What is the Yellow Pages app on Xiaomi Redmi and how to uninstall it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones periodically encounter an obscure system application called Yellow Pages. It can suddenly appear on the desktop after a firmware update or become noticeable only when analyzing running processes in the task manager. Users are often frightened by the fact that the program does not have an icon or looks like a standard system element, but requires permissions to access contacts and location.

In fact, Yellow Pages is a standard service built into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, which is designed to identify incoming calls from unknown numbers. However, in some regions, including Russia, this feature is often not used for its intended purpose, and instead of a useful database of numbers, it broadcasts banner ads or simply takes up space. If you do not use the number detector from Xiaomi, this component can be considered superfluous.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the purpose of this app, assess the risks of using it, and provide a step-by-step guide to shutting it down completely. You will learn how to prevent it from automatically starting and why it can consume battery power in the background. Understanding the structure of Xiaomi system applications will help you make your smartphone cleaner and faster.

The main purpose of the service Yellow Pages

It was originally designed as a popular number identifier designed to protect users from spam calls, which checks the incoming number against a cloud database that users create, and if a number has received a lot of complaints, the caller is labeled "Telemarketing," "Courier Delivery," or even "Fraudsters," which allows the Redmi owner to make a decision whether to pick up the phone or drop the call.

But in global firmware versions, functionality is often trimmed or adapted to local realities. Instead of real spam protection, an app can simply display advertisements when dialing or in the call interface. The system process continues to work in the background, collecting call data even if you have never used its features. For many users, this becomes an unnecessary burden on the device's RAM.

It's important to understand that Yellow Pages is part of the MIUI system package, not a third-party virus downloaded from the Internet. Its presence in the list of applications is the normal behavior of the Android operating system with add-ons from the Chinese manufacturer. Deletion by standard methods is often impossible without obtaining extended rights, but disconnection is quite affordable for every user.

• 📞 Identification of Unknown Numbers in Real Time
• 🛡️ Blocking calls from blacklists and labeled categories
• 📢 Integration of banner advertising in the dialing interface
• 🔋 Background synchronization of spam database numbers

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If you do not use the number determination function, it is better to disable the service to save battery power and reduce the load on the smartphone processor.

Why Yellow Pages are using up your phone

One of the main complaints of users is the increased battery consumption associated with the activity of this component. The application constantly calls the network to update the number database and monitors incoming calls. Even when the screen is turned off, the background process can be activated, trying to download new data or send usage analytics to the manufacturer's servers.

It also has access to a contact list and a call log, which is necessary for it to work, but from a privacy perspective, it raises questions. If an application hangs in memory and doesn't close, it continues to consume RAM, which can lead to more frequent unloading of other, more important applications from memory, such as messengers or a navigator.

In some cases, you see malfunctions when the Yellow Pages process starts to restart cyclically, which leads to heating of the smartphone case and a sharp drop in battery level in a few hours. If you notice that the phone is warming in your pocket without active work, it is worth checking the statistics of battery use and if necessary limit the operation of this service.

Is it safe to delete Yellow Pages on Redmi?

Many users are afraid to remove system components for fear that the phone will stop ringing or go into a cyclical reboot. In the case of Yellow Pages, there is no need to worry: it is an auxiliary service that does not affect the basic call function. You can safely disable it or delete it if you have root rights or have an ADB installed.

Disabling the application through standard system settings is the safest method. It does not violate the integrity of the firmware and allows you to return everything at any time by simply turning the application back on again. MIUI system restrictions will not allow you to delete critical files responsible for communication, so the risk of turning a smartphone into a brick is minimal.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove system applications manually through root-enabled file managers by simply erasing files from system folders.This may cause interface errors and require the device to flash over.

If you decide to use more radical removal methods via your computer and ADB command line, keep a close eye on packet names.Removing related services like Phone or Contacts will render calls inoperable. Yellow Pages is a separate package and its removal takes place without affecting core functionality.

Instructions: How to disable Yellow Pages in settings

The easiest way to get rid of an intrusive service is to disable it through the application management menu, which does not require a computer connection or special knowledge. First, open your smartphone settings and go to the Apps section. Next, select All Apps to see the full list of installed software.

You'll find an app called Yellow Pages or Yellow Pages on the list. The icon can look like a phone handset or a directory. Click on it to open the app information page. Here you're interested in the Disable or Stop button. If the Disable button is inactive (gray), first click Stop, and then try to disable again.

Once disabled, the application will disappear from the active list and stop running. It is also recommended to clear its data to remove the accumulated cache and number databases. To do this, on the same information page, click Memory and select Clear. This will free up space in the internal storage and guaranteed to stop any background processes.

Removal via ADB for advanced users

For those who want to completely cut the application from the system, leaving only its “skeleton”, the method using Android Debug Bridge is suitable (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-Enable Settings, Find About Phone and Quickly Press 7 Times on Version MIUI, activate the developer menu.

Then go to Additional → For developers and activate the USB Debugging Switch. Connect your phone to your PC, run the command prompt or PowerShell in the ADB folder, and enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. A debugging permission request will appear on the smartphone screen, which you need to confirm.

To remove Yellow Pages, use the uninstall command, which will hide the packet for the current user.The packet name usually looks like com.miui.yellowpage.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.yellowpage

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the system. If you want to return it, you will need to reset the phone to the factory settings or use the command cmd package install-existing com.miui.yellowpage. This method is considered more reliable, since the application physically ceases to occupy space in the user partition.

⚠️ Be very careful when putting commands into ADB. Removal of system packages associated with the framework MIUI, It can lead to unstable interface operation or loss of the ability to make calls.

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Using ADB allows you to completely remove the application for the current user without violating the integrity of the system partition, which is a safe compromise.

Alternatives and setting up the number determinant

After you turn off the standard Xiaomi service, you may need a number determinant. The market offers many alternatives that often work more accurately and have more relevant bases for your region. Popular solutions are Yandex.Number Definition, Kaspersky Who Calls or GetContact.

These apps require permission to access calls and contacts, because their primary function is to match numbers in real time. Unlike Yellow Pages, they often integrate deeper into the system and can block spam more efficiently, but it’s worth remembering that they also transfer your calls to their servers to replenish the common database.

You can configure the alternative determinant through the standard Phone app. Open the call settings, find the number detector or the antideterminator, and select the installed application from the list. Now, when an incoming call is made, the system will request information from the selected service, not from the disabled Yellow Pages.

• 📱 Yandex.Definition – the current base for Russia and the CIS
• 🛡️ Kaspersky Who Calls – Protection from scammers and spam filter
• 📞 GetContact – Tag Search and Caller Name
• 🚫 Truecaller – International database of spam numbers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)