Android System WebView on Xiaomi: why you need to update and fix errors

If you've ever looked at the installed app list on your Xiaomi, you've probably noticed a mysterious component called Android System WebView. It doesn't have a desktop shortcut, doesn't run like a regular program, but it's updated regularly through Google Play. What is the system element, why is it so important for Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones, and can it be removed without consequences? In this article, we'll take a closer look at all aspects of how WebView works on Xiaomi devices, from the technical foundations to the practical tips for setting up.

Many users are facing problems with Android System WebView: apps suddenly get dyed, pages in the browser do not open, and error warnings appear in the settings. Especially after MIUI updates or firmware changes. We will explain why this happens, how to diagnose problems and what to do to return the smartphone to stable operation. And we will also tell you which Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro) are most often affected by bugs from WebView and why.

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

Android System WebView is a system component that allows apps to display web content directly inside themselves without opening an external browser. Imagine reading news on Facebook or Twitter, and instead of redirecting to Chrome, an article opens in the same window — that's what WebView does. On Xiaomi devices, it's integrated particularly deeply, as many branded services (such as Mi Community or Mi Video) actively use it.

Before Android 5.0, Lollipop WebView was part of the operating system itself, and it only updated with the firmware. But since Android 7.0 Nougat (which is the case for all devices newer than Redmi 4X on Xiaomi), it has been moved to a separate application that is updated through Google Play, which allowed to fix vulnerabilities and bugs faster, but also added new problems, such as conflicts with the MIUI shell.

• 📱 For users: provides a smooth browsing of web pages in applications without switching between windows.
• 🔒 For security: Regular updates close vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
• ⚡ For performance: optimizes content loading, reducing the load on the processor and battery.
• 🛠️ For developers: Provides a single API to display web content in any application.

Xiaomi WebView is also used to display ads in branded services (such as Mi Browser or Cleaner).If a component becomes outdated or corrupted, this can lead not only to app failures, but also to an increase in traffic consumption due to improper loading of banner ads.

How to check the version of Android System WebView on Xiaomi

To find out which version of Android System WebView is installed on your Xiaomi, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show System Processes.
3. In the search box, type in Android System WebView.
4. Slip on the found application – the version will be indicated in the window that opens (for example, 123.0.6312.115).

You can also find out the version via Google Play:

1. Open the Play Store and search for Android System WebView.
2. If the application is installed, you will see the Open button instead of Install – the current version will be indicated below it.

On Xiaomi with the MIUI 14 shell and later (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5), the WebView version should match the Google Chrome version, as they share the Chromium engine with Android 10. If the versions diverge, this may indicate update issues or a firmware conflict.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (e.g. Redmi) K60 Pro without Google Services firmware Android System WebView may not be available at all, in which case web content in apps is displayed via the built-in Mi Browser browser, which can lead to slowdowns.

Common Android System WebView Errors on Xiaomi and Their Causes

Xiaomi users often encounter messages like “Android System WebView has stopped” or “The app is not responding.”

• 🔄 Annexes (e.g, VK, Instagram or Mi Community suddenly closes when you try to open a web page.
• 📵 Chrome or Mi Browser do not load some sites, although the Internet works.
• ⚠️ A notification appears in the settings: "WebView Security Update Required".
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to constant activity of the component in the background.

The main reasons for such failures are:

On Xiaomi smartphones with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3 Pro), WebView errors are more common than on devices with Snapdragon, due to the features of optimizing firmware for different hardware.

How to Upgrade Android System WebView to Xiaomi

Updating Android System WebView is the first step to solving most of the problems, and you can do this in a number of ways:

Method 1: Through Google Play

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. In the search box, type in Android System WebView.
3. If an update is available, click Update.

Method 2: Manually via APK

If the update is not available through the Play Store (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can install the latest version manually:

1. Download the current one. APK-file from a reliable source (e.g. APKMirror).
2. Make sure the version matches your CPU architecture (e.g. arm64-v8a for most modern Xiaomis).
3. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.

💡

Before installing the APK, manually check the hash amount of the file (MD5) on the source site – this will protect against fake versions with viruses.

Method 3: Through ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can update WebView via the command line:

adb shell pm install -r --user 0 /path/k/webview.apk

This command will reinstall the component without deleting user data.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 8A or POCO M2) After manual updates to WebView, you may need to restart the device, otherwise the changes will not apply. It is also not recommended to roll back the version below the one that was originally installed - this can lead to crashes.

Can I remove or disable Android System WebView on Xiaomi?

Technically, Android System WebView can be disabled or even removed, but it is highly discouraged.

• 🚫 Disconnection: Applications will stop displaying web content, instead an error will appear: "Web page is not supported".
• 🗑️ Remove: The system will automatically restore the component when it is next updated or restarted (on the following update). MIUI This is done through Google Play Services).
• ⚠️ Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may stop working.

If you still want to disable WebView (for example, for testing), do the following:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Android System WebView.
2. Click Disable (on some firmwares this option may be blocked).

On devices with MIUI 12.5 and later (for example, Xiaomi 11T or POCO F4 GT), instead of completely shutting down, you can replace WebView with an alternative engine.

1. Install a browser that supports WebView (such as Firefox or Kiwi Browser).
2. In the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times), select Web browsing and specify an alternative application.

💡

Disabling Android System WebView on Xiaomi will cause most applications that use web content to crash.It is better to update the component than remove it.

How to fix Android System WebView errors in Xiaomi

If Android System WebView is starting to behave in an unstable way, try the following steps in order:

1. Clearing the cache and data

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Android System WebView.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
3. Reset the device.

2. Google Chrome Update

Since Android 10 uses Chrome, updating the browser often solves the problems:

1. Open Google Play and update Google Chrome.
2. Restart the smartphone.

3. Resetting application settings

If errors persist, reset the settings of all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset app settings.

4. reinstallation via ADB (advanced method)

For devices where standard methods don’t work (e.g., on the Redmi K40 with custom firmware), you can completely reinstall the component:

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


adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.webview

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially modified) after reinstalling WebView, you may need to re-activate Google Play Services. → Google accounts → Delete your account, then add it again.

Android System WebView on different Xiaomi models: features

Depending on the Xiaomi model and the MIUI version, the Android System WebView may have nuances.

On flagship models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3), WebView is usually stable thanks to powerful hardware and optimized firmware, while on budget devices (such as the Redmi A1), there may be delays in rendering complex web pages due to limited resources.

If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), WebView can be updated not through Google Play, but through the built-in firmware installer, in which case, keep an eye out for updates on developer forums (like XDA Developers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android System WebView on Xiaomi