How to change default apps on a Xiaomi phone (HyperOS 3)

Device

Android

Shown on

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (25080RABDG), HyperOS 3.0.308.0, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Apps › Other settings › Default apps

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open the Apps menu

   Go to Settings, Apps, and tap the three dots at the top right. The menu has Show all apps and Other settings. Tap Other settings.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Default apps

   Default apps is the first row, above System app settings, Uninstalled system apps and Reset app preferences.

   Done

3. 

   Pick what to change

   Ours listed Launcher (System launcher), Dial (Phone), Messaging (Messages), Caller ID and spam app (Not selected), Browser (Chrome), Camera, Gallery (Not selected), Music (Not selected) and Email (Gmail). Tap Browser.

   Done

4. 

   Choose the app

   The browser picker listed Chrome, selected, and Mi Browser. Tap the one you want.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Default apps in Apps? Xiaomi's guide gives the same route: Settings, Apps, the menu at the top right, Other settings, Default apps. Source: Generic User Guide for HyperOS 3.0
• App not listed as a choice? Only apps that can do that job are listed. Mi Browser and Chrome were the only browsers on ours.

If this does not work

• Want Xiaomi's choices back? Reset to defaults is at the bottom of the Default apps page. We didn't tap it.
• Want the old launcher back? Launcher was System launcher on ours. Pick it again in Default apps.
• Gallery or Music says Not selected? Nothing is set yet, so the phone asks which app to use. Tap the row to pick one.

About this guide

Default apps decide which app opens links, calls, messages and the home screen.

The screenshots are from our Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G with Xiaomi HyperOS 3.0.308.0 and Android 16, in Light mode. We opened the browser choice and backed out without changing it.

Good to know

Remove apps you don't use: how to uninstall or disable preinstalled apps.

In short: Settings, Apps, three dots, Other settings, Default apps, Browser.