How to Remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi: From Disconnection to Complete Deletion

Why Chrome is so hard to remove from Xiaomi and what to do

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones often face a problem: Google Chrome can not be removed in the standard way through the application menu. The reason is that the browser is pre-installed as a system application in the MIUI firmware. The manufacturer integrates it at the OS level according to the requirements of Google Mobile Services (GMS) – without Chrome, the device will not receive certification to access the Play Market and other Google services.

But what if the browser is slowing down, consuming battery or simply not needed? There are several options: from simple disconnection to complete removal with ADB or superuser rights (root). In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 12-14, including nuances for different models. On devices with global firmware (EEA), Chrome is removed more easily than on the Chinese version without GMS.

Method 1: Turn off Chrome without deletion (for all models)

If you don’t need to completely erase your browser, but just hide it from the menu and stop background activity, use the built-in MIUI settings. This method works on all devices, including the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, without risking system disruption.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Chrome” and select the app from the list.
• ⚙️ Click Disable (the button will become active if the browser has not been updated through the Play Market).
• 🔄 Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: Disabled Chrome will not receive updates through the Play Market, but its files will remain in the device's memory. If you want to return the browser later, just click Enable in the same settings.

This method does not free up disk space, but stops background processes and removes the icon from the menu.

1. In Chrome settings (Settings → Applications → Chrome → Auto Run), select Prohibit.
2. In the Permissions section, disable access to contacts, location, and other data.

Method 2: Remove Chrome Updates (Free Space)

If the browser was updated through the Play Market, it can be rolled back to the factory version, which will free up to 100-150 MB of memory, a method that does not require root rights and is suitable for most devices on MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. After that, the Chrome version will reset to the factory version (usually 80-90, depending on the model).

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

• 🛡️ Open Play Market, Find Chrome.
• 🔧 Click on the three dots next to the Update button and uncheck the Auto Update box.

⚠️ Note: After rollback, Chrome may not work well or make errors when opening some sites.

Method 3: Remove Chrome through ADB (without root)

For users willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to remove Chrome without obtaining root rights.This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).li>
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the Android Developers website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then follow the command to delete Chrome:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.chrome

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a MIUI 14) Chrome can be protected from deletion through ADB. In this case, root will be required.

Method 4: Completely remove Chrome with root rights

If you’re ready to get root rights (like through Magisk), Chrome can be removed without a trace, a method that’s suitable for power users, as doing the wrong thing can lead to a device blink.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk and get root rights (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your model).
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/app/Chrome or /system/priv-app/Chrome (depending on firmware).
4. Delete the Chrome folder and all files inside it.
5. Clear the cache and data through Settings → Apps → Chrome.

Alternatively, through ADB root:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/Chrome




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Chrome




reboot

After the reboot, Chrome will be completely removed.

• 🔄 Some system functions (e.g., web browsing in other applications) may not work properly.
• 🔧 To restore Chrome will need to reflash the device.

💡

Before removing Chrome through root, back up your firmware with TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery, which will help restore the system in the event of a crash.

Method 5: Remove Chrome on non-GMS devices (Chinese firmware)

On Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese market (firmware without Google Mobile Services), Chrome is often missing by default, but if it was installed manually or appeared after flashing, you can remove it in the standard way - like a regular application.

How to check the type of firmware:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔍 If there are letters in the firmware room CN (for example, V14.0.4.0.TMBCNXM), It's a Chinese version without GMS.
• 🌍 If there is. EEA, RU Global – firmware with Google services.

Instructions for Chinese firmware:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Find Chrome on the list.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

If the Remove button is inactive, then Chrome has been integrated as a system application when you flash it, in which case you can either use ADB (method 3) or get root rights (method 4).

💡

Chrome is often missing on Chinese firmware (MIUI CN), but it can be installed manually via APK.

What to do if Chrome cannot be removed

If none of these things worked, maybe your device has firmware or hardware limitations.

• 🔄 Factory reset: Returns the device to its original state, but Chrome will remain (since it is system.
• 📦 Custom firmware installation: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience lets you uninstall any system applications, including Chrome.
• 🛡️ Use of alternative launchers: Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher can hide the Chrome icon even if the application itself remains in the system.

If you decide to re-flash the device, consider:

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi resets all data and requires you to link the Mi Account to the device. 12S Unlocking Ultra can take up to 720 hours (30 days.

For users who don’t want to take risks, the best option is to simply disable Chrome (method 1) and use another default browser, like Firefox or Bromite (open source and without Google tracking).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome on Xiaomi