How to remove the default browser on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which often becomes the default browser. Many users want to replace it with Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser, but face difficulties: the system stubbornly returns the standard application, and there is no obvious way to disable it in the settings. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from basic settings to hidden MIUI functions, which will help to finally get rid of the unnecessary browser.

It’s important to understand that starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi blocks the complete removal of system applications without root rights, but they can be deactivated or replaced with analogues. We’ll look at options for different versions of firmware, including Redmi, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 13/14 models. If you have already tried changing your browser through settings and nothing worked out, don’t rush to reset your phone. There are more effective solutions!

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to change the default browser?

The manufacturer is integrating the Mi Browser into the system for a reason.

• 🔗 Advertising model: The browser displays ads and collects data for targeted ads (even if you have disabled personalization).
• 📊 Analytics: Xiaomi uses a browser to collect statistics on user behavior (for example, which sites are visited more often).
• 🔄 Ecosystem MIUI: The browser is closely linked to other services (e.g. Mi Account or Quick Apps).
• 🛡️ Security: according to the developers, the system browser is protected from data leaks better than third-party.

In MIUI 12-13, you could still turn off the browser through the application menu, but in MIUI 14-15, this item disappeared, but the workarounds remained, and we will discuss them later.

⚠️ Warning: Some methods require activation of the developer mode. USB, Do it in advance: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap the assembly number 7 times.

Method 1: Change the default browser through Android settings

The simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, etc.) is suitable if you want to simply replace the browser, but not delete it.

1. Install an alternative browser (like Google Chrome or Brave) from the Play Market.
2. Open any web link (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) and the system will prompt you to select a browser.
3. Select the desired application and tick Always (or Use by default).
4. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Browser.
5. Click on Default and select a new browser from the list.

If there is no default, the system has already assigned another browser.

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Mi Browser and click Clear Cache + Clear Data.
3. Repeat steps 2–3 with the link opening.

Install an alternative browser from the Play Market

Clear cache and data Mi Browser

Check for the "Default" option in the settings

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

This method does not remove the Mi Browser, but makes it inactive. If you need to completely deactivate the system application, read the next section.

Method 2: Deactivate Mi Browser through application settings

MIUI 12-13 was able to turn off the browser completely, but newer versions have hidden this option, but it can still be activated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

If you have MIUI 14+, follow these steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (see the warning above).
2. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

For POCO models (e.g., POCO F5), another command may be required:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser

Once executed, the browser will disappear from the application menu and stop opening by default. To return it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser

⚠️ Note: on some devices (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60) Quick Apps (Fast Apps on the Home Screen) may disappear after deactivation of the browser. If this is critical, use Method 3.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, update the drivers via the Mi PC Suite or reinstall Google USB Driver.

Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If ADB commands seem complicated, you can use special applications. They don't require superuser rights, but some features may be limited.

Example of the Package Disabler:

1. Install the application and provide all the permissions requested.
2. In the list, look for com.android.browser or com.miui.browser.
3. Press Disable (Disable).
4. Reboot the phone.

The downside of this method is that after updating MIUI, the browser can be activated again, in which case, repeat the procedure.

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Brave

Opera

Other-->

Method 4: Remove the browser via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you are ready for radical measures and you have customized TWRP recavators installed, you can completely remove the Mi Browser, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K40, etc.).

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for your model.
2. Load the phone in Recavery mode (Power + Volume up).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Find folders: /system/priv-app/MiBrowser/system/app/Browser

.bak

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: deleting system files may result in a bootloop.Before the procedure, backup through TWRP → Backup!

Once deleted, the browser will disappear from the system, but associated functions may also disappear (for example, preview links in Mi Share). If this is critical, it is better to use Method 2 (deactivation via ADB).

Method 5: Reset application settings (if nothing helps)

If after all the manipulations, the browser still opens by default, try resetting the application settings, which will return all bindings to factory values, but will not delete user data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action.
4. After restarting, repeat Method 1 (change browser through settings).

This method also resets:

• 🔕 Permissions for all applications (they will have to be reconfigured).
• 🔄 Default settings for calls, SMS other activities.
• 📱 Optimizing the battery for applications.

If that didn't work, the problem might be the cloud settings of Mi Account.

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Turn off the synchronization of System Settings.
3. Repeat the application reset.

What if the browser itself returns after the update?

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that after the MIUI update, all settings are reset, and Mi Browser again becomes the default browser.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI (If the update is only a problem, use the Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 🛡️ Install Magisk and Universal Debloater, which blocks system application recovery.
• 📱 Use a Launcher from a third-party developer (like Nova Launcher) that ignores default system settings.

If you don’t want to roll back or get root rights, the only reliable way is to check your browser settings regularly after each update and manually assign the desired application by default.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi

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The most reliable method is deactivation via ADB. It works on all versions of MIUI and does not require root rights, but requires a connection to a PC.