How to completely remove the browser on Xiaomi: from disconnection to removal

The standard Mi Browser browser on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is often annoying for users: it consumes resources in the background, shows ads and is not always easy to use. Many want to remove it forever, but the manufacturer does not provide such an option in the settings. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways from simply disabling to completely removing the system application, including methods for devices with root rights and without them.

It is important to understand that Mi Browser is integrated into MIUI firmware and is linked to other system services (e.g., synchronizing your Xiaomi account), and that deleting it may cause some features to fail, and we will describe the risks of each method in detail and provide security recommendations.

This article is relevant for MIUI 14 and MIUI 13 (including global and Chinese versions), as well as for most Xiaomi models of recent years, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14. If your device runs on Android One (for example, the Mi A3), some methods may not work – we will mention this too.

Why you can’t just delete Mi Browser through your settings

Unlike regular Google Play apps, system programs like Mi Browser are protected from removal for several reasons:

• 🔒 Integration with MIUI: The browser is used to display web content in other applications (for example, in Topics or Security).
• 📦 System partition: browser files are stored in a protected memory area (/system/priv-app/), Where the user does not have access without root.
• 🔄 OS Updates: After Resetting or Updating MIUI The browser will return if you just turn it off.
• 🛡️ Xiaomi policy: the manufacturer blocks the removal of preinstalled applications to ensure the stability of the firmware.

Even if you find the Remove button in the app menu, it will be inactive or simply hide the icon from the home screen without removing the browser itself, but there are workarounds, which we will discuss later.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) The browser can be linked to com.miui.browser, which is responsible for processing web links in the system, and its deletion will lead to the fact that links will no longer open in other applications.

Method 1: Turn off the browser without root (the safest method)

If you do not need to completely delete the browser, but just turn it off and hide it from the system, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Browser” or “Browser”.
3. Choose Mi Browser (or Browser in Russian).
4. Click “Disable” (on some versions of MIUI – “Delete Updates” → “Disable”).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• 📱 The browser icon will disappear from the main screen and the application menu.
• 🔄 The browser will not start automatically when you open links (if you have installed a different browser by default).
• 📵 background activity and advertising will cease.

However, the browser files will remain in the system and take about 50-150 MB of memory. To return the browser, just find it again in the settings and click "Enable".

Install another browser (Chrome, Firefox) by default | Check opening links from messengers | Clear the browser cache in the settings |Reboot the phone to apply changes-->

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If you don't shut down enough, you can delete your browser via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn't require root permissions, but requires a computer and USB debugging enabled. On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), this method may not work due to blocking ADB commands in the latest versions of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access to debugging on the smartphone screen.

ADB Tools

cmd

adb

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

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

Or for Mi Browser:

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

If the command is successful, the browser will be deleted only for your user (without affecting system files).

• ✅ The icon and browser files will disappear.
• ✅ Free up to 100-200 MB of memory.
• ❌ After resetting settings or updating MIUI The browser may return.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (especially Chinese) the pm uninstall command may be blocked. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. The solution is to use root methods or alternative commands (see next section).

Google Chrome|Mozilla Firefox|Opera|Brave|Other-->

Method 3: Alternatives ADB-firmware

If the standard command doesn’t work, try one of these options:

If no team has helped, your firmware will block the changes through ADB. In this case, there are two options:

1. Use root access (see the next section).
2. Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where Mi Browser is not available by default.

Method 4: Completely remove the browser with root rights

If you have root access (e.g., through Magisk), you can physically delete your browser files from the system partition. This is the most radical method, but also the most effective.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (or /system/app/MiBrowser on old firmware).
3. Delete the entire folder or its contents (files with the extension.apk,.odex).
4. Clear the folder with your browser data: /data/data/com.miui.browser /data/data/com.android.browser
5. Reset the device.

After that, the browser will be deleted forever, even after updating MIUI (if the firmware does not restore files).

• 🔄 Certain functions MIUI (For example, previewing links in notifications may stop working.
• 📱 With the next major system update, the browser may return.
• ⚠️ Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to failures.

⚠️ Note: Before removing, make a backup of the system partition through TWRP Or Magisk. If the phone stops booting after deleting, you'll need to restore a backup or reflash the device.

💡

If links from other applications have stopped opening after deleting the browser, install an alternative browser (such as Chrome) and select the “Open Supported Links” option in its settings.

Method 5: Replace the browser via debloater (for advanced)

If you don't want to mess around with ADB or root, you can use a special utility to remove system applications called debloaters, which automate the process and often support Xiaomi.

• 🛠️ Universal Android Debloater (GUI) — works ADB, but with a user-friendly interface.
• 📱 App Inspector (for Android) – shows all system applications and allows them to disable.
• 💻 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – a specialized utility for Xiaomi devices.

Example of Universal Android Debloater:

1. Download the utility from GitHub.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
3. Launch the program and wait for the list of applications to load.
4. Find Mi Browser or com.miui.browser.
5. Choose the action: Uninstall (delete) or Disable (disable).
6. Confirm and restart the phone.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Visual interfaces are less likely to be wrong.
• ✅ Possibility of rollback of changes.
• ✅ Support for batch removal of multiple applications.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires a connection to the PC.
• ❌ Not all squatters support the latest versions. MIUI.

💡

Debloaters are the safest way to remove system applications without root, but their effectiveness depends on the firmware version and phone model.

What to do if the browser returned after the update

After updating MIUI through Settings → System Update, the remote browser may reappear, because the firmware restores system applications, to prevent the Mi Browser from returning:

• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system. Click on three dots in the top right corner. → Settings. Turn off Automatic Update Download.

Use the Magisk modules:

Install Universal Debloater or MIUI Debloater via Magisk, which blocks the recovery of remote applications.

Install custom recovery

TWRP allows you to uninstall system applications before installing updates.

If the browser has already returned, repeat the deletion procedure (via ADB or root). On some firmware, freezing the application through Magisk (App Systemizer module) helps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the browser on Xiaomi