How to completely remove Mi Browser from Xiaomi Poco: 5 working methods

Xiaomi Poco smartphone owners often face the need to remove the pre-installed Mi Browser browser, an application that not only takes up space in memory, but also collects user data, displays annoying advertising and slows down the system. Despite the fact that MIUI does not allow it to be removed by standard means, there are workarounds – from disconnection to complete removal with ADB or superuser rights.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove the Mi Browser on Poco X3/X4/X5 Pro, Poco F3/F4/F5 and other models of the series, including methods for devices without root rights and with an unlocked bootloader, and learn how to replace it with faster and safer alternatives, and what to do if errors occur after removal.

Why is Mi Browser bothering users?

The pre-installed browser from Xiaomi has several critical flaws, because of which users want to get rid of it:

• 🔍 Data collection: The app transmits your visit history, location data, and even information about other installed programs to Xiaomi servers and third-party analytics services.
• 📢 Intrusive Advertising: Built-in banners and pop-ups appear even on the browser’s home screen, slowing it down.
• 🐢 Low performance: Compared to Chrome, Firefox or Brave, the Mi Browser consumes more RAM and loads pages longer.
• 🔄 Unusable to update: Unlike alternative browsers, the system application is only updated with the firmware, which creates security vulnerabilities.

According to the study Top10VPN (2023 year), Mi Browser enters the top-5 mobile browsers by the amount of data collected about the user, second only to UC Browser and some Chinese counterparts.This makes it an undesirable app for those who value privacy.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI, Especially if you use features like Mi Account or Sync. Backup your data before starting the procedure!

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser without removal (for inexperienced users)

If you don't want to risk the stability of the system, but you want to get rid of the browser, you can just turn it off. This hides the application from the menu and prevents it from running in the background.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Browser (or com.android.browser for older versions).
3. Click on Mi Browser, then select Disable.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application (the system will warn about possible consequences – ignore if you do not use the associated services).

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The browser icon will disappear from the main screen and the application menu.
• 🔄 The app will not be updated through the Play Market or MIUI Updater.
• ⚠️ Some system functions (such as opening links from Mi Home) may be redirected to another browser.

💡

If links from messages or mail do not open after disabling, install an alternative browser (such as Chrome) and make it the default browser in the settings.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (no root rights)

For users who are ready for more radical measures, but do not want to get root access, removal through the Internet is suitable. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method works for most Poco devices with a MIUI 12/13/14.

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the command:




adb devices




(Your device should be displayed).




4. execute the command to remove:




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




or for new versions of MIUI:




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




5. Reboot the phone.

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

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

Debugging is on. USB|Xiaomi drivers installed|ADB detector|Data backup made.|Battery charge > 50%-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI System updates may disappear after the Mi Browser is deleted, in which case restore the application by command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If your Poco has unlocked the bootloader and installed Magisk or another root rights manager, you can delete the Mi Browser permanently, including all of its system files.

Ways:

1. Through a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager): Go to /system/app/Browser or /system/priv-app/Browser. Delete the Browser folder or files with the.apk and.odex extension. Clear the cache to /data/data/com.android.browser.

Through Termux with root access

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/Browser




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Browser




reboot

After removal, it is recommended that:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the cache through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🛡️ Check the integrity of the system with the adb shell dumpsys package command (no errors with com.android.browser).

Disconnect via settings |ADB without root | Delete with root rights |Use debloater |I don't delete, just don't use-->

Method 4: Use of Debloater Tools

For those who don't want to manually enter commands, there are specialized utilities for removing system applications.

• 🛠️ Universal Android Debloater (UAD) — works ADB, No need for root, supports packet removal.
• 🧹 Debloater Tool by XDA — Graphical interface for removing bloat on Xiaomi.

Instructions for Universal Android Debloater:

1. Download the utility from GitHub.
2. Connect your phone using ADB (as in Method 2).
3. Launch UAD, select your device in the list.
4. In the search bar, enter the browser and tick the Mi Browser.
5. Press Uninstall selected and confirm.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Visual interface is easier than manual commands.
• 📊 Ability to remove other unnecessary apps (Mi Music, Mi Video, GetApps).
• 🔄 Automatic creation of remote packet logs.

💡

Debloater tools reduce the risk of errors compared to manual input ADB-commands, but still require caution - do not delete packages with unknown names!

Method 5: Replacing Mi Browser with an alternative browser

If you don't want to delete Mi Browser, but you don't plan to use it, the best option is to install a different browser and make it your primary browser.

How to make an alternative browser the main one:

1. Install the selected browser from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default browser.
3. Select a new browser from the list.
4. Confirm the change.

After that, all links from messages, emails and other applications will open in the new browser. If Mi Browser is still trying to open pages, clear the cache of the Android System WebView application in the settings.

What if you have problems after removing the Mi Browser?

Removing system applications can have unexpected consequences.

• 🔄 No updates coming. MIUI: Restore the Mi Browser through ADB (block-room ⚠️ above) or manually download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website.
• 📱 Smartphone not turned on (bootloop): Reflash the device through Fastboot with data storage: fastboot flash system system.img fastboot reboot (download firmware files only from trusted sources, for example, Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔗 No links open: Install another browser and assign it to the primary (see Method 5). If the problem persists, clear the Android System WebView application data.
• 📵 System services (e.g. Mi Account) have disappeared: This means that dependent packets have been removed along with Mi Browser. TWRP (if there is a backup) or perform a reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: If Mi Home, Mi Fit or other Xiaomi services have stopped working after removing the Mi Browser, check if the com.xiaomi.midrop or com.miui.cloudservice packages have been deleted with the browser!

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Mi Browser on Xiaomi Poco