What apps in Xiaomi can be removed to free up memory: a safe list and instructions

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones often come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users never run, which take up precious memory space, slow down the system and consume battery power in the background, and are particularly problematic on budget models with 32-64 GB of internal memory, where every megabyte counts.

But not all pre-installed apps can be removed without consequences. Some are critical to the stable operation of MIUI, and removing system components can lead to crashes, errors, or even “bricking” of the device. In this article, we will understand which applications in Xiaomi can be safely removed and which should not be touched, even if they seem useless, you will learn how to properly uninstall unnecessary programs so as not to disrupt the system, and what alternative ways to help free up memory if deletion is impossible.

Why are there so many pre-installed apps in Xiaomi?

The MIUI brand shell is known for its abundance of built-in services, and there are several reasons for this:

• 📱 Partnerships: Xiaomi works with developers (e.g. Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn) to pre-install their apps for a fee, which reduces the price of devices.
• 🔧 Functionality MIUI. Many apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) duplicate standard Android features, but with enhanced capabilities for the Xiaomi ecosystem.
• 🌍 Localization for different regions: Depending on the market (China, Europe, India), the set of pre-installed programs can vary greatly, for example, in Indian firmware, there are often local services that are not available in the global versions.
• 📊 Data collection and analytics: Some system applications (such as MiuiDaemon or Analytics) are responsible for collecting telemetry, which Xiaomi uses to improve firmware.

According to the study Appfigures, new Xiaomi smartphones on average pre-installed 40-60 applications, of which users actively use no more than 15-20. the rest just take up space, and some even continue to work in the background, consuming up to 10-15% of battery power per day.

What apps can be safely removed in Xiaomi?

Before you start cleaning, it is important to divide all programs into three categories:

1. Safe to remove – user applications that do not affect the operation of the system (social networks, games, instant messengers).
2. Conditionally secure: System applications that can be removed, but this may deprive you of some MIUI features (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Browser).
3. Critical – system services, the removal of which will lead to failures (for example, MiuiSystemUI or SecurityCenter).

Below is a list of applications that can be removed without risk to the system (relevant to MIUI 12-14 on global and European firmware).

• 🎵 Mi Music is a standard music player, and can be removed if you use Spotify, YouTube Music or other music. VK Music.
• 🎬 Mi Video is a video player with support for subtitles: MX Player, VLC.
• 🌐 Mi Browser is a Chromium-based browser, better to use Chrome, Firefox or Brave.
• 📖 Mi Reader is a book-reading app. Substitutes: Moon+ Reader, FBReader.
• 📅 Mi Calendar is a calendar with synchronization. You can use Google Calendar.
• 📝 Notes — Xiaomi notebook. Alternatives: Google Keep, ColorNote.
• 🎮 Game Center is a performance-optimized gaming hub. It's useless if you don't play mobile games.
• 📦 App Vault - a widget with quick access to applications. removal will not affect the operation of the system.
• 📱 Mi Remote is a remote control for technology, you can delete it if you don't use the IR port.
• 💬 Mi Community is the official Xiaomi forum, only for support.
• 🛒 Mi Pay is a payment system (only in China and India), and it is useless in Russia and Europe.
• 📺 Mi TV — Xiaomi TV app, just for Mi owners TV.
• 📊 Feedback is a tool for sending feedback. Deletion is not critical.
• 📱 Quick Apps is a fast app service (similar to Google's Instant Apps.
• 🎨 Themes is a theme and wallpaper store. You can delete it if you don't change the design.

If you're not sure if you need a particular application, turn it off through settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → [name] → Disable) that will stop it from working, but won't delete files. If everything works fine after shutting down, you can safely uninstall it.

How to remove applications on Xiaomi?

There are several ways to remove unnecessary software, and not all of them are equally safe.

1. Standard removal through settings

The easiest and safest way is to uninstall through the settings menu, which is suitable for most custom applications and some system ones that Xiaomi allows you to uninstall.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app from the list.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

If the Remove button is inactive, the application is protected from removal, in which case you can try to turn it off (disable button) so that it does not start and does not waste resources.

2. Removal via ADB (for power users)

Some system applications cannot be removed in the standard way, but they can be uninstalled using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: improper use of ADB can cause system failures. Only remove applications you are sure are secure.

adb shell pm list packages

3. Use of third-party utilities (with caution!)

Google Play has apps like App Inspector or Debloater that promise to remove unnecessary software in a massive way, but it's not recommended for several reasons:

• ⚠️ Risk of removing critical system components.
• ⚠️ Possibility of malware infection (many "debloaters" require root rights).
• ⚠️ Violation of security policy MIUI, What can lead to the blocking of the device.

If you do decide on this method, make a full backup of data and be prepared for possible failures.

Which apps should not be removed?

Some system programs may seem useless, but removing them will lead to unstable operation of the smartphone. Below is a list of applications that should not be touched, even if they take up a lot of space:

It is also not recommended to remove:

• 📶 com.miui.netassist – responsible for network optimization.
• 🔋 com.miui.powerkeeper – manages energy saving.
• 📱 com.android.providers.telephony – working with SIM-map.
• 🔊 com.android.bluetooth – Bluetooth management.
• 📷 com.android.camera – standard camera app (deleting can break a photo module).

💡

Before uninstalling any system application, check it on forums (e.g. 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu) and users often share experiences on what programs can be removed without consequences.

What to do if the application cannot be removed?

If the desired application is protected from removal, but you want to free up space, there are several alternative ways:

1. Disabling the application

The application that's disabled doesn't work, doesn't update, doesn't take up RAM, but its files stay on the device to turn off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application and click Disable.
3. Confirm the action.

2. Clearing the cache and data

Many apps accumulate gigabytes of cache (like Facebook or YouTube) to clear:

1. Open the Settings → Applications → [name].
2. Click Clear cache and Clear data.

3. Transfer to SD-card (if supported)

Some applications can be transferred to the memory card:

1. Go to the Settings → Appendices → [name].
2. Press Warehouse. → Change. → choose SD-map.

4.Use of the function "Lite Mode"

MIUI has a Light mode that simplifies the interface and disables background processes.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Lite Mode.
2. Activate the function and restart the device.

💡

Disabling unnecessary applications and cleaning the cache can free up to 3-5 GB of memory without deleting files.

How to Free Memory on Xiaomi Without Deleting Applications?

If you don’t want to risk removing system programs, there are other ways to make room:

• 📁 Cleaning up the garbage with built-in tools. Go to Settings → Memory. → Clean and delete unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, duplicates).
• 📸 Optimize your photos and videos. Use Google Photos to automatically compress and back up your media to the cloud.
• 🎵 Removing uploaded music: Apps like Spotify or YouTube Music cache songs that can be manually deleted.
• 📥 Download cleanup. Download folder is often clogged with unnecessary files. Check it through any file manager.
• 🔄 Transfer files to your PC or cloud. Photos, documents and videos can be moved to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or to your computer.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: Applications like Files by Google or CCleaner help you find and delete duplicate files.

Another effective way is factory reset. This is a radical method, but it completely cleans the device of unnecessary files and returns it to a "clean" state. Before reset, make sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Frequent errors when removing applications on Xiaomi

Many users experience problems after incorrectly removing system programs, and here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

⚠️ Note: Deleting apps through root access or unofficial firmware can result in loss of warranty and locking the device (especially on models with a locked bootloader, such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13).

• 🚫 Remove without backup. Always save important data before manipulating system files. Use Mi Cloud or Google Account for backup.
• 🚫 Using unverified "debloaters": Many Google Play programs contain malicious code or remove critical components.
• 🚫 Delete applications related to the Xiaomi ecosystem, such as deleting Mi Account (com.xiaomi.account) will result in the inability to sign in to Xiaomi account and loss of access to the cloud.
• 🚫 Ignoring addictions. Some apps depend on each other. For example, removing Miui Gallery can break the camera.
• 🚫 Root removal without knowing the consequences. Getting root permissions disables encryption and makes the device vulnerable to viruses.

If after removing the application, the smartphone started to glittle, try to restore it through ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with the Remote Application Package)

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi