MI Browser in Xiaomi: what kind of browser and why it is needed by owners of smartphones Xiaomi

If you are the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably noticed a pre-installed browser with a logo MI Browser. Many users mistakenly think it's an "extra" app and immediately delete it without even trying. Meanwhile, it's not just another clone of Google Chrome, it's a full-fledged browser with unique features, optimized specifically for the Mi ecosystem. UI.

In this article, we will explain in detail what is MI Browser, how it differs from other browsers, what pros and cons it has, and how to set it up correctly for the most convenient and safe surfing. You will learn why Xiaomi has integrated its own browser into firmware, what hidden features it offers and whether it should be used instead of Chrome or Firefox.

What is MI Browser and who designed it?

MI Browser (or Mi Browser) is a proprietary web browser developed by Xiaomi specifically for its smartphones and tablets. It is preinstalled on all devices under control. MIUI (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark) and is part of the Mi ecosystem. Unlike universal browsers like Chrome or Safari, this product is originally sharpened for the features of Xiaomi firmware and is closely integrated with other services of the brand.

The first version of the browser appeared in 2014, but it began to develop actively in 2016, when Xiaomi began to expand its ecosystem outside of China. MI Browser is available not only on mobile devices, but also on some Mi smart TVs. TV. Its engine is based on the open source Chromium project (like most modern browsers), but with a number of improvements of its own.

It is important to understand that MI Browser is not just a shell over Chrome. It has a:

• 🔹 Unique interface design adapted to MIUI
• 🔹 Built-in features to save traffic and battery
• 🔹 Integration with Mi Account and Mi Cloud
• 🔹 Special modes for reading and watching videos

At the same time, the browser supports all standard functions: synchronization of bookmarks, history of visits, incognito mode and extensions (although their choice is still inferior to the Chrome Web Store).

Main functions MI Browser: How is it better (or worse) than Chrome?

The main question that concerns users: MI Browser is different from Google Chrome and is it worth using? let's compare key features and highlight unique features.

First of all, MI Browser out of the box offers a few modes that aren’t in standard Chrome:

• 📖 Reading mode – removes ads and extra elements, leaving only text (useful for articles and news)
• 🎥 Video Mode – automatically detects the video on the page and suggests watching it in a floating window
• 🔋 Traffic saving mode – compresses data up to 30%, which is important for users with limited Internet
• 🌙 Dark theme – not only darkens the interface, but also adapts the colors of web pages to dark mode

Secondly, the browser is closely integrated with Xiaomi services:

• 🔄 Sync bookmarks, history and tabs with Mi Account (works even without Google)
• 📁 Quick access to files in Mi Cloud directly from the browser
• 📱 The ability to send links to other Xiaomi devices (for example, from a smartphone to Mi) TV)

But there are downsides, MI Browser doesn’t support as many extensions as Chrome, and its engine sometimes lags behind in rendering complex pages.In addition, in some regions (e.g. Europe), the browser can collect more user data than Chrome, due to the peculiarities of Xiaomi’s license agreements.

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MI Browser is optimized for the Xiaomi ecosystem, but is inferior to Chrome in the number of extensions and speed of work on some sites.

How to turn on, disable or remove MI Browser on Xiaomi

Since MI Browser is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices, many users want to know if it can be removed or at least disabled.

Delete MI Browser is completely impossible – it is a system application, and its uninstallation can lead to malfunctions. MIUI. But you can:

• 🚫 Disable the browser in the settings (it will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system)
• 🔧 Hide his icon from the main screen
• 🔄 Replace it with another browser by default

To turn it off. MI Browser, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find it on the list. MI Browser (or just Browser)
3. Click Disable (button will appear if the browser is not system default)

If there is no Disable button, then the browser is protected from changes, in which case you can simply install another browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) and make it the main one in the default settings.

Long click on the browser icon|Select "Delete" (the icon will disappear, but the application will remain)|If necessary, return via "Settings" → Annexes"-->

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI on Chinese firmware (China) ROM), Deleting or disabling system applications can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone. ROM) These problems usually do not occur.

Setting up MI Browser: Optimizing for Your Needs

Many users are unhappy with many MI Browser is only because they don't know how to set it up properly, but it offers flexible settings that allow you to adapt it to any task, from simple surfing to professional work.

Let’s look at the key parameters that should be changed immediately after the first launch:

One of the main advantages MI Browser is a read mode that automatically removes ads, banners and other distractions, leaving only the text of the article:

1. Open any article or news item
2. Click on the icon. 📖 address-bar
3. Choose the font size and color scheme

The browser also has a floating mode for video (Picture-in-Picture).If there is a video on the page, the browser will prompt you to open it in a small window that you can move around the screen while continuing to surf.

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If you don’t like the default search engine MI Browser, you can change it. Go to Settings. → Search engine and select Google, Yandex, Bing or DuckDuckGo.

Security and privacy: whether to trust MI Browser

One of the most controversial questions is how safe it is. MI Browser and does it pass data to Xiaomi or third parties.

On the one hand, the browser is based on Chromium, the same engine as Google Chrome, which guarantees basic protection against vulnerabilities, and on the other hand, Xiaomi has added its own modules for collecting statistics and analytics, which raises questions for users who care about privacy.

According to independent research (e.g. Privacy International), MI Browser in some regions (especially China) does collect:

• 🔍 Visit history (unless synchronization is disabled)
• 📍 Location data (if access is allowed)
• 📱 Information about the device (model, firmware version)
• 📊 Use statistics (which sites are visited more often)

In the global version (Global) ROM) Data collection is less aggressive, and the user can manually disable most trackers:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy
2. Turn off the options to send error reports and improve MI Browser
3. In the Permits section, disallow access to location and contacts

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI on Chinese firmware (China) ROM), Even after disabling all privacy settings, the browser can continue to send data to Xiaomi servers, in which case, for complete anonymity, it is better to use Firefox Focus or Brave Browser.

Hidden features of MI Browser: chips you didn’t know about

Many users do not even realize that MI Browser has a lot more than just opening web pages, and it has a few hidden features that can make it a lot easier to do.

Here are some of them:

• 🔍 Quick page translation – highlight the text and the browser will prompt you to translate it via Google Translate or Mi Translate (if installed)
• 📎 Save pages in PDF — Click on three dots in the menu and select Save as PDF
• 🔄 PC Sync – If you install Mi Browser on your computer (available for Windows), you can sync bookmarks and history between devices
• 🎵 Built-in music player – if there are audio files on the page, the browser will offer to play them in the background
• 📡 Offline mode - allows you to save pages for reading without the Internet (useful on the subway or plane)

Another little-known feature is the visually impaired mode, which enlarges the font, improves contrast, and removes animations to make the text more readable, so that it can be activated.

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities
2. Enable the option Mode for the visually impaired
3. Set up the font size and color scheme

Also, the browser has a built-in download manager that allows you to pause and resume downloading files, as well as limit the download speed so as not to load the network.

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MI Browser can save pages to the PDF, Translate text on the fly and work offline – these features are not available in standard Chrome.

MI Browser vs Google Chrome vs Firefox: Which browser to choose for Xiaomi

If you are still wondering which browser to use on Xiaomi, let’s compare it. MI Browser with major competitors: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

MI Browser is ideal for users who are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (Mi Account, Mi Cloud, smart devices).If you want synchronization between Xiaomi gadgets and built-in features like reading mode, this browser will be the best choice.

If you want speed and a huge number of extensions, go for Google Chrome, and for those who value privacy, Mozilla Firefox (or Firefox Focus for complete anonymity) is the best option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MI Browser