How to Uninstall Your Browser on Xiaomi: 5 Working Ways (Including Hidden)

The standard Mi Browser browser on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is often annoying for users: annoying advertising, data collection, the inability to turn off notifications or make it the default application for other tasks. But the problem is that you can’t remove it with standard means. The manufacturer blocks the uninstallation of system applications, even if you do not use them.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to delete a browser, from secure (disable and hide) to radical (complete removal via ADB or root rights). Also, we will explain what hidden features MIUI allows you to limit the operation of the browser without deleting it, and what alternatives are worth considering. Importantly, some methods require technical skills and can affect the stability of the system, we will warn about the risks in advance.

Why you can’t just remove Mi Browser from the app menu

Unlike third-party programs like Google Chrome or Firefox, Xiaomi system applications are protected from accidental removal.

• 🔄 Compatibility with MIUI — Some shell features (such as quick search or opening links from notifications) may rely on the built-in browser.
• 🛡️ Security – removing systemic APK without knowing the consequences can lead to failures or “eternal loading” (bootloop).
• 💰 Monetization – Mi Browser displays ads and collects data for targeted offers (even if you have disabled personalization).

When you try to delete your browser through Settings → Applications, you will see:

• The "Delete" button is inactive (shaded in gray).
• Only the option "Disable" or "Reset settings" is available.
• In some versions of MIUI, the “Delete Updates” button is not a removal of the browser itself, but a rollback to the factory version.

⚠️ Warning: If you see an active Remove button for Mi Browser, it's a fake app! most likely, there's a virus on your device masquerading as a system browser).

Method 1: Disabling the browser (without root rights)

The safest method is to turn off the browser so it doesn't start or consume resources, which won't physically delete it, but will make it invisible on the menu and stop showing notifications.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find Mi Browser (or Browser on Russian firmware).
3. Slip it and select “Disable” (on some devices – “Delete for all users”).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The browser icon will disappear from the main screen and the application menu.
• 🚫 Background processes and notifications will stop.
• 🔗 Links from other applications will open in the browser by default (if installed).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After disabling Mi Browser, the Quick Search function in the notification panel may stop working. To return it, you will have to turn on the browser again.

Method 2: Remove browser updates (reset to factory version)

If the browser was updated through Google Play or MIUI Updater, you can return it to the factory version. This will not remove the application completely, but will remove all changes, including advertising modules and new features of data collection.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Mi Browser → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates.
2. Confirm action. The system will return the browser to the version that was when you bought the device.
3. (Optional) Turn off automatic updates for Mi Browser in Google Play.

Advantages of the method:

• 🛡️ Removes most of the advertising modules (but not all).
• 🔄 Restores the original interface without "improvements".
• 📱 Does not require root rights or technical skills.

Disadvantages:

• 🔙 The browser will remain in the system and can be updated again.
• 📵 Some features (such as sync with your Xiaomi account) may not work properly.

Turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data)

Close all background applications

Check the browser version in Settings → About the phone → MIUI version

Backup important bookmarks (if stored in Mi Browser)-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root rights but with PC)

For advanced users, there is a way to remove the browser without root rights, but using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-14.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.

command-line

terminal

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

Mi Browser

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

For Google Chrome (if preinstalled):

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

Reboot your smartphone.

What happens after the execution:

• 🗑️ The browser will be deleted only for the current user (does not affect system files).
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI The browser may return.
• 📱 The icon will disappear, but the application files will remain in memory (take up) ~50–100 MB).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 13 Pro after removal through the ADB Open Browser Link from other applications may stop working. To fix, install a third-party browser and make it the default app.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you have root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can delete the browser permanently, including all its files and dependencies.

• 🔧 Ready for possible system failures.
• 📱 Have a backup copy of the data.
• 🔄 Can restore firmware through Fastboot in case of problems.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root rights support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiBrowser or (for newer versions of MIUI): /system/app/MiBrowser
3. Remove the entire MiBrowser folder (or rename it to the MiBrowser_bak in case of restoration).
4. Clear the cache and browser data in Settings → Applications → Mi Browser → Storage.
5. Reset the device.

Alternatively, the Terminal Emulator is:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser




rm -rf /system/app/MiBrowser




reboot

Risks of the method:

adb backup -f system_backup.ab -system

This will allow you to recover files in case of failure.-->

Method 5: Replace the browser by default (alternative)

If it's dangerous or difficult to delete a browser, you can just replace it with another browser and make the new browser the default app, which will eliminate the need to interact with the Mi Browser, but it won't physically delete it.

How to set up:

1. Install an alternative browser from Google Play (we recommend Firefox, Brave or Kiwi Browser).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default browser.
3. Select the browser installed (such as Firefox).
4. (Optional) Disable Mi Browser as described in Method 1.

Advantages of alternative browsers:

• 🛡️ Firefox – open source, synchronization between devices, ad blocker.
• 🔒 Brave - built-in VPN, Blocking trackers, awards for viewing ads (optional).
• 🚀 Kiwi Browser – Chrome extensions support, low memory consumption.
• 📱 DuckDuckGo – maximum privacy, no data collection.

Comparison of browsers for Xiaomi:

💡

If you don’t want to remove Mi Browser radically, replacing your default browser + disabling it is the safest and most effective way to get rid of advertising and data collection.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to delete the browser, users often face problems. Consider typical errors and their solutions:

1. The error "Cannot delete the packet" when using ADB:

• 🔹 Reason: Incorrect packet ID or lack of rights.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the correct command (for Mi Browser it is com.android.browser, for Chrome it is com.android.chrome). USB included.

2. The smartphone does not turn on after deleting the browser:

• 🔹 Reason: Critical system files are deleted (most often when manually deleted via root).
• 🔧 Solution: Restore firmware via Fastboot or MIUI If it doesn't work, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

3.The browser returns after the MIUI update:

• 🔹 Reason: System applications recover with major updates.
• 🔧 Solution: Repeat the removal procedure after the update or roll back to the previous firmware version.

4. Links from other applications do not work:

• 🔹 Reason: The system does not find the default browser.
• 🔧 Solution: Install a third-party browser and assign it to the default app in the settings.

5. The error appears: "The process of com.android.browser is stopped":

• 🔹 Reason: The system tries to access a remote browser.
• 🔧 Solution: Clear the cache and data of the Android System WebView application in the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions