MIUI What is the name of the stain and how to remove it (or replace it) without consequences

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, I think they probably came across the term. MIUI — It's a unique design, advanced customization, and exclusive features like a second workspace or super wallpaper. aggressive optimization of background processes, intrusive advertising in system applications and not always logical arrangement of controls.

In this article, we will understand what is MIUI In fact (and why it is so loved or hated) it differs from the naked Android and other shells (e.g., One). UI It's from Samsung or Oppo's ColorOS. But most importantly, you'll learn how to remove it. MIUI We'll look at all the ways you can get from simple tweaks in settings to full flashing to an alternative OS, including Pixel Experience or LineageOS.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require bootloader unlocking, which can lead to loss of warranty or even “bricking” of the device!

1. What is it? MIUI: technical features and history

MIUI (Pronounced “My-Yu-Ai” is a proprietary shell developed by Xiaomi based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It debuted in 2010 as a custom firmware for enthusiasts, but a year later it became the standard OS for all devices of the brand. MIUI It is installed on Xiaomi smartphones, Redmi, POCO, and other devices from other manufacturers (e.g. Black Shark).

Key features of the shell:

• 🎨 Unique design: rounded icons, iOS-style animations, no app panel (all desktop icons).
• ⚙️ Advanced settings: gesture management, fine-tuning notifications, performance modes.
• 🔒 Built-in security tools: virus scanner, call blocker, blacklist for SMS.
• 📱 Multitasking features: app cloning, second desktop, do not disturb mode with flexible rules.
• 📊 Performance optimization: aggressive management of background processes (which sometimes leads to “killing” applications).

But MIUI There's a flip side:

• 🚫 Advertising in system applications (in some regions, such as China or India).
• 📵 Restrictions on background work (messengers may not receive notifications).
• 🔄 Frequent updates that aren’t always stable (especially in beta versions).
• 📦 Pre-installed applications that cannot be removed without root rights.

Since 2022, Xiaomi has started to separate MIUI double-branch:

• MIUI for global devices (no ads, Google Services support).
• MIUI Chinese market (with advertising, without Google services, but with additional features).

2.Than. MIUI It is different from pure Android and other shells.

If you have previously used smartphones with “naked” Android (eg, Google Pixel) or shells of other brands (One) UI, ColorOS, EMUI), piece MIUI This is a big difference:

Critical difference MIUI And the other shells are the absence of an app drawer, and all the app icons are placed on desktops by default, just like iOS, and you can change that in your settings, but even after you turn on the appbar, the behavior of the system will remain atypical for Android.

Another unique feature is the permit system. MIUI. It duplicates the standard Android resolutions, but adds its own layers of control, for example, even if you gave the app access to geolocation in the Android settings, MIUI This can block access at the shell level, which makes it difficult for some programs (e.g. banking or navigation).

Comparison with One UI Samsung:

• 🔹 MIUI offers more visual customization (themes, animations, icons).
• 🔹 One UI Better optimized for larger screens and stylus.
• 🔹 V MIUI More frequent bugs after updates.
• 🔹 One UI Supports devices for updates (up to) longer 4 years 2-3 Xiaomi).

3. Why users want to remove MIUI: pretext

Despite the obvious advantages, many users are looking for ways to remove the MIUI Or at least minimize its impact:

⚠️ WARNING: If your main problem is advertising in the MIUI, You can turn it off without removing the shell. → Memory. → Clean up and disable the "Recommendations" option. In the Chinese versions, you may need to adjust it via Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Remove advertising (the item may be called differently depending on the version).

• 🚫 Aggressive optimization of background processes: MIUI It often kills applications running in the background (such as instant messengers or activity trackers) and saves battery power, but leads to missed notifications.
• 📵 Notification problems: Even if the app is not closed, notifications may not come due to additional restrictions MIUI.
• 🔄 Unstable Updates: New Versions MIUI Often contain bugs that are fixed only in the following patches.
• 📦 Embedded apps: Many system programs (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video) cannot be removed without root rights.
• 🔒 System-level restrictions: for example, installation locking APK from unknown sources even after permission in settings.
• 🎨 Unusual interface: no application panel, non-standard arrangement of controls.

These problems are especially acute for users who:

• 🔹 I moved from the iPhone and expect similar stability.
• 🔹 Use specialized applications (for example, for health tracking or automation).
• 🔹 Get used to “pure” Android on Google Pixel or Nexus.
• 🔹 Want maximum performance (for example, for games or benchmarks).

But before you clean it up. MIUI, You should try to customize it for yourself, and in many cases, it's enough to turn off unnecessary functions and optimize parameters.

💡

If you are annoyed by the lack of an app panel in MIUI, Turn it on in the settings: go to Settings → Desktop → App bar and activate the option. It won't take away. MIUI, It will make the interface closer to standard Android.

4. How to clean up MIUI without flashing: settings and tweaks

If you are not ready for radical measures such as installing custom firmware, you can try to minimize the impact. MIUI And this is what you can do with standard settings:

Disable Advertising in System Applications|Set up autostart and background work|Remove or disable unnecessary applications|Change the topic to minimalist|Disable animations to speed up work-->

Disabling advertising and unnecessary notifications

Advertising in MIUI appears in the following places:

• 📱 System applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video).
• 🔍 In the search results by device.
• 📁 File Manager (Mi File Manager).
• ⚙️ In settings (for example, in the section "About the phone").

To disable the ads:

1. Go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Go back to the main settings and open additionally. → Special facilities → Remove advertising (the name may be different).
3. Turn off options: Recommendations MIUI Personalized recommendations Show advertising (if available)

Mi Browser

Mi Music

Showing the news

Recommended content

Setup of auto-start and background work

To prevent applications from being closed in the background:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (such as Telegram or WhatsApp).
3. Tap Permissions → Autostart and turn on the option.
4. Go back and select the battery. → No restrictions.
5. Enable locking in memory (if any).

For mass tuning:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select Application Selection and set the No Limits mode for critical programs.

4.3. Removal of embedded applications (without root)

You can not completely remove system applications without root rights, but they can be disabled:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (the button may be gray if the application is critical to the system).

List of applications that can be safely disabled:

• 🌐 Mi Browser (use Chrome or Firefox).
• 🎵 Mi Music (replace with Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 🎬 Mi Video (use it) VLC or MX Player).
• 📖 Mi Reader (if you don't read books).
• 🎮 Game Turbo (if you don't play mobile games).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system applications with names like com.android.xxx or com.miui.xxx unless you are sure of their purpose.

Changes to theme and interface

If you are annoyed by the design MIUI, It can be changed:

1. Open the Themes app (icon in the form of a brush).
2. Choose Simple or Minimalism for a more neutral design.
3. To remove animations go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times for Developer Mode, then to Developer Settings → Scale of window/transition animation and set the value Unplugged.

5. Radical methods: how to completely remove MIUI

If the settings don't help, MIUI There are still some ways to get in the way, such as installing custom firmware or switching to Android One (if your device is supported), which require unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and erases all data.In addition, Xiaomi can block the device account if unlock rules are violated (for example, trying too often).

5.1. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

The most popular way to get rid of MIUI — install alternative firmware on the base AOSP (This will give you a clean Android without the branded bells and whistles of Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Link the device to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account. Open Settings. → About the phone and tap 7 times according to the version MIUI, To activate the developer mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → Developer settings and enable Unlocking OEM and debugging. USB. Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official Xiaomi website and follow the instructions to unlock.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP): Download the image TWRP Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line and do: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Sweeve custom firmware: Download firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) from the forum XDA Developers.Reboot to the TWRP (hold on to food + Volume up. Backup the current system. TWRP). Run the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. Install firmware through Install and restart.

Popular firmware for replacement MIUI:

• 📱 LineageOS - as close as possible to "pure" Android, stable, but without Google's branded features (they need to be installed separately).
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface and features, including Google Camera and Now Playing.
• 📱 ArrowOS – Balance between customization and stability.
• 📱 Havoc-OS – for fans of fine-tuning (many options for customization).

⚠️ Note: Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your Xiaomi model on the forum XDA Developers: Some firmware may not support the camera, NFC or other functions on your device.

5.2. Switch to Android One (for supported devices)

Some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Mi) A1, Mi A2, Mi A3) The program was released under the Android One program – with “clean” Android without MIUI. If your device is not from this line, then you can switch to Android One only by installing custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience).

List of Xiaomi devices with official support for Android One:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A1 (2017)
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A2 / Mi A2 Lite (2018)
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A3 (2019)

If your device is not on this list, then Android One can only be installed informally (see the section on custom firmware).

Installation GSI-Firmware (Generic System Image)

If your model does not have custom firmware, you can try it. GSI — A universal Android image that works on most Project Treble-enabled devices (all Xiaomi smartphones on Snapdragon after 2018).

Instructions:

1. Check out Project Treble support with the Treble Check app from Play Market.
2. Download. GSI-page-image XDA Developers (recommended by LineageOS) GSI or Phh-Treble).
3. Unlock the bootloader and install TWRP (see section 5.1).
4. V TWRP run the Wipe → System.
5. Install. GSI-imagery → Install Image → System Image.
6. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: GSI-Firmware may not support all of the device's functions (e.g., camera or NFC). Before installing, check user reviews of your model.

6 How to get MIUI back if something goes wrong

If after experiments with firmware, the device stopped working correctly, you can return the standard MIUI. This will require the official firmware and the Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware (Fastboot) ROM) For your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Transfer the device to Fastboot mode (hold power) + Loudness down when switched on).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh (the device must be determined).
7. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (usually takes a lot of time). 5-10 minute).
8. After restarting, the device will return to standard. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If the device does not turn on even after you have firmware through Fastboot, the partition may be damaged. EFS (contain IMEI In this case, specialized recovery software (e.g., recovery software) will be required, QCN Rebuilder) or contacting a service centre.

If, after the return to MIUI the device is unstable (for example, quickly discharged or overheated), reset to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Delete all data and confirm the action.
3. After restarting, set the device as new.

7. Alternative methods: launchers and root rights

If the re-flash seems too risky, but MIUI It is still annoying, you can try less radical methods:

Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers replace only the desktop interface, but do not affect system functions.

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and animations.
• 📱 Lawnchair – imitates the Google Pixel interface.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with the Windows ecosystem.
• 📱 Action Launcher – unique features like Quickpage and Shutters.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Play Market.
2. Click "Home" and select the new launcher as standard.
3. Set up the interface to your taste (themes, icons, gestures).

Restrictions of launchers:

• ❌ Do not replace system applications (for example, Settings or Phone will remain from the system). MIUI).
• ❌ They do not affect the optimization of background processes.
• ❌ Do not remove advertising in system applications.

7.2. Obtaining root rights (Magisk)

Root rights give you complete control of the system, allowing you to:

• 🔹 Remove system applications MIUI.
• 🔹 Blocking Advertising at System Level (for example, through AdAway).
• 🔹 Modify system files (e.g., modify build.prop to trick applications).
• 🔹 Install Magisk modules for advanced customization.

How to get root:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 5.1).