How to permanently remove the Xiaomi Mi browser from your phone: from disconnection to complete erasure

Why does Xiaomi’s standard browser bother users and can it be safely removed?

The standard Mi Browser (or Xiaomi Browser) is installed on all the brand’s default smartphones, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14. Despite integration with the MIUI ecosystem, many users are eager to remove it. The reasons range from intrusive advertising and data collection to web bloat bugs. But here lies the catch: Xiaomi’s browser is closely linked to MIUI system processes, and its incorrect removal can lead to malfunctions of the phone.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways, from simple disabling to complete removal with root rights, and also tell you what risks certain methods carry. You will learn how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI, which alternative browsers are better to install, and what to do if after removal, system functions have ceased to work. Importantly, not all methods are suitable for all models - for example, on POCO F5 with MIUI 14, the algorithm differs from Redmi 9A on MIUI 12.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Phone model (in Settings) → The phone)
• 🔄 Version MIUI (ibid., line “Version MIUI")
• 🔓 Having root rights (if you don’t know what it is, you don’t have them)

Method 1: Disable the browser without deleting (safe for all models)

If you just don't like the Mi Browser, but you don't want to risk system stability, the best option is to disable it through settings.This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices without rooting and requires no special knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type "Browser" (or "Browser").
3. Select Mi Browser (Blue Globe icon).
4. Click Disable (the button will become active if the browser is not the default system).
5. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for European region) button Disable may be inactive. In this case, try an alternative path: Settings → System system → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimization (you will need to pre-activate the developer mode by pressing 7 times on "Version" MIUI").

Backup important bookmarks |Install an alternative browser (Chrome, Firefox) |Check for MIUI Updates |Disable data synchronization in Mi Browser-->

Method 2: Remove browser updates (reset to factory version)

Often, Mi Browser problems arise after automatic updates that add ads or change the interface, in which case you can roll back the browser to the factory version, which is devoid of most add-ons, this method does not require root rights and is reversible.

How to do this:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → browser.
• 📦 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
• 🔄 Confirm the action. The browser will return to the version that was installed out of the box".
• 🚫 To prevent a re-update, disable the auto-update for the browser in Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications.

⚠️ Note: After rollback, the browser may stop opening some web pages due to the outdated WebView engine.In this case, update the Android System WebView via Google Play.

Method 3: Remove the browser using ADB (without root rights, but with a PC)

If the disconnection and rollback did not help, you can try to delete the browser through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but you need a computer and a computer. USB-It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except for the devices on the MIUI China.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on "Version" MIUI" phone-setting).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
5. Open the command line in this folder and type in: adb devices (should display your phone’s serial number).
6. Run the command to delete the browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser or for MIUI Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.globalbrowser

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

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

This command will not remove the browser completely, but will make it invisible to the system.

Method 4: Completely remove the browser with root rights (for power users)

If you have a root right, you can completely wipe the browser from the system, including all its components. This method is the most radical and only suitable for users who understand the risks (up to the phone's "brick") Before deleting, make sure to back up via TWRP or OrangeFox.

Instructions for rooted devices:

• 📲 Install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Cross the path: /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal (for global firmware) or /system/priv-app/Browser (Chinese version).
• 🗑️ Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the Browser_bak).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

Alternative method through Terminal Emulator:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowserGlobal




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work:

• 🔗 Open Link functionality in other apps (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 📱 Some system services MIUI, such as "Smart Answers" or "Smart Assistant".
• 🔄 Updates by air (OTA) — Your phone may stop receiving firmware updates.

💡

Before removing the browser through root, check if it is used as a system component for WebView. In MIUI 14, a separate Android System WebView application is responsible for this, but in older versions the browser may have been involved.

Method 5: Replace the browser with an alternative (without removing the standard)

If deleting seems risky, you can simply make another browser the main browser and forget about the existence of Mi Browser.

How to set up an alternative browser:

• 🌐 Install your browser to choose from: Google Chrome, Firefox, Brave or Kiwi Browser (optimized for Android).
• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Default applications → browser.
• 📌 Select the installed browser as the standard.
• 🚫 Turn off notifications from Mi Browser in its settings.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No risk of damage to the system.
• ✅ Access to functions is maintained MIUI, browser-dependent.
• ✅ You can return to the standard browser at any time.

💡

Even if you don’t delete the Mi Browser, it can be completely “blocked” through Settings → Apps → Browser → Permissions by disabling Internet access, storage and notifications.

What if after removing the browser, the phone is not working correctly?

Removing system applications, especially on MIUI, can have unexpected consequences.

If the phone stops loading or there are critical errors:

1. Boot in Recovery Mode (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Select Wipe Cache Partition (does not delete data!).
3. If it does not help, reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi) 13T Recovery reset may require authorization to your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi browser