ADB App Control: What apps can be removed from Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face an excess of pre-installed software that consumes resources and takes up space. Standard uninstallation methods do not allow you to get rid of many system components built into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. Using the ADB App Control utility opens up access to hidden management functions, allowing you to safely remove unnecessary services without obtaining superuser rights (Root).

The cleaning process requires care, as removing a critical component can lead to unstable device operation or even cyclical reboot. In this article, we will discuss in detail which packages can be turned off and which are better left intact to preserve the basic functionality of the smartphone.

What is ADB App Control and how does it work?

ADB App Control is a graphical shell for the Android Debug Bridge command line, adapted to manage applications on Windows. Unlike complex console commands, this program offers a user-friendly interface where all installed packages are sorted by category, which allows users without deep ADB knowledge to effectively manage the software on their device.

The principle of operation is based on sending special commands to a smartphone that is connected through a USB-The program does not require Root rights, as it uses the standard debugging protocol available in the developer settings. However, to successfully connect, you need to install the appropriate drivers and confirm authorization on the smartphone screen.

The main advantage of the utility over manual commands is that it has a database that tells you the purpose of each packet, and when you click on the application, you will see a description of its functions and recommendations for the safety of removal, which reduces the risk of accidental damage to the system to a minimum, making the cleaning process accessible even to beginners.

It's important to understand that uninstalling an application through ADB is not just a shortcut, but a complete uninstallation of the package for the current user. These applications are no longer stored and executed in the background. This is especially true for Chinese firmware versions, where the amount of software preinstalled can reach hundreds of units.

Preparation of the smartphone and installation of drivers

Before you start working, you need to set up your smartphone properly so that your computer can interact with its system. Without these steps, ADB App Control won't see your device. The preparation process is standard for all Xiaomi models and takes only a few minutes.

First, activate the hidden menu for developers. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the field MIUI Version or OS Version. After the notification that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and find the option Additional → For developers.

In the list that opens, find the USB Debugging Switch and activate it. When you connect the cable to your computer, you will see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen — be sure to click on Allow and select the option “Always Allow from this computer.” Without this confirmation, the connection will not be established.

The program also requires ADB Interface drivers, which are usually installed automatically with ADB App Control or through Google’s official SDK. If Windows Device Manager shows an unknown device, download Google’s Universal USB Driver and manually update them.

Safe to remove system applications

There are a wide range of packages that don’t affect the phone’s basic health, including cloud storage services, unwanted browsers, and ecosystem components that you don’t use, and cleaning up this garbage can dramatically speed up the interface and increase battery life.

Special attention should be paid to advertising services and analytics. Packages responsible for collecting usage statistics (MSA, Analytics) can be safely removed, which not only frees up resources, but also increases your privacy by stopping the transfer of data about your actions to the manufacturer's servers.

Below is a table with the main packages that Xiaomi users most often delete. Package Names are required to search in the ADB App Control program.

When you delete a standard browser, make sure you have an alternative browser installed, such as Chrome or Firefox. Otherwise, links from other applications may not open. Similar situation with app stores - if you delete GetApps, install programs will only be possible through the use of the app store. APK-files or Google Play.

Applications that are not recommended to be removed

Despite the desire to free up space, there are a number of system components that are absolutely not worth touching, and removing these packets can lead to loss of communication, inability to make calls, Wi-Fi malfunctions, or even a bootloop.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages that contain the words framework, system (unless 100% sure), telephony or security.

The critical services are Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) and the Google Services Framework, which will render most installed applications, including cards, mail and bank clients, inoperable, and can only be reset completely to factory settings.

It is also worth leaving intact the components responsible for the display, touchscreen and basic functions of the phone (com.android.phone). SIM-If you use a map, you can use system calls to run messengers or locate them, and if you delete those packets, you can make the phone unusable.

Instructions for removing applications through ADB App Control

The uninstallation process in ADB App Control is as simple as possible, and once the device is connected, the main window will display a list of all installed applications, divided into tabs: System, User, and System Updates.

To remove, find the app you want in the list. You can search by name or package. Select one or more apps (click Ctrl), then click the right mouse button and select "Delete" or "Disable." Disable is safer because it allows you to return the application to its original state without reinstalling the firmware.

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.package

This is the command that is sent in the background when you choose to delete. The --user 0 flag means that the application is removed only for the main user, leaving files in the system partition intact. This allows you to restore the application at any time with the cmd package install-existing command if something goes wrong.

After the operation, it is recommended to restart the smartphone. Check the main functions: calls, Internet, notifications. If everything is stable, you can continue cleaning. In case of problems (black screen, persistent errors), load into Safe Mode or reset settings.

Recovery of Remote Applications and Problem Solving

If you notice strange behavior after cleaning, the first thing you should do is try to restore deleted packets. ADB App Control has a Remote tab where you store a list of uninstalled apps. Choose the ones you want and click Restore.

If the phone stops loading (cyclic reboot), you will need to log in to Recovery mode. For most Xiaomi, this is done by pressing the volume button "Up" and the power button. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data. This will return the phone to factory status by deleting all user data.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery reset will delete all photos, contacts and files. backup regularly before making deep changes to the system.

For advanced users, the ability to re-install system applications via adb install is available if you have APK-However, it is easier and more reliable to perform a complete reset to ensure the integrity of system files and security signatures.