Xiaomi Apps on Mobile: What It Is, How to Manage and Optimize

Introduction: Why Xiaomi Apps Stand Out Against Competitors

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be just a budget alternative to flagships — they offer a unique software experience thanks to the proprietary shell of MIUI. Unlike “bare” Android, here out of the box installed a set of applications that are closely integrated with the ecosystem of the brand. But what are these programs, are they really useful, and how to manage them? This article will help you understand the preinstalled software, its capabilities and nuances of customization.

Many users are faced with a dilemma: some of the applications Xiaomi duplicates Google functions (for example, Mi Browser vs Chrome), others seem useless, and others – on the contrary, reveal the hidden capabilities of the device. We will analyze all categories of software, from system utilities to marketing tools, and show how to adapt them to your needs – whether it is freeing up memory, speeding up work or protecting privacy.

Xiaomi Application Categories: System, Service and Marketing

All the pre-installed programs on Xiaomi smartphones can be divided into three large groups: the first is system utilities, without which MIUI will not work correctly, including Security (security), Settings (settings), Mi Share (file sharing), and others, which can lead to malfunctions in the phone if they are deleted or disabled.

The second category is service applications that extend the functionality of the device, but are not critical, such as Mi Remote, Mi Home, Notes, or Calculator, which can be safely removed or replaced with analogues from Google Play.

The third group is marketing and affiliate applications, which are often the most annoying to users, including Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, and games and services from partners (such as WPS Office or Facebook), which are often duplicated features of popular counterparts and can be removed without consequences.

• 🔧 System: Security, Settings, Mi Share, Themes
• 🛠️ Service: Mi Remote, Mi Home, Notes, Scanner
• 📢 Marketing: Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit

How to remove or disable unnecessary apps on Xiaomi

Not all pre-installed programs can be removed by standard means, some of them are protected by the system, but even then they can be disabled so that they do not waste resources and do not appear in the menu.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Press Disable (if the Remove button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

To completely remove system applications, root rights or use will be required ADB-For example, to delete GetApps, you can run in the terminal:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt stability MIUI. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

The hidden features of Xiaomi apps: what you didn’t know

Many of Xiaomi’s pre-installed programs have features that users don’t even know about, such as the Security app, which not only scans for viruses, but also allows you to:

• 🔍 Optimize Auto-Running Applications for Battery Savings (Security) → Optimization → Auto-start).
• 📊 View the statistics of memory and processor usage in real time.
• 🛡️ Block spam calls through built-in blacklist.
• 🔄 Clear cache selectively for individual applications.

Mi Remote supports not only TVs and air conditioners, but also more than 5,000 devices from 2,000 brands, including rare home appliances, and Notes allows you to create password-protected notes and sync them through the Mi Cloud.

Another little-known fact: Themes allows you not only to change wallpaper, but also to install custom fonts, screen lock animations and even sound themes.

1. Open Themes.
2. Go to the Fonts or Sounds section.
3. Choose your favorite option and apply it.

Performance Optimization: Which Apps Can Be Safely Freezed

If you don't want to delete programs that interfere with your phone, you can freeze them -- temporarily shut them down without deleting them -- especially for applications that can't be uninstalled but are rarely used (such as Mi Pay or Mi Credit).

For freezing:

1. Install App Freezer from Google Play (ADB rights required).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipay (replace com.xiaomi.mipay with the desired application package).

⚠️ Note: Freezing system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may lead to errors in the work MIUI. Before experimenting, check the list of safe to freeze packets on the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

An alternative way is to use the Deep Optimization function in Security:

1. Open Security. → Optimization.
2. Choose Deep Optimization.
3. Check out unnecessary apps and apply changes.

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If the app reappears on the menu after freezing, check it for updates on Google Play. Some programs (like GetApps) automatically defrost after the update.

Security and privacy: Which Xiaomi apps collect data

One of the main concerns of users is the collection of data by preinstalled applications. According to Xiaomi's privacy policy, some programs do transfer information to the company's servers, but most of the data is anonymized.

• 📡 Mi Analytics – collects device usage statistics (you can disable in Settings) → Memory. → Analytics).
• 📍 Mi Location – Tracks geolocation for weather and navigation services.
• 🔗 GetApps – analyzes installed applications for recommendations.
• 📊 Security – sends reports about viruses and threats (you can turn off in the application settings).

To minimize data collection:

1. Open the Settings. → Confidentiality.
2. Turn off Personalized Recommendations and Usage Analytics.
3. In the Application Permissions section, check which programs have access to location, microphone, or contacts.

For full control, you can use a network request blocker (such as NetGuard or TrackerControl) to restrict applications from accessing the Internet, but this can disrupt some MIUI features, such as lock screen weather or note synchronization.

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Disabling analytics collection does not affect the basic features of the phone, but may limit access to some services (such as recommendations in GetApps or accurate weather forecast).

Alternatives to Xiaomi’s standard apps: what’s best to use

Many of Xiaomi’s pre-installed programs have more functional or convenient counterparts. Here’s a comparison table:

When choosing alternatives, consider:

• 🔄 Sync: If you use multiple devices, choose cloud-based apps (like Google Keep instead of Notes).
• 🛡️ Security: For browser and email, opt for open source solutions (e.g. Firefox or ProtonMail).
• 🎯 Functionality: Specialized applications (e.g, VLC Videos are often superior to standard features.

⚠️ Note: When you remove standard applications (such as Mi Browser) some features MIUI For example, links from messages will open in your chosen browser, but some system notifications may be forwarded to a remote application.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi apps