How to completely disable or remove Mi Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 5 working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often encounter an intrusive pre-installed browser Mi Browser. This application not only takes up space in memory, but also actively consumes traffic in the background, shows ads, and sometimes redirects search queries through Xiaomi servers. If you want to get rid of it forever – this article will help you figure out how to disable, delete or at least limit its work on your device.

It's important to understand that Redmi 7A runs on MIUI (usually 10-12), where Mi Browser is a system application, which means that it's not just removed, it's going to require additional manipulation. We'll look at all the ways we can go from safely disabling through settings to radical removal with ADB and custom firmware, and we'll also look at the risks that these methods pose and how to minimize them.

Before you start, make sure you have a backup of important data. Some methods (especially those related to ADB or root rights) can cause system failures if done incorrectly. If you are not sure of your actions, limit yourself to the first way (disconnection through settings) that is completely safe.

Why is Mi Browser in the way of Redmi 7A users?

At first glance, Mi Browser seems like a normal browser, but in practice it causes a lot of inconvenience:

• 📱 Intrusive advertising: even when opening a new tab, the user is shown banners and promotional materials Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Search redirects: Requests are often sent through Xiaomi servers, which slows down loading and raises privacy issues.
• 📊 Background activity: The app consumes traffic and battery power even when not in use.
• 🚫 Impossibility to delete: no uninstallation option is available in standard settings.
• 🔄 Automatic updates: the browser is updated through MIUI, Returning all the “chips” that the user tried to disable.

According to independent tests, the Mi Browser in the background can spend up to 150-200 MB of traffic per month on synchronization and analytics alone. For users with limited tariffs, this is critical. In addition, the browser often opens spontaneously when clicking on links in other applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), which annoys many owners of Redmi 7A.

Another problem is data collection. In 2020, Forbes researchers found that Mi Browser was feeding information about sites visited to Xiaomi servers even if the user did not consent to it. Although the company later claimed to have fixed the vulnerability, trust in the browser was undermined. If you are concerned about privacy, disabling or deleting the Mi Browser becomes not a desirable step, but a necessary step.

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser via MIUI settings (no root rights)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the browser through standard settings. This will not remove the application completely, but will stop its background activity and hide the icon from the menu. 7A on MIUI 10–12:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the list, find Mi Browser (may be called simply Browser).
4. Slip it on it, then select Unplug.
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After that:

• 🔄 Browser icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🚫 Mi Browser Background Processes Will Be Stopped.
• 🔗 Links can still open in it if it is set by the default browser (see next section).

If the option is inactive (grey), you have a modified version of MIUI installed on your device (e.g. global firmware for China), in which case you can try upgrading to the latest version or use alternative methods from this article.

Method 2: Reset the browser by default and block the opening of links

Even after disabling, Mi Browser can automatically open links from other apps, because it's set by the default browser, to fix the situation:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Browser and tap it.
3. Choose to open by default (or by default).
4. Click Reset the default settings.

Now, when you click on a link, the system will ask you which app to use, so you don't accidentally open the Mi Browser.

• 🔗 Install an alternative browser (like Google Chrome or Firefox) and assign it to the primary browser.
• 🛡️ In the alternative browser settings, disable the option to Open supported links for Mi Browser.
• 📵 Use apps like App Block (from Google Play) to block the Mi Browser launch completely.

If you want to radically prevent Mi Browser from opening any links, you can use the function Background activity Limitation:

1. In the Mi Browser app settings, select Battery → Background activity restriction.
2. Activate the Limit option.

💡

If, after resetting the default settings, links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache and data of the app that generates those links (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

Method 3: Remove Mi Browser via ADB (no root rights)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can delete the browser completely using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method does not require root rights, but will require connecting the phone to the computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original USB-On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP). On the computer, confirm the debugging permission (a request will appear).
3. Install ADB: Download Platform Tools from the official Android site. Unpack the archive into any folder (e.g., C:\adb). Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb

Execute the command to remove

Enter in turn:

adb devices

(Your phone serial number should appear)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

If the command fails, try an alternative package:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

After successful implementation:

• ✅ Mi Browser will be removed for the current user (not from the system completely).
• ⚠️ Updates MIUI You can return the browser – you will have to repeat the procedure.
• 🔧 If errors occur, check if the phone is connected correctly and debugging is enabled.

Warning:

⚠️ Do not use the pm uninstall command without a flag. --user 0 — This will result in the removal of the browser for all users and may cause malfunctions. MIUI. Also, do not remove other system applications (e.g. com.android.settings) unless you are sure of their purpose.

Method 4: Removal with root rights (for power users)

If you have root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can delete the Mi Browser permanently, including all of its system files.This method is risky - wrong actions can lead to a bootloop. Use it only if you understand the consequences!

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root rights support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
3. Find folders with names: Browser MiuiBrowser MiuiBrowserGlobal

.bak

Reboot the phone.

The best way to do this is to use Titanium Backup:

1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
2. Give him root access.
3. Find Mi Browser in the list of apps.
4. Choose to Remove (Do Not Freeze!).

Important:

⚠️ Removing system applications can disrupt the work MIUI, Especially if you're using global firmware. Before you delete, back up through TWRP Or OrangeFox. If you delete it, you stop loading it, you have to manually reflash it.

If you don't want to take risks, but you want to get rid of ads in your browser, you can edit the hosts file instead of deleting it by blocking the domains responsible for displaying banners.

1. Download the AdAway app (requires root).
2. Update the lock lists.
3. Apply the changes and restart the phone.

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (for advanced)

The most radical, but also the most effective way is to install custom firmware that does not have Mi Browser, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS. This method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, which voids the warranty and carries risks.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🧹 Complete absence of pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
• 🚀 Higher performance and current versions of Android.
• 🔒 Better privacy (no data collection).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ The risk of “bricking” the phone in case of an error.
• 🔌 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 📱 Possible problems with the camera or sensors (depending on the firmware).

If you decide to do this, follow the official instructions for Redmi 7A on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Installation of TWRP or other custom recaveri.
3. Formatting partitions and installing firmware.

Recommendation:

⚠️ Before firmware check the compatibility of the selected firmware with the Redmi model 7A (Some builds may be designed for other devices (e.g. Redmi 7 or Redmi). 8A), This will cause the phone to fail.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the main pros and cons of each method in the table:

For most Redmi 7A users, the best solution is a combination of the first and second methods: disabling the browser through settings + resetting it as the default application. This is safe and requires no special knowledge. If you need a more radical solution, use ADB, but be ready to repeat the procedure after updates.

💡

Removing the Mi Browser won’t improve the phone’s performance, but it will reduce traffic and battery consumption, and increase privacy.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable or remove Mi Browser, users often face some common problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 ADB Does not see the device: Check if Xiaomi drivers are installed on the PC. USB-port or cable. In the developer settings, activate Debugging by USB (safe-haven).
• 🔄 Browser returns after update MIUI: To avoid returning, disable automatic updates of system applications to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update of applications.
• ⚠️ Phone stopped booting after deleting system files: If you deleted Mi Browser with root rights and the phone doesn't turn on, try logging in TWRP And then we can restore the backup. If it's not there, we'll have to refashion the device.
• 📱 Inactive button "Disable" in settings: This means that the browser is protected from shutdown at the firmware level. MIUI before the latest version or use it ADB.
• 🔗 Links still open in Mi Browser: Clear the cache and data of the apps that generate those links (like WhatsApp or Facebook). Also check your browser's default settings (see Method 2).

If you encounter another problem not described here, check the error logs through ADB Logcat or refer to thematic forums (e.g. 4PDA) by specifying the phone model (Redmi 7A) and the MIUI version.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions