Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive preinstalled apps. Google Chrome is the default system browser that is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS. It cannot be removed through the settings menu by standard methods, since the uninstallation button is either missing or inactive. This restriction is created by developers to ensure the stability of Google services, which depend on the browser components.
However, there are proven ways to get rid of this application or at least completely stop it working, freeing up the system resources.In this article, we will look at methods from simple disabling to advanced removal through the use of a new system. ADB-You will learn the risks of a complete uninstallation and how to properly prepare the device for changes to the system partition.
It is worth noting that the complete removal can affect the work of links opened from other applications, such as messengers or social networks, so before starting the procedure, it is important to weigh all the pros and cons, and have a plan of action in case you need to restore the functionality of the system.
Why you can’t just delete Chrome through your settings
The Android operating system on Xiaomi devices classifies Google Chrome as a mission-critical system application. Unlike custom programs downloaded from the Play Market, system components are protected from accidental removal, and this is done to prevent situations where the user is left without the ability to open web pages, which can block the operation of other services.
When you try to find the delete button in the application management menu, the system hides this option, instead of which only the "Disable" or "Stop" functions are available. Disabling is a standard method that hides the icon and prevents the application from running, but its files remain in memory. It is a secure way that does not require superuser rights or a connection to a computer.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to obtain Root rights solely to remove one browser can lead to loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications. Use only software methods without modifying the bootloader.
Also, even after a shutdown, the system may periodically try to update Chrome components through Google Play Services.This can annoy users wanting to completely clear the device of Google products.The radical solution requires the use of USB debugging.
Preparing a smartphone to remove system applications
Before you start removing or freezing system components, you need to properly configure your smartphone. The main tool for working with system applications on Xiaomi is the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) mode, which allows you to transfer commands from computer to phone, bypassing standard interface restrictions.
The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and find the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) bar. You need to quickly click on this item 7-10 times in a row until you notice that you have become a developer.
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Write down the current version of the system build before you start manipulating it, which will help you find compatible drivers or roll back changes in case of critical errors.
Then you need to enable debugging directly. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Developer. Find the USB Debugging and activate it. The system will warn you of the risks - confirm the action. It is also recommended to enable the option "Debugging by USB (Security settings)" if it is available in your version of the firmware.
To work you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and the original USB-You need to install drivers on your PC. ADB. They can be downloaded as part of Android SDK Platform Tools from Google’s official website or use third-party builders like Minimal ADB and Fastboot.
Removing Chrome through ADB: Step-by-step instructions
This is the most efficient and safe way to remove system applications without obtaining Root permissions, and it doesn't erase data from the system partition forever, it just hides the application for the current user.
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. You'll see a request on your phone for debugging permission from that computer. You'll check "Always Allow" and press OK. Open the command line (CMD) PowerShell on PC in a folder with ADB-file.
☑️ Connection check ADB
Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf a device with device status appears on the list, you can go on. To remove Chrome, you use the pm uninstall command with the --user 0 flag. This will remove the app only for the main user, leaving the system files intact.
Enter the following command:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chromeOnce successful, you will receive a message of Success.The browser will disappear from the desktop and from the list of applications.If you use the Google ecosystem, you may also need to remove related components, such as com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox, but do so with caution.
What to do if the team is not executed?
Google's table of system packages for removal
When cleaning your smartphone from Google products, it is important not to remove the excess, as this can disrupt Google Play Services and account authorization. Below is a table of the main browser and search related packages that can be safely removed via ADB.
| Package name | Description of function | Security of removal | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.android.chrome | The main browser of Google Chrome | Safe. | Opens links from other applications |
| com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox | Google Search and Widgets | Safe. | Google Assistant, Search Widget |
| com.google.android.feedback | Service for sending error reports | Safe. | Collecting statistics for Google |
| com.google.android.apps.docs | Google Documents (if not used) | Safe. | Opens office format files |
Use the adb shell pm list packages command to find the exact names of other applications if you decide to continue cleaning. Beware: removing packages containing frameworks or services without suffixes can lead to bootloop.
Alternative browsers to replace Chrome
Once you remove a standard browser, the system will require you to choose the default app to open links.There are plenty of decent alternatives on the Android market that often run faster and consume fewer resources than Chrome.
One of the best options for Xiaomi is MI Browser (the standard Xiaomi browser), which is optimized for the shell, has a built-in ad blocker and traffic saving mode. For users who value privacy, Brave or DuckDuckGo are great. They do not require a Google account and block trackers by default.
- 🚀 Via Browser is an ultra-lightweight browser weighing less than 2 MB, perfect for older Xiaomi devices with low RAM.
- 🛡️ DuckDuckGo – focus on anonymity, automatic encryption of connections and no search history.
- 🎨 Firefox – support for extensions, synchronization with PC and flexible interface configuration.
- ⚡ Brave – built-in blocking of advertising and trackers, which significantly speeds up the loading of pages on mobile networks.
Install the app you select before removing Chrome or immediately after using an alternative app store like GetApps or APKPure if the Play Market requires Chrome to work (which is rare).
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Unforeseen situations can occur when removing system components, and most users are faced with the fact that the links in the messengers stop opening or give an error "Application not found", this is solved by installing a new browser and selecting it by default in the settings.
Sometimes, after updating the MIUI firmware, applications that are deleted through ADB can come back, which is normal for the system to update the system partition, in which case the deletion procedure will have to be repeated, and to avoid this, some users use freezing applications instead of uninstalling them.
⚠️ Note: If after deleting Chrome stopped working Google Play Store (flys immediately at launch), try to clear the data of the Play Store in the Settings menu → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Marker → Memory. → Clean up.
In rare cases, a complete reset may be required. keep in mind that the team `adb install` It will not restore the remote system application unless you use a special flag. `-r` starting APK-The file is the same version as the firmware. The easiest way to reset the Recovery menu is by clamping the volume and power buttons.
How to restore Google Chrome back
If you realize that deleting a browser was a mistake, or it was necessary for a particular service to work, it is easy to return it (--user 0), The application files are still in the system.
Connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and type:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chromeThis command will force the reinstalling of the package from the system storage. Once the Chrome icon is rebooted, it will appear on the desktop, and the application will function as if nothing had happened. If this command does not work (on older versions of Android), you will have to do a complete reset (Wipe Data).
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Removal through ADB flag-headed --user 0 You don't lose system files forever, which makes this method safer than flashing or getting Root rights.