How to remove Mi Browser by default on Xiaomi Redmi

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face intrusive system applications, among which Mi Browser occupies a special place. Standard web browser from the Chinese manufacturer does not always meet the requirements of users, and its forced opening when clicking on links from other programs causes irritation. The question of how to change the priority application or completely get rid of embedded software, remains one of the most popular among owners of budget and flagship devices of the brand.

The problem lies in the deep integration of the Mi Browser into the shell. MIUI The system often automatically selects it to display web pages, ignoring user-installed alternatives like Chrome or Yandex. To regain control of your gadget, you need to understand the difference between uninstalling an app and simply resetting your default settings. In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods for solving the problem, from simple menu switches to using the app. ADB-team.

It should be noted that standard means of the system to completely remove the system browser is not always possible. However, disable its auto-start and forced use is quite real. Complete removal of the system Mi Browser without root rights is possible only through ADB or special debloaters on the PC. We will look at safe ways that will not disrupt the operating system and will not lead to loss of warranty.

Why Mi Browser Opens Automatically

The main reason for the intrusive behavior is the operating system of Android. When you click on a link in a messenger or application, the system looks for the program assigned to handle the http and https protocols. If the settings previously set the "Always" checkbox for the Mi Browser, the system will no longer ask for your opinion. It just executes the command laid down in the priorities.

Also, the MIUI shell itself tends to revert to factory values after major updates. Even if you've chosen a different browser a long time ago, after a system update, priority can shift back to the standard app, a behavior often confused with a virus, but in fact, this is the standard, albeit aggressive, logic of the Xiaomi firmware.

Another aspect is background processes: the browser can run covertly to preload news or update the feed, which creates the illusion of its constant presence, and understanding these mechanisms helps you choose the right method of combating: either resetting your default settings or completely deactivating the component.

• 🔍 The system remembers the choice of "Always" to open links.
• 🔄 The firmware update resets user preferences.
• ⚙️ Deep integration into system services MIUI.

Resetting default settings through the system menu

The easiest and safest way to get your browser back is to reset your specific application settings, which doesn't require a computer connection and works on all versions of Android, and you need to go to the application management menu, where you store your priorities.

To start, go to your smartphone Settings. Find the Apps section or All apps. In the installed program list, find the Mi Browser (may be called the "Browser" with the planet icon), click on it to open the detailed information. Here we are interested in "Default" or "Default Launch".

Inside this menu, you'll see a button called Clear Default Settings or Reset Values. Clicking on it will remove the protocol binding to this application. Now, the next time you click on a link from Telegram or WhatsApp, the system will ask you again than open the page.

Sometimes the reset point may be inactive (grey), which means that the browser is not currently in a strict priority, and the problem may be hidden in the cache or actions of other applications, in which case you should try to clear the browser's cache through the Memory menu in the same settings section.

Selection of a new browser in the system settings

Once you reset, it's important to immediately specify your preferred application to the system. Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a separate menu for selecting the default applications, which eliminates the constant appearance of the selection window every time you click on the link.

To find this section, go to Settings -> Apps -> Settings (three dots or a gear in the corner) -> Default Apps. In the list that opens, look for the Browser option. Click on it and select from the list installed Chrome, Firefox or any other one you like.

If you don’t see the browser you want, make sure it’s installed and updated via Google Play.Some Chinese firmware versions may hide third-party browsers if they don’t have the appropriate certificates, but this is rare on global versions (Global ROM).

⚠️ Note: If the default app list has a "No" or "Always Ask" value, the system will display the selection menu every time.

It is also worth checking the settings of the Mi Browser itself. Inside the application, the settings section may have the option "Make the default browser"; disabling this option inside the application sometimes helps prevent the system from taking control again.

Complete removal via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t help or you want to completely cut the browser out of the system so it doesn’t take up space and consume resources, you’ll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable. It’s safe if you follow the instructions, but requires care.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone -> About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI (or OS). After the message "You became a developer" appears, go back to the main settings menu, find additional -> For developers and turn on the switchboard USB-debugging.

Now connect your phone to your computer. On your PC, download the Platform Tools package from Google's official website. Unpack the archive and open the command prompt (CMD or PowerShell) in the tool folder. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging permission request on your smartphone screen, check "Always Allow" and click "OK." If the device's serial number appears on the command line, the connection is successful, and you can now enter a command to delete the browser's system package:

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

In some regions, the package may be called differently, such as com.mi.global.browser or com.android.chrome (if it is a system Chrome). Make sure you delete the Mi Browser. Once you execute the command, the application will disappear from the desktop and from the list of installed programs.

Use of debloater applications

For those who are afraid to work with the command line, there are graphic shells for ADB, The so-called debloaters. ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater allows you to remove system debris in one click. This simplifies the process and minimizes the risk of typing the wrong command.

The way these programs work is similar to the manual method: you plug in the phone, you allow debugging, and the program reads a list of all the packages installed, and you just have to search the Mi Browser list and press the Uninstall button, and the program itself generates and sends the desired command to the device.

The advantage of this approach is that there are package descriptions: Good debloaters mark safe to remove applications in green, and critical system components in red, which helps to avoid situations where the weather widget or search bar stops working after removing the browser if they are tied to this component.

• 🛡️ Visual interface instead of code.
• 📋 Automatically identify safe packages.
• ⚡ Possibility of mass disposal of system debris.

⚠️ Note: Even with debloathers, do not delete packets that you do not know what they are intended for. MIUI This can cause a cyclic reboot (bootloop) of the device.

Possible problems and solutions

When you change your settings or delete your apps, you may have unexpected situations, such as when you delete your browser, the messenger links may stop opening at all, if there is no app left on the system that can handle http requests, and the solution is to immediately install any other browser from the Play Market.

Another common problem is the automatic recovery of a remote application after restarting or updating system components. This is a feature of MIUI protection. In such cases, only completely disabling updates for system applications in settings or using more radical methods of system modification, which is beyond the scope of this article, helps.

Users may also find that the “Clear Default Settings” button is not available, often by cleaning the cache of Google Play Services or the app you click from, sometimes by temporarily shutting down the Internet when you first start a new browser.

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If the weather widget has stopped updating after removing the Mi Browser, install a widget from Google or another third-party app. MIUI widgets are often tightly tied to the system browser to display the news feed.

Comparison of methods of changing settings

The choice of method depends on your skills and the end goal. If you are simply prevented by automatic opening, reset is enough. If you want to make room and remove unnecessary processes, you will need ADB. Below is a comparison table of methods.

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The safest way for the average user is to reset default settings and manually install the priority application in the system menu.

To sum up, Xiaomi provides enough tools to manage its device, even though they are hidden in the depths of the menu. You can remove the Mi Browser by default without losing functionality if you act consistently. The main thing is to have an alternative browser at hand before you turn off the standard one.