How to completely remove Chrome browser from Android to Xiaomi: 4 working ways

Why is the standard Chrome removal on Xiaomi not working?

You tried to remove Google Chrome through the app menu on your Xiaomi, but instead of the “Delete” button, you only saw “Disable” or “Delete Updates”? This is not a coincidence – the manufacturer and Google specifically restrict users’ experience.The fact is that Chrome on most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Black Shark 5, etc.) is installed as the default system application. Such programs are protected from complete removal without additional rights.

Even if you managed to “remove updates”, the browser core remains in the system and takes up to 150-200 MB of memory. Moreover, Chrome can automatically update through Google Play or MIUI background services, returning to its original state. In this article, we will discuss 4 ways to completely remove Chrome from Xiaomi smartphones, including methods without root rights and using ADB.

Before you start, consider that removing system applications can affect the stability of MIUI. For example, some features like Google Assistant or WebView may stop working correctly.

Method 1: Turn off Chrome without deleting (the safest)

If you do not need a complete removal, but just hide Chrome from your eyes and free some resources, use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require superuser rights and reversible:

1. 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. 🔍 In the search bar, type “Chrome” and select the app.
3. 🔄 Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, first click “Delete Updates»).
4. 🗑️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, Chrome will disappear from the application menu and stop consuming resources. However, its files will remain on the system, taking up to ~100 MB of memory. To return the browser, you just need to re-find it in the settings and click "Enable".

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) disabling Chrome can cause Google Play Services to crash. If you notice errors when updating apps after the procedure, turn Chrome back on.

Sync Bookmarks with Google Account

Remove the browser cache in Settings → Storage

Check for an alternative browser (Firefox, Edge)

Create a recovery point in MIUI (Settings → My device. → Backup)-->

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to uninstall system applications without getting root access.This method works on all Xiaomi devices with a bootloader unlocked. If you have never connected to a PC through an ADB, first do the training:

1. 🖥️ Install Platform Tools on your computer (Windows/macOS/Linux).
2. 📲 On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI And tap it 7 times.
3. 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.
4. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission.

Now open the command line (or Terminal) in the platform-tools folder and execute commands in order:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell


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

If the command is executed without errors, Chrome will be deleted for the current user.

• ✅ The app will disappear from the system.
• ✅ Free up to 200 MB of memory.
• ❌ Chrome files will remain in the system partition (but will not be available).
• ❌ After resetting, Chrome may return.

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If the pm uninstall command issues a Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], Try the alternative command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.chrome.This will disable Chrome at user level without physically deleting.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If your Xiaomi already has root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Chrome along with all its files and dependencies. This method is the most radical and requires caution. FX File Explorer.

Instructions:

1. 📁 Open the file manager and go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
2. 🔍 Find folders with names: Chrome ChromeStub WebViewGoogle (if not in use)

Chrome_bak

🔄 Reset the device.

Once rebooted, Chrome will be completely uninstalled and the space it occupies will be freed up.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the removal of WebViewGoogle can lead to the collapse of system applications using web browsing (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Community.

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If you're willing to go further than just removing Chrome, consider installing custom firmware without Google services preinstalled (called GApps-free builds).

• 📱 LineageOS (without GApps)
• 📱 Pixel Experience (with optional GApps)
• 📱 HaventOS or DerpFest (for advanced users)

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Full control over system applications.
• ✅ Choosing which Google services to install.
• ✅ Often better performance and battery life.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires unlocking the loader (data reset).
• ❌ SafetyNet problems (bank applications will not work).
• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi.

Instructions for installing custom firmware are outside the scope of this article, but we recommend starting with the official XDA-Developers forum, where there are separate branches for each Xiaomi model.

💡

Custom firmware is the only way to get rid of Chrome and other Google system apps, but it requires technical skills and can take away your warranty.

How to check if Chrome is completely removed?

Even after successful removal, Chrome can leave traces in the system. Here's how to check that the browser is uninstalled without residue:

1. 🔍 Open the Settings. → Apps and check the list for Chrome availability.
2. 📁 Use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) to search for keywords: chrome webview com.android.chrome

App Inspector

Google Play

Settings → Storage

150–250 MB

If you find residual files, you can manually delete them through ADB or a root-access file manager, for example, to clean up your cache and Chrome data, do:

adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome

To find hidden files, use the command:

adb shell find / -name "chrome" 2>/dev/null

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you delete Chrome on Xiaomi, users experience common errors, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global or MIUI Europe removing Chrome could result in blocking access to some Mi Account features (such as syncing notes or cloud storage).If you are actively using Xiaomi services, consider turning off your browser instead of completely removing it.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions