How to permanently disable MI Browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) is still a popular smartphone due to its balanced characteristics and custom firmware installation. However, many users are faced with one obsession with MIUI – a pre-installed browser MI Browser, which not only takes up space in memory, but also actively consumes traffic in the background, shows ads and can even redirect search queries to Xiaomi partner services.

Unlike most Android devices, where system applications can be easily disabled through the settings menu, MIUI often hides or blocks this process. Moreover, after system updates, the browser can automatically reactivate even if you have previously deactivated it. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways – from simple (through standard settings) to radical (using ADB and superuser rights), which will help get rid of MI Browser forever.

Why MI Browser is a hindrance to Redmi Note 5 users

At first glance, a pre-installed browser may seem harmless, but it has a few hidden features that annoy users:

📱 Background activity: Even if you don’t open the browser, it can consume up to 10-15% Battery charge per day due to synchronization with Xiaomi servers.
📊 Data collection: By default, the browser sends your browsing history, location data, and even information about other installed applications (this is spelled out in the Mi Browser Pro privacy policy).
🔄 Intrusive updates: after each update MIUI The browser can appear again in the app menu even if you have deleted it.
🛑 Delete blocking: the standard settings do not have the “Delete” button – only “Disable” – which does not solve the problem completely.

The most frustrating thing is that MI Browser is integrated into the system at the MIUI level, so it can’t be removed as a regular application. However, there are workarounds – from disabling through Settings → Applications to completely deleting system files using ADB or Magisk.

📊 How do you usually do with pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

I'm turning it off through the settings.

Delete with ADB

I use custom firmware.

Ignoring, not disturbing.

Another option

Method 1: Disable MI Browser through standard settings

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the browser in the application menu, which will not remove it completely, but will stop background activity and hide the icon from the launcher.

Open the settings on your Redmi Note 5.
Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
In the search bar, enter Browser (or Browser in Russian).
Choose MI Browser (Blue Globe Icon)
Click Disable and confirm the action.

After that, the browser icon will disappear from the menu, and its processes will no longer work in the background.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The browser may be activated again. To avoid this, block the automatic update of applications in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update of applications.

☑️ Preparation for shutdown MI Browser

Make a backup copy of the dataCheck the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)Disable synchronization with Mi AccountRemember the password from the Xiaomi account (required for ADB)

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can completely remove MI Browser using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

You'll need:

🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
⚙️ Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

Connect Redmi Note 5 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
Run the command to remove MI Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser If it doesn't work, try an alternative package: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

After restarting, the browser will be deleted for the current user (but will remain in the system). To return it back, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Device Manager (select Mi ADB Interface Driver).

Method 3: Removal with Magisk (root required)

If you have Magisk installed on your Redmi Note 5 (or you’re ready to install it), you can uninstall MI Browser as a system application, which is guaranteed to work, but requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights.

Step-by-step:

Install Magisk Manager and get root access (instructions for whyred are available on the XDA Developers forum).
Download and install the System App Remover module (available in the Magisk repository).
Open the module, search the MI Browser list (or com.android.browser) and select Delete.
Reset the device.

The advantage of this method is that the browser will be completely removed, including all its components and updates.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI, especially if the browser is integrated into other services (for example, Mi Account or Mi Cloud). TWRP or Mi PC Suite.

Method	Root is required.	Removes completely	Risk to the system	Recovery
Disconnection in settings	❌ No.	❌ No (only deactivation)	✅ No.	Manually turn on
ADB	❌ No.	⚠️ Partially (for the current user)	✅ No.	Install-existing team
Magisk (System App Remover)	✅ Yes.	✅ Completely.	⚠️ Medium.	Recovery from the backup
Manual removal via TWRP	✅ Yes.	✅ Completely.	❌ High-pitched	Reflashing MIUI

Method 4: Blocking the MI Browser Updates

Even if you delete your browser, it can come back after the MIUI update, and to avoid this, you need to block its updates through the Play Market or system services.

Instructions:

Open the Play Market and find MI Browser.
Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Disable Auto Update.
For reliability, disable updates to all system applications: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.market (this will disable the Mi App Store, but will retain the ability to manually install APK).

Alternatively, use the App Quarantine app (requires root), which blocks the installation of certain applications. APK-file.

What if MI Browser is back after the update?

If the browser came back, it was part of the update package. MIUI. In this case, only re-examination through ADB To prevent this from happening in the future, turn off automatic update downloads to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading by car over Wi-Fi.

Method 5: Replacing MI Browser with an alternative launcher

If you don’t want to mess with deleting, you can simply hide your browser using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), which allows you to hide system apps from the menu without actually removing them.

How to do this:

Install an alternative launcher from the Play Market.
Click the empty space on the home screen and select Launcher Settings.
Find Hidden Apps (or App Drawer) and add MI Browser to the Hidden List.
Assign another browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) as the default app for links.

This method doesn't physically remove the browser, but it makes it invisible in everyday use, plus no risk to the system.

💡

Using an alternative launcher is the safest way to get rid of MI Browser without interfering with system files.

What to do if nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

Flip-on-the-click-on-click-on: 📱 Install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS for Redmi Note 5 (instructions are available on the app). XDA). ⚠️ Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool before the firmware (can take up to 72 hours to unlock).

Manual removal via TWRP:

🔧 Install. TWRP Recovery for whyred.
🗑️ Through the file manager in recovery, delete files: /system/priv-app/Browser/ /system/app/Browser/
⚠️ Dangerous! Incorrectly deleting system files can lead to bootloop (a looped boot).

Is it safe to remove MI Browser to run your phone?

In most cases, yes. MI Browser is not a critical system component, and removing it will not affect the basic features of Redmi Note 5. However, there are nuances: If you use Mi Account to sync bookmarks, they may be lost. Some MIUI features (such as quick search in the app menu) may temporarily not work properly. When you update MIUI, the browser may return if it was part of the firmware. For complete security, make a backup via TWRP or Mi PC Suite before deleting.

How to get the MI Browser back if you need it?

If you have deleted your browser through ADB or Magisk, it can be restored: For ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser For Magisk: reinstall the System App Remover module and select the recovery option. If the browser was deleted through TWRP, you will have to reflash MIUI, and you can download the browser's APK from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror) and install it manually.

Is there a legal way to remove MI Browser without root?

Legally, no. Xiaomi does not provide users with the ability to completely remove pre-installed system applications through standard settings. All the methods described in this article (except disabling) are workarounds and can be considered a violation of the MIUI license agreement. If you do not want to take risks, the best option is to disable the browser through settings and use an alternative launcher to hide it.