How to Uninstall Google Chrome on Xiaomi Redmi 7: All Ways (including System)

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face the problem of built-in Google Chrome, which can not be removed by standard means. The application takes up space in memory, consumes resources in the background and imposes updates through Google Play. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways from simple disabling to complete deletion of system files (including methods for users without root rights).

It's important to understand that Redmi 7 comes with Chrome preinstalled as a system application, so the usual uninstallation via the Apps menu is not available. However, there are workarounds - from hiding the icon to uninstalling via ADB or MIUI Hidden Settings. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 14, so the instructions are relevant for most firmware.

Why can’t Chrome be removed in the standard way?

The reason lies in Google’s policies and agreements with manufacturers: On all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (GMS), Chrome is the system component necessary to:

• 🔹 Google Play Protect Certification
• 🔹 Works of web views in other applications (for example, authorization through social networks)
• 🔹 Security Updates via Google Play System Update

Even if you never use Chrome, the system will force you to update it through the Play Store, and some MIUI features (like Quick Apps or App Vault) may depend on the Chromium web engine that underlies the browser.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Chrome completely can cause Google Play Services to crash or not be logged in to some apps.We recommend trying disabling methods first, not uninstalling them.

Method 1: Disable Chrome through Settings (without deleting)

If you just need to hide your browser and prevent it from working in the background, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find Google Chrome in the list and open its page.
4. Click Disable (the button will become active after confirmation).
5. Return to the main menu and click Clear Data → Clear Cache.

This method does not remove the application, but:

• 📵 Stops Chrome Background Activity
• 🚫 Remove the icon from the app menu
• 🔄 Prohibits automatic updates through the Play Store

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, first remove all Chrome updates through the Play Store (open the app page → three dots → Remove updates).

Method 2: Remove updates and return to the factory version

The standard Chrome on Redmi 7 weighs ~50 MB, but after updates through the Play Store, its size can reach 200-300 MB.

1. Open the Play Store and search for Google Chrome.
2. Slip on three dots in the corner → Remove updates.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the rollback.
4. Go back to Settings → Apps → Chrome and click Disable.

After that:

• 📉 The size of the application will be reduced to the original
• 🔒 Updates will no longer be installed automatically.
• ⚠️ The icon will remain on the menu, but the app will not run

⚠️ Note: If you accidentally update Chrome again, all restrictions will be reset. To avoid this, turn off auto-update for the app in the Play Store settings (profile) → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Do not update Chrome).

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root)

For users willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to completely remove Chrome without obtaining root permissions.This works because MIUI allows you to uninstall some system applications via pm uninstall commands.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Drivers (download from the official website)
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB Redmi 7 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers)
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the deletion command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome
5. Reboot the phone.

If the command is successful, Chrome will disappear from the system.

• ✅ The application will be removed for the current user (--user 0)
• ❌ After resetting settings or updating MIUI Chrome may be back.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Google Pay) may not work properly.

Debugging is on. USB|Installed ADB-driver|The phone is connected in file transfer mode|The command line is open on behalf of the administrator-->

Method 4: Use MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Settings)

MIUI contains hidden menus that allow you to manage system applications, and one way is to use the MIUI Hidden Settings app (available on 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Algorithm of action:

1. Download and install. MIUI Hidden Settings.apk (Permission to install from unknown sources is required).
2. Open the application and provide root access (if any) or rights through ADB.
3. Go to the App Manager section.
4. Find Google Chrome in the list of system applications.
5. Choose Uninstall or Disable (depending on the version of MIUI).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 No manual input required. ADB-team
• 📊 Shows all system applications in one interface
• 🔄 Allows you to roll back changes if necessary

⚠️ Attention: Apps like MIUI Hidden Settings can be recognized as potentially dangerous by antivirus software, download them only from trusted sources (for example, download them from a reliable source, 4PDA or XDA).

Method 5: Complete removal with root rights

If you have root access (like through Magisk), you can physically delete Chrome files from the system partition, which is the most radical method, but also the most effective.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/Chrome/ or /system/app/Chrome/ (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Delete all files with the.apk and.odex extensions.
4. Clear the /data/data/com.android.chrome/ folder (there is user data stored).
5. Reset the device.

Risks of the method:

Critical information: On some versions of MIUI, removing Chrome through root results in a cyclical reboot of the phone. Before the procedure, back up via TWRP!

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi 7

If you removed Chrome, you'll need an alternative.The best options for Redmi 7 are:

To install alternative browsers:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (for example, Firefox).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
3. Install the browser and make it the default application to open links.

💡

Even if you delete Chrome, some system processes may still use its engine for web views. To completely disable it, you’ll need to modify the build.prop file (requires root).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome on Redmi 7