What to uninstall in Xiaomi on MIUI 10 without consequences: Safe system cleaning

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 10 often suffer from overload with pre-installed applications and system processes that take up precious space in memory and slow down the device. Many users want to get rid of unnecessary “garbage”, but are afraid to disrupt the stability of the system. This article will help you understand what you can remove in Xiaomi on MIUI 10 without risk, and what is better to abandon.

Unlike the newer versions of MIUI, the tenth version has its own peculiarities: it less aggressively blocks the removal of system components, but also contains a lot of duplicate services from Xiaomi and Google. Here we will consider not only obvious candidates for removal (for example, unnecessary applications), but also hidden system files, cache, and also give recommendations for optimization without using root rights.

It is important to understand that even "safe" removal requires caution. Some components may seem unnecessary, but are actually associated with critical functions - for example, Bluetooth or NFC. So before any manipulation, back up the data and make sure that you have access to Recovery Mode in case of a crash.

1. pre-installed Xiaomi apps: what can be removed without consequences

MIUI 10 has a whole suite of Xiaomi apps that duplicate the features of standard Google services or simply aren’t used by most users, and can be manually removed or disabled to free up memory and reduce background activity.

The list of safe applications for removal includes:

• 📱 Mi Browser is Xiaomi’s browser with aggressive advertising. You can replace it with Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎵 Mi Music is a music player that loses on the functionality of Spotify or YouTube Music.
• 📷 Mi Video is a video player with limited capabilities. VLC or MX Player.
• 📊 Mi Pay is a payment service that does not work outside of China and India.
• 📦 Mi Drop is a file transfer utility similar to ShareIt or Nearby Share.
• 📡 Mi Remote – remote control, useful only if you have Xiaomi equipment.
• 💬 Mi Community is a user forum that is rarely used in Russia.

To remove these applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and click Remove (if the button is active) or Disable.
3. ADB may be required to completely remove system applications (more on this below).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete Mi Account, Security or Finder – this can lead to problems with device authorization and protection.

2. Google System Apps: What to Disable

MIUI 10 comes with Google’s backup services, many of which run in the background and consume battery power, and some of which can be turned off if you don’t use the appropriate features.

List of unnecessary Google services:

• 📍 Google Play Music is an outdated service replaced by YouTube Music.
• 📺 Google Play Movies – If You Don’t Watch Movies on Google.
• 📰 Google News – If you don’t use the news feed.
• 🎮 Google Play Games – If you don’t play mobile games with achievements.
• 📊 Google Fit – if you don’t track activity (you can replace it with Mi Fit).

To disable these services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the desired application and select Disable (you can not remove completely without root).
3. Confirm the action – the application will stop working and disappear from the menu.

Do not disable Google Play Services and Google Play Store, which will cause most apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram and banking services, to fail.

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If push notifications stop working after Google shuts down, turn it back on. Some apps (like Telegram) rely on Google Play Services to deliver notifications.

3.Cache and temporary files: how to clean without harming the system

Over time, MIUI 10 accumulates app cache, temporary update files, and debris from system processes, which can be safely removed, but it is important not to overdo it - some cached data speeds up the work of frequently used applications.

What can be cleaned:

• 🗑️ Application cache - in Settings → Warehouse → Cache data.
• 📁 Downloads – Download folder in internal memory.
• 🔄 Remains of updates - folder Downloaded_Rom at the root of the storage (if the updates were successful).
• 📸 Gallery miniatures –.thumbnails folder (hidden, requires a file manager with support for hidden files).

For deep cleaning:

1. Use the built-in cleaning utility (Security → Cleaner).
2. Manually check the folders DCIM/.thumbnails, Android/data (remnants of remote applications).
3. To remove the cache of system applications, ADB may be required:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaner Cache Cleaner


adb shell pm clear com.android.vending #Cleaning up Google Play cache

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders MIUI, system or files with extension.odex/.apk At the root of the system, it will lead to collapse. MIUI.

4. Removal of system applications via ADB (for advanced)

If the built-in MIUI 10 tools do not allow you to remove an unnecessary application, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices # Checking the connection


adb shell pm list packages # List of all installed packages




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser # Example: deletion of Mi Browser

List of safe packets to remove via ADB:

• 💰 com.xiaomi.payment — Mi Pay.

⚠️ Attention: Teams with flag --user 0 remove the application only for the current user. Complete removal (without any exception) -k) requires root rights and may disrupt the system.

5. Optimization of autoboot and background processes

Many applications in MIUI 10 run automatically and run in the background, consuming battery life. They can be limited without being deleted.

How to turn off autoboot:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select App Selection and disable AutoRun for unnecessary programs.
3. In Battery Protection, set limits for background activity.

List of applications that can be limited:

• 📊 Google Play Services (No need to limit Google Play Services!).

For advanced users:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.facebook.katana # Add Facebook to the list of restrictions

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Restricting autoload and background activity can significantly increase battery life, but some apps (such as instant messengers) will stop showing notifications.

6. Cleaning the system section: what can and cannot be touched

The system partition in MIUI 10 contains critical files, but there are also those that can be deleted without consequences. Never delete files with.apk,.odex extensions or /system/bin, /system/lib folders, which will lead to a device blink.

What can be safely removed (through root or TWRP only):

• 🎨 Wallpaper and themes - folder /system/media/theme/default (if you use custom themes).
• 🗣️ Voice packets -- folder /system/tts (unless you use voice input).
• 🌍 Language packets - files in /system/app LatinIME (unless additional languages are needed).
• 📡 Wi-Fi Direct Files — /system/etc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml (will be reset on the next connection).

Example of a command to remove via ADB root:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /system/media/theme/default/wallpaper/* # Removal of standard wallpaper

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system You can't root without it. You can't do it right. You can get a bootloop.

7. Alternative cleaning methods: from custom firmware to factory dumping

If manual cleaning is not working, consider more radical methods:

• 🔄 Factory reset – deletes all data, but returns the system to its original state.
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) – requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 📦 Magisk – to remove system applications without root (Universal Debloater module).
• 🔧 Deblotting applications such as Debloater Tool (works through the ADB).

Benefits and risks:

For factory discharge:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Reset and confirm.
3. After the reboot, the device will be as new.

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Before reset, write down your phone's IMEI (dial *#06#) to restore communication in case of network loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleaning up on MIUI 10