How to Change Your Browser on Xiaomi Phone: From Removing Mi Browser to Installing Alternatives

Why users want to change the browser to Xiaomi and what will have to face

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones come with a pre-installed Mi Browser browser, which raises questions among users. First, it collects data about the sites visited (even in the background), second, its interface is overloaded with advertising and unnecessary features, and third, it often opens instead of the default browser you choose. But the good news is that it can be replaced, albeit with nuances.

The main challenge is that the Mi Browser is a system application and is not removed by standard methods. Moreover, in some versions of MIUI 12-14 it is integrated into the search bar on the home screen, which makes it difficult, but it is possible to get around these limitations - and we will show you how to do this safely without disrupting the phone.

In this article you will find:

• 🔧 3 Ways to Turn Off Mi Browser (Including Hidden Settings)
• 📱 How to Install Chrome, Firefox, or Another Browser and Make It Your Main Browser
• ⚠️ What happens if you just delete the Mi Browser through root (spoiler: not everything is so rosy)
• 🛠 Solving problems when the phone itself returns the standard browser

Can I remove Mi Browser from Xiaomi?

Technically, yes, but with reservations. Mi Browser is a system application that is protected from removal without superuser rights (root).

• 🔄 Disable the application (will remain in memory, but will not work)
• 🗑 Remove updates (return to factory version)
• 🔒 Block Internet access (through network settings)

Complete removal is possible only through ADB or root access, but it can be:

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI, Especially if the browser is connected to other services (for example, Mi Account or Quick Search). 10/11 and POCO X3/X4 After removal, the search bar on the main screen disappears.

If you do decide to take drastic measures, use the safe shutdown methods described below, which do not require rooting or break the system.

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser through settings (no root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the browser in the settings, which won't delete it completely, but will stop the background and remove it from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Browser (or Browser in Russian).
3. Select Mi Browser from the list.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Back up important bookmarks (export through Settings → Import/Export)

Check if an alternative browser is installed (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)

Make sure that you select another browser in the default settings (Settings → Applications → Default)

Turn off auto-update for Mi Browser on Google Play-->

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The browser will disappear from the application menu.
• ✅ Data collection on visited sites will cease.
• ❌ The search bar on the home screen may stop working (depending on the model).

If you need a search bar, use a Google widget or Nova Launcher – these allow you to replace the standard search.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If the Mi Browser is updated through Google Play and is even more intrusive, you can return it to its original state. This will not remove the application, but remove all the add-ons.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action.
4. Return to the app menu and click Clear Cache and Clear Data.

This method is useful if:

• 🔹 The browser began to slow down after the update.
• 🔹 There was an aggressive advertising.
• 🔹 The settings dropped to standard.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi K50) After resetting updates, the browser can automatically update again. To avoid this, disable auto-update for it in Google Play or delete your Mi Account (if you do not use it).

Method 3: Using ADB for deep shutdown (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to control the system through a computer, which does not require root, but requires the development mode to be enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

Download ADB

Platform Tools by Google

Open the command line.

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

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

or for new versions of MIUI:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mi.globalbrowser

After the command is executed, the browser will be disabled for the current user (without deleting system files).

How to Install and Maintain a Different Browser

Turning off Mi Browser is half the battle, and now you have to install an alternative and set it up as the default browser.

To make the new browser the main one:

1. Install the selected browser from Google Play.
2. Open it and perform the initial setup.
3. Go to Settings → Applications → By default → Browser.
4. Select the installed browser from the list.

💡

If, after changing the browser by default, links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache and data of the Android System WebView application in the application settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after disabling Mi Browser, users are faced with the return of the standard browser or other bugs.

Problem 1: The search bar on the home screen is not working

This is because the string is tied to the Mi Browser.

• 🔄 Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – lets you replace the search widget.
• 🔍 Use the Google widget (long tap on the home screen) → Widgets → Google).
• 📱 On models POCO You can turn off the line in the launcher settings (screen settings) → Search string).

Problem 2: Links open in Mi Browser despite settings

The blame is the Android System WebView cache or the settings of specific applications (such as Telegram or WhatsApp).

Decision:

1. Clear the Android System WebView data in Settings → Applications.
2. For each application (where links are opened incorrectly), go to its settings and select the default browser.
3. Reboot the phone.

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the browser is back

MIUI updates sometimes restore disabled system applications, to avoid this:

• 🔧 After the update, re-disable Mi Browser through the settings.
• 📵 Turn off auto-update system in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI → Three points. → Settings.
• 🔒 Use it. ADB, to block the application at the user level (command from Method 3).

💡

If you use Xiaomi.eu, it has the Mi Browser removed by default, which is the most radical solution, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions