Google Chrome is preinstalled on most Xiaomi Redmi smartphones and often takes up too much memory, slows down the system or simply does not need the user. However, standard removal through the application menu does not always work - the system blocks the uninstallation of system components. In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to get rid of Chrome on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models, including radical methods for advanced users.
It’s important to understand that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) divides applications into custom (easily removed) and system (requires superuser rights or ADB). We’ll look at the options for both cases, and explain the risks of these or those actions. If you are not sure of your skills, start with the safest methods (disabling or hiding the icon).
Note: instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions). On some models (e.g. Redmi K50 or POCO F4), the path to settings may vary slightly, but the general logic is maintained. If your smartphone runs Android 13+, look at the ADB section - there are nuances.
1. disable Google Chrome (without deletion)
The safest way is to turn off the browser so it doesn't run in the background and take up RAM, which won't free up space on the drive, but will stop automatic updates and background activity.
How to do this:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find Google Chrome (can be called Chrome).
- 🔘 Click Disable (the button will be active if the application is system-based).
- ⚠️ Confirm the action in the window that appears.
Once disabled, the Chrome icon will disappear from the menu and the browser will stop running. To return it back, repeat the steps and click Enable.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Disabling Chrome can cause Google Play Services to crash. If other apps stop updating after that, turn your browser back on and use alternative methods.
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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first to clear the cache and app data in the same menu.
2. Hiding the Chrome icon without deleting
If the browser isn't disrupting your work, but it's annoying with your icon on the menu, you can just hide it. It won't delete the app itself, but it will visually clean the desktop.
Ways of concealment:
- 📂 Use folders: Drag the Chrome icon to a folder with underutilized apps (e.g., “Reserve").
- 🔍 Enable hide applications in the launcher MIUI: Hold an empty space on the desktop → Settings. Select Hide Apps. Mark Chrome in the list and confirm.
side-launcher
Nova Launcher
Apex Launcher
This method is suitable if you want to save Chrome for rare use (like checking site compatibility) but not see it daily.
3. Remove Chrome via ADB (no root)
To completely remove system Chrome, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android through your computer, which does not require superuser rights (root), but you need permissions to debug over USB.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to your PC
Download ADB
- For Windows: The official Platform Tools package.
- For Linux/macOS: install via a packet manager (sudo apt install adb).
- Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and execute: adb devices (your device should appear).
- Remove Chrome by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chrome
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After removing Chrome from the ADB Web previews in other applications (e.g. Google Discover) may stop working. If this is critical, use the disable method.
USB debugging enabled
Installed ADB drivers on PC
The phone is connected via the original cable
Download the Platform Tools package
Backup of data is done-->
4. Removal through root rights
If your Redmi has Magisk or another root rights manager installed, you can uninstall Chrome as a regular app – via Root Explorer or ADB with superuser rights.
Instructions for Root Explorer:
- 📁 Open Root Explorer and go to the /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
- 🔍 Find folders with names: Chrome ChromeStub WebViewGoogle
- 🗑️ Remove these folders or rename them (e.g., in the Chrome_bak).
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
Alternatively, through ADB root:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/app/Chrome
rm -rf /system/priv-app/ChromeStub
rebootAfter removing system Chrome, some MIUI features (such as web browsing in settings) can use Google's built-in WebView. If you don't need one, delete the WebViewGoogle folder in a similar way.
What to do if the links stop working after removal?
5. Removal via TWRP (for power users)
If your Redmi has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can delete Chrome directly through it.This method is suitable for deep cleaning of the system before firmware or if the ADB has not worked.
Step-by-step:
- 🔄 Load the phone in mode TWRP (clamp down on power. + Volume up when switched on).
- 🛠️ Choose Advanced → File Manager.
- 📁 Move to the /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
- 🔍 Find and delete folders: Chrome ChromeStub WebViewGoogle (optional)
🔄 Reboot the phone.
The advantage of this method is the ability to delete Chrome even if the system blocked changes through ADB. However, the risk of damaging the firmware is higher, so we recommend backing up through TWRP before removing it.
| Deleting method | Need root? | Makes room? | Risk to the system | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shutdown | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Low. | Through settings |
| Hiding the icon | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Absent. | Through the launcher |
| ADB (no root) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium. | Reinstallation via ADB |
| Root rights | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️⚠️ High-pitched | Backup recovery |
| TWRP | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Very tall. | Flip-flashing |
6. Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi
If you have removed Chrome but need a reliable browser, consider these alternatives:
- 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – supports extensions, sync and has good privacy protection.
- 🥝 Kiwi Browser is based on Chromium, but lighter and faster than the original Chrome.
- 🌐 Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default, saves traffic.
- 🔍 DuckDuckGo is a minimalist browser with a focus on privacy.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mint Browser – the standard browser from Xiaomi, optimized for MIUI.
When choosing, pay attention to: speed (test through BrowserBench), memory consumption (in Settings → Applications, see background activity), support for extensions (if you need them).
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Even after Chrome is removed, some system processes (such as Google Play Services) may continue to use Chromium components.To completely isolate from Google, you will need to degooglise the firmware (for example, via LineageOS).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you delete Chrome on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face these problems:
⚠️ Note: If links from other apps are no longer open after Chrome is deleted, check the default settings of the apps. It may be that the system is trying to open them through a remote browser. install an alternative browser and select the option “Open supported links” in its settings".
- 🚫 "Team not found" in ADB: Make sure that the Platform Tools package is unpacked at the root of the disk C:\ (No Cyrillic characters on the way. Also check that you are in the adb.exe folder on the command line.
- 🔒 "Rejected access when removed via root: Check that /system fixed in recording mode (mount) -o rw,remount /system). If it doesn’t work, use Magisk to get a temporary root.
- 🔄 Chrome is recovering after an update MIUI: System applications can be returned after OTA-Solution: Turn off automatic updates MIUI Use Magisk to block recovery.