Disabling default features on Xiaomi: safe ways for all models

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI We're known for a lot of pre-installed features that automatically activate after you set up your first setup, and many of them -- from interface animations to system notifications -- run in the background, consuming battery power and CPU resources. However, not all users know that most of these options can be completely disabled or customized to their needs.

The problem is that the manufacturer often hides key switches in deep menu sections, and some features (such as mipush for notifications or miui.analytics for data collection) do not have a GUI at all. This article will help you understand which standard options can be deactivated without risking system stability and which are better to refuse.

It’s important to understand that disabling certain features can affect the performance of individual applications or system components. For example, deactivating Google Play Services will lead to errors in Google services, and turning off Mi Cloud will turn off synchronization of notes and contacts.

What default functions can be turned off without consequences

Firmware MIUI It's a set of things that are in the background, but not all of them are vital:

• 📱 Automatic Memory Optimization (Security) → Optimize – often interferes with the work of background applications, for example, music players or instant messengers.
• 🔔 Promotional notices MIUI (Settings → Notification & Control Center → App notifications → System apps → MIUI System – shows promotions and updates.
• 🔍 Search by device (Settings) → Additional settings → Search – Index files and consume resources even when not in use.
• 📊 Analytics gathering MIUI (Settings → About phone → MIUI version → tap 7 times → Additional settings → User experience program – sends data about the use of the smartphone.
• 🔄 Auto-Update Applications (Google Play) → Settings → Auto-update apps – can consume mobile traffic.

Special attention should be paid to system applications that cannot be removed by standard means, but can be "freezed" or limited their activity.

• 🎵 Music (Mi Music player) – works in the background even if you don’t use it.
• 📺 Mi Video – Downloads metadata for recommendations.
• 📦 Cleaner – triggers automatic cache cleanup, which may interfere with some applications.
• 📡 Mi Roaming – sends location data to ‘improve communication".

Before you start to disconnect, we recommend you to back up important data. Some changes (for example, deactivation of Google Play Services) can lead to unstable smartphone operation. MIUI Some of the settings may be reset to default values.

⚠️ Note: Disable the Find Device (Settings) function → Password & security → Find Device will make it impossible to search for a phone through Xiaomi services in the event of a loss.If you use alternative solutions (such as Google Find My Device), this risk can be considered justified.

How to disable standard applications without root rights

Many pre-installed programs (bloatware) cannot be removed through a normal interface, but they can be deactivated or limited.

Method 1: Through Application Settings

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Manage apps.
2. Select the app you want to disable (such as Mi Browser).
3. Press Disable (if the button is active) or Force Stop.
4. To completely disable, uncheck the Notifications, Background data, and Auto-start sections.

This method is suitable for most user applications, but does not work with mission-critical system services (e.g., Android System or Android System). MIUI Daemon).

Method 2: Use ADB (without root)

For a deeper cleaning, you will need a computer and a tool. ADB (Android Debug Bridge – This method allows you to disable even those applications that do not have a Disable button in the interface.

Enable debugging on USB in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times)

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trusted device

Download ADB Tools

Run the command line in the folder with ADB

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Main commands for disconnection:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' # View the list of system packages


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser # Disable Mi Browser




adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics # Hide analytics (requires MIUI 12+)

Complete list of packages for safe shutdown:

⚠️ Note: Disabling com.google.android.gms (Google Services) or com.xiaomi.finddevice (Find Device) packages may result in the inability to use key features, including push notifications and device search. Before experimenting, check whether these services are critical to you software.

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If, after the application is disabled, ADB It appears again after the update. MIUI, Use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 Packet name – this will remove all updates by returning the application to the factory version (which you can then disable again).

Disabling system notifications and advertising

One of the most annoying features MIUI — An abundance of system notifications, including ads from Xiaomi and Google, can be disabled partially or completely.

Step 1: Take away advertising in MIUI

Advertising banners appear in:

• 📱 Notification panel (promotions from Xiaomi).
• 🔍 Search by device (sponsored links).
• 📁 File Manager (cloud service advertising).
• 🛒 Mi App Store (banners in recommendations).

To get them out:

1. Go to the Settings → Password & security → Authorization & revocation.
2. Turn off Receive recommendations and Personalized ads.
3. In the Settings → Notification & Control Center to disable notifications MIUI System, Download Manager and Mi Video.
4. For the File Manager: Open Files → Me → Settings and deactivate Recommendations.

Step 2: Disable notifications from Google

Google is also actively sending out notifications through its services to remove them:

1. Get in to the Settings. → Google → Google Account.
2. Select the Data & Personalization tab.
3. In Activity controls, disable Web & App Activity and Device Information.
4. Back in the Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Notifications and disable all categories.

To control notifications, you can use apps like Notisave or AutoNotification (require Accessibility Service), which allow you to filter and block notifications by keyword.

Deactivation of background activity and autostart

Many applications (including system ones) continue to run in the background even when you're not using them, which consumes battery power and mobile traffic. MIUI There are tools to limit this activity.

Restriction of auto-start

To prevent applications from running automatically:

1. Go to the Settings → Battery & performance → Manage apps' battery usage.
2. Choose apps and set a limit for unnecessary programs.
3. To completely disable autostart, go to Settings → Apps → Manage apps → [select the application] → Auto-start and deactivate the option.

Pay particular attention to the following applications that are often abused by auto-runs:

• 📱 Facebook and Instagram – constantly sync data.
• 💬 Mi Message checks out SMS even when not used.
• 📍 Google Maps – Updates location in the background.
• 🔄 Mi Cloud – syncs files without request.

Limitation of background activity

To save even more resources:

1. In the Settings → Battery & performance → Battery saver: Enable Extreme Battery Saver (Limit background activity for all applications).
2. For individual programs: Settings → Apps → Manage apps → [attachment] → Battery → Background activity → Choose Restrict.
3. Turn off Mobile data and Wi-Fi in the background for unnecessary apps in the same menu.

Important: Limiting background activity for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) will delay receiving messages. If you depend on live communications, add these apps to the exceptions in the battery settings.

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Disabling auto-start and background activity can increase battery life by 15-30%, but some apps (such as fitness trackers or email clients) will stop updating data automatically.

Turning off system sounds and vibrations

Notification sounds, press vibrations and other system signals can be annoying, especially at night. MIUI They can be configured or completely disabled.

Customization of interface sounds

To remove sounds when interacting with the system:

1. Go to the Settings → Sound & vibration → System sounds.
2. Turn it off: 🔔 Dial pad tones (calling sounds). 🔊 Screen locking sounds (screen locking sound). 📳 Touch sounds (touch sounds). 🔄 Charging sounds (sound when connecting charging).

Vibration control

Vibration is also regulated in several places:

• 📱 Vibration on touch: Settings → Sound & vibration → Vibrate on tap.
• 🔔 Notification vibration: Settings → Notification & Control Center → App notifications → [select the application] → Vibrate.
• 🔕 Vibration on call: Settings → Sound & vibration → Phone vibration.

To completely disable vibration, you can use the Do Not Disturb (Settings) mode. → Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb, where there is no vibrations option.

⚠️ Note: Turn off vibration when typing (Settings) → Additional settings → Language & input → [keyboard] → Vibration feedback can make the set less tactile, and this is true for users who type blindly.

How to get the functions back (if something goes wrong)

If after disabling any options, the smartphone began to work unstable (for example, notifications stopped coming or errors in applications), most changes can be canceled.

Recovery through Settings

For standard functions:

1. Return to the section where the option was disabled (e.g. Settings) → Notification & Control Center for Notifications).
2. Turn on the switch you want.
3. Reboot the device (Long Press Power) → Reboot).

Recovery of disabled applications

If you deactivate the application through Settings → Apps:

1. Find it in the list (Manage apps) → Disabled).
2. Press Enable.

For applications disabled through ADB, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.browser # Example for Mi Browser

Resetting all settings to factory

If the problems are serious and are not solved by partial inclusion of functions, you can perform a soft reset (without loss of data):

1. Go to the Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset.
2. Select Factory Data Reset.
3. Enter Erase all data (or Reset settings only if you want to save files).

Critical: Resetting to factory settings will remove all disconnected through ADB The packets will go back to default, and then you'll have to reset the system.

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Before resetting, make sure to check whether important data (photos, contacts, messages) are stored in the cloud or on an external medium.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling features on Xiaomi