How to remove MI Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from disconnection to complete removal

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often encounter a forced system browser MI Browser.This browser not only takes up space in memory, but also collects user data, shows ads, and sometimes slows down the device. Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide the standard option to completely remove preinstalled applications, but there are workarounds.

In this article, we will look at three proven methods, from simple disabling to complete deletion via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you will also learn what risks accompany each method, how to restore the browser if necessary, and what alternatives to consider. It is important to understand that some actions require superuser rights (root) or work with system files - this can affect the warranty and stability of the device.

If you're ready to get rid of the software you don't need, read on. We've detailed each step, added screenshots of key points and warnings about the consequences, and for beginners, there are simplified options, and for advanced users, there are advanced instructions with ADB commands.

Why MI Browser is a hindrance to Redmi 9 users

At first glance, MI Browser seems like a regular mobile browser, but it has a few features that annoy Redmi 9 owners:

• 📱 Imposed Notifications: The browser regularly sends ads, news, and “helpful” tips, even if you don’t use them.
• 🔍 Data collection: by default MI Browser transmits information about your search queries and visited sites to Xiaomi servers.
• 🐢 Slowing down: Background browser processes can consume up to 100-150 MB of RAM, which is critical for a budget smartphone.
• 🔄 Automatic updates: Even after deleting the cache, the browser can recover via Google Play or system updates.

In addition, MI Browser often opens by default when you click on links in other apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), which causes an additional inconvenience. Many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave, but can not fully switch due to the integration of the browser into the system.

It is important to note that on Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC), MI Browser is a system application, meaning its files are stored in a secure /system/app partition. This means that simple deletion via the Applications menu is impossible - additional tools will be required.

Method 1: Disable MI Browser without root rights

If you don't have to completely remove the browser, but just hide it from the interface and stop the background processes, this method is perfect. It requires no special knowledge and works on any Redmi 9 without risk for warranty.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find MI Browser (may be called simply "Browser").
3. Slip it and select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After that:

• 🚫 Browser icon will disappear from the application menu.
• 🔄 Background processes will be stopped (but not removed!).
• 🔗 The default links will open in another browser (if installed).

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ The browser will remain in the system and can be activated again after the update. MIUI.
• ⚠️ Some system functions (e.g., opening) PDF-files may fail.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

A more radical method is removing MI Browser using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an official tool from Google that allows you to manage system applications without obtaining root permissions. The method works on Redmi 9 with any version of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13), but requires a connection to a computer.

Pre-launch warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause your smartphone to malfunction. Follow the instructions accurately and do not remove other system applications!

Steps:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC: Use the original USB Type-C cable. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode. On your computer, confirm your debugging permission (a request will appear).

Install ADB on PC

• Download the Google Platform Tools.
• Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\adb).
• Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
• Go to the folder with ADB command: cd C:\adb
• Check the connection: Adb devices should show the name of your device (e.g. 1234abcd device).
• Remove MI Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser If the team didn't work, try an alternative package: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

Once the command is executed, the browser will be deleted for the current user (not completely from the system).

• ✅ The icon will disappear from the menu.
• ✅ Background processes will stop.
• ✅ Updates via Google Play are blocked.

Important: If the browser appears again after the reboot, it has recovered through the system update, in which case repeat the procedure or use the root-rights method.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete MI Browser at the system file level, which ensures that the browser does not recover from updates, but requires caution.

What you need:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 9 with unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed.
• 💻 PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 File Manager with root access (e.g. Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Backup: Download the Titanium Backup app (requires root). backup MI Browser in case you need a recovery.

Delete. APK-file

• Open a file manager with root access.
• Go to /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser.
• Delete files with the.apk and.odex extensions.
• Clear cache and data: adb shell pm clear com.android.browser
• Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ The browser is deleted forever, even after updates MIUI.
• ✅ Free up to 50-70 MB of memory in the system partition.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Other system applications may fail (e.g. Mi Account or Themes).
• ⚠️ Xiaomi’s warranty will be cancelled.
• ⚠️ If files are deleted incorrectly, the phone may stop loading.

💡

Before you delete system files, check their dependencies! some Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can use MI Browser components to display web content.

How to Restore MI Browser if Something Goes Wrong

If you encounter problems after deleting (for example, links in messages are not working or system functions are failing), the browser can be restored.

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to reflash the phone via Fastboot or MI Flash Tool, which will return all system applications to their original state, but also delete all user data. Redmi 9 firmware instructions can be found on the official Xiaomi website or on thematic forums.

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi 9

If you removed MI Browser, you’ll need an alternative. Here are the best options for Redmi 9, optimized for 2-4 GB of RAM:

• 🌐 Google Chrome is the most popular browser with bookmarks and passwords synchronized.
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – supports extensions and has improved privacy, suitable for users who care about security.
• 🛡️ Brave - blocks ads and trackers by default. Perfect for saving traffic.
• ⚡ Opera Mini - ultra-light browser (weighs) ~10 MB, suitable for slow internet.
• 🔒 DuckDuckGo Browser – Focuses on privacy, does not collect user data.

Selection recommendations:

• If you have 2GB of RAM, choose Opera Mini or Firefox Lite.
• If synchronization is important, Chrome or Firefox.
• If you want to block ads, you can either block Brave or DuckDuckGo.

After installing an alternative browser, do not forget:

1. Set it by default browser in Settings → Applications → Default Apps.
2. Turn off background activity in battery settings (to save charge).
3. Import bookmarks from MI Browser if they were (through export to HTML).

💡

Even after MI Browser is removed, some system functions (such as opening a PDF or browsing the web in Themes) may not work properly, in which case restore the browser or use third-party applications for these tasks.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When removing MI Browser, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1. Error "adb: device unauthorized": Reason: not confirmed permission to debug via USB. Solution: on the phone when you connect to the PC, click Allow debugging.
2. ADB command is not working ("No such file or directory"): Reason: wrong path to ADB or no files. Solution: check that the folder with the platform-tools is added to the PATH variable, or use the full path to adb.exe.
3. The browser recovered from the MIUI update: Reason: System update returned deleted files. Solution: Repeat deletion through ADB or disable auto updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
4. Phone stopped booting after deleting files: Reason: Critical system components removed. Solution: log in to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up) and reset to factory settings.

To minimize the risks:

• 🔹 Always back up your data before manipulating system files.
• 🔹 Use proven commands ADB (Do not remove applications with unknown packages).
• 🔹 Before firmware, check the compatibility of files with the Redmi 9 model (codename lancelot).

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted MI Browser and encountered the "App Stopped" error when opening links, install any other browser and set it as the default app. Android requires at least one browser to handle web links.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions