How to Remove Google Chrome from Xiaomi Phone: From Disabling to Uninstalling System Files

Google Chrome is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones and often runs in the background, consuming battery power and traffic. Many users want to remove it — whether it’s because of personal preferences, performance issues or a desire to get rid of Google’s built-in software that can’t be uninstalled by standard methods. However, simply clicking “Delete” in the app menu won’t always work: on devices with MIUI, Chrome is often a system component.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to remove Chrome, from basic (disable and hide) to radical (delete system APKs via ADB or root). Each method is illustrated with screenshots for current versions of MIUI 14/13 and tested on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO X5 Pro models. You will also learn how to avoid typical errors (for example, damage to system files when manually deleting) and which alternative browsers are better to install instead of Chrome.

Why can’t Chrome be removed in the standard way?

On Xiaomi smartphones, Google Chrome is often integrated into firmware as a system application.

• 🔹 It's set in a section. /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/, Where the average user does not have access.
• 🔹 The “Delete” button in the app menu is either missing or replaced with “Disable” or “Delete Updates».
• 🔹 Even after “deleting” through Settings → Chrome Apps May Recover After Rebooting or Updating MIUI.

The reason for this approach is an agreement between Xiaomi and Google: to certify Google Mobile Services (GMS), the manufacturer must pre-instal key applications, including Chrome. However, this does not mean that you can not get rid of it.

Method 1: Turn off Chrome without deleting (for beginners)

If you don’t need to completely delete the browser, but just stop it in the background, just turn off the application.This method does not require root rights and is suitable for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Chrome” and select the app.
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, first click “Delete Updates”).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 Chrome icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 The app will not be updated via Google Play.
• ⚠️ However, Chrome files will remain in the system and will be occupied. ~50–100 MB of memory.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Disabling Chrome can cause Google Play Services to crash. If other apps stop updating after the shutdown, return Chrome to its original state.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If Chrome was updated through Google Play, it can be rolled back to a factory version that takes up less space and has no background processes, a method that requires no root rights and is reversible.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete Updates”.
3. Confirm the action. After that, the Chrome version will reset to the one that was pre-installed on the smartphone.

Advantages of the method:

• 📉 Reduced memory consumption (subscribing) ~200MB to ~50MB).
• 🛡️ All cache and cookie data are deleted, which is useful for privacy.
• 🔄 Chrome will stop automatically updating if you turn off auto-update in Google Play.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The factory version of Chrome may be outdated (e.g., based on Chromium 80 instead of the current Chromium 120).+).
• ❌ Some features (such as syncing with a Google account) may not work properly.

💡

To prevent Chrome from updating automatically, open Google Play → Profile → Settings → App Auto Update → Select “Do not update automatically” or “Only via Wi-Fi”.

Method 3: Remove Chrome through ADB (without root)

For users willing to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to completely remove Chrome without obtaining root rights.This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press "Version" MIUI» → return to "Settings" → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and allow debugging over USB.


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




(Your device serial number should appear).




4. run the command to delete Chrome:




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




5. Reboot the smartphone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.chrome

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After removing Chrome from the ADB You may have problems with the Google Play Market or Google Services, in which case restore Chrome by command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.chrome

Method 4: Completely remove Chrome with root rights

If you are ready to get root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can physically delete all Chrome files from the system partition, which gives 100% results, but has risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty on most Xiaomi models).
• ⚠️ Possible problems with OTA-update MIUI.
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” the device with incorrect actions.

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Get root rights with Magisk (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your model).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/ or /system/app/Chrome/ (the path may be different!).
4. Delete files: Chrome.apk Chrome.odex (if any) Lib folder inside Chrome directory

/data/data/com.android.chrome/

Reset the device.

After removal:

• 🧹 Chrome will be completely wiped from the system, including all updates.
• 📈 Free up to 150-200 MB of memory.
• 🔧 There are possible errors in the work of Google Play Services – they can be fixed by reinstalling GMS via Magisk.

Method 5: Alternative browsers for Xiaomi (what to install instead of Chrome?)

If you removed Chrome, you’ll need an alternative browser.We tested the top 5 options for Xiaomi for speed, privacy and MIUI compatibility:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 For maximum privacy, choose Brave or DuckDuckGo.
• 🔹 If extensions are important (for example, for web development), install Kiwi Browser.
• 🔹 For weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) fits in MIUI Browser.

💡

Before installing an alternative browser, export your bookmarks from Chrome: Open Chrome → ⋮ → Bookmarks → Export of bookmarks (file) HTML).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete Chrome, users often face typical problems, and here’s how to prevent them:

1. Error: Chrome is recovering after a reboot. 🔹 Reason: Application is protected by the system MIUI Google Play Services. 🔹 Solution: Use ADB To remove completely (Method 3) or disable auto-update in Google Play.
2. Error: Google Play doesn't work after Chrome is deleted. 🔹 Chrome is linked to Google Play Services at the system level. 🔹 Solution: Restore Chrome through ADB or install a module GMS Core Mod in Magisk.
3. Error: Lack of rights to delete through ADB. 🔹 Reason: On some firmware MIUI Disabled the ability to remove system applications. 🔹 Solution: Include USB Debugging (Security Settings) in the developer settings or use root.

If you deleted Chrome, it still appears after the update MIUI, The application is then restored through OTA-- In this case, the packages:

1. Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Turn off the car download.
2. Use Magisk to block Chrome installation (App Systemizer module).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions