Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS shells come with a pre-installed set of Google apps, among which the Google Chrome browser is central. For many users, having a second browser becomes redundant as they prefer to use built-in alternatives or specialized surfing solutions. However, standard Android methods cannot remove the system application, which often causes bewilderment among device owners.
The process of getting rid of imposed software requires understanding the architecture of the operating system and using special tools that go beyond the usual settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical details of the operation of system applications and provide a step-by-step algorithm for their safe removal or forced stopping. It is important to realize that any manipulation of system components requires care, so as not to disrupt the stability of the gadget.
Before we take action, we need to evaluate whether to remove this particular browser, as it is deeply integrated into the Google services ecosystem, and we will look at both mild disablement methods and radical ways to completely delete through the computer, as well as answering frequently asked questions about the safety of such procedures.
Features of system applications in MIUI and HyperOS
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS are based on the Android kernel, where access rights are divided into security layers. Applications installed in advance are system-based and placed in a secure partition of memory /system/app or /system/priv-app. The average user, even with device administrator rights, does not have permission to write to these directories without using special debugging protocols.
This restriction was introduced by Google to protect the integrity of the operating system and prevent the accidental removal of critical components. Chrome browser often acts not only as a program for browsing pages, but also as a rendering engine for other applications using WebView technologies.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to obtain Root rights to directly delete system files may result in loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications using SafetyNet or Play Integrity protection.
There are two basic approaches to solving the problem: forced stop (freeze) and complete removal through the debugging bridge. The first method is safe and reversible, the second requires a connection to a PC and the use of the command line. The choice of method depends on your technical training and the ultimate goal of freeing up space or simply hiding the icon.
It is also worth noting that in some regions, Xiaomi firmware versions may have different packages of preinstalled software. In global versions (Global ROM), the Google application set is standard, while in Chinese versions (CN ROM), Google services may be absent initially or be added by the user manually, which changes their status in the system.
Preparation of the smartphone for the removal procedure
To perform any operations to manage system components through the computer, you need to activate the hidden developer mode on your Xiaomi device. Without this step, the smartphone will not be visible to the computer as a debugging device, and command transfer will not be possible.
First, you need to open the About phone menu in the settings and quickly click on the MIUI or HyperOS build number seven times. After the notification that you have become a developer, a new option will appear in the settings menu "Additional" or "Extended settings", where you need to find the "For developers" section.
- 📱 Turn on the "Debugging by" switch. USB" developer-menu.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB Fastboot on your personal computer.
- 🔌 Use a quality original cable to connect your smartphone to your PC.
- 🔐 Unlock the smartphone screen when you first connect and confirm the key print RSA.
It is important to use reliable USB-connection, as communication interruption during execution of commands can lead to script execution error. Also make sure that the smartphone is enabled file transfer or debugging mode if the system requests a choice of connection type. ADB-The demons, therefore, should be temporarily disabled.
Once the cable is connected and the request is confirmed on the phone screen, the computer will have access to the device's command shell. You can check the success of the connection by running the adb device command in the terminal; the device with the serial number and device status should appear in the list.
☑️ Checking readiness for removal
The method of forced shutdown without root rights
The safest way to get rid of a browser is to shut it down completely, in which case the application stops running, updating and consuming processor resources, but formally remains in the device’s memory, a method ideal for users who are afraid to make changes to system files via the command line.
To turn off Chrome, go to your smartphone settings, select the Apps section and find the All Apps list. Search in the Google Chrome alphabetical list, click on it and select the "Disable" or "Stop" option. The system will issue a warning that other apps may not work properly, but for most use cases this is not critical.
Once disabled, the browser icon will disappear from the desktop and menu, and the process will be frozen. If you need this browser again in the future, you can easily activate it back through the same settings menu by simply clicking the "Enable" button. This action does not require a connection to the computer and is completely safe for warranty.
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If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), try first pressing “Delete Updates” to return the application to the factory version, after which the “Disable” button should become available.
The downside to this method is that app files continue to take up space in internal storage. While modern versions of Android can effectively manage frozen applications, for owners of models with a small amount of memory (for example, 32 or 64 GB), this can be a significant factor.
Complete removal through ADB-team
A radical solution to the problem is the complete removal of the application package using the Android utility Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to erase the application as if it never existed in the system, freeing up the space it occupies. To perform the operation, you will need a computer with Android platform tools installed. SDK Platform-Tools.
After connecting the smartphone and checking visibility through the command adb devices, you need to run the command line or terminal in the folder with the adb utility. To remove the browser, the pm uninstall command with the flag is used. --user 0, which indicates deletion for the current user without affecting the system partition, making the procedure safe for the bootloader.
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chromeOnce you enter the command and press the Enter key, the system will give a message "Success" if the operation was successful. the app icon will instantly disappear and the package itself will be removed from the user space. It is important to know the exact name of the package, since it may differ slightly from one version of Xiaomi firmware, although it is standard for Chrome.
| Team team. | Description of action | The result |
|---|---|---|
| adb shell pm list packages | Deletion of the list of all packages | Finding the exact name of the application |
| adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 <package> | Deletion of the package for the user | Complete removal of the application |
| adb shell cmd package install-existing <package> | Recovery of the Remote Package | Return of the application to the system |
Unlike root removal, this method does not require flashing the device. If you accidentally delete the extra or the application was necessary for the operation of other services, it can be restored by the adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome command.
What to do if the team is not executed?
Recovery of Remote System Components
Situations where links from other applications are not opened correctly after Chrome is deleted or WebView error occurs are rare but possible. In such cases, you need to quickly restore a remote component or install an alternative rendering engine. Android provides mechanisms to roll back changes made through ADB.
To recover, simply reconnect the smartphone to the computer in debugging mode and enter the reinstalling command specified in the previous section. The system will re-deploy the system image of the application from the hidden recovery section. If the standard recovery command does not work, you can reset the application settings through the smartphone recovery menu.
- 🔄 Run adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome to return the browser.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of the Google Play Services app in your phone settings.
- 📲 Install an alternative browser (like Via or Firefox) and assign it to the default browser.
- 🔋 Restart the device to apply changes to system paths.
This is the standard behavior of the system, ensuring the integrity of the software after major updates.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove components with the names com.google.android.webview or com.android.providers.downloads, as this may cause the browser and file uploader to fail completely.
Alternative solutions and browser replacement
After removing a standard browser, Xiaomi often offers to install its counterpart or leaves the device without the default web browsing tool. It is recommended to take care of installing an alternative browser in advance that will meet your requirements for speed, privacy and functionality.
The modern market offers many lightweight browsers that consume less RAM than heavy Chrome. For devices in the mid- and low-end segment of Xiaomi, this is especially true, as it allows you to speed up the interface and save battery life.
Browsers with built-in ad blocking, such as Brave or DuckDuckGo, are a great choice to replace. Not only do they save traffic, but they also increase page load speed, which has a positive effect on the overall user experience. Installing such a browser before removing the system one ensures that you always have a working surfing tool at hand.
Remember to regularly update your browser through the Google Play or GetApps app store, as security updates are critical to protecting personal data when you visit web resources. Outdated browser versions may contain vulnerabilities exploited by attackers.