How to Remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Disconnection to Complete Deletion

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face the need to free up memory or optimize the work of the smartphone, and one of the first candidates for removal is preinstalled Google Chrome. Despite the popularity of the browser, it occupies a significant place in memory, consumes resources in the background and does not always suit users in functionality. However, simply remove Chrome with Redmi 9 will not work — this is a system application protected by the manufacturer.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to get rid of Chrome: from temporary shutdown to complete deletion using the help of Chrome. ADB You will learn which methods are safe for beginners and which require technical skills, and we will analyze what happens if you just turn off the browser without deleting, and we will suggest the best alternatives for Redmi 9.

Important: the procedure for removing system applications can affect the stability of the work MIUI. If you are not sure about your actions, start with the simplest methods and be sure to back up your data before any manipulations.

Why is Google Chrome preinstalled on Redmi 9 and can it be removed?

Google Chrome Browser is included in the Google Mobile Services package (GMS), And that's something that Xiaomi is absolutely sure to install on all of its smartphones for markets outside of China, and that's Google's requirement to certify Android devices. GMS The Redmi 9 will not work:

• 🔍 Google Play Market and other Google services;
• 📧 Sync with Google account (contacts, mail, calendar);
• 🗺️ Google Maps and Geolocation Services;
• 🎮 Many games and apps that depend on Google Play Services.

So, completely removing Chrome without consequences is only possible on custom firmware or root. MIUI You can either disable the browser or delete its updates, but not yourself. APK-However, even these measures will save up to 150-200 MB of memory and reduce background activity.

Before you get to the radical measures, take a look at how much Chrome really interferes with Redmi 9:

⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell or transfer Redmi 9 to another user, removing Chrome could cause problems with the device setup by the new owner.

Method 1: Turning off Google Chrome through Settings MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to disable Chrome, not delete it completely, which will stop the browser's background processes and free up some of the RAM, while the system files remain in place, and you can turn the browser back on at any time.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Tap it on Application Management.
3. In the list, look for Google Chrome (could be called simply Chrome).
4. Click Disable (the button will become active after tap on three points in the upper right corner).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 Chrome icon will disappear from the desktop and app menu;
• 🔄 Browser will no longer be updated through Play Market;
• 📊 Free up to 50-100 MB of memory (by deleting cache and data).

Make sure your browser doesn’t run in the background (check in “Recently Opened”)

Check if your sync settings with Google are broken

Install an alternative browser (such as Firefox or Kiwi)

Clear the system cache through "Settings" → Memory"-->

This is a good method if you want to just get rid of an unnecessary application, but you're not willing to risk the stability of the system. APK-file, so the space on the internal drive will be freed up minimally.

Method 2: Remove Chrome Updates (release up to 200MB)

If you're concerned about the amount of memory Chrome takes up, you can remove the updates, leaving only the factory version of the browser, which is secure and does not require superuser rights.

How to remove updates:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select Google Chrome.
3. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action.

After that:

• 📉 Chrome will be reduced in size with ~200MB to ~20-30 MB;
• 🔄 The browser will return to the factory version (possibly outdated);
• 🚫 Play Market Will Stop Updating Chrome Automatically.

⚠️ Note: An outdated version of Chrome may contain security vulnerabilities. If you continue to use your browser, check regularly for critical updates manually through APKMirror or other trusted sources.

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

1. Open the Google Play Market.
2. Find Google Chrome in the list of apps.
3. Slip on three dots next to the "Update" button and uncheck the Auto Update box.

💡

If Chrome stopped opening some sites after removing the updates, try clearing its cache and data in the app settings.This often solves compatibility issues.

Method 3: Remove Chrome through ADB (without root)

For users ready for more radical measures, there is a method to remove Chrome using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This does not require superuser rights, but will require connecting the smartphone to the computer.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Complete removal APK-chrome;
• 📱 Does not affect the operation of other Google services;
• 🔄 Restore your browser via Play Market.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9;
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and platform-tool utility.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate debugging on USB: Go to Settings. → About the phone; Tap 7 times on the version MIUI, To enable Developer Mode; Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers; Enable debugging by USB.

Redmi 9

File transfer

Open the command line (Windows)

platform-tools

Check the connection:

adb devices

The name of your device with device status should appear.

Follow the command to delete Chrome:

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

Reboot your smartphone:

adb reboot

If the command is successful, Chrome will be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After removing Chrome from the ADB You may have errors when trying to open links from other apps (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), in which case install an alternative browser and set it up as the default app.

Method 4: Completely remove Chrome with root rights

If you are willing to take the risk of getting a superuser (root), you can delete Chrome without a trace.This method is suitable for experienced users, as the wrong actions can lead to a knock (inoperability) of the device.

Advantages of root method:

• 🧹 Completely delete all Chrome files, including system files;
• 📲 Ability to remove other unnecessary system applications;
• 🔧 Flexible setup MIUI.

Risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid);
• 🔄 Problems with updates MIUI;
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities when root is not configured correctly.

Instructions for Redmi 9:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock via Xiaomi’s official website; Wait for approval (can take up to 72 hours); Use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP): Download the current version TWRP for Redmi 9 (Lancelot model; Scroll recovery through fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Get root rights: Download Magisk from the official website; ZIP-file-through TWRP; Reset the device.

Delete Chrome:

• Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
• Move to the /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore or /system/app/;
• Find Chrome folders or files called com.android.chrome.
• Remove them (pre-repair them!).

After removal, it is recommended that:

• 🔄 Reset the device;
• 🧹 Clear the cache through TWRP (Wipe → Cache);
• 📱 Install an alternative browser (such as Bromite or Firefox).

Method 5: Alternative browsers for Redmi 9 – what to install instead of Chrome?

If you deleted or disabled Chrome, you’ll need an alternative browser.For Xiaomi Redmi 9 with its 4GB of RAM and Helio processor G80 The following options are appropriate:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔒 If your priority is privacy, choose Bromite or DuckDuckGo Browser;
• 🚀 For maximum performance, Kiwi Browser or Firefox is suitable;
• 📶 If you need to use the most efficient traffic, install Opera Mini;
• 🔧 If you need extensions (like AdBlock), choose Firefox or Kiwi.

After installing an alternative browser, remember to configure it as the default application:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default applications;
2. Select the Browser;
3. Please specify the desired application from the list.

💡

Even after Chrome is removed, some Google Play Services system processes may continue to use Redmi 9 resources. For full optimization, consider disabling unnecessary Google services through Google. ADB Specialized utilities like Disable Service (requires root).

What happens if you delete Chrome with Redmi 9: possible problems and solutions

Removing a system application like Chrome can have unexpected consequences, and let’s look at some of the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1. Errors when opening links from other applications

If you have removed Chrome, some apps (such as Telegram or Gmail) may give an error when you try to open a link.

• Install an alternative browser;
• In the settings of the application that gives the error, select the new browser by default;
• Use the Open Link With utility from the Play Market to manually select your browser.

2.Problems with Google Play Market

In rare cases, after deleting Chrome, errors may occur when updating apps through the Play Market.

• Clear the cache and data of Google Play Market and Google Play Services;
• Delete and re-add your Google account.
• If the problem persists, restore Chrome through the Play Market.

3. Google Assistant malfunction

Chrome is integrated with some of the features of Google Assistant (for example, opening web pages using voice commands).

• Reinstall the Google App (Google App)
• Clear the data of Google Assistant;
• Set up an alternative browser as the primary browser for the assistant.

4. Loss of functionality of some system utilities

Certain functions MIUI (For example, Quick Notification Answers or Smart Assistant can use Chrome to display web content:

• Check the settings of these functions in Settings → Special facilities;
• Install a lightweight browser (such as Opera Mini) to minimize the impact on the system.

In most cases, the problem is solved by installing an alternative browser and configuring it as the default application. If after removing Chrome Redmi 9 began to work unstable (frequent restarts, system process errors), it is recommended:

1. Restore Chrome through the Play Market
2. Perform reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings);
3. In extreme cases, reflash the device through fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome with Xiaomi Redmi 9