Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation when a second icon of Google Chrome suddenly appears in the application menu. This phenomenon can cause confusion, especially if the user did not install the browser again. The appearance of a “clone” or duplicate program often indicates specific settings of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, and sometimes indicates malware activity.
Ignoring the presence of extraneous system processes is not necessary, as this can lead to accelerated battery discharge and the appearance of intrusive advertising. The duplicate application takes place in RAM and can conflict with the main version of the browser. In this article, we will discuss in detail why this problem occurs and how to solve it without losing important data.
There are several ways to fix this problem, from simple internal settings to advanced debugging tools, you don’t need to be a mobile expert to do the things you’re doing, but you need to follow the instructions carefully and understand what each option on your smartphone menu is responsible for.
Causes of Duplicate System Applications
The first step to solving this problem is understanding it. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, there is an app cloning feature that allows you to run two accounts in the same application. However, the Chrome system browser does not support this feature by default in the standard cloning menu. If you see the second icon, it may be the result of third-party cloners or the result of an incorrect system update.
Often users install utilities to create copies of social networks without noticing that they create unnecessary browser shortcuts to redirect advertising. Malware can masquerade as system processes, embedded deep into the folder structure, and can also cause a failure when updating firmware, when old shortcuts are not deleted, and new ones have already been created.
In some cases, the second Chrome is part of the Chinese version of the firmware, which is activated when you change region. MIUI has the property of pulling up services specific to your chosen country. If you recently changed region in settings, the system could automatically install components that are perceived as duplicates.
⚠️ Warning: If the second icon appears suddenly and is accompanied by a pop-up ad, there is a high probability of infection of the device.
Analyzing the source of the installation helps to quickly identify the problem: check when exactly the unnecessary label appeared, comparing this with the installation of new games or utilities. Often hidden miners or advertising modules hide behind innocuous names.
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Diagnosis: Is it real Chrome?
Before you start deleting, make sure you have the exact object to eliminate. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find it in the Google Chrome list. If the list shows two items with the same name, click on each and select About.
Pay attention to the size of the application and the space you occupy. The system browser usually weighs much more because of the accumulated cache and data, while a clone or virus can take up a minimum of space. Also check the version: the original and fake versions may differ or the clone may not have a version number at all.
- 🔍 Press and hold your finger on the app icon on your desktop, then select About App – this will show the exact path to the executable file.
- 📦 Check the source of the installation: the application information should indicate “Android System Integrator” or “Google” LLC», Not an unknown developer.
- 📡 Analyze permissions: if a copy of the browser requires access to contacts, microphone or other devices. SMS unnecessarily, this is a clear sign of a threat.
It is important to distinguish between the shortcut and the application itself. Sometimes a duplicate link is created on the desktop that leads to the same executable file. Deleting such a shortcut is safe and does not affect the operation of the main program. If the application manager sees two separate processes, the situation requires deeper intervention.
How to distinguish system process from user process?
System applications in MIUI are often protected from removal by the Remove button, which is either missing or inactive. Custom clones are removed in the standard way. Also system Chrome has a Google digital signature.> Remove through standard MIUI settings The safest and easiest way to get rid of excess software is to use the built-in shell functionality. Go to the Settings menu, then select the App section and then All apps. Find the list suspicious Chrome (target the size or icon if they differ). If the button is "Remove the application, the application has the data, then the application is required to be deleted, then the application is requested for the application to be deleted. ☑️ Check before deleting Copyed important passwords from the browser Verified installation source Made backup Data Defined exact application package Completed: 0 / 4 In some cases, cleaning the data before deleting helps. Go to the Warehouse inside the app menu and click "Clear All" and it won't delete the file itself, but it will reset the file, which sometimes allows you to unlock the delete button or reveals the actual purpose of the process. If the standard menu doesn't work, try disabling the app. In the same app information menu, find the Disable button. This will hide the icon and stop the processes, although the file will remain in memory. For many users, this is enough to stop seeing unnecessary Chrome. Use of the developer mode and ADB For advanced users who need to remove the system duplicate that is not available through the regular menu, there is a method using debugging by USB. You will need a computer and a program. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method allows you to remove even protected system packages. First activate the developer mode on your smartphone. → On the phone and press quickly 7 once by “Version” MIUI» (or "Version" OS»). Then in the menu “For developers” turn on “Debugging by” USB» and "Debugging over Wi-Fi" (if wireless connection). adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome The command above is an example. You need to know the exact name of the extra application package. | The list will display all packets containing the word chrome. Find the one that matches the clone and substitute his name in the removal command. ⚠️ Be careful when removing system packets through ADB. Removing a critical component can result in a cyclic bootloop, which will disappear from the screen and from the current user's list of installed devices after the command is executed. Resetting your phone to factory settings will return the remote system package to its place. Use this method only if you are sure of the purpose of the deleted file. Search and remove malware If the Chrome duplicate is aggressive (opens tabs, shows banners), most likely it is a virus. Standard antivirus MIUI In this case, it is recommended to use specialized scanners such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. Download the scanner from the official Google Play store, run a full system scan. Malware often masquerades as system processes with names like "Update Service," "System Helper," or "Chrome Beta," and removing such objects usually solves the problem. The table below shows the signs that help distinguish a virus from a legitimate clone: Signature Legitimate clone / System Malware Battery consumption Low or medium High, even in the background Traffic Only when using Constant background Transmission Resolutions Standard for the browser Access to SMS, Calls, contacts Delete via settings or ADB Blocks Deletion, Hides Icon After detecting a threat, delete it immediately and change passwords from important accounts if you entered them into suspicious windows. Also check the list of device administrators in the security settings - the virus could have received administrator rights, which prevents it from being removed. Reset as a radical method If none of the methods helped get rid of the obsessive clone, there is an extreme measure - a complete data reset. This step will return the phone to factory state by removing all user data, photos and applications. Before starting the procedure, be sure to create a backup. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset. Select the item "Erase all data." The phone will reboot and begin the cleanup process, which can take up to 10-15 minutes, if you don't check the Chrome from them again, after you install the copy. This will help identify the culprit. 💡A complete reset is a guaranteed way to remove any software debris, but it takes time to set up your smartphone and install apps again. To avoid facing similar problems in the future, follow simple digital hygiene rules. Do not install applications from unknown sources and avoid questionable sites. In Xiaomi settings, disable the installation of applications from unknown sources for all browsers. Regularly update the system and security applications. MIUI Security gets updates to virus databases to detect new threats in time, and keep an eye on the permissions that new programs get when installed, and use only proven launchers and themes. Some customized themes may contain built-in advertising and create unnecessary shortcuts. Download the design only from the official theme store MIUI. Can you delete the entire system Chrome? Yes, with the help of the superuser rights (Root) or through the ADB You can even delete your system browser, but it's not recommended, because many Google services are tied to its libraries, which can lead to instability in other applications. Why did the Chrome clone appear on its own? Most often, this happens after a system update, when old shortcuts conflict with new ones, or after installing a clone app that automatically created a copy of the browser for its functions. ADB for removal? ADB If you know exactly the name of the packet being removed, a command error or a system component (e.g., the Services Framework) can cause the smartphone to fail? Yes, any running process consumes CPU and RAM resources, and if the clone is running in the background, it can significantly reduce the speed of the device and increase battery consumption.