How to completely disable Mi Browser on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The Mi Browser is installed by default on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI shell. Despite integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, many users prefer alternative solutions - Google Chrome, Firefox or Brave - due to higher speed, synchronization with other devices or lack of advertising. However, simply removing the browser through the standard application menu is not available: the system blocks this option, since Mi Browser is system software.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to disable or remove Mi Browser on Xiaomi devices, including methods for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), as well as the nuances associated with system updates and security.

• 🔧 Hide the browser icon without deleting (without root rights)
• 🚫 Disable Auto Updates via Google Play Settings
• 🗑️ Remove Mi Browser with the help of ADB (loss of guarantee)
• 🔄 Replace it with another browser by default
• ⚙️ Disable background processes to save battery

Why can't Mi Browser be removed in the standard way?

When you try to uninstall via Settings → Applications → Mi Browser, users are faced with a gray item “Delete” or a message “The application can not be removed because it is system.”

• 📱 Mi Browser is sewn into firmware MIUI as part of the basic application package (like Google Chrome on “pure” Android).
• 🔗 It is integrated with Xiaomi services, for example, synchronization of bookmarks through Mi Account.
• 🛡️ Removing system applications without root rights can lead to unstable operation of the OS (for example, errors when updating).

There are workarounds, however, such as MIUI 14 (based on Android 13/14), which allows you to disable system applications without completely removing them, which reduces their impact on performance, but even then, the Mi Browser can “resurrect” after system updates.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 or more new models, check out the version MIUI In Settings → On the phone. On Android 12 devices.+ Some methods (for example, disabling through ADB) You may require additional permits.

Method 1: Hiding the Mi Browser icon (without deleting)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to hide the browser icon from the home screen and the app menu, and it won't remove the app itself, but it will make it inaccessible to run by accident.

1. Press and hold the Mi Browser icon on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Delete” (on some firmware – “Hide”).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear, but the app will remain in the system.

For complete hiding from the application menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser on the list and tap it.
3. Select Hide (not available on all versions of MIUI).

This method does not affect the background processes, so the browser can continue to consume resources.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root rights)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to deactivate the Mi Browser at the system level without physically removing it.

• 🔧 It does not require the rights of a superuser (root).
• 🔄 Reversible process (you can return the browser back).
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI (including 14).

Step-by-step:

Install. ADB PC (download from [the official Android site](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools))|

Put the debugging on. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → 7 times tap on "Version" MIUI" → Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)|

Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging in the window that appears |

Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) file ADB-->

Run the command to disable:

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

To check the status, use:

adb shell pm list packages -d

If com.android.browser appears on the list, then the browser is disabled.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) after the update MIUI The browser may be activated again.

💡

Create a shortcut for quick on/off ADB-For example, save the command to a file. disable_mibrowser.bat And launch it with a double click.

Method 3: Remove Mi Browser with root rights

If you have Magisk or another root rights manager installed on your device, you can completely remove Mi Browser from the system, which is suitable for advanced users, as incorrect actions can lead to MIUI inoperability.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser (the path may vary depending on the model).
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiBrowser_bak).
4. Reset the device.

An alternative way to use Titanium Backup is to use the following:

1. Open the app and find Mi Browser in the list.
2. Select “Delete” (not “Frozen”).
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+ removal of system applications may cause errors when checking firmware integrity (for example, when updating through the MIUI In this case, it is recommended to use the method of ADB (Method 2).

Method 4: Replace the browser by default

If you only need to avoid using Mi Browser, but not delete it, you can assign another browser to the default application.

How to change the default browser:

1. Install an alternative browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Default Apps."
4. Find the “Browser” section and select the desired application.

You can also reset the default settings for Mi Browser:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Open by default.
2. Click "Reset settings."

This method does not disable Mi Browser, but minimizes its use, for example, links from Telegram or WhatsApp will open in the browser of your choice.

Method 5: Disabling background processes and notifications

If the Mi Browser consumes battery or traffic in the background, it can be restricted without being completely removed.

• 🔋 Limit background activity: Go to Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Battery → Control battery consumption and select “Limit background activity».
• 📵 Disable notifications: In the app settings, find the Notifications section and deactivate all switches.
• 🌐 Disable Internet access: In Settings → Connections → Use data to find Mi Browser and turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi.

These actions will reduce the system load, but will not remove the application. For complete deactivation, combine this method with Method 2 (ADB).

💡

The most secure and versatile method is to disable via ADB (Method 2), which works rootless, reversible and compatible with all versions of MIUI.

Frequent problems and solutions

1. After disconnecting through ADB, the browser reappears.

This is due to auto-updates of MIUI. Solution:

• 🔄 Repeat the command adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser after update.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates of system applications in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update of applications.

2. Opening links from other applications does not work.

If, after disabling Mi Browser, links do not open in an alternative browser:

• 🔗 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default applications → Browser and select the desired application.
• 📥 Install Open Link With from Google Play to manually select your browser.

3. The "Application Stopped" error when trying to open the Mi Browser.

This is normal after disabling via ADB or removing from root.If the error appears for other applications, restore Mi Browser with the command:

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser

FAQ: Answers to popular questions