How to permanently remove Mi Browser on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: from disconnection to complete removal

Why does Mi Browser bother users and can it be safely removed?

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 often face the problem of preinstalled browser Mi Browser — it not only takes up space in memory, but also actively consumes resources in the background. the application can not be removed by standard means of the system, which causes irritation among users who prefer Chrome, Firefox or other alternatives. Moreover, Mi Browser is known for its aggressive advertising, data collection and the inability to fully deactivate through the settings menu.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to get rid of an unnecessary browser: from simple disabling to complete removal through ADB (including hidden system commands). All methods have been tested on devices with MIUI 12 (including Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi 10, Poco X3 and other models from 2020-2021).

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If you have MIUI 13/14, some of the instructions may not work – newer versions of Xiaomi have tightened protection for system applications.

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser via settings (no root rights)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the browser through the app menu, which won't remove it completely, but will stop the background and remove the icon from the launcher, suitable for users who don't want to risk the stability of the system.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type Mi Browser (or com.android.browser).
• 🚫 Click Disable (the button will become active after confirmation).
• ⚠️ The system will warn you of possible failures – ignore this, click Disable the application.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The browser icon will disappear from the main screen.
• ✅ Automatic updates will stop via Play Market.
• ❌ The application files will remain in memory (take up) ~100–150 MB).
• ❌ Some system links (e.g. from MIUI Optimizer can be redirected to a disabled browser.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, the Disconnect button may be blocked. In this case, proceed to Method 2 using the ADB.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (no root rights but with PC)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can completely remove the Mi Browser using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but you need developer rights and a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until you become a developer!
2. Enable USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB debugging and confirm permission.
3. Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original USB-Type C cable. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. Install ADB on your computer: Download Google's Platform Tools. Unpack the archive to the root of the C:\ drive (e.g., C:\platform-tools).

Run the removal command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

If there is a mistake DELETE_FAILED_DEVICE_POLICY_MANAGER, Use an alternative command:

adb shell pm hide com.android.browser

⚠️ Attention: After removal through ADB function MIUI (For example, opening links from system notifications may not work properly. In this case, set the alternative browser by default in Settings → Annexes → By default.

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If the adb device team doesn’t find your phone, update Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually install Google USB Driver.

Method 3: Remove with Magisk (for rooted devices)

If you have Magisk installed (or another root rights manager), you can remove the Mi Browser through modules or manually from the system partition. This method gives a 100% guarantee of removal, but requires caution - improper actions can lead to a bootloop.

Option 1: Use the Universal Debloater module:

• 📥 Download Universal Debloater for Magisk.
• 🔄 Install it through Magisk Manager (Module section).
• ✅ Restart your phone – the browser will be deleted automatically.

Option 2: Manual removal via Root Explorer:

• 📂 Open Root Explorer (or any other file manager with root access).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/priv-app/MiBrowser.
• 🗑️ Delete all files inside (or rename the folder to MiBrowser_bak).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal without traces.
• ✅ Ability to return the browser by restoring the backup.
• ✅ It works even on blocked downloaders (if the root is already installed).

⚠️ Note: Before manually deleting system files, be sure to backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. MIUI Standard means may not work!

Method 4: Using third-party uninstallers (without PC)

If you don't have access to a computer, but you want to get rid of the Mi Browser, you can use specialized applications that don't have root rights, but require developer rights and permission to use them. USB-debugging.

Top.-3 tested applications:

Instructions for App Inspector (without PC):

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and grant ADB permissions (click Start ADB and confirm on your phone).
3. In the search, type com.android.browser.
4. Choose Uninstall for User or Disable.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps support all applications MIUI 12 (e.g., the Package Disabler may not see the system packages).
• ❌ After updating the firmware browser can return.

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Third-party uninstallers are convenient, but they don't give 100% warranty. For complete removal, it's better to combine them with ADB or root methods.

Method 5: Flashing to custom firmware (for experienced users)

A Radical way to get rid of Mi Browser and other Xiaomi blobates is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS).This will completely replace MIUI with "pure" Android, but will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established custom recaveri (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 💾 Backup of all data (process erases internal memory!).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through the official Xiaomi website. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock
2. Install TWRP: Download the current version of TWRP for your model from the official website.Sweep through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Sweep through custom firmware: Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1 for Redmi Note 9 Pro). In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data). Install the firmware through Install.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Complete absence of Xiaomi bloat.
• ✅ Security Updates Directly From Google.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune Android.

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader was blocked).
• ❌ Certain functions MIUI (The Game Turbo will stop working.
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” in case of errors during firmware.

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Before you run your firmware, check the compatibility of custom firmware with your model on the XDA Developers forum. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 9S (curtana) will not work for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse).

What if Mi Browser is back after the MIUI update?

One of the most frustrating things about MIUI is that you can restore remote system applications after you update your firmware. If the Mi Browser is back on your device, then you can use the algorithm to do it.

1. Check firmware version: If the update came by air (OTA), roll back to the previous version via TWRP (if there is a backup). If you have manually stitched, download the modified firmware without bloat (for example, from xiaomi.eu).
2. Block browser update: Open Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Additional → Auto Update. Select Do Not Update.
3. Use the script to automatically delete: Download the Universal Android Debloater script. Run it on a PC with your phone connected in ADB mode. Mark com.android.browser in the list and click Apply.

If the problem recurs regularly, consider the options:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
• 🛡️ Install Magisk and Disabler for MIUI, which blocks the recovery of system applications.

Mi Browser Alternatives: Which browsers are better to install?

After removing the Mi Browser, you should choose a reliable alternative.-5 Browsers optimized for Xiaomi:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔋 For weak smartphones (Redmi) 8A, Redmi 9C) — Kiwi Browser or Firefox Lite.
• 🛡️ For maximum privacy, Brave or DuckDuckGo.
• 🔧 To work with extensions – Chrome or Kiwi.

After installing an alternative browser, be sure to set it up as the default app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. In the Browser section, select the installed application.

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Even after you delete the Mi Browser, some system links (e.g. from MIUI Security) can open in it. To avoid this, install an alternative default browser and use the MIUIzer module for Magisk, which redirects system intentions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Browser removal