How to permanently remove Mi Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 8T is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face the same problem: you can not remove preinstalled Mi Browser standard methods. This browser not only takes up space in memory, but also consumes resources in the background, shows intrusive advertising, and sometimes even causes lags. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to get rid of it, from simple disabling to completely deleting system files.

It's important to understand that Mi Browser is embedded in MIUI as a system application, so simply clicking "Delete" in the app menu won't work. However, there are workarounds: through Settings, ADB, third-party utilities, and even manual editing of system files (for advanced users), we'll look at each method with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware versions and possible risks.

If you are not sure about your technical skills, start with the safest ways to disable or hide an icon. For experienced users, radical methods like ADB or TWRP will be suitable. But remember: any manipulation of system files can lead to unstable device operation or loss of warranty.

1.Why can't Mi Browser be removed in the standard way?

The reason is the MIUI firmware architecture. Mi Browser is a system application that is integrated into the firmware image (system.img).

• 🔹 The application is installed in the protected section /system/app or /system/priv-app, Where ordinary users do not have rights to record.
• 🔹 It is linked to other Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Account, Mi Cloud), so removing them completely could disrupt their performance.
• 🔹 Manufacturer blocks uninstallation capability to preserve ecosystem functionality MIUI (For example, synchronizing bookmarks or push notifications).

Moreover, in some versions of MIUI (especially on Redmi 8T with MIUI 12), the browser can automatically recover after a reboot or system update, due to the system application protection mechanism, which checks the integrity of files every time the device starts.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, an attempt to remove the Mi Browser via the ADB or root can cause a phone to fail.Before radical action, make sure you have a backup of your data and access to recovery tools.

2. Method 1: Disable Mi Browser through settings (without root)

The safest method is not to delete the browser completely, but to turn it off and hide the icon, and it won't free up space on the disk, but it will stop the background processes and remove the application from the menu.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type “Browser” or “Mi Browser”.
3. Select the app from the list and click “Disable”.
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The browser icon will disappear from the desktop and from the application menu.
• 🔄 Background processes (com.android.browser) will no longer consume resources.
• 🚫 The app will not be updated through the Play Market or MIUI Updater.

However, this method has disadvantages:

• 🔴 Browser files will remain in the device memory (usually occupied) ~100–150 MB).
• 🔴 Certain functions MIUI (For example, opening links by default may not work properly.

💡

If the browser reappears after you turn off, check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update. Sometimes Xiaomi returns disabled applications via OTA-apats.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

If you don't shut down enough, you can delete Mi Browser via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn't require root rights, but requires a computer and USB debugging enabled.

Enable debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download ADB and Fastboot Tools|Connect the phone to the PC by USB (file transfer)-->

When it's all done:

1. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi 8T.
3. Run the command to remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser If it doesn't work, try an alternative package: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

Once successfully executed, the browser will be deleted only for the current user (without affecting system files).

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.
• ✅ Part of the RAM will be released.
• ⚠️ After resetting settings or updating MIUI The browser may return.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13/14 The pm uninstall command can return the Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. This means that the manufacturer has blocked the removal even through the ADB. In this case, only root or custom firmware will help.

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk or another root rights management system installed, you can remove the Mi Browser completely, and any root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager) will do.

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and give it root access.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowser or /system/app/MiBrowser.
3. Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the MiBrowser_bak).
4. Reset the device.

You can also use ADB root access:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser




rm -rf /system/app/MiBrowser




reboot

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Complete deletion of all browser files (released) ~150-200 MB).
• 🔒 The browser will not recover after the updates (unless there is a flashing).

Risks:

• 🔴 Possible errors in work MIUI (For example, failures in opening links).
• 🔴 Violation of system integrity can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).

5. Method 4: Using custom firmware (radical)

The most reliable, but also the most risky way is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or MIUI-mod without bloatware).

• 🚀 Get rid of Mi Browser and other unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• 🛡️ Get a cleaner and faster system.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware without returning remote applications.

However, this method has serious disadvantages:

If you decide to do this, follow the official instructions for Redmi 8T (codename willow):

1. Unlock bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 8T.
3. Download compatible firmware (for example, with XDA Developers).
4. Fly through TWRP by doing wipes on Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T with Snapdragon 665 processor, some custom firmware may not support VoLTE (voice calls via the Snapdragon 665 processor) 4G) Or Wi-Fi Calling. Check user reviews on forums before installing.

Disconnection through settings|Removal through ADB|Getting root rights|Installation of custom firmware|I'm not gonna do anything.-->

6. Method 5: Hiding the icon and replacing it with an alternative browser

If radical methods don't work for you, you can just hide the icon and use a different browser, and it won't delete the app itself, but it will make it invisible in everyday use.

How to hide the icon:

• 📱 Keep your finger on the Mi Browser icon on your desktop.
• 🔼 In the menu that appears, select “Remove” or “Hide” (depending on the launcher).
• 🔍 In some launchers (e.g, POCO Launcher) can hide the application in the menu settings.

How to replace the default browser:

1. Install an alternative browser (such as Chrome, Firefox or Brave).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
3. Select a new browser from the list.

Advantages of this approach:

• ✅ No risk of damage to the system.
• ✅ Guarantee maintained.
• ✅ You can bring it all back any moment.

Disadvantages:

• 🔴 Mi Browser will remain in the system and will consume space.
• 🔴 There are possible background processes (albeit in a minimal amount).

💡

If you don’t plan to get root rights or flash your device, the combination of “disable + hide the icon + replace the browser” is the safest and most effective option.

Possible problems and solutions

When removing Mi Browser, there may be unexpected complications, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, consider resetting to factory settings and then turning off the browser before the first update, which will help avoid automatic recovery of the application.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Mi Browser on Redmi 8T