Mi Browser on Xiaomi: what is it, how does it work and can it be removed?

Mi Browser is the default browser that runs on all Xiaomi smartphones, and many users come across it immediately after buying a device, but not everyone understands why it is needed, what’s different from Google Chrome or Safari, and whether it can be safely removed. In this article, we’ll take a look at what the Mi Browser is, what features it has, how it affects the performance of the phone, and what to do if you want to get rid of it.

On the one hand, the Mi Browser is integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem and optimized for its devices, which promises smooth operation and additional features (for example, synchronization with a Mi Account); on the other hand, it has a reputation as a “second Chrome” with unnecessary services and advertising. Is it really? Let’s figure it out.

What is Mi Browser and why is it needed for Xiaomi?

Mi Browser (full name Mi Browser Pro) is a proprietary web browser developed by Xiaomi based on the open-source Chromium engine (the same as used in Chrome, Edge and Opera), which is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand, including the Redmi, POCO and Mi line, as well as on some tablets and smart devices of the ecosystem.

The main tasks of the browser:

• 🌐 Basic web browsing – opens websites, supports modern web standards (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript).
• 🔗 Integration with MIUI — synchronized with the Mi Account, allows you to quickly share links in Xiaomi messengers.
• 📥 Download files – has a built-in download manager with support for pauses and resumptions.
• 🔒 Security – blocks phishing sites and malicious scripts (according to developers).

It's important to understand that Mi Browser isn't just a wrapper over Chrome, it's a standalone application with its own optimization algorithms, for example, it can automatically compress traffic on slow Internet or offer "night mode" for reading in the dark, but many users prefer to remove it in favor of alternatives - and here's why.

Mi Browser differs from Google Chrome and other browsers

At first glance, Mi Browser and Google Chrome look almost identical: both are built on Chromium, support extensions (though there are fewer in Mi Browser), and share a similar interface.

Mi Browser consumes 15-20% less RAM than Chrome when you open the same sites (tests were conducted on Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14). However, this advantage is offset by the fact that the browser often runs in the background, even if you do not use it – this is due to its integration into the system.

Another nuance is the homepage news feed. Unlike Chrome, where the blank tab only shows frequently visited sites, Mi Browser downloads content from affiliate sources (often in Chinese if the region of the phone is unchanged), which can be annoying, but turns off in the settings.

Pros and cons of Mi Browser: whether it is worth using it

Like any pre-installed software, Mi Browser has its strengths and weaknesses, and let’s take a closer look at them so you can make an informed decision.

Advantages:

• ⚡ Speed – optimized for Xiaomi’s hardware, especially on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).
• 🔄 Sync – saves bookmarks, history and passwords in your Mi Account (convenient if you have multiple brand devices).
• 📶 Traffic savings – there is a built-in data compressor (useful with limited internet access).
• 🛡️ Fraud protection – blocks well-known phishing sites (although not as effective as specialized antiviruses).

Disadvantages:

• 📢 Advertising – Even after disabling the news feed, banners may appear in search results.
• 🔍 Data collection – transmits anonymous statistics to Xiaomi (you can turn off in the privacy settings).
• 🔧 Customization Restricted – You can’t install most extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
• 📱 Background activity – consumes battery power even if you don’t use it (due to integration with the battery) MIUI).

If you’re a Google user (like Gmail, Drive, or YouTube), the Mi Browser will be less convenient than Chrome because of its lack of deep synchronization, but it can be useful for saving resources on weak smartphones.

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To speed up the Mi Browser, clear the cache once every 1-2 weeks through Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Memory → Clear the cache.

How to Disable or Remove Mi Browser from Xiaomi

Many users want to get rid of Mi Browser to free up space in memory or stop seeing it in the list of applications. However, there are nuances: on some firmware, the browser is system and is not deleted in the standard ways.

Method 1: Disconnect (without root rights)

If you can not delete the browser, it can at least turn it off so that it does not interfere with:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Browser on the list and tap it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After that, the browser icon will disappear from the menu and the background processes will stop running, but the application itself will remain in the system and will take up space (usually ~50-100 MB).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for advanced users)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can delete the browser completely using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).Caution: this requires connecting the phone to your computer and may disrupt some MIUI features.

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on build number, then return to Additional → For developers)

Install ADB drivers on your PC (download from Android Studio)

Connect your phone to your computer and allow debugging.

Download the archive from the platform-tools and unpack it.

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Next, execute commands in the terminal (command line):

adb devices


adb shell




pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

If the command is successful, the browser will be removed for the current user, and on some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for the global version), this method may not work due to the protection of system applications.

Method 3: Hiding an icon (alternative to deletion)

If you can not delete the browser, you can simply hide its icon:

1. Press your finger on the Mi Browser icon on the home screen.
2. Choose Remove (this will not remove the app, but only remove the shortcut).
3. Or drag the icon to a folder with rarely used apps.

This will not solve the problem of background activity, but at least eliminate accidental pressing.

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Removing system applications can lead to unstable MIUI. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to limit yourself to disabling the browser.

How to Replace Mi Browser with a Different Browser

Even if you don’t delete Mi Browser, you can make the links open in another browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Browser.
3. Select the browser you want from the list (like Google Chrome).

Now all links from messengers, mail and other applications will open in the selected browser. Please note that on some versions of MIUI this path may differ - for example, Settings → Additional → Default Applications.

If, after changing the browser by default, links still open in Mi Browser, clear the cache and data of the Android System WebView application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Android System WebView and open its settings.
3. Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
4. Reboot the phone.

Security and privacy in Mi Browser: What you need to know

One of the main questions that users are concerned about is how safe is the Mi Browser? In 2020, researchers at Forbes found that the browser (along with other Xiaomi applications) collects data about the sites visited and sends it to the company's servers. After the scandal, Xiaomi released an update that added the ability to disable the collection of statistics, but the problem is not completely solved.

What can be done to protect your privacy:

• 🔐 Turn off data collection: Go to Mi Browser Settings → Confidentiality → Collect statistics and deactivate all switches.
• 🚫 Block access to geolocation: in Android settings, prevent the browser from using your location.
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN: It'll hide your real life. IP-Address from Xiaomi and third-party sites.
• 🗑️ Clean up your history regularly: in Settings → Confidentiality → Clear the data.

If you’re worried about data breaches, it’s best not to use Mi Browser to log in to accounts or handle sensitive information at all. Alternatives like Firefox Focus or Brave offer more stringent privacy settings.

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To check what data Mi Browser sends, use the NetGuard or PCAPdroid app (root required for full analysis).

Frequent Mi Browser Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite being optimized for Xiaomi, the Mi Browser sometimes doesn’t work well, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your browser to factory settings: Settings → Additional → Reset. This will return all settings to the default state, but will not delete bookmarks and history.

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Before resetting your settings, export your bookmarks through Settings → Import/Export so you don’t lose important links.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Browser