How to permanently remove Mi Browser with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from manual shutdown to deep cleaning

Why is the Mi Browser interfering with Redmi Note 8 Pro users – and can it be safely removed?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face intrusive behavior of the preinstalled Mi browser: it consumes traffic in the background, shows ads in notifications and even intercepts links from other applications. Despite the fact that MIUI does not allow you to remove system applications by standard means, there are legal ways to disable, freeze or uninstall the browser without risking the stability of the system.

It's important to understand that the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) runs on MIUI, where the Mi Browser is integrated into the firmware as a system application, which means that simply clicking "Delete" in the application menu is not available, but with ADB, hidden settings or third-party tools, you can achieve the desired result - most importantly, follow the instructions and avoid common errors.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods – from the simplest (disable via settings) to radical (delete via ADB while maintaining MIUI), you will also learn how to prevent automatic browser recovery after updates and what to do if some functions stop working after removal (for example, opening links from messengers).

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser via MIUI settings (without root)

The safest and most reversible method is to deactivate the application through standard settings, which will not physically delete the browser, but will stop its background activity, notifications and resource consumption, suitable for users who do not want to risk the stability of the system.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type “Browser” or “Mi Browser».
• ⚙️ Click on the browser icon, then select “Disable” (or “Delete Updates” if the off button is inactive).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the browser will disappear from the application menu, but will remain in the system. Importantly, this method does not block the automatic recovery of the browser after the MIUI updates, it will have to be disabled again.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13/14 The "Disable" button may be blocked, in which case, try first to delete browser updates (if any) and then try again.

Backup important bookmarks from the browser |

Close all browser tabs in multitasking |

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About phone |

Disable Auto-Update Apps in Google Play-->

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If the Mi Browser has been updated through Google Play or MIUI Updater, it can be rolled back to a factory version that takes up less space and has no ad modules, which works even on locked devices.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete Updates”.
3. Confirm the action. After that, the browser version will reset to the one that was preinstalled on the Redmi Note 8 Pro out of the box.
4. (Optional) Disable the auto-update for the browser in Google Play:

The advantage of this method is to maintain system stability, since the factory version of the browser is not deleted completely, but some functions (for example, synchronization with Mi Account) may not work properly.

Google Chrome|

Mozilla Firefox|

Samsung Internet|

Opera|

Other-->

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

For users willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to completely uninstall the Mi Browser without obtaining root permissions. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and executing multiple commands.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC (Windows/macOS/Linux).
2. 📱 On Redmi Note 8 Pro, turn on Developer Mode:

File transfer

🖥️ Open the command line (or terminal) and execute:

adb devices

(Series numbered device should appear. If not, check the drivers.)

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

An alternative command may be required for MIUI 12-14:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.globalbrowser

If the command is successful, the browser will be deleted for the current user (without affecting system files).Note: after resetting the phone or updating the MIUI, the browser can return.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI removal ADB It can cause Quick Ball to crash or open links from instant messengers. Create a backup before executing commands.

Method 4: Freeze through the Laboratory (hidden MIUI settings)

MIUI has a hidden Lab section where you can freeze system applications, including the Mi Browser, which does not require ADB or root, but is not available on all firmware versions.

How to find the Lab:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the “Acceleration” (or “Optimization”) section.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Lab (if no option, the method is not suitable for your version of MIUI).
4. In the list, find “Frozen Apps” and add Mi Browser.

Instructions:

1. 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. 📥 Install. TWRP For begonia, the Redmi Note 8 Pro).
3. 🛠️ Use Magisk to get root rights.
4. 🗑️ Use Root Explorer or ADB with superuser rights to delete browser files:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser*




rm -rf /system/app/MiBrowser*




rm -rf /data/app/com.mi.globalbrowser*




reboot

After the reboot, the browser will be completely removed. To open links, install an alternative browser (such as Chrome) and assign it to the default application in the settings.

💡

Getting root rights is a last resort. If you only want stable work without a Mi Browser, 1-3 (disable or ADB) is enough.

How to prevent Mi Browser from returning after MIUI updates

Even after removing Mi, the browser can return after updating the firmware. To avoid this, follow these tips:

For reliability, you can disable system updates for the browser:

• 🛡️ Use the Package Disabler (requires) ADB root).
• 🔧 Manually delete the browser update file along the way /data/app/com.mi.globalbrowser-*/base.apk (root).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete Mi Browser, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after deleting the browser, links from Telegram or WhatsApp stopped opening, assign another browser to the default application: → Annexes → Application management → Browser by default.

Other common mistakes:

• 🚫 Error "Cannot delete the package" in ADB: Make sure you enter the correct packet name (com.mi.globalbrowser or com.android.browser).
• 🔄 Browser returns after reboot: So you deleted it only for the current user. Use the command with the flag --user 0.
• 🔒 You can not turn off the browser in the settings: Try first to delete the updates, then disable.
• ⚠️ Phone stopped booting: This happens when you delete critical system files.Restore firmware via Fastboot.

💡

Before experimenting with system applications, create a full backup via TWRP or MIUI Backup, which will allow you to quickly restore the phone in the event of a crash.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions