Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where a second browser icon appears in the list of applications, which looks like a copy of the main one. This phenomenon can occur for various reasons, from accidental activation of the cloning function to system errors when updating the MIUI shell or HyperOS. The presence of a duplicate not only confuses, but can consume the resources of the device in the background.
In this article, we will discuss how to safely remove a Chrome clone without damaging the main system. We will look at the standard methods of setting up, working with access rights and manually searching for hidden files. It is important to understand that simply removing a shortcut does not always solve the problem if the root is deeper in the system processes.
Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to determine the nature of the second application. Often users activate the "Cloning of Apps" function to separate work accounts, forgetting about it. Other times, we are talking about a system component that masquerades as a browser. Deleting the system component of com.android.chrome without proper preparation can lead to unstable interface operation.
The reasons for the appearance of a duplicate browser on Xiaomi
The main reason for the second Google Chrome icon is the built-in MIUI shell feature, which is designed to clone applications, which allows you to run two independent instances of the same application, which is convenient for using multiple accounts on social networks or messengers. However, browsers rarely need this mode, and its accidental activation leads to confusion.
Another reason may be the remnants of remote applications or incorrectly installed updates. Sometimes third-party launchers or optimization programs create their own shortcuts that are visually indistinguishable from the original.
In rare cases, the appearance of a clone indicates the presence of malware. Advertising viruses are often disguised as system processes or popular browsers to remain undetected. If the second Chrome behaves strangely, for example, opens ads without your knowledge, this is an occasion for a thorough security check.
- 📱 Accidental activation of the “Cloning of applications” function in system settings.
- 🔄 Errors when updating the firmware or the browser itself through Google Play.
- 🦠 Activities of advertising modules or virus software masquerading as a browser.
- 📂 Residual files and shortcuts from previously deleted versions or third-party launchers.
⚠️ Warning: If the second icon appears suddenly without your actions and consumes a lot of traffic, check the device with antivirus before removing it.
Verification and disabling of the cloning function
The first step should be to investigate the standard settings of the smartphone. In the shells of Xiaomi there is a special section responsible for creating copies of applications. This is where the answer to the question of how to remove a Chrome clone is most often hidden. Navigation on the menu may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
You need to go to the settings section, find the Apps section, and select the cloning option, and the list will show all the programs that have copies made, and if Google Chrome is on this list, you can just turn it off, and this action will delete the second instance and all the data associated with it, such as the history and cache of the cloned version.
Some versions of firmware may have a different path, and users should be careful when searching for a menu item, as the names may vary, such as the global versions of the feature may be called "Dual apps" and the Chinese versions may be called "Second space" or similar.
☑️ Verification of cloning settings
Once the function is disabled, the system may require confirmation. You can agree to delete the clone data. If the icon has disappeared, the problem is solved. If the icon remains or there is no cloning point for the browser, you should look elsewhere.
Removal through Application Manager
If the cloning feature is not active, but the second Chrome is present, try to remove it through the standard application manager. This method allows you to manage installed programs and their rights. To access the full list, you need to go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
Look for a suspicious duplicate. Pay attention to the details: name, size and version. The clone may have a slightly changed name or icon. Click on it and select Remove. If the button is active, the system cleanly deletes the application. If the button is grey or missing, you are dealing with the system component.
In the case of a system application, the deletion option will not be available; instead, it will only be suggested to “Disable” or “Stop”; Forced stop will temporarily stop processes, but after restarting they can start again; Disabling will hide the application from the menu and stop it from working, which is a safe analog for system services.
| Action. | For user applications | For system components | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal | Available. | Unavailable (gray button) | Complete deletion of data and file |
| Shutdown | Not always available. | Available. | Hiding from the menu, stopping work |
| Clearing the data | Available. | Available. | Reset to the factory settings of the application |
| Forced stopping | Available. | Available. | Temporary stop before restart |
Use of debugging by USB and ADB
For advanced users who want to get rid of the undeleteable system clone completely, there is a method using the system. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which allows you to control your device from a computer at a deep level, USB-cable and installed Xiaomi drivers.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. In the Developer menu that appears, turn on “Debugging on USB.” Connect your smartphone to your computer and start the command line with administrator permissions.
adb devices
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.chromeThis command will remove the browser for the current user. It is important not to confuse the batch name. If you delete the main system browser, it can disrupt the widgets and links in other applications. Therefore, this method is recommended only if you are sure that it is the clone, not the original.
⚠️ Be very careful when putting commands into ADB. Removing critical system packages may require reflashing the device for recovery.
Search for hidden files and malware
Sometimes the clone is not an app, but a shortcut created by a virus or ad module, often not displayed in the installed program list. Use Xiaomi's built-in security scanner or third-party antivirus to detect them.
Check the list of widgets on your desktop. (long tap) from the blank spot of the screen and select "Widgets." If there are suspicious items associated with the browser, delete them. It's also worth checking the application permissions: go to Settings → Security & Security → Permits and see which programs have access to run on top of other windows.
Often, ad viruses are hidden under the names of system processes. Carefully review the list of all applications by size or installation date. Suspicious programs without an icon or with a transparent icon should be removed immediately. If deletion is not possible, try to put the phone into safe mode by holding the shutdown button and remove the pest from there.
- 🔍 Run a full check with the built-in Security app».
- 🛡️ Check the permissions for “Mastering on top of other windows” for all applications.
- 📂 Use the file manager to search for apk files in the Download folder.
- 🚫 Go to Safe Mode to Remove Normal Viruses that Are Unremovable.
Reset browser and system settings
If none of the methods worked, and the Chrome clone continues to appear, it may be a deep system error or a user profile corruption, in which case the effective solution may be to reset the browser settings to factory.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Chrome. Select Memory and click Clear All or Reset This will return the browser to its original state by removing cache, cookies and temporary files that may have caused the crash.
In extreme cases, if the problem affects the entire system, consider completely resetting the device.Be sure to back up important data before doing so.Reset will delete all user data and return the phone to the "out of the box" state, which is guaranteed to eliminate any software clones and configuration errors.