How to Disable or Remove Google Chrome on Xiaomi: All Ways

Google Chrome is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones as a system application, and many users face a problem: it can not be removed by standard methods. The reasons for getting rid of Chrome vary from saving battery power to wanting to use alternative browsers like Mi Browser or Firefox. However, simply clicking on “Delete” in the application menu will not work: the system will either block the action or return the browser after rebooting.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to disable or delete Google Chrome on Xiaomi (including models on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS), as well as how to avoid typical errors. We will focus on the method using ADB, which allows you to remove the application without root rights, and explain why some methods can lead to malfunctioning of Google services. If you want not just to hide the icon, but completely deactivate the browser, read on.

Why Google Chrome can’t be removed in the standard way

On Xiaomi smartphones (as on other Android devices), Google Chrome is a system application, meaning it is integrated into firmware and is protected from accidental removal.

• 🔒 Google license agreements: Manufacturers must pre-installe Google’s core services (including Chrome) to access Google Play Services.
• 📱 Dependence on MIUI. Some system features (such as bookmark sync) may use Chrome components.
• 🔄 Automatic recovery, even if you remove it. APK-the file manually, the system will return it after updating or resetting.

In addition, MIUI often links Chrome to other services, such as the Google Play Store or Google Assistant, and trying to delete the browser can cause errors in the operation of these applications, but this does not mean that it is impossible to disable it, just need additional tools.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Chrome completely without backing up data may disrupt your Google Account on your device, such as your passwords or search history.

Method 1: Disconnect via Android Settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate Chrome, not delete it.This hides the app from the menu and stops it from running in the background, but doesn't free up disk space.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find Google Chrome (you can use the search).
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Disable.
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After that, the Chrome icon will disappear from the menu, and the process com.android.chrome will no longer consume resources.

• 🔄 Update MIUI The browser can be activated again.
• 📥 Some links will still open in Chrome (e.g. from Gmail or YouTube).

💡

If after disabling Chrome links continue to open in it, install an alternative browser (for example, Firefox) and in its settings select the option “Open supported links”.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root rights)

For those who are willing to go further than just disabling, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a good way to uninstall Chrome as a system application without getting root permissions, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

Debugging is on. USB|Installed ADB-PC drivers|Smartphone connected in file transfer mode|Backup of important data is made-->

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome

Once the command is executed, Chrome will be removed for the current user (not systemically) and to return it, you just need to reinstall it from Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Google Assistant or Google Search may stop working after Chrome is deleted. Before executing the command, check the application dependency using the adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome.

Mi Browser|Firefox|Opera|Samsung Internet|Other-->

Method 3: Mi Security lock (for MIUI 12-14)

If you don’t want to delete Chrome, but you need to limit its activity (for example, so that it does not open by default), you can use the built-in Mi Security tool. This method does not require a PC connection and works on most Xiaomi devices.

How to block Chrome:

1. Open Security → Optimization → Battery and Performance
2. Find Google Chrome in the list of apps.
3. Select Limit Background Activity and Disable Auto Start.
4. In the Permissions section, disable access to Camera, Microphone and Locations (unless you are synchronizing).

This method does not remove the browser, but significantly reduces its impact on the autonomy of the device. For example, after blocking auto-run, Chrome will no longer consume up to 5-10% of the charge in the background (according to the tests on the Redmi Note 11 and POCO X5).

Method 4: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you’re ready for drastic measures and your Xiaomi has unlocked the bootloader and installed custom recovery (TWRP), you can delete Chrome at the system partition level.This method permanently removes the browser, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for your Xiaomi model and install it.
2. Load into recovery mode (usually Power + Volume Up).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Find /system/priv-app/Chrome or /system/app/Chrome and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Brick Risk: Incorrectly deleting system files can make your phone inoperable.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Chrome may be back.
• 🔧 You will need to repeat the procedure after each firmware.

Method 5: Replacing Chrome with an alternative browser by default

If the goal is not to delete Chrome, but simply not to use it, you can assign another browser to the default app, which will prevent automatic link opening in Chrome and reduce its activity.

How to change the default browser:

1. Install an alternative browser (such as Firefox, Opera, or Mi Browser).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select the Default Apps.
4. In the browser section, select the desired application.

After that, all links from messages, emails and other apps will open in the browser of choice, but Chrome will remain on the system and can be updated through Google Play.

💡

The safest way to get rid of Chrome is to assign a different browser by default and disable autorun.This doesn't remove the app, but minimizes its use.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable or delete Google Chrome on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔙 Chrome comes back after the reboot. This is because of the AutoRestore feature in Google Play. To turn it off: Open the Google Play Store. Go to Settings. → General. → Auto-Update Apps. Choose Never.

Error “Cannot delete the packet” when using ADB

• The device is not connected in debugging mode via USB.
• Incorrectly entered command (check register: com.android.chrome, not com.google.chrome).
• Firmware is blocking. ADB-commands (relevant to some versions of HyperOS).

Performance decreased after Chrome was removed

• Have other components (such as WebView) been removed along with Chrome?
• Does the alternative browser conflict with MIUI (for example, Kiwi Browser can slow down on some firmware).

If none of the methods worked, perhaps your Xiaomi model has special protection against changes in system applications, in which case you can either accept the presence of Chrome, or consider the option with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where there are no preinstalled Google applications.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions