How to change the browser on the phone Xiaomi Poco: from removing Mi Browser to setting up Chrome

The standard Mi Browser on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is often a source of intrusive advertising, limited features and privacy concerns. Many owners of MIUI 14 or MIUI 15 devices want to replace it with alternatives like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox, but face difficulties: the system does not allow you to simply remove the preinstalled application, and the default settings are hidden deep in the menu.

In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for scenarios ranging from completely removing Mi Browser (including hidden methods without root) to configuring an alternative browser as your primary browser. We’ll also look at why some methods stop working after MIUI updates, and how to get around these limitations. If you’re tired of advertising in a standard browser or just want more control over web surfing, read on.

Note that the procedure for replacing the browser with Xiaomi Poco differs from other Android devices due to the features of the MIUI firmware. For example, even after installing Chrome, the system can automatically open links to Mi Browser if you do not configure the settings correctly. We took into account all these nuances and prepared current solutions for 2026.

Why users want to change their browser to Xiaomi Poco

The main complaint against Mi Browser is built-in advertising and data collection. By default, the browser displays banners on the home page, puts promo content into search results, and can even redirect to affiliate sites. For example, if you type in a request in the address bar instead of directly going to google.com, you can be sent to m.bing.com with Xiaomi advertising.

The second problem is limited functionality. Mi Browser doesn't have:

• 🔍 Sync bookmarks with other devices (except for Xiaomi account)
• 🛡️ Built-in ad blocker (paid version only)
• 📱 Extension support (unlike Chrome or Firefox)
• 🔄 Automatic page translation (as in Edge or Yandex Browser)

The third point is performance. Tests show that the Mi Browser consumes 15-20% more RAM than Chrome or Edge when you open the same sites, which is critical for low-end Poco models (such as the Poco X5 or Poco M6 Pro), where every megabyte of RAM counts.

Finally, many users prefer a single browser across all devices (PC, tablet, smartphone). If you use Chrome on a laptop, it makes sense to install it on your phone to sync your history and passwords.

Preparation: What to do before replacing your browser

Before you remove the Mi Browser or install an alternative, follow a few steps to avoid problems:

1. Save bookmarks and passwords. If you have used Mi Browser, export data: Browser settings → Import/Export → Export bookmarks (in HTML file) Passwords will only be saved if you used your Xiaomi account for sync.
2. Check out the MIUI version. Some methods only work on MIUI 14+. You can find out the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
3. Disable automatic update Mi Browser. otherwise the system can restore it after deletion: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Auto-update → Shut down.

Important: On some Poco models (e.g. Poco F5), the Mi Browser is integrated into the system as a System Application, in which case it cannot be removed completely, only disabled.

Save bookmarks and passwords from Mi Browser|

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About Phone)|

Disable auto-update Mi Browser|

Download an alternative browser (Chrome/Edge) from Google Play|

Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (for downloading files)-->

If you are planning to use Google Chrome, consider that new Poco models (like Poco) X6 Pro) it may not be installed due to restrictions MIUI For the European region, try downloading. APK-file directly from apkmirror.com.

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If after installing Chrome links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache of the Settings app (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Method 1: Install an alternative browser and set up by default

The easiest method is to install a different browser and make it the primary one. This won't remove the Mi Browser, but will allow you to use an alternative for all links.

Step 1. Install your browser from Google Play:

• 🌐 Google Chrome
• 🌐 Microsoft Edge
• 🌐 Firefox

Step 2: Set your browser to default:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Default Apps.
3. Select the browser → specify the browser installed (for example, Chrome).

Step 3. Check the opening of links:

Open any messenger (for example, Telegram) and click on the link.

If it opens in Mi Browser, clear the messenger cache or reinstall it.

MIUI 15 has a new feature called "Intelligent Link Opening," which can ignore default settings to turn it off.

Settings → Special features → Intelligent link opening → Disable

Method 2: Complete removal of Mi Browser (without root rights)

If you want to get rid of the Mi Browser completely, there are two options: through ADB or with third-party utilities. The first method is safer and works on most Poco models.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Turn on USB debugging and confirm the permission.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command via ADB:

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

Note:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Step 3: Reboot your phone. After that, Mi Browser will disappear from the app menu and stop opening links.

⚠️ Warning: On some Poco models (e.g. Poco F4 GT), the Mi Browser is a system component and is not removed even through ADB. In this case, you can only turn it off: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

If you don't have an ADB PC, use the App Quarantine app, which allows you to freeze system applications without rooting.

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Deleting via ADB is the most reliable way, but requires a PC connection. If you are not sure about commands, use the pm disable-user method to avoid errors.

Method 3: Disable Mi Browser without removing

If you can't delete the browser, you can disable it and hide it from the system, which will prevent automatic link opening and remove the icon from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser on the list.
3. Click Disconnect → Confirm the action.
4. Return to the app menu and make sure the browser icon is gone.

After disabling Mi Browser, links will open in the browser you set up by default (see Method 1). However, some system features (such as search in settings) may stop working correctly.

⚠️ Warning: On MIUI 15, after disabling the Mi Browser, the ability to open PDF- files from email attachments may be lost. To fix this, install the PDF viewing app (e.g., Adobe Acrobat).

If you want to return your browser back, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disabled and turn it on again.

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To hide the Mi Browser icon from the menu, but leave it in the system, use a launcher like Nova Launcher. In the launcher settings, you can hide any applications without turning off.

Solving problems after replacing the browser

Even after a successful browser replacement, Xiaomi Poco users face typical problems.

1. Links open in Mi Browser despite default settings

• 🔧 Clear the cache of the app that opens links (such as Telegram or Gmail).
• 🔧 Reinstall the alternative browser.
• 🔧 Check the Open Supported Links settings in the browser information (Settings → Apps → Application Management → Chrome → Open by default).

2 After the Mi Browser was removed, weather or search widgets stopped working

This is because some MIUI widgets use Mi Browser components to display content.

• 🔄 Install a widget from another manufacturer (e.g. Google Weather).
• 🔄 Reverse to disabling the browser instead of deleting (see Method 3).

3. the alternative browser slows down or crashes

On budget Poco models (like the Poco C55), Chrome can run slower than the Mi Browser due to MIUI optimizations.

• ⚡ Enable "Light Mode" in the browser settings.
• ⚡ Use Firefox Lite or Edge – they are less resource-intensive.
• ⚡ Clear the browser cache in Settings → Storage.

4 You cannot install Chrome from Google Play

Some MIUI firmware for the European region, Google Chrome is hidden in the store.

• 🌍 Use VPN to change region to Google Play.
• 📱 Download APK- file from the official website google.com/chrome.
• 📱 Install Chrome Beta – it’s usually available in all regions.

How to get back Mi Browser if something goes wrong

If you have encountered critical errors after deleting or disabling Mi Browser (for example, system updates do not work or access to settings is lost), you can return the browser in two ways:

Method 1. Through settings (if the browser is disabled):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disabled.
2. Find Mi Browser and click Enable.
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 2. via ADB (if the browser is deleted):

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell pm install -r /system/priv-app/Browser/Browser.apk

Note:

Poco

If none of the methods helped, then the reset to the factory settings remains:

1. Make a backup of the data (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset).
2. Reset to Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.

After resetting, the Mi Browser will recover automatically.

⚠️ Warning: On some Poco models (e.g. Poco X6), a reset may result in a bootloader lock if the phone has been unlocked before. Before reset, check the bootloader status in Settings → Additional → For Developers → Uploader Status.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the browser to Xiaomi Poco