How to get rid of unnecessary applications on Xiaomi Redmi: from disconnection to deep cleaning

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their value for money, but many users are faced with one unpleasant feature: pre-installed applications that take up memory, consume battery power and sometimes even show advertising. Even after resetting, some of the software comes back - this is a feature of the MIUI firmware. But not everyone knows that most of these programs can be eliminated forever, and without root rights and complex manipulations.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to remove unnecessary applications – from standard methods to hidden features MIUI, You'll learn how to distinguish system applications from those that are safely removed, which programs can be deactivated without consequences, and how to return the phone to a "clean" state. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other popular devices - their firmware has nuances, which should be known in advance.

Before you start cleaning, it's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without risk. Some system services are responsible for the stable operation of Android and MIUI. For example, removing com.miui.securitycenter will lead to errors in the work of the security center, and without com.android.providers.media will no longer display media files. So our first step is to correctly diagnose what you can touch and what is better to leave.

1. Standard removal through settings: what can be removed without risk

The easiest way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use the built-in MIUI tools. However, there are pitfalls: not all applications that seem to be deleted are actually ones. For example, Google Duo or Mi Video may offer the option to "Delete", but after the reboot they will reappear, which is due to the fact that some of the software is system updates and restores automatically.

To really remove the app, rather than just hide its icon:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the tab "All Apps" (not "Downloaded").
3. Slip on the desired application and click "Delete".
4. If the button is inactive, try “Disable” first and then repeat the deletion.

Here is a list of apps that can be removed without consequences on most Redmi models (checked at MIUI 13/14):

• 📱 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – a browser with ads, easily replaced with Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) – a player with limited features.
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) – video player that duplicates features VLC or MX Player.
• 📧 Mi Mail (com.android.email) – an email client inferior to Gmail or Outlook.
• 🎮 Games (com.xiaomi.glgm) – a gaming hub with unnecessary notifications.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove apps called com.miui. or com.android. unless you are sure about their purpose. For example, com.miui.home is a launcher (desktop), without which the phone will not boot.

If the application reappears after the MIUI update after the removal, it is part of the system package, in which case only disabling (for this in the next section) or deep cleaning through ADB will help.

💡

Before mass removal of applications, back up important data. Some programs (such as Mi Cloud) may be associated with synchronizing contacts or photos.

Disabling system applications: how to hide, but not remove

If you can't uninstall the app in the standard way, you can turn it off, which means it's still in the phone's memory, but it's not going to work, it's going to update, it's not going to show notifications, and it's safer than completely uninstalling it, because you can always get the app back on track.

To disable unnecessary software:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Pay or GetApps).
3. Click "Disable" and confirm the action.

Disconnection is suitable for the following categories of applications:

• 🛒 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks) – a branded app store with aggressive advertising.
• 💳 Mi Pay (com.mipay.wallet) is a payment system that does not work outside of China.
• 📊 MiuiDaemon (com.miui.daemon) is an analytics service that collects data about phone usage.
• 🔔 Security (com.miui.securityadd) – an additional security module that duplicates Google Play Protect.

Disabled applications will not:

• Show up on the app menu.
• Consume processor and battery resources.
• Get updates through Play Market or MIUI.
• Send notifications (such as ads from GetApps).

⚠️ Note: Do not disable Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) – this will cause most applications to fail, including Play Market, Gmail and YouTube.

If you experience problems after you turn off (for example, widgets or settings stopped working), return the application to active state in the same way. To do this, open its card again in Application Management and click "Enable".

Check the name of the package on the Internet (for example, on 4PDA)

Create a recovery point in TWRP (if there is a custom recovery)

Write down a list of disabled applications for rollback changes

Reboot your phone after a mass blackout-->

3. Removal via ADB: Deep Cleaning for Power Users

For those willing to go further, there is a way to remove even apps that MIUI doesn’t allow you to touch through the interface, which requires a computer, a USB cable, and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi 13C, but requires accuracy.

Steps to remove through ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

ADB Tools

cmd

ADB

adb devices

Make sure your Redmi is listed.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Here is a list of safe packets to remove (checked on MIUI 14):

If the app reappears after removal, it has been updated through the Play Market.

1. Open the Play Market.
2. Find a remote app (such as Mi Video).
3. Click "Delete Updates".
4. Repeat deletion via ADB.

If you do decide to use third-party utilities, watch out for the following:

1. Don’t give apps super-user rights (root) if you don’t understand the consequences.
2. Before mass removal, create a backup through Settings → System → Backup.
3. Avoid programs that offer to “optimize” Android – they often become a source of advertising.

5. Resetting to factory settings: a radical method

If the phone is packed with unnecessary apps to the point where none of the previous methods work, the last option is a complete reset, which will bring Redmi back to the out-of-the-box state, but it's important to understand its nuances:

• ✅ All user data (photos, messages, applications) will be deleted).
• ✅ System application updates will disappear (they will return to the factory version).
• ❌ Xiaomi apps won’t be removed – they’ll come back after the first setup.
• ❌ Re-authorization will be required in all accounts (Google, Mi Account, etc.).

How to properly reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Erase all data."
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).
5. After reset, don’t connect to Wi-Fi right away – disable unnecessary apps first (see Section 2) or they’ll update automatically.

If you want to prevent unnecessary applications from returning after reset:

• 📵 Do not update your system programs through the Play Market.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update in Play Market settings.
• 🚫 Do not register with Mi Account if you do not use Xiaomi services.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) After the reset, you may see ads in system applications, this is related to regional firmware. To avoid this, change the region to "Europe" before the reset in the Mi Account settings.

6.Alternative firmware: a last resort for enthusiasts

If you're annoyed not only by the presence of unnecessary apps, but also by the MIUI shell itself, with its advertising and restrictions, you might want to consider an alternative firmware option that's only suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing custom recovery.

The advantages of alternative firmware:

• 🧹 Total absence of pre-installed garbage.
• 🚀 Higher productivity (no background processes) MIUI).
• 🔄 Regular security updates (as opposed to regular security updates) MIUI, where they sometimes linger).

Cons and risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (unlocking the bootloader is not officially supported by Xiaomi).
• 🔧 Possible bugs (not all phone functions can work correctly).
• 🔒 Difficulty rolling back to standard MIUI (You'll need a full re-flash).

Popular firmware for Redmi:

If you decide to install custom firmware, follow this algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days to wait).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Download the firmware from the XDA Developers or MIUI EU forum.
4. Make a full backup of the current system through TWRP.
5. Sweep through the new firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10C or Redmi 9A) Unlocking the bootloader may not be possible due to manufacturer policy.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi