developed by MoboTab, the Dolphin browser was one of the original alternate browsers for the Android platform which supports multi-touch gestures.
Internet pages open much faster with the Dolphin browser, the Youtube web page also loads quite fast and the user interface is smooth and reliable.
Is the Mi browser good?
The Mi Browser might not be as popular as Chrome, Edge, or even Samsung Internet, but it has its positives too. The browser is surprisingly fast and easy to navigate.
Regardless of the positives, I would still recommend trying the other browsers because privacy is a huge question mark for the Mi Browser. Even Xiaomi doesn’t advertise any privacy features making it hard to recommend in today’s age.
How do I make Chrome my default browser on my Mi Mobile?
To make Google Chrome your default browser all you have to do is follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings” and select “Apps”
- Within the Apps section, click on the “Manage Apps” tile
- Proceed to tap on the three-dotted menu located in the top right corner.
- Now click on “Default Apps”, tap on “Browser” and select the “default browser”
- Now change the browser to Chrome
How to change default browser on Xiaomi Phones with MIUI – Takeaway
It is evident that somewhere down the line you’d want to change your default browser on your Xiaomi running MIUI. This is bound to happen due to privacy concerns and a lack of user-friendly responses.
The browsers listed are alternatives to the Mi Browser and most of them surpass the Mi browser ten-fold in terms of performance, user interface, privacy, and speed. Hope you were able to find the methods to change your default browser on Xiaomi using MIUI easy to understand.
Also Read:
Say Yes to Xiaomi! I am one of the BIG FAN to Xiaomi Products. I can’t resist the things they created or partner within their ecosystem. So my advice to you is “JUST BUY LAH”!
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