How to permanently delete the Mi browser on Xiaomi: 5 ways (including hidden)

Why is the Mi browser bothering Xiaomi users and can it be safely removed?

The Mi Browser browser has become one of the most controversial features of MIUI firmware. On the one hand, it offers fast access to web pages directly from the system, integrated with Xiaomi services and supports synchronization between devices. On the other hand, many users complain about intrusive advertising, data collection without explicit consent and the inability to completely delete through standard settings, especially annoying owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11 models, where the browser is preinstalled as a system application.

The main problem: even after “deleting” through the application menu, the Mi Browser remains on the system, taking up space and periodically updating through Google Play. Moreover, it can automatically open when you click on links in some applications (for example, in Mi Video or Mi Community), In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to remove – from simple (no root) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader), and also tell you what risks certain methods carry.

Before you start, answer two questions: 1. Are you willing to sacrifice system stability for memory free? 2. Do you use browser-related MIUI features (e.g., fast text translation)?

Method 1: Disabling the Mi browser without deleting (the safest method)

If you just need to hide your browser from the app menu and prevent it from running automatically, this is the best way to do it: it does not require root rights and does not violate MIUI, but has a limitation: the application itself will remain in the system and will take up space (about 150-200 MB depending on the model).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter "Browser" or "Browser".
• 🔧 Choose Mi Browser (Blue Globe Icon).
• 🚫 Press "Disable" (if the button is inactive, first click "Stop").
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The browser icon will disappear from the menu.
• ✅ The app will stop updating through Google Play.
• ❌ But! it will remain in memory and can be run through system services (for example, when you open links from Mi Home).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M4 Pro) after disabling the browser, quick links to web pages in search results may disappear MIUI (For example, when entering a request in the search bar on the main screen).

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If the Mi Browser browser was updated via Google Play, it can be rolled back to a factory version that weighs less and does not contain advertising modules, a method suitable for devices where the browser is not a critical system component (for example, on POCO F4 or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Delete Updates".
3. Confirm action. The system will return the browser to the version that was preinstalled in the factory.
4. Return to the app menu and click "Stop", then "Disable".

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

• 🛡️ Open Google Play → Menus. → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 🔄 Select “Do not update automatically” or “Only via Wi-Fi” (if you want to control the process).
• 🔍 Find Mi Browser in the list of installed Google Play apps and uncheck the box from Auto Update".

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after the browser rollback, pop-up prompts when highlighting text (Smart Choice function) may stop working. This is due to the fact that the updated version of the browser is responsible for processing web links in system dialogues.

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

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can try to delete the browser using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to the computer and enabling debugging mode.Risk: some firmware after such removal may experience errors when updating. MIUI.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download).

Instructions:

1. Turn on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, continue. If not, check the drivers.
4. Enter the command to delete the browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser For some models (POCO) may work: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.globalbrowser
5. Reboot the phone.

If the command fails, try first to disable the browser (as in Method 1) and then try again. On some firmware (MIUI 13 and older), system applications are protected from removal via ADB, in which case only root will help.

Developer mode is on

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

ADB is unpacked at the root of the C disc:

USB debugging activated on the phone

Phone is connected in the mode "File transfer"-->

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you are willing to take drastic measures, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights will allow you to remove the Mi Browser permanently, including all its system components.

• 🔧 They're good at working with TWRP Magisk.
• 📱 Ready to lose warranty (unlocking the bootloader resets) DRM-Keys that may impair the quality of photos/video on some models).
• ⚠️ Understand the risks (incorrect actions can lead to a device "brick).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the Xiaomi website). This will take 7-14 days (mandatory wait after the account is linked).
2. Install custom TWRP recavators for your model (you can download on the official website).
3. Squeeze Magisk for root rights (instructions here).
4. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
5. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal/ or /system/app/MiBrowser/ and delete the entire folder.
6. Also check for browser files in: /data/app/com.android.browser-* /data/app/com.mi.globalbrowser-* and delete them.
7. Reboot the phone.

After removal:

• ✅ The browser will disappear from the system completely.
• ✅ Free up to 200-300 MB of memory.
• ❌ Some functions may stop working. MIUI, for example: 🌐 Quickly browsing the web in search results. 📋 Copying text with automatic insertion into the browser. 🔗 Opening links from system notifications.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ After deleting the browser, the Smart Selection function may disappear when selecting text, this is due to the fact that the browser is integrated into the system process com.miui.systemAdSolution.

Method 5: Alternative method for firmware with blocked ADB

On some devices (Redmi A1, POCO C40), Xiaomi blocks the removal of system applications even through ADB. In this case, you can use the workaround to turn off the browser for the current user without affecting the system files. This will not free up memory, but completely hide the application.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in Method 3).
2. Enter the command: adb shell pm hide com.android.browser or for global version: adb shell pm hide com.mi.globalbrowser
3. Reset the device.

To return the browser back, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.android.browser

This method works on MIUI 12.5-14 and does not require root permissions, but after resetting or updating the firmware, the browser may reappear.

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Before you delete your browser, export your bookmarks! If you have used Mi Browser and saved your bookmarks in it, export them before you delete: open your browser, go to Bookmarks → Menu → Export and save the file to the cloud or memory card.

What to do if the Mi browser is back after the MIUI update?

One of the most common problems is that after a firmware update, the Mi Browser reappears even if you've previously deleted it, because Xiaomi includes the browser as a critical system component in the service pack.

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous firmware version (if the update brought more problems than good). MIUI From the official website and run it through Fastboot.
• 🛡️ Block the browser update through ADB: adb shell pm block com.android.browser
• 📵 Use Magisk modules to hide system applications (e.g. App Systemizer or Debloater).

If the browser returned after resetting, it means that it was deleted incorrectly (for example, only for the current user), in which case, repeat the deletion procedure via ADB or root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the Mi browser

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If you are not sure about your ADB or root skills, it is better to limit yourself to disabling the browser (Method 1). Complete removal can lead to unstable MIUI operation, especially on new firmware (MIUI 14+).