Why Xiaomi’s built-in apps are bothering users – and can they be removed?
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the same problem: the MIUI operating system defaults dozens of system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, including services like Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay and others that take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even show ads.
Many users try to get rid of unnecessary programs, but face limitations: the “Delete” button in the app menu is inactive, and an attempt to uninstall via Settings is inactive. → The application ends with the message "This is a system application - it can not be removed." ROOT (Getting a superuser is not easy: it requires unlocking the bootloader, which leads to loss of warranty and potential security risks.
Fortunately, there are legal ways to remove or disable system applications on Xiaomi without ROOT. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods - from simply disabling through hidden MIUI settings to using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and third-party utilities. Importantly, not all methods are equally secure, so make sure to back up data before you start - some manipulations can lead to system failures.
Method 1: Disable system applications through standard MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to disable (rather than remove) unnecessary programs, which won’t free up the device’s memory, but will stop background activity and remove apps from the menu. POCO on MIUI 12–14.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the list, find an unnecessary system application (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).
- Slip on it and select “Disable” (or “Delete Updates” if the button is active).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling critical services (such as Google Play Services or Miui System) can cause your smartphone to run in an unstable way!
☑️ What can be turned off without risk
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Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system. To return it, just go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click “Enable”.
Method 2: Use of the MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Settings)
MIUI Hidden Settings is a built-in menu for power users that allows you to manage hidden system functions, including uninstallation of some system applications.
##4636##Once you enter the code, the Testing menu will open.
- Go to the tab "Phone Information".
- Click on “Application Selection” (or “Application Management” in newer versions of MIUI).
- In the list, find the unnecessary system application and select “Delete data” or “Disable”.
⚠️ Note: Not all apps on this menu can be removed - some will just reset to factory settings. MIUI Some of the programs that were deleted in this way can be restored.
Method 3: Remove via ADB (without ROOT)
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to execute commands from a computer. With it, you can remove system applications on Xiaomi without ROOT, but you need to turn on the developer mode and connect the smartphone to the PC.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
- Activate USB debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB debugging switch and confirm the action.
- Install ADB on your computer: Download Google’s Platform Tools. Unpack the archive into any folder (e.g., C:\adb).
Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands:
adb devices(The name of your device should appear)
adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "name packet"(To find the exact application ID)
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet(e.g. adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser to remove Mi Browser)
⚠️ Attention: Command pm uninstall -k --user 0 removes the application only for the current user (without affecting system files). MIUI It can come back. It requires complete removal. ROOT.
List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi
If the app continues to work after you delete it, try restarting your smartphone, and note that some services (such as Google Play Services) are critical to your system and that removing them will lead to errors.
Method 4: Use of Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools
For those who do not want to manually enter commands ADB, There is a convenient utility Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.It automates the process of removing system applications and offers a list of safe packages to uninstall.
How to use:
- Download the utility from GitHub and unpack.
- Connect your smartphone to a PC with USB debugging enabled (see Method 3).
- Launch the XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe file.
- In the main window, select Uninstall System Apps.
- Check the unneeded applications (the utility shows their names and packages).
- Click on Uninstall and wait for the process to be completed.
Advantages of this method:
- 🔹 Intuitive interface (no need to remember commands).
- 🔹 Automatic Definition of Device Model and Version MIUI.
- 🔹 Ability to back up before deletion.
⚠️ Note: The utility may not support the latest Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13.
Method 5: Remove via TWRP (requires an unlocked bootloader)
If you're willing to go for more radical measures, you can install custom TWRP recaps and manually remove system applications through the file manager. This method doesn't require ROOT, but involves unlocking the bootloader, which resets the device to factory settings and voids the warranty.
Step-by-step:
- Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlocking through the official Xiaomi website. Wait for SMS confirmation (may take up to 7 days). Use the Mi Unlock Tool utility to unlock.
- Install TWRP: Download the TWRP image for your model from the official website. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down). Connect to the PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- Delete system applications: Boot to TWRP (press Power + Volume Up). Go to Advanced → File Manager. Open /system/app or /system/priv-app folder. Delete folders with unnecessary applications (e.g. Browser, VideoPlayer).
⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system This can lead to bootloop.Be sure to backup the system partition before manipulation. TWRP!
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If after uninstalling the application via TWRP, the smartphone stopped booting, try to restore the backup or flash clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
Table: Comparison of methods of removing system applications on Xiaomi
| Method | Difficulty | Need a ROOT? | Risk to the system | Is it being restored after the update? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection through settings | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Low. | ✅ No. |
| MIUI Hidden Settings | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ❌ No. | ⚠️⚠️ Medium. | ✅ Partially. |
| ADB (teams) | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ❌ No. | ⚠️⚠️ Medium. | ✅ Yes. |
| Xiaomi ADB Tools | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ❌ No. | ⚠️⚠️ Medium. | ✅ Yes. |
| TWRP (manual removal) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ❌ No (but you need an unlocked bootloader) | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ High-pitched | ❌ No (unless you re-stitch it) |
As you can see from the table, the safest method is to turn off through settings, but it does not free up memory. For complete removal, it is better to use ADB or Xiaomi ADB Tools, but with an understanding of the risks.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove system applications, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:
- 🔴 «Command Not Found in ADB: Make sure that the folder with the platform-tools is added to the environment variable PATH, or run commands from this folder.
- 🔴 «Device unauthorized": On a smartphone when connecting USB You will receive a request for permission to debug - confirm it.
- 🔴 App returned after update: This is normal - updates MIUI Restore system packets. Solution: Repeat deletion through ADB or disable auto updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔴 Smartphone doesn't turn on after deletion: So you've removed a critical service. Solution: run your smartphone through Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.
⚠️ Note: If after manipulating system files, the smartphone began to slow down or issue errors, try resetting the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. This will bring back all the remote applications, but fix software failures.
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Before any manipulation of system files, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally on your PC, which will save your photos, contacts and messages in the event of a crash.