How to remove Google Chrome with Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it is not immune from intrusive pre-installed software. Google Chrome often takes extra space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and duplicates the functions of other browsers. Unlike most applications, Chrome on MIUI can not be removed in the standard way - its icon simply disappears from the menu, and the browser itself remains in the system.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, from simple disabling to complete removal via ADB, including the nuances for the Redmi Note 7 on different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14). Also explain why some methods may not work on your device and how to fix it. Let’s warn you in advance: removing system applications without a backup can cause malfunctions in Google services, for example, stop updating maps or Gmail.

Why Chrome Cannot Be Deleted in the Standard Way

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (as well as other MIUI smartphones), Google Chrome is classified as a system application that is protected from removal for two reasons:

• 🔗 License agreements with Google: Manufacturers must pre-instal key Google services (including Chrome) to access Google Play Services and certify a device.
• 🛡️ Dependencies of other applications: Some features (e.g., web browsing in Google Assistant or auto-complete forms) use the Chrome engine.
• 🔄 Automatic recovery, even if you remove it. APK-Browser file, the system can recover it after rebooting or updating Google Play Services.

As a result, when you try to delete through Settings → Apps, you will only see the option “Disable” or “Delete Updates”; the latter returns the browser to the factory version, but does not free up space in the /system section.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI Global (European/Global Firmware) Chrome is harder to remove than the Chinese version (MIUI China, the latter often comes without Google's pre-installed services.

Method 1: Turn off Chrome without deleting (the safest)

If your goal is simply to hide the browser and prevent it from working in the background, you just need to disable the application, which does not require superuser rights and does not affect the stability of the system.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Chrome (or scroll to Google Chrome).
3. Click on the app, then select "Disable".
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 Chrome icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 The browser will not be updated through Google Play.
• 📵 Background processes (for example, bookmark synchronization) will stop.

⚠️ Note: Some links (e.g. from Gmail or YouTube) may open in Android System WebView, which is normal. If WebView is disabled, the links will not work.

💡

If you notice problems with link opening after disabling Chrome, install an alternative browser (like Firefox or Brave) and assign it to the default browser in the application settings.

Method 2: Remove Chrome Updates (Free Space)

The factory version of Chrome takes only ~50 MB, but after updating through Google Play, its size may exceed 200-300 MB. Removing updates will return the browser to its original state and free up space.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Delete Updates".
3. Confirm the action.

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find Google Chrome in your search.
3. Click on the three dots next to the "Update" button and uncheck the "Auto Update" box.

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

If disabling and removing updates isn’t enough, you can completely uninstall Chrome using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to your computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB Fastboot Tools by Google.
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi Note 7: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select the File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices should appear serial number of the device.
6. Run the command to delete Chrome: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chrome

If the command is successful, you will see a message Success. After the smartphone is restarted, Chrome will disappear from the system.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12.5+ The team can recover the Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. In this case, try the alternative command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome Flag -k saves cache and application data, but deletes APK.

Method 4: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If your Redmi Note 7 has customized recaps installed (such as TWRP) and root rights obtained, you can uninstall Chrome as a regular application using a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore or /system/app/Chrome (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Find files with names: Chrome.apk Chrome.odex (if any) Lib folder with dependencies

.bak

Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal without traces.
• 🔧 The ability to return the browser by simply renaming the files back.

Risks:

• 🚨 Damage to system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).
• 🔄 Some updates MIUI Can Restore Deleted Files.

Method 5: Using a debloather (automated removal)

For users who want to remove not only Chrome, but also other unnecessary system applications (for example, Mi Browser, Facebook, LinkedIn), specialized utilities-debloaters are suitable. They work through ADB and allow you to massively uninstall pre-installed software.

Popular tools:

• 🛠️ Universal Android Debloater (GUI) — graphical interface Windows/macOS.
• 📱 ADB AppControl – a console utility with pre-configured lists of applications for Xiaomi.

How to use Universal Android Debloater:

1. Download and run the utility on the computer.
2. Connect Redmi Note 7 to USB with debugging enabled.
3. In the program interface, select "Read device packages".
4. In the list, search com.android.chrome and tick.
5. Press "Uninstall selected".
6. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Warning: Debloaters often offer to remove critical system components (e.g. Google Play Services). On Redmi Note 7, removing packages called com.google.android.gsf, com.google.android.gms or com.xiaomi may cause the device to fail.

💡

Debloaters save time, but they need to be careful. Always check which packets you remove - some of them can be critical to MIUI or Google services.

What to do if Chrome is back after an update

Even after a successful removal, Google Chrome may reappear after:

• 🔄 Updates to Google Play Services.
• 📲 Installation of updates MIUI airborne (OTA).
• 🛠️ Resetting settings to factory.

How to prevent return:

1. Turn off the automatic Chrome update in Google Play (see Method 2).
2. Freeze the package with utilities like App Quarantine (requires root).
3. Use a firewall (like NetGuard) to block Chrome’s internet access.
4. Discard MIUI updates if they come with pre-installed software.

If Chrome is back, repeat the deletion procedure through ADB or debloather. On some firmware, renaming APK instead of deleting helps, so the system will not be able to restore the file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Chrome from Xiaomi