How to completely remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI 12-15

Why is Google Chrome so hard to remove from Xiaomi?

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones come with Google Chrome preinstalled — and it’s not just a regular app, it’s a system component integrated into the firmware. Even if you never use it, it takes up space in memory, consumes resources in the background and is regularly updated through Google Play. Unlike third-party apps that are removed in two clicks, Chrome on Xiaomi will have to tinker — especially if you want to get rid of it forever, not just hide the icon.

The problem is that MIUI (like other Android-based shells) categorizes Chrome as “privileged apps” — apps that cannot be removed by standard system tools — to ensure compatibility with Google services (such as bookmark sync or autocomplete forms), but for users who prefer alternative browsers like Firefox or Brave, this restriction is a real headache.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways, from simple disabling to complete deletion through ADB and even flashing. But first, let’s understand what files and processes are associated with Chrome on your Xiaomi:

• 📁 Main app: com.android.chrome is the browser you see on the menu.
• 🔄 Update Services: com.google.android.gms and com.google.android.gsf – they are responsible for automatically updating Chrome.
• 🗃️ Cash and data: stored in /data/data/com.android.chrome and can weigh up 500 MB.
• 🔗 System Links: Some Functions MIUI (For example, opening links from messages by default use Chrome.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Chrome completely may disrupt some Google services, such as password sync or voice search. If you use Gmail, YouTube or Google Drive, it’s better to limit your browser to turning off rather than deleting it.

Method 1: Disable Chrome through MIUI settings (no root)

The easiest and safest method is to disable the browser, not delete it completely.This will stop the background processes, prohibit updates and hide the icon from the menu. POCO on MIUI 12-15.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Chrome” and select Google Chrome from the list.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After the shutdown:

• 🚫 Chrome icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 Automatic updates via Google Play will stop.
• 📵 The browser will not start by default when you open links (unless you have changed your settings previously).

The downside is that Chrome will remain on the system and will take up space (about 150-200 MB), but this is the only option for users without root rights.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If you don’t want to get rid of Chrome completely, but want to reduce its size and stop updates, you can roll back the app to the factory version.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. After that, the browser version will reset to the one that was preinstalled on the phone.
4. Go back to the Chrome menu and click Disable Updates (if you don’t have that option, do it through Google Play).

To prevent Google Play from updating Chrome in the future:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find Google Chrome in your search.
3. Click on the three dots next to the "Update" button and uncheck the "Auto Update" box.

⚠️ WARNING: If you drop Chrome to the factory version on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, Some web previews (e.g. Quick Apps) may not display correctly, in which case you will have to return updates or use an alternative default browser.

Method 3: Remove Chrome via ADB (without root but with PC)

For those who are willing to connect the phone to a computer, there is a more radical method, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but requires the development mode and the installation of drivers.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• ⚙️ Developer mode enabled on Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer Mode (not Charge Only).
4. On your computer, open the command prompt (cmd for Windows or Terminal for macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter:

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

After the command is executed, Chrome will be deleted for the current user (not completely from the system, but the icon will disappear, and background processes will cease).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro: pm uninstall can return the error "Failure" [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]". In this case, try an alternative team:

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

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you’re ready to get root access (like through Magisk), you can delete Chrome permanently, including all of its system files, a method that’s suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized backup.

Advantages of complete removal:

• 🧹 All browser files, including cache and data, are deleted.
• 📉 Released until 250-300 MBT memory.
• 🔒 Chrome never updates or appears again after resetting.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and waits 7-14 days).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Download and install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
5. Go to /system/priv-app/Chrome or /system/app/Chrome and delete the Chrome folder.
6. Also delete data files in /data/data/com.android.chrome.
7. Reboot the phone.

💡

Before you delete system files, back up via TWRP! this will allow you to restore your phone if you have problems starting the system after you delete Chrome.

Cons of this method:

• ⚠️ Risk of "brike" (inoperability) of the phone in case of incorrect removal.
• 🔓 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔄 Some updates MIUI Can I get Chrome back.

Method 5: Firmware flashing to custom firmware without Google (for advanced)

The most radical way is to install custom firmware without Google services (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience without GApps).This will completely remove Chrome and all its associated components, but it will require deep knowledge and time.

Pros:

• 🚀 Full control of the system – no unnecessary applications.
• 🔒 Lack of Google Surveillance.
• 📱 Opportunity to choose firmware with optimization for your Xiaomi model.

Cons:

• ⚠️ A complex process that requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 🔧 Possible bugs (for example, non-functioning) NFC camera).
• 📴 Loss of function MIUI, such as "Duplicate Screens" or "Read Mode".

Where to look for firmware:

• 🌐 Official website of LineageOS (lineageos.org).
• 📱 Forum XDA Developers (part of your Xiaomi model).
• 🔗 Telegram Developer Channels (e.g. Pixel Experience or ArrowOS).

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Xiaomi with MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) It can cause problems with the modem (mobile network may disappear).Be sure that your model is supported before you run the firmware!

How to Get Chrome Back If Something Goes Wrong

If you have problems after deleting Chrome (e.g., web previews or Google sync are not working), it can be restored.

If Chrome was removed from the ADB or root, but you have not made a backup, you can try to download APK-A browser file from APKMirror and install it manually, but please note that without system integration, some features (such as opening default links) may not work properly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome from Xiaomi