How to completely remove Google Chrome with Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways and nuances

Why is Google Chrome not being removed in the standard way?

On Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones, Google Chrome is often preinstalled as a system application, which means it cannot be removed through the Settings menu → Apps – the Remove button will be inactive or absent. The reason lies in Google’s policies and agreements with manufacturers: many applications (including Chrome, YouTube, Gmail) are integrated into MIUI firmware at the system level.

Depending on the version of MIUI and root rights status, you can either disable the browser (hide from the interface) or delete it completely using special tools. It is important to note that on some firmware, removing Chrome can disrupt Google Play services if they depend on the Chromium browser engine.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On the Redmi. 8 It's usually MIUI 11-13.
• 🔒 Having root rights: If you don’t get them, use methods without rooting.
• 📦 Alternative browser: Install Firefox or Brave in advance to avoid being left without access to the network.

Method 1: Disable Chrome through Settings (without deleting)

If you don’t need to completely erase your browser, but just hide it from the menu and stop background processes, use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Chrome and select the app.
3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: Chrome will no longer appear in the list of apps after disabling, but its files will remain in the device’s memory.This method does not free up disk space, but reduces battery load.

If the Disable button is inactive, try removing the updates first:

• 🔄 Click Remove Updates in the App Menu.
• 🔙 Return to the basic Chrome settings and try again to disable.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

To completely remove Google Chrome without obtaining root rights, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method works on most Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 8, but requires a PC connection.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and type in the command line (from the ADB folder): Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
5. Execute the deletion command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chrome

⚠️ Note: If Google Play services stop working after deletion (for example, apps don’t update), return Chrome with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights

If you have root access (like through Magisk), you can uninstall Chrome as a system app, which will free up space and prevent automatic recovery from updates.

Steps:

• 📱 Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore or /system/app/Chrome (path may differ).
• 🗑️ Delete the Chrome folder or files with the.apk and.odex extension.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

The following is the Titanium Backup:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Find Google Chrome in the list.
3. Choose Delete! (Do not Freeze).

⚠️ Attention: on some firmware MIUI Removing system applications can cause a bootloop (a looped reboot).Before experimenting, back up through TWRP.

Recovery of Chrome after errors

If you have problems after deleting (e.g., the Google Play Store or YouTube is not working), return Chrome in one of the following ways:

• 🔄 Through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome
• 📥 Through APK-Download the latest version of Chrome with APKMirror and install manually.
• 🔧 Through resetting settings: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings (deletes all data!).

If Chrome is not recovering, check firmware integrity:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
3. If an update is available, install it.

💡

Before resetting the settings, remove SIM-card and memory card to avoid accidental formatting.

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi 8

If you have removed Chrome, install one of the optimized browsers:

For installation:

1. Download APK from the official browser site.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Set the file and configure as the default browser.

Frequent mistakes and decisions

When you delete Chrome, Redmi 8 users face typical problems:

• 🚫 "Failed to remove the package in ADB: Solution: check if the packet name (com.android.chrome) is entered correctly.If the error persists, restart the phone and repeat the command.
• 🔄 Chrome is recovering after an update MIUI: Solution: Turn off automatic update of system applications in Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Three points. → Turn off auto-update.
• ⚠️ Google Services Are Not Working: Solution: Restore Chrome through Google ADB Or install it manually (see section above).

If none of the methods worked, your MIUI firmware may block the changes, in which case only reflashing to a custom version (like LineageOS) will help, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and Fastboot skills.

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+, removing Chrome via ADB works 90% of the time, but may require re-connecting the debugging after a reboot.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions