How to permanently disable or remove standard apps on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, from useful services like Mi Home to intrusive ads in Mi Browser or duplicate features (Mi Video vs Google Play Movies), many of which cannot be removed by standard means, but there are legal ways to disable, hide or even remove them without root.

In this guide, we will look at all the working methods, from simple deactivation through settings to using ADB to deep clean the system. Particular attention will be paid to models on MIUI 14/15 with HyperOS, where the algorithms of working with system applications have changed. Importantly, some actions can affect the stability of the phone, so we will explain the risks in detail and give checklists for safe execution.

Why can’t you just remove the standard apps?

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, are blocking removal of system apps for several reasons:

• 🔄 Dependencies MIUI: Some applications (such as Security or Mi Share) are integrated into the shell core, and deleting them may cause the settings or notifications menu to crash.
• 📦 License Agreements: Pre-installed services (such as Facebook or Netflix) are often included under contract with partners.
• 🛡️ Security: Mi Cloud or Finder apps are responsible for backing up and finding your device.

But disabling (not deleting) is completely safe and reversible. Even if you accidentally deactivate a critical application, you can always return it through settings. And there are proven workarounds to uninstall without consequences, which are discussed below.

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through Settings (without root rights)

The easiest way to hide unwanted apps is to deactivate them in the settings menu, which won't delete files from the device, but will stop them from running in the background and remove them from the menu.

The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps (or System Processes in newer versions).
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open your card.
4. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is inactive).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. Google Play Services or Miui Daemon) cannot be disabled, the button will be inactive. ADB (see Method 3).

Method 2: Hiding applications from the menu (without deleting)

If you don't want to completely deactivate an application, but it gets in the way of the list of programs, you can just hide its icon. This won't stop the background processes, but will clear the desktop and menu.

Ways of concealment:

• 📱 Through Launcher: Press the app icon → Select Remove from the screen (in) POCO Launcher) or Hide (in standard launcher) MIUI).
• 🔍 Through Settings: Settings → Desktop → Hide applications (not available on all firmware).
• 🛠️ Through Nova Launcher: Install a third-party launcher and use the Hidden Apps feature in its settings.

💡 Useful tip: Hidden apps will still show up in the Settings list → Apps. It's going to take a lot of time to hide them. ADB (Method 3).

Method 3: Removing system applications via ADB (advanced)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is required to completely remove pre-installed apps without root rights.This method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires caution: removing critical components can lead to a cyclical reboot or loss of functionality.

🔧 What's needed:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then run a command to delete (e.g. Mi Browser):

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

🔹 Popular removal packages:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages called miui., android. or google without understanding their purpose! For example, deleting com.miui.securitycenter will make it impossible to open security settings.

Method 4: Magisk (for advanced users)

If you have Magisk installed, you can use modules to clean the system deeply.

• 🧹 Universal Debloater: Allows you to selectively remove system applications with dependency check.
• 🔍 MIUI Debloater: A dedicated module for Xiaomi, removes even hidden services (for example, msa – analytics) MIUI).
• 🛡️ App Systemizer: Converts system applications to custom applications for secure removal.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting via Magisk may result in loss OTA-Updates before using modules:

1. Create a full backup through TWRP.
2. Check the compatibility of the module with your version of MIUI/HyperOS.
3. Remove no more than 5-10 apps at a time to track possible crashes.

💡

Before installing Magisk modules, turn off signature verification in Magisk settings (Settings → General → ZIP-signature verification).

List of safe applications for removal (by model)

Not all system applications are equally useful. Below is a table of applications that can be removed without risking system stability (tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5):

🔍 How to check if the application can be removed?

Before deleting via ADB or Magisk, run the command:

adb shell dumpsys package <name packet>

Look for the line persistent=true. If it's not there, you can safely delete the application.

What to do if the phone stops working after removal?

If you have removed a critical app and Xiaomi has stopped turning on or is downloading to bootloop (cyclic reboot), use these recovery methods:

• 🔄 Reset via Recovery: Turn off the phone. Squeeze the power + Volume up before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Factory Reset (Data will be deleted!).

Fastboot flashing:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
3. Follow the command:

fastboot flash all <name file firmware.zip>

⚠️ Warning: If your phone doesn’t respond to buttons, try connecting it to charge for 10-15 minutes – sometimes it helps you get out of the bootloop.

💡

Before any manipulation of system files, always check the backup in Mi Cloud or through TWRP. 80% of the problems after uninstalling applications are solved by resetting to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling applications on Xiaomi