How to remove unnecessary icon from the desktop on Xiaomi Redmi: from shortcuts to system applications

The desktop of the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is the business card of your device, but over time it fills with unnecessary shortcuts, duplicate icons or system applications that cannot be removed in the standard way. If you tried to swipe the icon into the cart, but it stubbornly returns to its place, or want to get rid of preinstalled MIUI services like Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps – this is the guide for you.

Unlike iOS or pure Android, the MIUI shell has its own nuances: you can’t just click “Delete” on the system application, and some icons do not respond to long press at all. We will analyze 5 working methods from basic to advanced, including hiding through the launcher settings, disabling in the application menu and even using ADB for deep cleaning. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe, so before changing system files, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

If you’re a beginner, start with the first three methods – they don’t require root rights and are suitable for most Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and newer devices on MIUI 12-14. Experienced users can immediately move to the sections about ADB third-party launchers.

1. Removal of common shortcuts (widgets and custom icons)

The simplest case is when duplicate icons, site shortcuts or widgets have accumulated on the desktop, and you can delete them in a few seconds without any additional settings.

Act on the algorithm:

1. Press and hold your finger on the unnecessary icon for 1-2 seconds.
2. At the top of the screen will appear a panel with options: "Delete" (basket), "Information" or "Change".
3. Drag the icon to the "Delete" area (usually at the top or bottom of the screen).

⚠️ Note: If the icon does not respond to a long press or a menu with other items appears (for example, "Unplug"), then this is not a shortcut, but a system application.

• 📌 Application shortcuts -- removed without consequence. They're just "links" to programs.
• 🔄 Widgets – before removing, you can change their size (stretch or narrow with your fingers).
• 🌐 Website shortcuts are created by Mi Browser or Chrome, and their removal does not affect the bookmarks in the browser itself.

If the icon reappears after deleting, check if it is added to the Favorites folder in the app menu, and sometimes MIUI automatically restores shortcuts from that folder.

2. Hiding system icons through launcher settings

The MIUI shell allows you to hide system applications without removing them completely, and this method works for most pre-installed services: Mi Pay, Mi Community, Security, and others. The icons will disappear from the desktop, but the apps will remain on the system and will not be updated through the Play Market.

Instructions:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the "Hide Apps" section.
4. Check the unneeded programs and click "Done".

⚠️ Note: Apps hidden in this way will not appear in the system search (Settings) → To get them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

If the desired application is not in the list to hide, try the following method - disable through the system settings.

3. disable applications in the menu "All applications"

Some system programs (such as Mi Browser or Mi Calculator) can’t be removed, but they can be disabled, and then they disappear from the desktop, stop updating and do not consume resources.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the unnecessary application and open its page.
3. Click "Disable" (the button will be active only for system programs).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling critical services (e.g. Services & Feedback or Mi Share) may cause disruptions MIUI. Before disabling, check the name of the application on the Internet.

• ⚙️ Safe to disable: Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, Email, Calendar.
• ⚠️ Careful: Mi Share, Security, Cleaner – Disabling them can disrupt file transfer or optimization.
• 🚫 Do not disable: Services & Feedback, System UI, Launcher – this will lead to the collapse of the system.

Once disabled, the icon will disappear from the desktop, but the application will remain in the device’s memory. To return it, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click “Enable”.

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If the disabled application reappears on the desktop after the MIUI update, repeat the disabling procedure - the system sometimes resets these settings.

4. Removal of system applications via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t help, and the system app icon still gets in the way, you can delete it completely via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause the device to fail. Only remove applications that are not exactly necessary for the job. MIUI. We recommend you to pre-examine the list of safe packets for removal on forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times until the message “You are a developer”) Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect Redmi to your computer via USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
3. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands: adb devices adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' # to search for Xiaomi pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # example: delete Mi Video

List of popular removal packages:

• com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• com.miui.player — Mi Music
• com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (file transfer)
• com.miui.analytics – Analytics collection (safe to delete)

Once the command is executed, the icon will disappear from the desktop, and the application will be uninstalled for the current user. To return it, you will need to reset your settings or manually install the APK.

5. Use of a third-party launcher (radical solution)

If you are tired of fighting system icons, the most cardinal way is to install an alternative launcher, for example:

• Nova Launcher - flexible configuration, gesture support, hiding icons.
• Apex Launcher is lightweight and fast, with the ability to block the layout.
• Lawnchair is an open source launcher similar to “pure” Android.

After installing a third-party launcher:

1. Click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
2. Press your finger on the free desktop space → “Start-up settings”.
3. Find the Hidden Apps or App Drawer section and check for unnecessary programs.

⚠️ Attention: Some functions MIUI (Second Space or Dual Apps may not work properly with third-party launchers, and you may also increase battery consumption. 5-10% due to the additional process in the background.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Complete control over the appearance of the desktop.
• 🔒 Ability to hide any icons, including system.
• 🔄 Easy return to standard launcher (via Settings) → Annexes → By default).

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The side launcher is the only way to completely get rid of system icons without root rights and the risk of damaging MIUI.

What to do if the icon returns after removal?

Sometimes MIUI automatically restores deleted shortcuts after a system reboot or update, which is due to the System Launcher service, which syncs the desktop layout with the Xiaomi cloud.

Solutions to the problem:

• 🔄 Turn off desktop sync: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account. → Synchronization → Desktop (deactivate)
• 📱 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data ⚠️ After that, all shortcuts and widgets will be reset to factory settings.
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB To disable automatic recovery: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home This command will disable the standard launcher but require an alternative (e.g. Nova Launcher) to be installed).

If the problem persists, check if the device has a backup application (such as Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup) that can recover deleted data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing icons on Xiaomi Redmi