Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a challenge that every user sooner or later faces. Even after buying a new device, many find dozens of pre-installed programs that take up memory, consume battery power and distract with notifications. But not all applications are removed the same way: some can be erased in two clicks, and others – MIUI system services – require deep settings or even superuser rights.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to remove applications on Xiaomi in 2026, from standard uninstall via menus to hidden functions for power users. Particular attention will be paid to removing embedded applications without root rights, this is possible due to the features of the MIUI 14/15 firmware. You will also learn how to return a remote application if you suddenly need it, and which programs are better not to touch, so as not to disrupt the system.
1. Standard removal through the application menu
The easiest way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for custom applications installed from Google Play or third-party sources, as well as for some pre-installed utilities (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music or Mi Video).
To remove the app:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
- 🗑️ Press the Remove button (if it is active).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.
If the Remove button is inactive or absent, then the application is system-based and requires alternative methods (for these, read below). Also, some programs (for example, Google Play Services) can only be disabled - this will delete their updates and stop the background work, but the files will remain in memory.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting Google apps (e.g. YouTube, Gmail) may disrupt services linked to your account, and it is better to disable them rather than remove them completely.
2.Delete via Google Play Store
If the app was installed from Google Play, it can be removed directly through the store, which is convenient when you need to quickly clear the list of installed programs or when standard removal for some reason does not work.
Instructions:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Application and Device Management → Management.
- In the list, find the desired application and click on the basket (Delete).
The advantage of this method is synchronization with a Google account, so if you log in to the same account on another device, the list of installed applications will be updated automatically, but the system programs and those installed from the APK will not appear here.
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To quickly find rarely used apps, Google Play sorts the list by the date of last use: Recently updated or Rarely used.
3. disabling system applications (without deletion)
Many embedded MIUI programs (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Roaming, Cleaner) cannot be removed in standard ways, but they can be disabled, which will stop them from working, hide them from the menu and prevent auto-start, but the files will remain in the device’s memory.
How to disable the system application:
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Select the application you want (e.g. Mi Community).
- 🚫 Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available).
- ✅ Confirm the action.
The programs will not be disabled:
- 📱 Appear in the app menu.
- 🔔 Showing notifications.
- 🔄 Launch in the background.
- 📥 Get automatic updates.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services (such as Miui Daemon or SecurityCenter) can cause the phone to run unstable.
What system applications can be disabled without risk?
4. Removal of system applications without root rights (ADB)
If you want to completely remove the built-in application, but are not ready to get root rights, you can use ADB debugging. This method works on all Xiaomi devices with an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB.
Step-by-step:
- 🔧 Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version. MIUI. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate debugging by USB.
ADB Tools
official website of Android
📱 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
cmd
ADB
adb devices(Your device should appear)
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.name(Replace com.miui.name with an app package, such as com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:
| Annex | Packet name | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | com.android.browser or com.miui.browser | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi Music | com.miui.player | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer | ✅ Yes. |
| Cleaner | com.miui.cleanmaster | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi Community | com.xiaomi.forum | ✅ Yes. |
Once the command is executed, the app will disappear from the system, but its data will remain. To return it, you just need to reinstall it via Google Play or reset the phone settings.
Install ADB Tools on PC|Enable developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging on USB|Connect phone to computer |Check list of application packages-->
5. Deletion with root rights (for experienced users)
If you are willing to take drastic measures, obtaining root rights will open access to the removal of any system applications, including those protected by MIUI.
- 🔓 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
- 🛡️ Vulnerability to malware.
- 🔄 Possible system failures.
Removal will require:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.
- Install Custom Recovery (TWRP)
- Switch Magisk to get root.
- Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer) to remove application folders from /system/app or /system/priv-app.
Example of Mi Browser removal path:
/system/app/Browseror
/system/priv-app/MiuiBrowser⚠️ Note: Deleting critical system files (e.g. com.android.phone) will cause your phone to fail. Create a full backup before any manipulation. TWRP.
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Root rights give you complete control of the system, but you need to be careful. Only remove applications that you know are intended.
6. How to return a remote application
If you have removed the app and want to return it, there are a few ways:
For user applications:
- 📥 Reinstall from Google Play.
- 🔄 Restore from backup (if it was created through Settings) → Google → Backup).
For system applications:
- 🔧 If removed through ADB, Follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.name (replace com.miui.name with the application package).
- ⚙️ Reset your phone settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
- 📦 Fly the device through the Mi Flash Tool (extreme case).
If the application was removed using root, the only reliable way to return it is to flash or manually copy files from the backup.
7. which applications should not be removed
Not all system programs are safe to remove, some of them are critical for the stable operation of MIUI and the phone as a whole.
- 🚨 com.android.phone – responsible for calls and SMS.
- 🚨 com.google.android.gms – Google Play Services (required for most applications).
- 🚨 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center MIUI.
- 🚨 com.miui.system – system components of the interface.
- 🚨 com.android.settings – phone settings.
- 🚨 com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – telephony service (on devices with Qualcomm processor).
Removal of these components may result in:
- 📵 Loss of network (calls and mobile internet will not work).
- 🔄 Constantly restarting your phone.
- ⚙️ Inability to enter the settings.
- 🛑 Complete inoperability of the device (brick).
If you are in doubt whether to remove an app, it is better to turn it off first and monitor the phone for a few days.