Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS shells are often filled with pre-installed software that the user did not request. Many of these components not only take up precious space in internal storage, but also actively consume RAM, slowing down the device as a whole. Standard operating system tools cannot remove them, since the button “Delete” in the settings menu for them is simply inactive or hidden.
Fortunately, modern debugging technologies allow you to get rid of unnecessary “junk” without the need to obtain superuser rights, which preserves the warranty on the device, USB-cable and some free time to set up the connection and enter the necessary commands. In this article, we will discuss in detail a secure method of cleaning the system that does not require firmware or complex hacking.
The main tool we're going to use is ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an official tool from Google built into the SDK Platform Tools package that allows a computer to exchange commands with an Android device. Using ADB, we can send the phone to delete packets, formally remaining a regular user, but gaining extended permissions to access the system partition through debugging.
Preparing a smartphone and computer for work
Before you start deleting the packages directly, you need to configure the smartphone itself correctly. The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu, which is closed by default from random changes. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI» (or "Version" OS»). You need to quickly click on this line 7 times in a row until a pop-up notice appears that you have become a developer.
Once you activate the hidden menu, go back to the main settings and find a new option, "Additional" or "Extended settings", where the "Developers" menu will be located. Inside this section, you will find the "Debug over USB" switch and activate it. The system will warn you about the risks associated with data transfer, but for our task this is a mandatory requirement.
- 📱 Make sure the screen is on and it is unlocked when the cable is connected.
- 🔌 Use an original or quality cable USB, capable of transmitting data, not just charging the device.
- 💻 Download the current version SDK Platform Tools from the official Android Developers website for your operating system.
Now, we're going to get the computer ready. The downloaded archive with the platform tools needs to be unpacked into the root folder on the disk, like C:\platform-tools, so that the path doesn't contain Cyrillic or any extra attachments. This will make it easier to type commands later. If you're using Windows, you may also need to install a universal ADB driver, although modern versions of the OS often install it automatically when you first connect.
⚠️ Warning: When you first connect your smartphone to a debugging-enabled computer, a dialog box will appear on your phone screen asking for debugging permission. Be sure to tick "Always Allow from this computer" and click "OK" or the computer won't be able to send commands.
Connection and visibility check
After you've done all the preparatory work on your smartphone and your computer, you can move on to the connection. USB-On the screen of the smartphone may appear a request to select the mode of operation USB; Select “Charge Only” or “File Transfer” – this does not affect the work ADB, The main thing is the presence of physical contact.
Open the command line (CMD) or PowerShell on your computer. For ease of use with ADB tools, go to the folder where you unpacked the platform. In Windows, you can do this by clamping down the Shift key and right-clicking in an empty folder, then selecting "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open terminal here." In the window that opens, type a command to check the connection:
adb devices
If done correctly, the serial number of your device with device status will appear on the list, but if you see unauthorized status, look at the phone screen and confirm the debugging request. If the list is empty or shows offline, check the drivers in Device Manager or try another one. USB-port.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
If the adb device command does not show the device, try the following: 1. USB-cable on the knowingly working (some cables only for charging). 2. Reinstall the drivers ADB via Windows Device Manager, by manually selecting the model from the Google list USB Driver. 3. Reboot your smartphone and computer, then try again. 4. Make sure the phone doesn't have Charge Only mode on in the settings USB, If there is such a clause in your version MIUI.» It is important to understand that ADB It's client-server, and sometimes it can freeze, and then you need to restart the debugging server, and then you can type two commands in sequence: first adb kill-server, and then adb start-server. A stable connection is the key to successfully removing applications without errors. Use of the GUI-While deletion can be done manually through the command line by entering long packet names, it is much more convenient and safer for most users to use graphical shells. ADB/Fastboot Tools, or Universal Android Debloater, automatically scans the phone and offers to remove only those applications that are not critical to the system. Once you connect your phone, it reads a list of all the packages installed and maps them to a database of known system applications, and then it gives you a user-friendly interface with checkboxes, where you can choose what you want to delete. This eliminates the risk of accidentally removing an important component whose name you may have confused. 🛡️ Universal Android Debloater is an open source cross-platform application that has a secure database for removing packages. 📱 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – a specialized tool, specifically tailored for the Xiaomi ecosystem, is able to remove advertising and system debris. 🔄 App Manager – an advanced application manager that also supports work through the app. ADB It allows you to freeze or delete packets, and when you use graphical interfaces, you get a visual estimate of the size of the application and its impact on the battery, and it helps you make an informed decision. For example, you can see that Mi Video is a very small service, but analytics services can be constantly hanging in the background, and removing the latter will give you a tangible increase in autonomy. Manual removal through the command line ADB For those who prefer full control or don’t trust third-party software, there is a manual removal method that requires knowing the package name. The packet name usually looks like a domain name, such as com.miui.videoplayer for Xiaomi’s video player. You can find these names online or using the commands adb shell pm list packages. -k --user 0 <packet>. Key key -k Stores the data and cache of the application in case of recovery, and the flag --user 0 This indicates that we are removing the application for the main user, effectively hiding it from the system, but not physically erasing it from the system partition. This makes the process reversible. You need to enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser After entering the command and pressing Enter, if successful, the terminal will give a message Success. If you see an error message, check that the packet name is spelled correctly or make sure the application is not a secure component of the system that cannot be removed even through the use of a security system. ADB. ⚠️ Warning: Never remove packages associated with SystemUI, Settings (com.android.settings) or Package Installer. Removing these components will result in a phone “brickling” or endless restart (bootloop), which can only be fixed by a complete flashing. To avoid harming the system, it is important to clearly understand which applications can be removed and which cannot be touched. The table below lists common MIUI packages, their purpose and removal recommendation. Remember that the names may vary slightly depending on the shell version and region. Package Name Application Description Security Recommendation com.miui.miservice Feedback and Help Service Remove Safe com.miui.weather2 Standard Weather Application Remove (if not necessary) Safe com.xiaomi.joyose Game Optimization and Telemetry Service Delete (oftencing Lags) Security com.com Security Feedback and Helpsite the Artificate System by removing the Anti-Serware from the game.com.com.com.comcomcomcomcom, many users note that the security system is not removing the limitations. However, if you’re actively using Game Turbo, it can be useful for it to work, and it’s often a question of removing standard Google apps, and if you’re not using the search giant’s services, you can remove them in a similar way. For example, com.google.android.youtube will delete YouTube, and com.google.android.apps.maps will remove maps, which will free up significant memory and increase privacy. 📊 What do you most often delete from Xiaomi in the first place? MIUI (Weather, Music)Advertising ServicesGame servicesRecovery of remote system applications Since we used the removal method only for the current user (--user 0), file APK-The installers are left in the system partition, which means that if necessary, you can easily return everything as it was. To do this, you don't need to refashion the phone or reset to factory settings. To restore the application, use the reinstll command. The syntax is similar to deleting, but the opposite. Type in the terminal: adb shell cmd package install-existing <name packet> For example, to return the remote video player, the command will look like this: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer. Once successfully executed, you will receive a message that the package is installed, and the application icon will reapp appears in the menu. This huge method is often deleted before the final application release, the ADB releases, and the final application is removed. When reset, the system will automatically restore all the original components that are physically in memory, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state». 💡Method of removal through ADB flag-headed --user 0 Application files remain in the system, allowing you to restore them at any time without losing user data (FAQ) Will the warranty fly off after removing system applications through ADB? No, the warranty won't fly. Because you don't get a Root right, you don't unlock the bootloader, and you don't modify the system partition directly, formally the software integrity isn't broken. To a service center, the phone will look like a normal device after you reset the settings. Can I remove the GetApps store or Mi Pay? Yes, technically it is possible, since they are regular user applications with system rights. However, if you use the Xiaomi ecosystem, removing Mi Pay will make it impossible for you to pay for your phone, and GetApps is needed to update some system components in certain regions. Removing the security center (com.miui.securitycenter) is highly discouraged, and it manages permissions, memory cleanup, antivirus, and network operation. Deleting it can cause the phone to run out of steam, crash the interface, and not be able to issue permissions to new applications. Do I have to repeat the procedure after updating the firmware? Yes, when updating the operating system (OTA-Update) all system partitions are overwritten with new versions, hence all previously deleted applications will return, and the cleaning procedure will be completed through the new version. ADB You'll have to re-run. Does this method work on Android 13 and 14 (HyperOS)? Yes, the way ADB works hasn't changed in newer versions of Android and the HyperOS shell. However, Google and Xiaomi are stepping up security measures, so more thorough confirmation of actions on the smartphone screen may be required when you first connect.