Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often notice in the list of installed applications or in the Security section a component associated with Booking.com. A natural question arises: what kind of program is this, why it appeared on the device and is it not a virus? In the Android ecosystem, such services can be implemented as system components when buying a new device or installed in the background through the manufacturer's partnership agreements.
Booking.com is the official app of the world’s largest hotel and apartment booking service, and on Xiaomi devices it is often pre-installed as part of Google Apps or MIUI ad integrations. It’s not malicious code, but a full-fledged tool for travelers, but can consume the system’s resources if not used.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the functionality of this software, analyze its impact on battery autonomy and RAM of your smartphone, you will learn how to properly manage permissions, whether to remove the system application and what alternatives exist for owners of devices based on HyperOS and MIUI.
The main purpose of the Booking.com application in the Android system
Booking.com’s Android functionality is identical to the web version of the service, but optimized for mobile use, with the primary purpose of providing quick access to a database of more than 28 million accommodations worldwide, and allows you to search for hotels, hostels, apartments and villas using the device’s geolocation to offer options nearby.
A key feature of the mobile version is the integration with Google Maps and navigation services, which allows you to instantly route to the booked object, and the program supports offline access to vouchers and booking details, which is critical in roaming or places with poor network coverage.
- 🏨 Instant booking without the need for calls or correspondence with administrators.
- 🗺️ Integration of maps and navigation for quick search of the way to the place of residence.
- 🔔 Push notifications about booking status, arrival and special offers.
- 💳 Secure storage of bank card data and travel history.
For Xiaomi users, it is important to understand that the app can run in the background to synchronize data and display notifications, which is standard behavior for this type of service, but it requires certain energy saving settings, which we will discuss below.
Why the app is installed on Xiaomi default
Having Booking.com on your Xiaomi is often conditioned by an agreement between the smartphone maker and the service developer.This is a common practice in the industry known as pre-install.Manufacturers are rewarded for installing, and users are a ready-made out-of-the-box app that, in theory, might be needed on a journey.
In some cases, the program gets to the device along with updates to Google Play services. Since Android is closely integrated with the Google ecosystem, new popular apps can be offered for installation automatically if the corresponding feature is enabled in the account settings.
⚠️ Note: If the application was installed without your knowledge and you do not plan to use it, it can be safely removed or disabled. MIUI or hyperos.
It’s also worth noting that some global versions of Xiaomi firmware have system folders that contain recommendations for the Booking icon, which doesn’t remove the app itself, but only hides it from the menu.
Impact on battery and smartphone performance
Like any modern app, Booking.com consumes device resources. Background processes such as geolocation, notification synchronization, and price updates are the main influences on autonomy. On Xiaomi smartphones with aggressive battery optimization, this can lead to faster discharge if exceptions are not configured.
The program may request access to GPS-It's a standard feature, but it significantly increases energy consumption. POCO M is recommended to monitor this parameter.
The table below shows the approximate consumption of resources under different use scenarios:
| Use case scenario | Battery consumption (per hour) | RAM load | Use of the network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple (background mode) | 0.5% - 1% | 50-80 MB | Low. |
| Hotel search (active screen) | 3% - 5% | 150-250 MB | Average. |
| Viewing maps and photos | 4% - 7% | 200-300MB | High. |
| Rooms video | 8% - 12% | 300+ MB | Very high. |
To minimize the impact on performance, MIUI allows you to limit background activity, which is especially true if you are not using the app right now, but you do not want to remove it.
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To save charge, turn off geolocation for Booking.com in Always mode. Select "Only in Use" so that the app only gets coordinates when open.
Instructions for removing or disabling the service
If you conclude that Booking.com is not necessary, it can be removed. However, on Xiaomi devices, the process may differ depending on whether the application is system or user-generated.
To delete, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find it in Booking.com. If the Remove button is active, press it. If the button is not available (gray), then the application is embedded in the firmware as a system, and you will need root or ADB permissions to remove it.
☑️ Checklist before removal
If you have a system lock, you can use the command via your computer. Connect your smartphone via USB with debugging enabled and type in the terminal:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.booking.androidThis command will remove the app for the current user without affecting the system partition, which is safe for Xiaomi. After the reboot, the device will work stably, but the app icon will disappear.
⚠️ Note: Removal of system components through ADB Make sure that the batch name (com.booking.android) is entered correctly so as not to damage other services.
Setup of notifications and data privacy
Booking services collect a significant amount of data to personalize offers. Booking.com is no exception: it analyzes search history, location and preferences. On Xiaomi smartphones, you can flexibly customize these settings through the privacy menu.
It is recommended to restrict access to the microphone and camera, unless you plan to use the video calling function with the hotel administration (which is rare).
To manage notifications, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. You can turn off the promotional mailings here, leaving only important messages about the reservation status, which will help keep the interface clean and reduce information noise.
- 🔒 Turn off personalization of advertising in the settings of the application itself.
- 📍 Allow access to geolocation only when actively used.
- 📵 Disable background data transfers unless urgent notifications are needed.
- 🛡️ Use virtual cards for payment so as not to shine the main card.
What are the “smart notifications” in Xiaomi?
Alternatives and Web Version to Save Resources
Should you keep a heavy app on your phone if you travel once a year? For owners of Xiaomi with a small amount of memory, a great solution is to use the Progressive Web App (PWA) or just the mobile version of the site. This saves space in the /data section and does not load RAM.
The web version of Booking.com is fully responsive and works in the Chrome browser or built-in MI Browser as well as the native application. You can add a site shortcut to the desktop, and it will open in a separate window, simulating the application, but without background processes.
Alternative applications include aggregators that don’t require permanent registration, or specialized accommodation search services like Airbnb or Ostrovok if you’re targeting specific markets, but cashback and Genius loyalty programs are often only available on the official app.
⚠️ Note: When using the web version, make sure you are on the official website (https://www.booking.com), to avoid phishing and card data theft.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete Booking.com from Xiaomi?
Why does the app still hang in your memory?
Can I use Booking.com without a Google account?
How to disable pop-up offers from Booking?
Does the app take up a lot of space?
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Booking.com on Xiaomi is a useful, but not a must-have tool, which can be easily removed if you’re not planning a trip, or use the web version to save resources on the device.