How to Update Google Chrome on Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone: All Ways of 2026

Why it’s important to update Chrome to Redmi and the risks of ignoring updates

The Google Chrome browser on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not just a surfing tool, but a critical security and performance element. Each update closes vulnerabilities that can be used to steal data, install malware or even remotely control a device. For example, Chrome version 124.0.6367.91 (April 2026) fixed 11 critical vulnerabilities, three of which allowed arbitrary code to be executed through web pages.

But the problem with Redmi (especially with the MIUI firmware below the 14 version), Chrome updates are often blocked by system restrictions, due to Xiaomi’s policy of optimizing application background activity, which results in users experiencing browser freezes, site display errors (such as WebGL or AVIF- images) or even a complete inability to open some services, such as Google Pay or banking applications.

On Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO F3/F4 smartphones with MIUI 13 and below, Chrome can automatically roll back to the factory version after rebooting the device - this is a well-known problem associated with the operation of the service com.miui.securitycenter. In this article, we will analyze all current ways of updating, including bypassing system limitations, and explain how to avoid typical errors.

Method 1: Update to Google Play Market – Why it doesn’t always work

The most obvious method is to upgrade through the Play Market, but it often crashes on Redmi.

• 🔄 Limitations MIUI: The system blocks Play Market background activity, which prevents updates from downloading automatically.
• 📦 Lack of Google Services: Some models (e.g. Redmi for the Chinese market) don’t have the Play Market installed.
• 🔒 Regional restrictions: If a Google account is tied to a country where Chrome is distributed through third-party stores (e.g. China), updates may not show.

To update Chrome through the Play Market:

1. Open Play Market → click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select App and Device Management → Updates are available.
3. Find Google Chrome in the list. If it's not, type the name in the search bar.
4. Click Update. If the button is inactive, try clearing the Play Market cache (Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Memory → Clear the cache).

💡

If the Update button doesn't appear, check if you have Google Play Security Settings disabled. On some MIUI firmware, the service blocks updates.

If Chrome rolls back to the old version after the update, the problem is with com.miui.securitycenter.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling this service may reduce protection against malware. Do this only if you are prepared for the risks.

1. Install ADB on your computer and connect Redmi via USB (with debugging enabled).
2. Follow the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter
3. Reboot your smartphone and re-update Chrome.

Method 2: Hand-install APK – When Play Market is Unavailable

If the Play Market is not available or not working, you can manually install Chrome through the APK- file.

• 📱 Redmi for the Chinese market (without Google services).
• 🔧 Devices with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🛡️ Smartphones with Play Market blocked due to corporate policies.

Step-by-step:

Download the current version of APK from the official source |Allow installation from unknown sources |Delete the old version of Chrome (if required) |Install the new APK- file |Reboot the smartphone-->

Where to download the secure APK:

How to determine the processor architecture of your Redmi:

1. Install the CPU-Z app from the Play Market or via APK.
2. Open the SoC tab → look at the Instruction Set bar.
3. For most modern Redmis (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), this will be the ARM64-v8a.

Method 3: Update via MIUI Updater – a little-known trick

MIUI 12-14 firmware has a hidden feature for updating system applications, including Chrome, which works even if the Play Market is disabled.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Press 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Go back to Settings → Additional → System Update.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select App Update.
4. In the list, search for Google Chrome and click Update.

If this is not available, your firmware is not supporting the function, and the alternative is to use MIUI Hidden Settings, download it via GitHub and activate the System App Updater option.

Play Market| Hand-mounted APK|MIUI Updater| Other method-->

Method 4: Update through ADB – for power users

If all previous methods failed, you can upgrade Chrome via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🔧 Redmi with a blocked bootloader.
• 📦 Devices where Chrome is installed as a system application (cannot be removed by standard methods).
• 🛠️ Smartphones with a corrupted file system (e.g., after a failed rooting).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools from the Android Developers website and unpack it to your computer.
2. Turn on USB debugging on Redmi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 taps) → Developer settings → USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Download APK Chrome (like APKMirror) and place it in a folder with platform-tools.
5. Install the update with the command: adb install -r --fastdeploy chrome.apk Flag. -r replace the existing version, --fastdeploy speed up.

⚠️ Warning: If Chrome is installed as a system application, the adb install command will not work, in which case you first need to remove the old version via adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome, but this may cause disruptions to other Google services.

Solving Errors When Updating Chrome to Redmi

Even after a successful update, Redmi users often face problems.

If Chrome has started to shut down on its own or shows the “Chrome has stopped” error after the update, try:

1. Clear cache and app data: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Memory → Clear cache/Clean data.
2. Disable hardware acceleration (if page rendering problem): Open in Chrome chrome://flags → find Override software rendering list → install Enabled.
3. Install an alternative version of Chrome, such as Chrome Beta or Chrome Canary (available in the Play Market).

💡

If none of the methods worked, check the integrity of Redmi system files via MIUI Diagnostics (hidden menu, called by the command ##4636##).

Chrome Alternatives for Redmi: When to Switch to a Different Browser

If Chrome updates are not possible or the browser is not stable, consider MIUI-optimized alternatives:

• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox: Supports extensions, conflicts less with MIUI, but consumes more memory.
• 🌐 Microsoft Edge: Built-in ad blocker, good compatibility with Chromium sites.
• 🔍 Brave Browser: blocks trackers by default, but can brake on weak Redmis (e.g. Redmi 9A).
• 📱 Mi Browser: standard browser from Xiaomi, but with limited functionality (no sync with Google).

Comparison of browsers by key parameters:

If you decide to switch to another browser, don’t forget:

1. Export bookmarks from Chrome: open chrome://bookmarks → Export bookmarks.
2. Turn off sync in Chrome: Settings → Sync → Disable.
3. Clear Chrome data if you don’t plan to return: Settings → Apps → Chrome → Memory → Clear data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating Chrome on Xiaomi Redmi