How to Remove Android System WebView Updates on Xiaomi Smartphones

Android System WebView is a system component that is responsible for displaying web content in applications without using a full browser. On Xiaomi devices (especially on models with MIUI 12+), users often face problems after automatic updates of this component: applications begin to fly out, pages do not load, and the system gives an error “Android System WebView has stopped.” In most cases, the solution lies on the surface – just roll back the updates to the factory version.

However, not everyone knows that uninstalling WebView updates incorrectly can lead to even more serious failures, from the inability to open Google Chrome to the complete inoperability of system utilities. In this article, we will understand when to actually remove updates, how to do it safely on Redmi, POCO, Mi and other Xiaomi devices, as well as what alternative methods exist to solve problems with WebView.

If your smartphone is running Android 10+, the process of uninstalling updates may be different from older versions. And on some MIUI firmware (e.g. global or Chinese), the rollback option is not on the menu at all. But don't worry, we have prepared instructions for all cases, including manual removal via ADB.

Why remove Android System WebView updates on Xiaomi?

The main reason is a version conflict: After updating WebView via Google Play or system services, new files may not be compatible with your version of MIUI or Android, manifested by the following symptoms:

• 🚨 Apps (especially Chrome, Gmail, VKontakte) are immediately closed after launch.
• 📱 The message appears “Android System WebView app has stopped” when you open any links.
• 🔄 The smartphone starts to slow down or overheat for no apparent reason.
• 🌐 Web pages in apps are displayed incorrectly (fonts downed, no styles).

The second common reason is experimental features: Some WebView updates contain beta features that are poorly optimized for Xiaomi devices with custom firmware. For example, after the release of Android 13, many users of POCO F4 and Redmi Note 11 complained about bugs precisely because of the new version of WebView 115+.

Finally, you may need to remove updates after a manual firmware downgrade.If you rolled back from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13 but forgot to reset WebView, the system will give compatibility errors.

Preparation: What to do before removing updates

Before you start rolling back WebView, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid data loss or total system failure:

1. Backup. Use built-in Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (root rights required). It is especially important to save data from applications that use WebView (such as Telegram with web chats).
2. Check the Android and MIUI version. Go to Settings → About Phone and write: Android Version (e.g. 12 or 13) Version MIUI (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5).

Turn off automatic WebView updates

Google Play

Android System WebView

"Disable Auto Update"

Charge your phone at least 50%

If you're using Xiaomi.eu or some other custom firmware, check if WebView has been removed completely, and in some builds it's been replaced with alternative components, and the rollback may not work.

Check out the Android and MIUI | version

Create a backup of the data |

Disable WebView Auto Update in Google Play|

Charge your phone at least 50% |

Make sure there is enough free space on the device (minimum 500 MB)-->

Method 1: Remove updates through settings (without root)

This is the easiest and most secure method that works on most Xiaomi devices with official firmware.

1. Open the Settings. → "Annexes".
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Show all apps” (or “Show system”).
3. In the list, look for Android System WebView (which may be referred to simply as WebView).
4. Slip on it → “Delete updates” (or “Return to factory settings”).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), after the updates are removed, the system may suggest installing Google Chrome as an alternative engine for displaying web content.

💡

If the issue persists after you delete the updates, try clearing the WebView cache and Google Play Services. To do this, find both components in the application settings and click Clear Cache and Clear Data (only for Google Play Services this may require re-authorization in your Google account).

Method 2: Manual removal via ADB (for power users)

If the standard method didn't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Be prepared first:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB).
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times tap on the "Build Number" in Settings → About phone).
3. Activate "Debugging by" USB" In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Now, execute the commands:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.webview




pm clear com.google.android.webview

If the first team makes a mistake, Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]", Try an alternative option:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.webview && adb shell pm install -r -d /system/priv-app/WebViewGoogle/WebViewGoogle.apk

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone. If WebView is missing from the app list, it has been reset to the factory version. To return it, update it via Google Play (but only after checking the system's stability!).

Method 3: Remove via TWRP (root or unlocked bootloader required)

This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a custom TWRP recap installed. It allows you to completely remove WebView updates, including residual files.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest version TWRP For your Xiaomi model (for example, for Redmi Note) 10 Pro. twrp-3.7.0_12-vayu.img).
2. Download your phone to Fastboot mode (hold Power + Vol Down when you turn on).
3. Connect to the PC and execute the command: fastboot boot twrp.img
4. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Find the /data/app/com.google.android.webview-1/ folder and delete it.
6. Also check the folder /data/app/com.google.android.webview-2/ (if any).
7. Reboot to the system.

After that, WebView will be reset to the firmware version, and if you use custom firmware (like LineageOS), you may need to manually flash a compatible version of WebView via TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Delete system files through TWRP It can lead to bootloop if you remove something critical. /data change!

Alternative Solutions: What to Do If Deletion Doesn't Work

If you have problems after WebView updates, try these methods:

If none of these methods worked, the last solution is to reset to factory settings. Make sure to back up before you do that, because all the data will be erased. After you reset, WebView will go back to the original version, but you'll have to reconfigure the phone.

On some Xiaomi.eu firmware, the problem is solved by installing the "WebView Fix" patch through TWRP. Find it on the xiaomi.eu forum in the section of your model.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with Android System WebView, users often make critical errors that exacerbate the problem, and the most common ones are:

• 🔄 Removing WebView completely (not just updates) makes it impossible to open any web pages in apps. Solution: reinstall WebView via Google Play.

Another common mistake is to turn off Google Play Services in an attempt to speed up the phone, which will not only render WebView, but most Google apps, inoperable, and instead, simply disable the WebView auto-update on Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi devices with Android 12+ and MIUI 13/14 The WebView component can be integrated into the system partition, in which case its removal will lead to the loss of functionality of all browsers and applications with web content. Before experimenting, check whether your model is an exception (for example, Xiaomi). 12 Pro or Redmi K50).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions