Android System WebView on Xiaomi: detailed analysis of the application, errors and solutions

Have you ever noticed the mysterious Android System WebView on your Xiaomi app list? This system software often raises questions: why it is needed, why it takes up space, can it be removed without consequences? This is especially true for users of Redmi, POCO and Mi series, where the application can weigh up to 100 + MB and regularly update via Google Play.

In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances of Android System WebView on Xiaomi, from the technical role in the system to practical optimization tips. You will learn how this application affects the speed of loading web pages in other programs, why it can cause errors (for example, code 10 or 504), and what to do if WebView stopped working after the MIUI update.

What is Android System WebView and why is it necessary for Xiaomi?

Android System WebView is a system component that allows other applications to display web content without opening a full browser, essentially a "mini browser" within each application that requires you to show a web page.

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, VK, Twitter) – open links and mini-sites directly in the application.
• 💳 Banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) – show web versions of documents or payment forms.
• 🎮 Games – Some titles (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) use WebView for news feeds or login.
• 📧 Mail and messengers – Gmail, Telegram can open preview links via WebView.

On Xiaomi, this component is integrated into MIUI and works in conjunction with Chrome (if installed). Without WebView, many of the app features will simply stop working - instead of content, you will see an empty screen or an error "Web page is not available".

It is important to note that on Xiaomi with MIUI 12+, WebView can work in two modes:

1. Standard – uses the built-in engine from Google (updated via Play Market).
2. MIUI-optimized – modified version from Xiaomi (updated through System Update).

How to check the version of Android System WebView on Xiaomi

To find out the current version of WebView and see if it needs an update, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type in Android System WebView.
3. Slip on the app and scroll to the "Version" block.

Current versions for 2026:

If your version is older than the table, it is recommended to update WebView.

• 🔄 Google Play (if the standard version is used)
• 📥 Through System Update in MIUI settings (for modified version).

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), WebView may be hidden in the list of system applications. To find it, turn on the display of all processes in the application settings (⋮ → Show system).

Can I uninstall Android System WebView with Xiaomi?

Technically, WebView can be removed, but it has serious consequences. The application is a system component, and uninstallation will lead to:

• ❌ App crash when trying to open web content (e.g., login to Instagram or viewing news in Yandex.Zen).
• ❌ System errors such as "com.google.android.webview crashed."
• ❌ Problems with MIUI — Possible interface lags and Quick Settings malfunctions.

However, there are safe alternatives:

Turn off automatic updates in Google Play

Clear the app's cache

Reverse to the factory version via ADB

Use an alternative browser (e.g. Firefox) for embedded content-->

If you still want to get rid of WebView, the only relatively safe way to do so is to disable it (do not delete it!):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Android System WebView.
2. Click “Disable” (on some Xiaomi models, this option may be blocked).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, disabling WebView may cause Google Pay and other financial services to fail. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Common Android System WebView bugs on Xiaomi and their solutions

Xiaomi users often experience WebView-related issues, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If the error persists, try resetting WebView to factory settings:

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.webview

This command must be executed through ADB (the instructions for setting up ADB for Xiaomi are in the FAQ).

How to optimize the Android System WebView on Xiaomi

WebView can take up a lot of space and slow down the system, especially on Xiaomi’s budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3).

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Clean WebView cache regularly through Settings → Apps → Android System WebView → Memory → Clear cache. This will free up to 500 MB of space.
• 🔄 Disable Auto Updates: If you are satisfied with the current version, please do not automatically update on Google Play (see the → ⋮ → App for Disable Auto Update).
• 🛠️ Alternative engine: You can switch to MIUI 13+ on Chrome Custom Tabs (includes in the developer settings).
• 📉 Background Limitation: In the WebView application settings, set "Limit background activity."

For advanced users, there is a way to reduce the consumption of WebView RAM:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 tap on "MIUI Version" in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the “Do Not Save Actions” option and turn it on for Android System WebView.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with 4GB of RAM or less (Redmi 8A, POCO C31), disabling WebView background activity can lead to frequent reboots of embedded browsers in applications.

Android System WebView vs Chrome on Xiaomi: Which is Better?

Many Xiaomi users are wondering: Do you need Chrome if you have WebView?The two components are closely related but perform different functions:

• 🌐 Chrome is a full-fledged browser for browsing the web.
• 🔧 WebView is a system tool for displaying web content within other applications.

Starting with Android 10 (and MIUI 11+), WebView uses the Chromium engine by default, just like Chrome.

• ✅ Chrome update automatically improves WebView performance.
• ⚠️ Removing Chrome may cause WebView to crash (on some firmware).
• 🔄 If Chrome is updated and WebView is not, the system will use an outdated version for embedded content.

Recommendations for Xiaomi users:

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On Xiaomi devices with MIUI for China (without Google services), WebView runs through a built-in engine from Xiaomi.In this case, Chrome is not needed, but WebView updates come less often and may contain outdated security versions.

What to do if Android System WebView stops working after MIUI update

One of the most common problems on Xiaomi is that WebView breaks down after a major MIUI update (e.g., 13 to 14).

• ❌ Applications do not open web pages.
• ❌ The error appears "android.webkit.WebViewFactory$MissingWebViewPackageException."
• ❌ The system suggests installing WebView, but the installation fails.

Algorithm of the solution:

1. Restart the device – sometimes a simple reboot helps.
2. Clear the cache and WebView data in the application settings.
3. Install manual version: Download the latest APK version from APKMirror. Delete the current version via adb uninstall com.google.android.webview. Install the downloaded APK.
4. Remove the MIUI update (if the problem has occurred after it): adb shell am start -n com.android.updater/.UpdateActivity In the menu that opens, select "Roll back" (not available on all models).

If nothing helps, the last option is to reset to factory settings (without data loss):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select "Resetting" (not "Reset to factory"!).
3. Confirm resetting only the application settings (this will not affect your files).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13), manually installing WebView via ADB may trigger the Anti-Rollback and device blink. In this case, use only official upgrade methods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)