Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: the system browser Mi Browser can not be removed by standard means, and its background activity consumes battery power and traffic. The application is preinstalled in the MIUI firmware and integrated into the system so deeply that even after “deleting” through the settings menu, it continues to work in hidden mode.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to deactivate Mi Browser - from simple (disabling updates and hiding icons) to radical (deleting via the Internet). ADB Or a firmware rollback. We'll focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI 12/13/14 Smartphone models, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5. You will also learn what risks certain methods carry and how to avoid errors when manipulating system files.
Why can't Mi Browser be removed in the standard way?
Mi Browser (com.android.browser or com.miui.browser) is a mandatory system component of MIUI. The manufacturer blocks its removal for several reasons:
- 🔗 Integration with Xiaomi services: the browser is used to log into Mi Account, open links from system notifications and work with Mi Cloud.
- 📱 Dependence on the firmware: in some versions MIUI (For example, for Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) The browser is associated with the WebView component responsible for displaying web content in other applications.
- 💰 Monetization: Xiaomi displays ads and affiliate offers via the browser (for example, when opening new tabs).
Even if you “remove” the application through Settings → Applications, the system will simply hide its icon, but the processes of com.miui.browser will continue to work in the background. This is confirmed by tests on POCO X5 Pro and Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14 – after “deleting” the browser consumes up to 15-20 MB of RAM and periodically connects to the network to check for updates.
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI For a global market (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), the browser may be called Mint Browser (com.mi.globalbrowser package). ADB will be different.
Method 1: Disabling updates and hiding icons (without root)
The safest method, which does not require superuser rights, is suitable for users who just need to stop automatically updating the browser and remove it from the main screen.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Mi Browser (or Mint Browser) in the list and tap it.
- Choose Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates.
- Return to the home screen, press the browser icon and drag it to the shopping cart (or in the Hidden Apps menu).
This method does not stop the background processes, but prevents:
- 🔄 Automatic installation of new browser versions.
- 📱 The appearance of the icon after restarting the device.
- 📊 Analytics collection (partially – some modules will continue to send data).
☑️ What to do after disabling the browser
On MIUI 14 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), after disabling your browser, you may not be able to open links from some system applications (e.g., Mi Community), in which case use methods 3 or 4 from this article.
Method 2: Replacement of System WebView (for power users)
If Mi Browser is used as a WebView engine (responsible for displaying web pages in other applications), its complete removal will lead to failures, in which case you can replace the system WebView with an alternative one, for example, from Google Chrome.
Step-by-step:
- Install Google WebView from the Play Market.
- Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show system-based.
- Find the Android System WebView (com.google.android.webview package) and turn it on.
- Find the Mi Browser and turn it off (if the button is active).
- Reboot your smartphone.
| Xiaomi model | Does the WebView replacement support? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 | Yes. | MIUI 13+ is required. MIUI 12 is likely to crash. |
| POCO F4/F5 | Yes. | After replacing WebView, it is recommended to clear the Mi Browser cache. |
| Redmi 10A/10C | No. | On budget models, the WebView system is tightly tied to the Mi Browser. |
| Xiaomi Pad 6 | Partially. | Replacement is possible, but some system applications (such as Mi Video) may not display web content properly. |
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for Redmi K60) After replacing WebView, Mi Pay payments and Mi Home authorization stop working. Before performing the operation, check if you are using these services.
Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)
The method is for users who are ready to connect a smartphone to a computer. It does not require root rights, but access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is required. It is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB (You can download it here).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).
Instructions:
1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devices
(Serial number of the device must be displayed).
4. execute the command to remove the Mi Browser:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser
(For Mint Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.globalbrowser)
5. Reboot the smartphone.If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser💡
Before executing ADB commands, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. In rare cases, after manipulation of system packages, a factory reset may be required.
This method completely removes the browser for the current user, but does not affect the system files. After resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the browser can appear again. On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 Pro, testing showed that the method works stably, but on Redmi 9A errors are possible due to the limited capabilities of MIUI Go.
Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for advanced)
The most radical method is to remove the system APK-browser file. Requires superuser rights (root) and is only suitable for users who are ready for possible system failures!
Step-by-step:
- Get root rights with Magisk or another tool (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your model).
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser (depending on the model).
- Remove the MiBrowser folder or rename it to MiBrowser_bak.
- Clear the cache and data through Settings → Applications → Mi Browser (if the icon is still displayed).
- Reset the device.
Risks of the method:
- 🚨 WebView malfunction: Some applications (such as Mi Home or Xiaomi Community) may not open web pages.
- 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates: After removing system update files MIUI may be installed error-prone.
- 🛠️ Loss of warranty: Getting root rights voids Xiaomi warranty.
What if payments have stopped working after removal?
On POCO X3 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro, users report that after such deletion, the possibility of logging into Mi Account through the browser disappears, the solution is to use the web version of the account or temporarily restore the browser to log in.
Method 5: Reverse the firmware to the version without Mi Browser
The last method is to install custom firmware or roll back to a version of MIUI where the browser is missing or easily removed, suitable for enthusiasts ready for a complete flashing of the device.
Firmware options:
- 📱 MIUI EU (unofficial firmware from Xiaomi.eu: in it Mi Browser can be removed by standard means.
- 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience: custom firmware based on Android without preinstalled applications Xiaomi.
- 🔙 Stock-stock MIUI without GMS (For Chinese models: Xiaomi’s domestic firmware sometimes lacks Mint Browser.
Installation instructions (briefly):
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
- Download the right firmware for your model (check compatibility on the 4PDA or XDA forum).
- Complete reset (Wipe Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) and run a new firmware.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Redmi K50 Gaming unlocking the bootloader can lead to blocking the Mi Account if the device was purchased from the official Xiaomi store with a region-specific link!
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Complete removal of all Xiaomi system applications, including Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video.
- ✅ Opportunity to choose firmware without advertising and analytics.
- ✅ Regular Security Updates from the Developer Community.
💡
Installing custom firmware is the only way to get rid of the Mi Browser forever, but it requires technical skills and risks voiding the warranty.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove or disable Mi Browser users often encounter problems. Consider typical errors and their solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The "Disable" button is inactive. | The browser is a system application with high priority. | Use ADB (Method 3) or get root rights (Method 4). |
| No links are opened after removal | Mi Browser was set as the default application for links. | Set up another browser by default in Settings → Apps → By default. |
| Mistake. INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI upon ADB | Incorrect path to the package or lack of rights. | Check the correct command and repeat adb devices to confirm the connection. |
| After the reboot, the browser appeared again. | The system has restored the remote package (typical for MIUI 14). | Turn off automatic recovery in Settings → Annexes → Three points (⋮) → Special access → Application recovery. |
| Mi Pay or Mi Home is not working. | These services depend on the WebView system that was removed. | Restore your browser via ADB (the team in the spoiler above) or use alternative payment methods. |
On POCO M4 Pro and Redmi 11 Prime users complain that after deleting the browser, the voice assistant Xiao AI stops working. The solution is to install any other browser and set it as the default application for web links.