Modern Xiaomi smartphones with Android come pre-installed with a set of applications from Google, among which the Chrome browser dominates. For many users, this is the standard solution, but owners of devices with limited internal memory or specific autonomy requirements often wonder about the possibility of completely removing this component. Standard Android tools cannot remove the system application, but there are proven workarounds.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods: from a simple disconnect, which hides the icon and stops processes, to advanced removal through the use of a computer. ADB-You will learn how to properly prepare your smartphone for manipulation of system files to avoid errors and unstable interface operation. MIUI or hyperos.
It should be noted immediately that removing the system component always carries certain risks, so before starting any actions, you need to weigh all the pros and cons. We will consider safe algorithms of actions that will allow you to customize your device to your own needs without violating the warranty obligations and integrity of the operating system.
Why you need to remove Chrome from Xiaomi
The main reason users are looking to get rid of Google Chrome is the lack of free space in the internal drive.The browser over time overflows with cache, updates and temporary files, taking up hundreds of megabytes, which on Xiaomi budget models can be critical to installing other programs.
The second important aspect is background activity and resource consumption. Even if you don't use the browser, system services can run its processes to synchronize data or check for updates, which negatively affects battery autonomy.
Many users also prefer to use alternative browsers such as Firefox, Opera or the built-in MI Browser, and having a second identical application simply clutters the interface. Removing excess software allows you to make the system cleaner and faster, eliminating possible conflicts when choosing default applications for opening links.
- 📉 Freeing up valuable space in the device’s internal memory.
- ⚡ Reducing the load on the processor and RAM in the background.
- 🔋 Increased battery life by disabling background services.
- 🧹 Simplify the interface and no duplication of functions with other browsers.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of the system browser may result in some applications linked to the WebView engine not working properly unless an alternative browser with support for the corresponding libraries is installed.
There is also a psychological aspect: many users simply do not trust Google’s privacy policy and are eager to minimize the presence of the company’s services on their device, in which case deleting Chrome becomes part of the deGoogling process of the smartphone.
Preparing a smartphone to remove system applications
Before you start taking action, you need to set up your Xiaomi correctly. Android's standard mode blocks access to system files, so deep cleaning will require activating the developer mode. It's a secure procedure that just opens up access to advanced settings.
To start, go to the settings menu and find the About Phone option, where you quickly click on the MIUI or HyperOS shell version seven times until you notice that you have become a developer, and then a new Developer section will appear in the additional settings menu.
In this section, you need to find and activate the USB Debugging option, which allows a computer or other device to control your smartphone and send commands to remove applications, and without debugging enabled, none of the methods described below will work.
☑️ Xiaomi Preparing to Remove Applications
It is also recommended to back up important data, although deleting the browser rarely leads to the loss of personal information. However, having a backup of contacts and photos will never be superfluous when conducting any system manipulations with the Android file system.
Disconnection method through standard Android settings
The safest and easiest way to “delete” Chrome is to force it to turn off. Visually, the result will be identical to the user’s removal: the icon will disappear from the desktop, the application will stop appearing in the list of recently launched programs and will not consume resources in the background.
To implement this method, go to your smartphone settings and select the Apps section. In the list of all programs, find Chrome. If it is not in the general list, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Show System Processes. Once you find a browser, click on the "Disable" or "Switch off" button.
The system will warn you that the application will be removed from the home screen and will stop updating. Confirm the action. It is important to understand that in this case, the application files remain on the disk, taking up space, but they are frozen and not executed by the operating system.
What happens when you turn off the app?
If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), it means that in your version of Xiaomi firmware, the manufacturer has even banned the disabling of this component, in which case you will have to move to more radical methods using a computer.
After shutting down, it is recommended to restart the device to make sure that the system is stable. If everything goes well, you will notice a slight acceleration of the interface, since the system no longer needs to index the disabled application.
Removing Chrome through ADB-computer-team
This method allows you to physically remove the application package for the current user, effectively freeing up space that the browser files occupied), USB-cable and installed drivers ADB.
First, download the minimum set of Platform Tools from Google's official website. Unpack the archive into a convenient folder. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable, pre-enabled debugging over USB, which was mentioned earlier. On the phone screen, you will see a request for debugging permission - be sure to click "Allow".
Open the command prompt (in Windows, this can be done by clamping Shift and right-clicking in the folder with ADB, selecting “Open PowerShell window here”) and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf a device with device status appears on the list, the connection is established. Now you need to enter a command to delete the Chrome package. Be extremely careful when entering the name of the package, as an error can lead to the removal of the system component.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome💡
The command removes the app only for the current user (user 0), without affecting the system partition, which allows you to return everything back with a simple reset of the phone settings.
Once you execute the command, you will receive a message, Success. The browser will disappear from the list of applications completely, and this method is considered the most effective for freeing up memory without the need to obtain Root rights.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages that you are not 100% sure of their name.Removing critical system components such as Settings or SystemUI can result in a bootloop).
Use of specialized removal applications
For those who don’t want to mess with the command line and the connection to the computer, there are mobile applications-deleteers that work on the principle of ADB, but with a graphical interface. One of the most popular and proven tools is Universal Android Debloater or its mobile counterparts, such as System App Remover (requires Root) or ADB AppControl (works over Wi-Fi/USB).
Consider the option using the ADB AppControl PC utility, which automatically pulls drivers and has a Russian interface. Once you install the program on your computer and connect your smartphone, you will see a complete list of all installed applications with a color labeled security.
Find it in the Chrome list (usually marked yellow or green depending on the version) and select the "Delete" or "Disable" action. The program will generate and send the necessary commands to the device.
- 🖥️ A user-friendly graphical interface without the need to remember commands.
- 🔄 Possibility to create a restore point before making changes.
- 📋 Automatically identify safe for removing system applications.
- 📡 Wi-Fi (for Android 11 and higher) without cable.
It is important to note that even when using such programs, the principle of operation remains the same – it is remote execution. ADB-Therefore, the requirements for the inclusion of debugging USB remain relevant.
The advantage of these slits is that they often have a knowledge base that tells you what a package is responsible for, which reduces the risk of accidentally deleting an important system file, which is especially true for beginners who are first-time users of Android modifications.
Browser Return and Solving Possible Problems
Since we only removed the app for the current user, rather than erasing it from the system partition forever, it’s very easy to get it back, and if you find that you’re uncomfortable without Chrome, or if some app stops opening links, just run a restore command.
To return via computer, use the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chromeIf you’ve used the disable method in your settings, just go to the app list, search for Chrome (may have to turn on the hidden system processes display) and click the Enable button.
| Deleting method | Liberation of the place | Difficulty | Possibility of return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | No (data only) | Low. | Instant. |
| ADB (uninstall user 0) | Yes (full) | Medium | Through the team. |
| Root rights | Yes (systemic) | Tall. | Just flashing it. |
| Third-party launchers | No. | Low. | Change of launcher |
In rare cases, after deleting Chrome, links from other applications (for example, messengers) may stop opening. To fix this, install any other browser (Firefox, Samsung Internet, Yandex) and select the primary browser in the Default Apps settings.
It is also worth remembering that security updates for the browser will stop coming if it is deleted. If you decide to use Chrome in the future, be sure to update it on time through the Google Play Store to avoid vulnerabilities.
Alternatives and conclusion
Removing the standard browser completely is a step toward personalizing your Xiaomi.However, before you do that, think about the alternatives.Many modern browsers like Brave or DuckDuckGo offer built-in tracker protection and advertising, which can be more important than just removing the Chrome icon.
If your goal was to save traffic, set up a “Data Saving” mode in any browser or install an ad blocker, such as AdGuard, this will solve the problem without risking a system malfunction.
In conclusion, deleting Google Chrome on Xiaomi’s Android is a feasible and safe process, if you follow the instructions. ADB-The commands give the best result on cleaning the memory, while the standard shutdown is suitable for those who are afraid to experiment with the code.
⚠️ Note: Before selling or transferring the phone to the new owner, it is recommended to perform a full reset (Factory Reset) so that remote system applications are restored to their original state, since the new user can use them.
Remember that the Android operating system is flexible and allows you to customize the device for yourself, but requires careful handling of system files. Regularly check the list of installed applications and remove what you do not use to keep your gadget running.