Xiaomi’s HTML View: What is it, how to use it, and whether to remove it?

Have you ever noticed in the list of installed applications on your Xiaomi mysterious name “View” HTML» (HTML Viewer? It doesn't have a desktop shortcut, doesn't appear in the All Apps menu, but it stubbornly takes up space in the device's memory, and trying to delete it through standard settings often ends up with the message "You can't delete the system app." What kind of program is it, why do you need it in your computer? MIUI, Why it is not in the official description of the functions of the smartphone?

In fact, HTML View is an embedded operating system tool that is responsible for displaying web content within other applications. It works as a lightweight browser engine, but it is not designed to be used independently. For example, when you open a link in Settings → About Phone → Legal Information, or when the Mi Community app shows an embedded web page, it is "View HTML." Without it, many system functions will simply stop working correctly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

• 🔍 What is "Viewing" HTML» How it is connected to WebView in Android
• 📱 Where to find this app on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO
• ⚙️ Can it be disabled or removed without harm to the system?
• 🛠️ How to correct errors when you are looking HTML» quit
• 🔄 How is it different from the standard Google Chrome or Mi Browser?

We also answer the frequent questions of users who have encountered this mysterious program.

What is HTML View and Why You Need It in MIUI

HTML Viewer (com.android.htmlviewer) is a system application that is part of MIUI firmware and is based on Android System WebView technology. Its main task is to ensure that web content is displayed inside other applications without having to open a full browser.

In simple terms, when an application (such as Mi Home, Mi Fit, or even system settings) needs to show a web page (conditions of use, help, news), it refers to HTML View as a built-in mini browser, which saves device resources, since it does not require the launch of a heavy browser like Chrome.

It's important to understand that this is not a separate browser, but a component for displaying content.

• 🌐 Address line for input URL
• 🔖 Possibilities to save bookmarks
• 📥 File download functions
• 🔍 Built-in search by page

Its only role is to be an "invisible assistant" to other programs.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially those with firmware for the global market) HTML» It can be replaced by Google WebView. It's OK -- the functionality stays the same, just uses a different engine.

Where is “View HTML” on Xiaomi and how to open it

Because it's a system application, it doesn't have a desktop shortcut, and it doesn't show up in the main menu, and you can find it in a number of ways:

Method 1. Through "All Applications" in Settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. In the list, find the HTML Viewer (or HTML Viewer in English firmware).

Method 2. Through search in settings

In the search bar in Settings, type “HTML” – the system will show the desired application.

Method 3. via ADB (for advanced users)

If you want to see the full path to the app, connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep html

You will see a package:com.android.htmlviewer.

Can I delete or disable HTML View on Xiaomi?

Technically, you can remove this app, but it is strongly discouraged.

If you still want to disable the app (for example, so that it doesn’t appear in the list of recently opened ones), do the following:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → View HTML.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14+ shutdown HTML» It can cause system notifications (such as new features) to stop opening links. You can only restore work through resetting or flashing.

How HTML Viewing is Different from Google Chrome and Mi Browser

Many users confuse Browse HTML with full-fledged browsers like Chrome or Mi Browser, which are fundamentally different things:

• 🔧 Functionality: “Viewing HTML» — It is a content display engine, and Chrome/Mi Browser – full-fledged browsers with tabs, bookmarks and extensions.
• 📱 Integration: “Viewing HTML» It is built into the system and cannot work independently, whereas Chrome is a separate application.
• 🛡️ Security: Google WebView (similar to View) HTML») Updated via Google Play, and the system component Xiaomi – only with a firmware update.
• 📈 Productivity: “Viewing HTML» It consumes minimal resources because it has no interface and no additional functions.

Since Android 10, Google has made WebView an updateable component through the Play Market, but Xiaomi in some regions (such as China) has replaced it with its own version, the HTML View, due to the lack of Google services on Chinese firmware.

If you have Google WebView installed on your phone, Xiaomi’s HTML View will be disabled automatically, and you can check this in the app settings — if the Disable button is inactive, then an alternative component is used.

💡

If some system links stopped opening after the MIUI update, try manually updating Google WebView to the Play Market.

How to Fix HTML View Errors on Xiaomi

Sometimes users find that HTML View stops working, and this is manifested as:

• 🚫 “Web page does not open” errors when trying to view system links
• 🔄 Infinite page loading in Mi Community or Mi Home apps
• ❌ Application departures when opening the help

Here are the ways to address these problems:

1. Clearing the cache and data

1. Go to Settings → Applications → View HTML → Storage.
2. Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone.

2. Google WebView Update (if used)

Open the Play Market, search for Android System WebView and upgrade to the latest version.

3. Resetting application settings

If the error persists, try resetting all the app settings:

1. Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting application settings.
2. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: This method will reset all application settings, including saved browser passwords and notification settings.

Flashing (extreme case)

If nothing works, the system file may be corrupted, and then it'll help:

• 🔄 Update MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 Install firmware manually via Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocked bootloader).

Xiaomi’s HTML View Alternatives: Should You Replace It?

Some users are trying to replace the built-in HTML View with alternative solutions, such as:

• 🌐 Google WebView (Standard Android Component)
• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox Focus (lightweight browser)
• 🛡️ Bromite SystemWebView (modified version with improved privacy)

However, replacement has its risks:

• ⚠️ Some system menus MIUI They may stop working.
• ⚠️ Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home) can give errors when opening links.
• ⚠️ After the update, the system "view" HTML» It will automatically come back.

If you want to try an alternative, do the following:

1. Install Google WebView from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Google WebView.
3. Click Enable (if the button is active).

After that, the HTML View system should automatically turn off, but remember that this method will not work on Chinese firmware (without Google services).

💡

Replacing HTML View with alternative WebView only makes sense if you have trouble displaying web content in apps.

Frequent questions about “View HTML” on Xiaomi