Xiaomi Partner Bookmarks: What is this folder and how to delete it

Smartphone and tablet owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often encounter mysterious folders when connecting a device to a computer or using file managers. One of the most common questions is the assignment of the Partner Bookmarks directory. Users see this object in the root folder of internal memory and begin to worry about whether it is a virus, why it is needed and whether it can be safely removed to free up precious space.

In fact, Partner Bookmarks is a system directory created by a MIUI or HyperOS shell to store pre-installed browser bookmarks, often leading to partner sites, popular services, or regional news resources, and while the folder itself is minimal, its contents can be annoying for those who prefer a clean interface without imposed software.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the function of this element, assess the risks of deleting it, and provide step-by-step instructions for cleaning the system. You will learn how to distinguish system files from malicious ones and whether it is worth spending time fighting pre-installed shortcuts. Understanding the structure of the Android file system will help you manage your device more effectively.

Assignment of the Partner Bookmarks system folder

Partner Bookmarks is part of a standard set of applications and services installed by the manufacturer in the factory, and its main task is to store configuration files and databases that form the browser’s start page or the list of quick links in the system launcher. When you first turn on a new Xiaomi smartphone, you may notice a number of icons or links that you did not install yourself, and it is for their display and operation that this hidden directory is responsible.

From a technical point of view, inside the folder can be files format.db (SQLite databases) or text configurations.xml. URL-Addresses, site names and sometimes partner logos. The operating system accesses this data when you launch your browser. MI Browser or when updating widgets on the desktop, it's important to understand that this is not a virus or spyware, but a regular piece of the shell.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files through the file manager can lead to unstable browser operation or errors in the interface.Before any manipulation, make sure you understand the consequences.

Many users mistakenly believe that deleting this folder will speed up the smartphone. However, Partner Bookmarks does not consume CPU resources in the background unless you open the appropriate tabs. Its impact on MIUI performance is almost zero, so the main motivation for removal is usually aesthetic or the desire to completely clean the device of “junk”.

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Before removing any system folders, back up your important data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, which will allow you to roll back changes in the event of a critical system error.

Analysis of content and occupied space

When you look at the contents of the Partner Bookmarks directory in detail, you find that it rarely weighs more than a few kilobytes or megabytes. The bulk of the data is text links and website thumbnails. If you notice that the folder has grown to hundreds of megabytes, it may indicate that the browser thumbnails have accumulated cache or that some application using this directory for temporary storage is incorrect.

To analyze the space occupied, it is recommended to use built-in storage or third-party utilities like DiskUsage, which will allow you to visualize the structure of files and understand what exactly occupies space. Often users confuse the bookmarks folder itself with the browser cache, which can grow to gigabytes, in which case cleaning Partner Bookmarks will not solve the problem of memory shortage.

Let’s look at the main types of files that can be found in this directory:

• 📁 Bookmark database – the main file containing the list URL-partner addresses.
• 🖼️ Images and icons – logos of sites that are displayed as tiles.
• 📝 Configuration Files – Display and Priority Settings for Different Regions.
• 🗑️ Temporary files – cache that can be deleted without consequences for the system.

It is worth noting that in different versions of the firmware MIUI The folder structure may differ in the global versions (Global) ROM) The list of partners is usually wider and includes international services, whereas in Chinese versions, the list of partners is usually wider (CN ROM) Local resources dominate, and when you flash a device from the Chinese version to the global version, this folder is often recreated.

Can I remove Partner Bookmarks from Xiaomi?

The issue of security removal Partner Bookmarks worries many. On the one hand, it is not a critical system file necessary to download Android. On the other hand, forced removal can cause errors in the standard browser. If you use Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera as the main one, then the presence or absence of this folder is almost invisible to you.

However, if you try to simply delete a folder through a file manager, the system can automatically recreate it the next time you reboot or update system components. This is normal behavior for secure system directories. To delete it permanently, you need deeper permissions, such as Root rights or using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Without the superuser rights (Root), complete removal is not possible by standard means. You can clean the content, but the shell itself will remain. This is an Android security restriction designed to prevent inexperienced users from accidentally damaging the system. So the answer to the question "can I delete" depends on your willingness to use advanced tools.

⚠️ Warning: Getting Root rights (unlocking the bootloader) cancels the warranty on the device and may make it impossible to use banking applications (Google Pay, Mir Pay) without additional manipulations.

If your goal is to just free up space, removing that folder will not work, because it takes a tiny bit. It's much more effective to clear the cache of apps or remove unused games. But if you want to be perfectly clean and risk stability to remove junk, proceed with caution.

Instructions for removal via ADB (without Root)

The safest way to remove system components without obtaining full superuser rights is to use debugging. USB tooling ADB. This method allows you to delete applications and files that are considered system-based but are not hard-to-remove through a standard interface.You will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a cable. USB.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your Xiaomi. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). After that, a new section will appear in the settings menu "Additional" or "Extended Settings", where you need to find For Developers. Turn on the Toggle "Debug by USB".

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (the official ADB package) from Google’s website to your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) or terminal in the ADB folder.
4. Enter the adb device command and confirm the request on the phone screen.
5. To delete a folder or associated packets, use the adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet command.

The problem is that Partner Bookmarks is often not a separate application, but part of the system partition. Direct deletion of a folder via adb shell rm -rf is only possible on rooted devices. On regular phones, you can only uninstall the associated system applications that create these bookmarks (such as com.miui.globalmiuiwidget or the like), but this requires accurate knowledge of the package name.

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


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.globalmiuiwidget

Executing such commands will remove the standard browser and widgets, which can be redundant. Therefore, this method is suitable only for advanced users who understand the dependencies of the packages. A mistake in the name of the package can lead to a "bricking" of the interface.

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ADB allows you to remove system applications for the current user, but doesn't physically erase them from the recovery section.When reset to factory settings, everything will return to place.

Removal with Root Rights and System Managers

If your Xiaomi smartphone has an unlocked bootloader and installed Root rights (for example, through Magisk), then deleting Partner Bookmarks becomes a trivial task. This uses file managers with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer, Solid Explorer (with a plugin), or MT Manager.

Once you grant the application superuser rights, you get full access to the root file system (/). The path to the folder is usually in /data/data/ or /system/partner/. You can simply select the Partner Bookmarks folder and select Delete. The system can no longer restore it, since you delete the data source, not just user settings.

An alternative and safer method for root users is to use specialized gates, such as System App Remover, which automatically find system applications and allow them to be frozen or removed, and in the list of system processes, you can find components responsible for partner bookmarking.

After modification of system files, the integrity check may not pass during the update.

⚠️ Note: When using Root rights, be extremely careful. Deleting the wrong file can lead to a cyclic reboot, which will require a flashing through Fastboot.

Alternative methods of cleaning and setting

If you're not willing to take drastic measures like getting Root rights, there are softer ways to deal with imposed bookmarks. Often the problem is not solved by deleting the folder, but by setting up browsers. You can just ignore this folder by stopping using the standard MI Browser browser in favor of cleaner ones.

The browser itself often has an option to "Clear Start Page" or "Reset Settings" that will remove visible shortcuts even if the Partner Bookmarks folder is physically still in place, and you can also turn off the display of "Popular" or "News" widgets on the desktop that draw data from this directory.

Another effective method is to use third-party launchers: Installation of Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher completely changes the interface and ignores the system bookmarks of Xiaomi, in which case the Partner Bookmarks folder remains in memory, but does not manifest itself visually and does not disturb the user.

• 🚀 Change the browser by default – install Chrome or Yandex.Browser.
• 🧹 Cache Clearing – Clean your browser data regularly in your application settings.
• 🚫 Disabling notifications – prevent the system browser from sending news.
• 📱 Third-party launcher – replace the standard desktop.

So, fighting Partner Bookmarks is more a matter of personal comfort and digital hygiene than a technical necessity, and for most users, the best solution is to ignore this folder or use alternative software to keep the system stable and the device guaranteed.

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The safest way to get rid of the influence of Partner Bookmarks is not to delete system files, but to stop using standard Xiaomi applications in favor of third-party counterparts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)