How to completely disable Mi Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working methods

The standard Mi Browser browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones is often annoying for users: it consumes resources in the background, shows advertising and is not always easy to use. Many people try to remove it, but face the limitations of the MIUI system. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the Mi Browser - from simple settings to deep changes in the system that do not require superuser rights.

It's important to understand that you can't completely remove a preinstalled browser without root, it's a manufacturer-protected system application, but it can be deactivated, hidden from menus, and disable auto-start. We tested all methods on Redmi 9 with current versions of MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware) and only selected working solutions.

If you want to go to Google Chrome, Firefox or another browser, after you disable Mi Browser, the system will not force you to open links in it, but beware: some methods may affect the operation of other MIUI functions, such as syncing with your Xiaomi account.

Why can't Mi Browser just be removed?

Unlike conventional applications, Mi Browser is embedded in MIUI firmware as a system component.

• 🔧 It is linked to other Xiaomi services (e.g. cloud bookmark synchronization).
• 🛡️ Removing without root will lead to errors in the work MIUI.
• 🔄 After resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the browser will return.
• 📱 On some versions MIUI It is responsible for processing web links in other applications.

The manufacturer blocks the removal of system applications to:

1. Maintain the stability of the shell.
2. Ensure the operation of proprietary functions (for example, Mi Cloud).
3. Prevent problems with updates.

But you can turn off the browser -- it won't disrupt the system, but it will eliminate its background activity -- and then we'll look at all the ways that we can do that, starting with the safest ones.

Method 1: Disconnecting through application settings

The easiest and safest way is to deactivate the Mi Browser from the app menu, which won’t remove it completely, but will stop the background and hide the icon from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find Mi Browser (or Browser).
3. Slip it and select Disable it.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

After that:

• 📱 The browser icon will disappear from the main menu.
• 🔄 It will stop updating through the Play Market.
• 🚫 It won’t start automatically when you open links (unless you’ve designated it as your default browser).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI When you turn off your browser, your bookmarks synchronized with your Xiaomi account may disappear. If they are important to you, export them manually first.

Save the bookmarks in HTML-file|Assign a different browser by default|Check for updates MIUI|Disable notifications from the browser-->

Method 2: Prohibit auto-start and background activity

If you don't want to shut down your browser completely, but you want to stop it from working in the background, limit your rights and auto-start it, and that will reduce battery consumption and traffic.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Select permissions and disable all unnecessary (geolocation, camera, microphone, file access).
3. Go back and tap AutoRun - turn it off.
4. In the Battery menu, select Background Limitation.
5. In Notifications, disable all alerts from the browser.

These actions will not delete the application, but will make it passive.

• 🔋 Expend battery power in the background.
• 📶 Use mobile traffic for updates.
• 📌 Appear in the list of recently opened applications.

This method is suitable if you use Mi Browser occasionally but want to minimize its impact on the system, for example, to check web pages in a “clean” browser without extensions.

Google Chrome|Mozilla Firefox|Opera|Samsung Internet|Other-->

Method 3: Resetting the browser to factory settings

If Mi Browser slows down, shows errors or is too overloaded with advertising, instead of turning off, you can reset its settings, this will clear the cache, cookies and return the browser to a “default” state.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Choose Warehouse.
3. Tap Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Confirm the action.

After discharge:

• 🧹 Remove all bookmarks, history and saved passwords.
• 🔄 The browser will return to factory settings.
• 📱 Possible problems with logging into accounts (re-authorization will be required).

⚠️ Note: If you sync your bookmarks to your Xiaomi account, they will recover after you re-sign in, but local data (such as saved forms) will be lost irretrievably.

This doesn't turn off the browser, but it can be useful if you want to leave it on the system but return it to a "clean" state, such as before selling a phone.

Method 4: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

For power users, there is a way to disable the Mi Browser via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which will lock it at the system level, but will require a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

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

If the command is successful, the browser will be disabled at the system level. To return it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete shutdown without removal.
• 🔄 It does not affect updates. MIUI.
• 📱 No root.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI after-out ADB System security notifications may be lost. If that happens, return the browser with the enable command.

Method 5: Removal via TWRP (advanced only)

If you have custom TWRP recovery installed, you can remove the Mi Browser physically from the system. This is a radical method that only works for users with unlocked bootloader and root.

⚠️ Warning: Misconduct in the TWRP Make a backup before any changes.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open /system/priv-app/MiBrowser or /system/app/MiBrowser.
4. Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the MiBrowser_bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

After that, the browser will disappear from the system, but:

• 🔄 After updating MIUI He can come back.
• 🛠️ Some features (such as opening links from Mi Cloud) will stop working.
• 📱 When reset to factory settings, the browser will recover.

This method is recommended only if you know exactly what you are doing and are prepared for the consequences. For most users, 1-3 is enough.

💡

Before you delete via TWRP, make a full /system backup in the Backup menu, which will allow you to restore the phone if something goes wrong.

What if the Mi Browser is still running?

Sometimes, even after disabling, the browser can open when you click on links, this happens if it is assigned by the default browser or is associated with other system applications.

How to fix it:

1. Reset your browser default settings: Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Tap three dots in the top corner and select Reset App Settings. Confirm action.
2. Assign a different browser by default: Open any other browser (like Chrome). click any link (like google.com). In the pop-up, select Always for your browser.
3. Check out apps that open links: 📧 Mail clients (Gmail, Mi Mail). 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). 📱 Social media (Facebook, VK). In the settings of each of them you can choose which browser to open links.

If the problem persists, check to see if the browser has been updated through the Play Market, and sometimes updates reset the default settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Browser shutdown

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Disabling Mi Browser does not disrupt MIUI, but it can affect bookmark synchronization and link opening from system applications. Always back up important data before making changes.