Not only is the browser on Xiaomi’s smartphone a convenient surfing tool, but it’s also a potential loophole for unwanted content, random purchases, or children accessing dangerous sites. Depending on your goal — whether it’s protecting personal data, limiting online time, or blocking your browser completely — MIUI has several effective methods, but not all of them are equally reliable: some are bypassed by standard system tools, others require third-party applications or even changes in security settings.
In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to block your browser on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO, including hidden MIUI features that few people use. You’ll learn how to password Google Chrome or Mi Browser, how to completely hide your browser icon from the menu, and why some methods may stop working after a firmware update. And also what pitfalls await when using third-party blockers on new versions of Android 13/14.
1. Built-in Parental Controls in MIUI: Age Limit
The safest and most recommended way is to use the built-in Parental Control feature (called Digital Wellbeing in some versions of MIUI), which allows you not only to block the browser, but also to set limits on the time of use, filter content by age categories, and block the installation of new applications.
To activate it:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Parental control (or settings) → Digital Well-Being and Parental Control on New Devices).
- 🔒 Create. PIN-code to access settings (this is important, otherwise the child will be able to disable restrictions!).
- 👶 Select a user profile (if several) or create a new child profile.
- 🌐 In the Application Limitations section, find the browser (Mi Browser, Chrome or other) and set a time limit or block it completely.
The advantage of this method is that you don't have to install third-party programs, but the restrictions are system-level, but there's a caveat: if a child knows the password from a Mi Account, they can reset settings through Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete the device. To avoid this, link the account to your phone number and email.
2. Blocking the browser with a password through “Application Protection”
If you just need to set a password to start your browser (for example, so that no one can log into the history or personal bookmarks), use the “App Protection” function in the browser. MIUI. She works like she does. PIN-a code or fingerprint at each time you open a program.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
- Turn on the function if it is disabled (you will need to set the main password for MIUI).
- In the list of applications, find the browser (Chrome, Mi Browser, Opera, etc.) and activate the switch next to it.
- Select the type of lock: Password, fingerprint or face recognition (on supported models).
This method is suitable for Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12 and other devices on MIUI 12-14. However, note: if an attacker gains access to the main password MIUI (for example, through a reset settings), he will be able to disable the protection.
☑️ Preparation for blocking the browser
3. Hiding the browser from the application menu
If you want to completely hide the browser so that it can not be found and run, use the Hidden Applications feature in MIUI. This does not block the browser from working at the system level, but makes it inaccessible through a standard launcher.
How to hide the browser:
- 🔍 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔎 In the search bar, enter the browser name (for example, Chrome).
- 👁️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide the app.
- ✅ Confirm the action (if necessary, enter a password).
After that, the browser icon will disappear from the menu, but it can be found through a search system or run through Settings → Apps. To completely block this method, combine with parental control or application protection.
What to do if the browser is not hidden?
4.Use of third-party blockers: pros and cons
If the built-in MIUI features are not enough, you can install third-party apps to block the browser.
- 🔐 AppLock (by DoMobile Lab) – supports locking PIN, fingerprint.
- 🛡️ Norton App Lock – Additional Protection Against Malware.
- 👨👩👧👦 Kids Place – a specialised parental control solution.
However, this method has serious disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Many blockers require permission to be available, which can conflict with newer versions of Android (13).+).
- ⚠️ Some applications (such as AppLock) can be removed through Settings. → Passwordless applications.
- ⚠️ On devices with MIUI 14 and newer third-party blockers may not work as well due to Google restrictions.
⚠️ Warning: When using third-party blockers, never disable Google Play Security settings.This can lead to malware installation under the guise of legitimate apps.
| Method of blocking | Reliability | Difficulty setting up | It works without the internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental control MIUI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low. | Yes. |
| Application protection (PIN/fingerprint) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Yes. |
| Browser hiding | ⭐⭐ | Low. | Yes. |
| Third-party blockers (AppLock) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Tall. | Yes. |
| No Internet mode | ⭐ | Low. | No. |
5. Radical method: disabling the browser through ADB
For power users who are willing to go to extreme lengths, there is a way to completely disable the browser at the system level via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will result in the browser disappearing from the system and not being accessible through either menus or links.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Run a command to turn off the browser (for example, for Mi Browser): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser For Chrome use: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.chrome
⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB This can cause the phone to function in an unstable way, such as some functions. MIUI (For example, web browsing in settings may stop working. To return the browser, use the command adb shell pm enable com.android.browser.
This method is not recommended for beginners, but it is the only one that gives a 100% guarantee of blocking, but after resetting the settings or updating the MIUI, the browser may reappear.
💡
Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore the system in the event of a crash.
6. Alternative solutions: Internet restriction or guest mode
If your goal is not so much to block your browser as to restrict access to the Internet, consider these options:
- 🌍 Guest mode: Create a separate user profile without app installation rights. → System system → Multiple users (not available on all models).
- 📵 Restriction of mobile data: Prevent the browser from using mobile Internet in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background restriction.
- 🔌 On-plane mode with Wi-Fi enabled: This will only allow you to use the networks you allow manually.
These methods are less reliable than full locking, but can be useful in certain scenarios, such as guest mode, which is suitable for temporarily transferring the phone to another person, and restricting mobile data will help avoid accidental traffic waste.
💡
The most reliable way is to combine MIUI parental controls with password protection, which gives you double protection from opening and bypassing settings.