How to Remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Work

Google Chrome is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones as part of Google Mobile Services (GMS), but many users want to remove it for reasons ranging from saving memory to wanting to use alternative browsers like Firefox or Brave. The problem is that standard uninstalling via the app menu is often unavailable – the Delete button is simply missing or inactive.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can remove Chrome from Xiaomi devices (including MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS models), from simple to advanced. You’ll learn how to circumvent system limitations, what tools you’ll need to do this, and what to do if the browser “returns” after a reboot. We’ll also look at the hidden risks of removing system applications and suggest safe alternatives.

Why can’t Chrome be removed in the standard way?

Google Chrome on Xiaomi is a system application that is integrated into MIUI or HyperOS firmware.

• 🔹 The annex is set out in the section /system, Not in the user's memory (/data).
• 🔹 It is linked to other Google services (e.g. Google Play Services) which may depend on its availability.
• 🔹 Manufacturer (Xiaomi) and Google block its removal to ensure the stability of the ecosystem.

Even if you see the “Delete Updates” button in the app’s settings, it doesn’t amount to a complete uninstallation, which only rolls the browser back to the factory version, but doesn’t remove it from the device, and after another Google Play update, Chrome can automatically recover.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications without root rights may cause Google Play Market malfunctions, notifications, and account sync. on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Google Play Market) POCO X3 Pro) it can also block access to branded services like Mi Cloud.

Method 1: Disable Chrome through Settings (without deleting)

If your goal is to just stop using your browser and free up RAM, just turn it off. This will not delete the application files, but stop it from working and hide it from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Chrome” and select the app.
3. Click “Disable” (on some firmwares – “Delete Updates” → “Disable”).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the Chrome icon will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu, and the browser’s background processes will no longer consume resources. However, the next MIUI update or reset, the application may be activated again.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If Chrome was updated through Google Play, you can return it to the original version, which takes up less space and has fewer background processes.This method does not remove the browser completely, but reduces its “weight” from ~200 MB to ~50 MB.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete Updates”.
3. Confirm action. The app will be siphoned to the version pre-installed on the smartphone.

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

• 🛡️ Open Google Play Market, search for Chrome and click on three dots → «Cancel the update».
• 📵 In Google Play settings, disable auto-update for all apps or Chrome only.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13/14 After removing updates, Chrome may stop opening due to a conflict with WebView (a system component for displaying web content.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

For users willing to use the developer tools, there is a way to remove Chrome without obtaining root rights — via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:


   adb devices


(Your device serial number should appear).




4. run the command to delete Chrome:


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


5. Reboot the smartphone.

If the command is successful, Chrome will be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.
• ⚠️ Some functions (such as opening links from other applications) may be redirected to a standard browser. MIUI.
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI Chrome may be back.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights will allow you to delete Chrome without the possibility of recovery, a method suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (for example, TWRP).

Pre-launch warnings:

• 🚨 Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone.
• 🔧 Some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to root.
• 📱 The warranty on the device will be cancelled.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP or another custom recaveri.
3. Download and search Magisk for root rights.
4. Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) and delete Chrome files along the path: /system/priv-app/Chrome/ or /system/app/Chrome/.
5. Clear cache and data through TWRP (wipe → Cache/Dalvik).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), removing system applications through root can lead to bootloop. TWRP.

Method 5: Replacing Chrome with an alternative browser by default

If your goal is to simply not use Chrome, but avoid the risks of deleting it, the best option is to designate another browser as the default app, which will prevent automatic link opening in Chrome and reduce its activity.

How to change the default browser:

1. Install an alternative browser (such as Firefox, Brave, or Kiwi Browser).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find Chrome and click “Open by Default” → “Clear Default Settings.”
4. Open any alternative browser and confirm its choice as the default application.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌐 All links will be opened in the selected browser.
• 📉 Chrome will stop consuming resources (unless you run manually).
• 🔒 There is no risk of disrupting the system.

💡

To completely block Chrome background activity, open Settings → Battery & Performance → Battery Management and select Chrome’s “Limit Background Activity” mode.

What to do if Chrome is returned after deleting?

Many users find that after removing Chrome through ADB or root, it reappears after updating MIUI or Google Play Services, because the system restores missing system applications.

1. Turn off auto-update in Google Play: 📱 Open the Google Play Market → «Settings» → «Auto-update of applications» → «Never». 🔍 Find Chrome in the App List and reverse manually updating it.

Package Disabler

Apps like Package Disabler Pro or Debloater let you freeze Chrome, preventing it from recovering.

Install custom firmware:

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience does not include pre-installed Google apps (if the version without GApps is selected).

If Chrome comes back after resetting, it means it's embroidered into the firmware, in which case only a complete root removal or switch to custom firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome from Xiaomi

💡

Before removing Chrome, consider the risks: if you are actively using Google services (Gmail, Drive, YouTube), its absence can disrupt the integration between applications.