Many users of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 face a shortage of internal memory, which is often clogged with system applications.One of the most "heavy" and intrusive components is the Google Chrome browser, which cannot be removed by standard methods through the settings menu. Android operating system views this browser as a system component, protecting it from accidental removal by the average user.
However, there are proven ways to circumvent this restriction using either special access rights or USB debugging. In this article, we will detail how to safely uninstall or force a browser to stop working to free up precious gigabytes and speed up the device. It is important to understand the difference between completely deleting files and simply disabling them, as the consequences of these actions can vary.
Before you start taking action, you need to assess the risks and prepare the device. Incorrect interference with the system packages can lead to instability of the MIUI interface, so follow the instructions carefully. We will look at both soft methods available to everyone and advanced techniques for experienced users who want to completely clean the system of excess software.
Features of system applications on MIUI
The MIUI operating shell installed on Redmi 8 has deep integration with Google services. Chrome browser often acts not just as a surfing program, but also as a link handler for other applications. Which is why the “Delete” button in the application management menu is usually inactive or absent, the system blocks this feature to prevent possible errors in the Android operation.
Users often confuse the concepts of "disable" and "delete." When you disable an application, its files remain on the disk, but it stops starting, updating and displaying in the menu. APK-a file from the system partition, which is impossible to do without special tools such as ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Why Xiaomi doesn’t let Chrome be removed?
It is also worth considering that after major firmware updates, applications removed in this way can return, this happens if the update affects the system partition and restores the original state of the packets. Therefore, the procedure sometimes has to be repeated after the system update to the new version. MIUI
Preparation of the device for modification
Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to configure your smartphone correctly. Without preparation, the computer will not see the device in debugging mode, and commands will not be executed. The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu, which is hidden from the eyes of the average user by default.
To do this, go to the Settings → About Phone menu and find the MIUI version. You need to quickly click on this item 7-10 times in a row until a pop-up notification that you have become a developer appears. After that, a new section “Additional” or “Extended Settings” will appear in the main settings menu, where you need to find the “Developers” item.
- 🔌 Connect Redmi 8 to your computer with the original cable.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
It is important to choose the correct USB connection mode. When connecting to a PC, the phone can offer Charge Only, File Transfer or Photo Transfer modes. Charging mode is usually enough to work with ADB, but sometimes you need to switch to File Transfer (MTP) to correctly identify the device.
Method of disabling through settings (Safe way)
The simplest and safest option that doesn't require a computer connection is the standard app shutdown, which doesn't physically delete files, but completely shuts down the browser, frees up RAM, and bans background activity, which is enough for most users.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find them in the Chrome list. Click on the gear icon or just open the app information. If the Delete button is not available, look for the “Disable” or “Disable” button. The system will alert you that the app will stop working and prompt you to confirm the action.
⚠️ Note: After disabling Chrome, links from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and other applications will cease to open unless an alternative browser is installed by default.
If the shutdown button is also locked (gray), it means that your carrier or a particular firmware version has hard-sewn the browser into the system, in which case you can not do without using a computer and command line, but in 90% of cases on global versions of MIUI, disconnection is available.
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Disabling through settings is the only way that does not require a PC and does not violate the device warranty, but it does not free up the memory space occupied by the installation file.
Complete removal via ADB (For Advanced)
Physically removing the application will require an ADB platform toolkit. Download the archive from Google’s official website, unpack it on disk C and open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open PowerShell or CMD window here). Connect the phone and make sure the device serial number is displayed in the command line after you enter the adb devices command.
Once you've successfully connected, you need to know the exact name of the browser package. Enter adb shell pm list packages | grep chrome. In the list, you'll see lines like com.android.chrome. This is the ID that we'll need to delete. Be very careful not to remove a system component with a similar name, such as com.google.android.webview, which is responsible for displaying web pages in many applications.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chromeOnce you input this command, the application will disappear from the device instantly, it will not appear in the menu, in the application settings, and will not take up space in the user section, but the files will remain in the system partition, inaccessible for the average user, which is a trade-off between complete removal and security of the system.
Use of universal uninstallators
If working with the command line seems too complicated for you, there are shell applications that automate the sending process. ADB-One of the most popular and proven tools is Universal Android Debloater or System App Remover, which has a graphical interface and allows you to delete applications from the list.
For the operation of such utilities will still require included debugging on USB. The app on your computer will scan your Redmi 8 and list all the packages installed, dividing them into custom and system packages. System packages are often marked with red or a risk warning. You only have to find Chrome in the list and click the delete button.
| Name of method | The need for a PC | Root rights | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | No. | No. | Minimum |
| ADB team | Yes. | No. | Medium. |
| System App Remover | No (on the phone) | Yes. | High-pitched |
| Universal Debloater | Yes. | No. | Medium. |
Using programs that require Root rights carries the greatest risk. Obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi Redmi 8 requires unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website, which leads to a complete data reset and loss of warranty.
Recovery of Remote Browser
If you delete Chrome and you realize that you needed it, or if some apps stopped opening links correctly, you can return the system to its original state. If you use the ADB method without root rights, these applications are not permanently erased, but only hidden for the current user. To return everything as it was, you just need to execute the reinstall command.
In the ADB command line, type in the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome. This will restore the package to the user space and the browser icon will appear again on the desktop. All your data, bookmarks and passwords, if they were synced with your Google account, will be saved and will be available after you log in.
⚠️ Note: If you have performed a reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), all deleted through ADB Applications will automatically return as the reset restores the factory image of the system.
In case the standard recovery command does not work, you can simply download the browser installation file (APK) from a third-party verified resource and install it as a regular application.
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Always back up important data to the cloud service or computer before uninstalling system applications, as errors in system packages can lead to a cyclical bootloop.