How to completely remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from shutdown to uninstallation

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 with factory-made MIUI firmware comes with a pre-installed Google Chrome browser that can’t be removed by standard means. This creates problems: the app takes up space in memory, updates in the background and can slow down your smartphone. Especially relevant for owners of Redmi Note 4 with 16/32 GB of memory, where every megabyte counts.

In this article, we have 3 working methods for removing Chrome, including disabling through settings, deactivating updates and completely removing it with ADB or root rights. We also discuss how to replace Chrome with Xiaomi so as not to lose functionality, and why some methods can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation.

Why Chrome Cannot Be Deleted in Standard Ways

On the Redmi Note. 4 (mido models mido_spr) Google Chrome is a system application. That means:

• 🔹 The app is stitched into the firmware MIUI and protected from removal without superuser rights.
• 🔹 Even after Hard Reset, Chrome will automatically recover.
• 🔹 The usual “Delete” button in the app menu has been replaced with “Disable” or “Delete Updates».

Xiaomi does not provide a legal way to remove Chrome completely for two reasons:

1. Google Requirements: To certify devices under Google Mobile Services (GMS), the presence of the Chrome browser and other Google services is required.
2. System Stability: Deleting system APKs can cause MIUI errors, especially if Chrome is integrated into other services (e.g. WebView).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12/13 For the Redmi Note 4 Forced removal of Chrome may cause Google Play Services to crash. Check the firmware version in Settings before action → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Turn off Chrome without removing (no root)

If you just need to free up memory and stop Chrome's background activity, just turn off the app. This method does not require superuser rights and is safe for the system.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Chrome in the list (use search if you need to).
3. Click "Disable" and confirm the action.
4. Return to the Chrome menu and select Storage → Clear Cache and Clear Data.

What does it mean?

• 📱 The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.
• 🔄 Free up to 150-300MB of memory (depending on the Chrome version).
• 🚫 Chrome won’t automatically start when you open links.

⚠️ Note: After disabling some web links may open in a standard browser MIUI Browser, which also consumes resources.To avoid this, install an alternative browser (like Firefox or Brave) and assign it to the default browser.

Method 2: Remove Chrome Updates and Block Automatic Update

If Chrome was updated through Google Play, it can be rolled back to the factory version and then blocked updates, which will reduce the space occupied and prevent background activity.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Google Chrome → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates.
2. Confirm action. The Chrome version will reset to factory (usually 50.x.x or 60.x.x).
3. Open Google Play Market, search for Google Chrome and click “Delete” (if the button is active).
4. To block future updates, disable auto-update for Chrome: Play Market → Profile → Settings → Auto-Update apps → Do not automatically update

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Does not require rooting or ADB.
• 📉 Reduces CPU load (older Chrome versions are less resource-intensive).
• 🔒 Prevents data collection with new Chrome (relevant for users concerned about privacy).

💡

If Chrome continues to update after rollback, check Google Play settings for linked accounts with auto-update enabled. Sometimes updates are launched from a different Google profile.

Method 3: Completely remove Chrome with ADB (without root)

To completely remove Chrome from Redmi Note 4, you don’t need to get root rights. Use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android via PC, which works on most versions of MIUI, but requires accuracy.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot for Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
5. Run the command to delete Chrome: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome
6. Reboot the phone.

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

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

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After removing Chrome from the ADB If after the reboot there are errors like “Google Play Services stopped”, restore Chrome by command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome

Method 4: Remove Chrome with root rights (for power users)

If you already have root access (like Magisk or SuperSU), you can uninstall Chrome as a system application, which is a method that provides maximum cleanup, but carries risks:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔴 Possible disruptions MIUI.
• 🔴 Risk of “bricking” with incorrect removal.

Instructions for root users:

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/
3. Delete or rename the files: Chrome.apk and Chrome.odex (if any).
4. Clear the Chrome cache and data in Settings → Apps.
5. Reboot the phone.

Alternative method through Terminal Emulator:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Chrome




rm -rf /system/app/Chrome




reboot

⚠️ Warning: If after deleting Chrome, the Google Play Store or YouTube stopped working, restore files from a backup or reflash the phone. 4 s MIUI 10/11 This is less common than on new versions.

💡

Removing Chrome with root rights is the most radical way, but it is only suitable for power users. For most tasks, it is enough to disable or delete via ADB.

How to replace Google Chrome with Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

After removing or disabling Chrome, you’ll need an alternative browser, and here are the best options for Redmi Note 4 with performance and compatibility in mind:

Selection recommendations:

• 🥇 For speed: Kiwi Browser or MIUI Browser.
• 🥈 For privacy: Firefox with enhanced security settings.
• 🥉 To save traffic: Brave with ad blocking.

How to assign the default browser:

1. Open the selected browser.
2. Go to Settings → Default Applications → Browser.
3. Select the desired application from the list.

💡

If after changing the browser links still open in Chrome, clear the default settings of the applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Reset the default settings.

Possible problems after Chrome is deleted and solved

Removing or disabling Chrome can have unexpected consequences, and these are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Google Play Services Error: If Chrome is no longer running after you delete Google Play Store or Gmail, restore Chrome through the Google Play Store ADB or roll back the firmware.
• 🔴 Links won’t open: Assign another browser by default (see previous section) or install Android System WebView from Google Play.
• 🔴 Problems with syncing Google account: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and re-enter your account.
• 🔴 Losing bookmarks and passwords: If you haven’t made a backup, try to recover data via Google Dashboard (https://myaccount.google.com/).

If problems persist, check the system logs using the Logcat app (ADB required):

adb logcat | grep -i "chrome\|webview\|package"

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome with Xiaomi Redmi Note 4