How to completely remove the standard browser on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from disconnection to uninstallation

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but its built-in Mi Browser browser is often a source of frustration. The app not only takes up space in memory, but also collects activity data, shows intrusive advertising, and sometimes slows down the system. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to get rid of a standard browser: from simple disabling to complete removal with ADB and root rights.

It’s important to understand that the Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on custom MIUI firmware, where many system applications are protected from removal. However, there are workarounds – both official (through settings) and advanced (using a computer), we will also look at the risks that these or those methods pose and how to minimize possible problems.

Why users want to remove Mi Browser from Redmi Note 8 Pro

The built-in Mi Browser is installed on all Xiaomi devices by default, but not everyone likes it. Here are the main reasons why owners of the Redmi Note 8 Pro are looking for ways to remove it:

• 🔍 Data collection: The app transmits information about visited sites to Xiaomi servers (even in the background).
• 📢 Intrusive advertising: The browser displays banners and pop-ups that are difficult to disable.
• 🐢 Slowdown: Background browser processes consume RAM and battery power.
• 📱 Inability to make the browser by default another application: MIUI It often resets settings to Mi Browser.
• 🔄 Automatic updates: The system installs new versions of the browser, even if you do not use it.

Also, Mi Browser doesn’t always work well with some websites, especially if they’re optimized for Chrome or Firefox. Many users prefer alternatives like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Brave, but can’t get rid of the standard browser.

Method 1: Disable Mi Browser through settings (without deleting)

If you do not need to completely delete the browser, but just stop it and hide it from the menu, you can use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require root or a connection to a PC, but has limitations:

• ✅ The browser will stop running and updating.
• ✅ Disappear from the list of applications and search.
• ❌ Browser files will remain in the device memory.
• ❌ Some system functions (such as opening links from messages) may not work properly.

To turn off the Mi Browser:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Browser (or Browser in Russian).
3. Select Mi Browser from the list.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Close all tabs on Mi Browser|

Save bookmarks in another browser |

Check that you have an alternative browser installed |

Turn off auto-update for Mi Browser in Google Play (if installed through it)-->

Once disabled, the browser will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in the system. If you want to return it back, you will need to go back to the application settings and click Enable.

⚠️ Attention: Some versions MIUI automatically turn on the browser after the system update. To avoid this, disable the automatic update Mi Browser in Google Play (if installed there) or through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update of applications.

Method 2: Remove Mi Browser via ADB (no root rights)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can remove the browser using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which doesn’t require root, but requires connecting the smartphone to your computer and enabling developer mode.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal of the browser (including cache and data).
• 🔧 Does not require superuser rights.
• 🔄 The ability to restore the browser through the same ADB.

Removal will require:

1. A computer with Xiaomi and ADB drivers installed.
2. USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Developer mode enabled on Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer!" appears.

Activate debugging over USB

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on USB debugging and confirm the permission.
• Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (CMD or Terminal).
• Check the connection: Adb devices should show the name of your device.
• Remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser If the command doesn't work, try: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

Once the command is executed, the browser will be deleted for the current user (not systemically). If you need to return it back, use:

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

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It can cause some functions to fail. MIUI, For example, opening links from messages or push notifications. Before the procedure, make sure that you have an alternative browser (such as Chrome) installed and configured as the default application.

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

If you're willing to take drastic measures and have root access on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can remove the Mi Browser at the system level, which is guaranteed to get rid of the browser, but you need to be careful:

• 🔓 You need an unlocked bootloader and an installed Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🛠️ Risk of disrupting system stability (especially if linked libraries are removed).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI The browser may return.

Removal will require:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Find the browser system files along the path: /system/app/MiBrowser//system/priv-app/MiBrowser/
3. Delete the MiBrowser.apk and MiBrowser.odex folders (if any).
4. Clear cache and data via Settings → Applications → Mi Browser (if the application is still displayed).
5. Reset the device.

An alternative way to use ADB is to root:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/MiBrowser




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser




reboot

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications from root may result in a bootloop ( looped reboot) or loss of functionality. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. If you have problems after deleting, restore your backup or reflash your device.

💡

Before you delete system applications, check their dependencies. For example, Mi Browser can be linked to Mi Account or Mi Cloud. Use the Package Viewer app from Google Play to see all related packages.

What to do if the browser is back after the MIUI update

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for MIUI, and sometimes they restore remote system applications, including Mi Browser. If the browser appears again, try the following solutions:

• 🔄 Repeat the removal through ADB root.
• 📵 Block browser updates: Open Google Play → Mi Browser → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates. Disable auto-update for this app.
• 🔧 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (if the new firmware is too intrusive).
• 🛡️ Use Magisk modules to block the installation of the browser (for example, Universal Debloater).

If you have removed your browser through ADB, you may need to repeat the command after the system update. To avoid this, you can create a script to automatically delete when downloading (you will need root and knowledge of Tasker or Init.d).

Alternative browsers for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

If you removed the Mi Browser, you'll need an alternative. Here are the best browsers for the Redmi Note 8 Pro optimized for MIUI:

• 🌐 Google Chrome is the most popular browser with Google account sync and extension support (via Chrome Flags).
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – open source, high speed and add-on support.
• 🛡️ Brave – blocks ads and trackers by default, saves traffic.
• 🔍 DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser – focus on privacy, no data collection.
• ⚡ Kiwi Browser – Chrome-based but supports extensions from the Chrome Web Store.

To avoid problems with opening links, immediately after installing an alternative browser:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
2. Select the browser installed (such as Chrome).
3. In the browser settings, turn off Open links in the background (if there is such an option).

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, some alternative browsers may be slower due to Mi Browser optimizations, in which case it is recommended to disable MIUI Optimization via ADB:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

Possible problems and solutions

Removing or disabling the Mi Browser can have unexpected consequences, and consider the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔗 No links from messages: Solution: Install an alternative browser and make it the default app (see previous section).If links still don't open, clear the Messages app cache.
• 🔄 Browser returns after reboot: Solution: Use ADB Re-delete or block com.android.browser via App Quarantine (root required).
• 📱 Smartphone slowed down: Solution: Maybe deleting the browser affected system processes. ADB or reset the settings to the factory.
• 🔐 Some functions are not working MIUI (For example, cloud backup: Solution: Mi Browser is sometimes integrated with Mi Cloud, in which case it is better to return the browser, but disable its activity through Settings. → Annexes → Mi Browser → Permits (turn off all).

⚠️ Note: If after manipulating the browser Redmi Note 8 Pro stopped turning on or stuck on the logo, try to go to Recovery Mode (click Power). + Volume up) and make Wipe Cache Partition. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it over the Fastboot.

💡

Before any system changes (delete applications, firmware, root), always back up important data. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this can be done through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or using TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Mi Browser on Xiaomi