FunMax on Xiaomi smartphone: what kind of application is it and how to irretrievably remove it

Have you noticed on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO a strange FunMax app that doesn't get deleted in the standard way? It takes up space in memory, shows annoying ads or even suspiciously consumes battery power? You're not alone - thousands of users face this problem after updating MIUI or installing third-party APKs. In this article, we will discuss:

What is FunMax and where does it come from on Xiaomi devices (spoiler: it is not a virus, but also not a system component);

Why it cannot be removed through the Settings menu and what risks are posed by forced removal;

— 5 working methods to get rid of FunMax, including hidden settings MIUI and ADB-Teams for experienced users.

Warning: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or ADB. If you are a beginner, start with the safest options (sections 3-4) and then move on to radical measures.

What is FunMax and why does it appear on Xiaomi?

FunMax is a launcher app (home screen shell) that is distributed through:

• 📦 Pre-installed services in some regional firmware MIUI (Especially for the markets of Southeast Asia);
• 🔄 System updates where FunMax replaces Xiaomi's standard launcher;
• 📱 sidenia APK, Masquerading as “optimizers” or “dark themes” (often installed along with pirated content).

FunMax is essentially a clone of the standard MIUI launcher, but with an aggressive advertising model.

• 📢 Show banners on the lock screen;
• 🔍 Substitute search results in the launcher bar;
• 📊 Collect data on the use of the device (according to analysts from the XDA Developers).

Important: FunMax is not a virus, but its behavior is often classified by antiviruses as AdWare.On 4PDA forums, users complain that once it appears, the smartphone begins to “brake” and the battery goes down 15-20% faster.

How to Check That Xiaomi Is FunMax (not a Virus)

Before you delete the app, make sure it's not a masked Trojan.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and find it in the FunMax list (or com.funmax.launcher). If it is not available, check the System Apps section.
2. Run any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) and follow the path: /data/app/com.funmax.launcher-1/ If the folder exists, this confirms the presence of FunMax.
3. Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web) and scan the system. FunMax should not be defined as a threat, but if an antivirus finds Android.Trojan.FakeApp is another case.

If the antivirus detects a threat, don't manually remove FunMax. First clean the system with the antivirus, and then follow the instructions below.

Method 1: Remove FunMax via standard MIUI settings (without root)

If the app is not system-based, it can be uninstalled via the Settings menu, which works for most users of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4 and other models with MIUI 12–14.

Disable FunMax from Autostart|Clear the app cache|Make a backup copy of the data|Close all background processes-->

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find FunMax (or com.funmax.launcher) and tap it.
3. Press Delete (if the button is active). If it is not, select Disable.
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

If the Remove button is inactive:

• 🔧 Try clearing the cache and app data first.
• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 📱 Make sure you have enough rights (some firmware requires unlocking the bootloader).

Attention! On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite) after disabling the FunMax, the launcher may reset to the standard MIUI Launcher. That's OK - just select it in the default settings.

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If the Remove button is inactive, FunMax is integrated into the firmware. Go to methods 2-5.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If standard deletion doesn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to debug Android via your computer, which doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers and ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the MIUI version.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate: 🔧 Debugging by USB; 🔒 Unlocking OEM (if).

Connect your smartphone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).

Enter the commands in turn:

adb devices


adb shell




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.funmax.launcher

If there is a mistake DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR — FunMax is protected by firmware. Try it:

pm disable-user --user 0 com.funmax.launcher

After you execute the commands, restart the device. FunMax should disappear from the list of applications.

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try changing USB connection mode to File Transfer (MTP) or installing drivers manually through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 3: Disable via Safe Mode (if FunMax blocks the system)

If FunMax replaces the standard launcher and prevents you from opening your settings, launch your smartphone in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications, including FunMax.

How to Sign In to Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Slip and hold your finger to the option to turn off (or turn off power).
3. In the window that appears, select Reboot in Safe Mode.

In safe mode:

1. Go to Settings → Applications and find FunMax.
2. Click Disable or Delete (if the button is active).
3. Restart the device in normal mode.

If FunMax is activated again after the reboot, it is integrated into the firmware, in which case only complete removal via TWRP (method 5) or reset to factory settings will help.

Method 4: Removal with TWRP (for advanced users)

If FunMax is sewn into firmware, it can only be removed using a custom TWRP recavator.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader);
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery;
• 💾 Backup of data (deletion may affect system stability).

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for your Xiaomi model and install it via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
2. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Go to File Manager and find the folders: /system/priv-app/FunMax/ /data/app/com.funmax.launcher-1/
4. Delete these folders (swipe to the right).
5. Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache.
6. Reset the device.

Attention! Deleting system files via TWRP can lead to bootloop if the device does not turn on after manipulation:

• 🔄 Try to reflash the device using the Mi Flash Tool;
• 📥 Restore a backup copy from TWRP;
• 🛠️ Contact the service center (if the warranty is still valid).

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods work, then you have to do hard reset, which is to completely reset the device to the factory settings, and that will delete all the data, including FunMax, but also:

• 📸 Photos and videos;
• 📱 Contacts (if not synced with Google);
• 🎮 Keeping in games;
• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data on your PC or in the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

If FunMax reappears after the reset, it will be sewn into the regional firmware, and then it will only help:

• 🔄 Reflashing to the global version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global Stable);
• 📱 Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).

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Factory reset is the only officially supported way Xiaomi has to remove pre-installed apps, but it doesn’t guarantee getting rid of FunMax if it’s stitched into firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about FunMax on Xiaomi