How to permanently remove Mi Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: from shutdown to complete erasure

Why is Mi Browser so hard to remove – and should it be?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9C often face a problem: the built-in Mi Browser browser cannot be removed by standard methods. The reason lies in Xiaomi’s policy: this application refers to system services that are integrated into MIUI firmware at the kernel level. Even if you never use a browser, it continues to work in the background, consuming up to 120-150 MB of RAM and sending data to Xiaomi servers (according to Top10VPN 2023 research).

But the good news is that you can remove Mi Browser from Redmi 9C, and you don't always need root. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways of 2026, including disabling without loss of functionality, deleting through ADB, and even completely erasing system files for advanced users, and what hidden consequences can occur after removal - and how to avoid them.

Before you start, check your firmware version: go to Settings → About → MIUI version. Redmi 9C is up to MIUI 12.5 to MIUI 14 (depending on the region), depending on which method works.

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser without removal (safe for beginners)

If you don't need radical measures, just turn off the browser, it will stop its background and remove the icon from the menu, minus the method: the application will remain in the system and will take up space (about 80-100 MB), but this method is 100% secure and does not require special knowledge.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type Mi Browser (or com.android.browser).
• ⚙️ Click on the app. → Shut down.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Once disabled, the browser icon will disappear, but its files will remain in the system. If you want to return the application, just repeat the steps and click Enable.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13/14 The disable button may be inactive. In this case, try first to clear the cache and browser data, then restart the phone and try again.

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

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method allows you to remove the Mi Browser without superuser rights, but requires a connection to the computer. This is the most balanced way: it frees up space and completely removes the application without disrupting the system. However, the next MIUI update, the browser can return.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect Redmi 9C to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) on your computer and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

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

If the command is successful, the browser will be deleted for the current user. To return it, use:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, Xiaomi blocks removal of system applications through ADB. If you see a Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], Try first to run adb shell pm disable-user com.android.browser.

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi PC Suite or using a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0 – this often solves the connection problem.

Method 3: Complete removal via TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader)

This method is suitable for advanced users willing to sacrifice the warranty, it allows you to physically erase browser files from the system partition, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established custom recaveri TWRP.
• 📄 Backup of the system (nandroid backup).

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 9C (an angelica model) and install it via fastboot.
2. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete the following files and folders: /system/priv-app/MiBrowser/system/app/MiBrowserGlobal (if any) /data/app/com.android.browser-* (all folders with such a prefix)

Wipe → Cache

After that, the browser will be deleted at the system level, but there are risks:

• 🚨 Possible errors in the update MIUI (The system may attempt to recover deleted files).
• 🔄 Some features (such as a quick menu search) may not work properly.
• 🔧 To return the browser, you will need to reflash the phone.

Method 4: Using Magisk (for root devices)

If you already have root rights (installed by Magisk), you can remove Mi Browser using the System App Remover module or manually through Root Explorer, which gives you more control, but requires caution: an error can lead to a system crash.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and check root status.
2. Download Root Explorer or a similar file manager with root support.
3. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowser and delete the folder.
4. Clear the cache to /data/data/com.android.browser.
5. Reboot the phone.

Alternatively, use the Debloater module for Magisk, which allows you to disable system applications without physically deleting them.This is safer as files remain in place but are blocked.

⚠️ Note: After removing system files through root, you cannot update MIUI through OTA — This will cause an error. You'll have to manually install the updates through TWRP.

Method 5: Alternative Browsers – What to install instead of Mi Browser?

If you removed the Mi Browser, you’ll need an alternative. Here are the best options for the Redmi 9C, optimized for weak iron (Helio G35 processor and 2/3 GB of RAM):

For maximum performance on the Redmi 9C, we recommend Bromite or Via Browser. If you need extensions (such as uBlock Origin), choose Kiwi Browser.

You can install any of them via Google Play or APKMirror (if Play Market is remote).

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Even after you delete the Mi Browser, some system processes (e.g. com.miui.browser) may remain active. To turn them off completely, use applications like DisableService (requires root).

Possible Problems After Mi Browser Removal and How to Solve Them

Deleting the system browser can have unexpected consequences, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Errors in updating MIUI: If you delete the browser through TWRP root, OTA-The updates will fall with the error "Can't verify update." So you can download the firmware manually and stitch it through the computer. TWRP.
• 🔍 Search in the app menu does not work: In some versions MIUI The search bar on the menu uses the Mi Browser engine, and the solution is to install the Google App and make it the default search engine.
• 📱 Weather widgets: Mi Weather widgets sometimes depend on the browser to display maps. The solution is to install an alternative widget (e.g. AccuWeather).
• 🔒 Blocking some sites: Xiaomi builds a list of "safe" sites for children into Mi Browser; once the browser is removed, parental controls may stop working; the solution is to use third-party apps like Google Family Link.

If the phone starts to overheat or discharge quickly after removal, check the activity of the processes through Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Sometimes the system tries to recover deleted files, which leads to an increased load on the processor.

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If, after removing the Mi Browser, links from other applications (for example, from Telegram) have stopped opening, install an alternative browser and make it the default application for links in Android settings (Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Mi Browser on Redmi 9C