How to permanently disable or remove unwanted apps on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are famous for their functionality, but often annoy users with the abundance of pre-installed software. Branded services like Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps or Mi Pay take up memory, consume battery power in the background and even collect data — despite the fact that 90% of owners do not use them. According to a study by Counterpoint Research (2023), on new Xiaomi devices, up to 20% of internal memory is immediately occupied with system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible methods, from simple deactivation through settings to deep cleaning with ADB and root rights. You’ll learn which applications can be removed without risk to the system and which cannot be touched categorically. We’ll also analyze the consequences of each method, from loss of functionality to a possible “brick” of the device, if you are tired of intrusive Mi Community notifications or unnecessary duplication of services (for example, two browsers: Chrome + Mi Browser), this guide will help you regain control of your smartphone.

⚠️ Important: Not all methods are equally safe. APK without backup can cause a cyclical reboot of the device or loss of access to functions such as NFC, We'll flag the risky moves with special warnings.

Method 1: Standard deactivation via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to disable applications without completely removing them, which will not free up memory, but will stop background activity, notifications and updates, and is suitable for most Xiaomi brand services, except for mission-critical ones (such as MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the unwanted app (for example, Mi Music or Mi Credit).
• ⚙️ Click on the app. → Disable (button will appear if the software can be deactivated).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the app icon will disappear from the desktop, but the APK file will remain in the system. To return it, just go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.

Unused Media Players (Mi Music, Mi Video)|Duplicate browsers (Mi Browser)|Financial services (Mi Credit, Mi Pay)|Social Applications (Mi Community)|Game Center (Game Center)-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Services & Feedback – this may disrupt updates MIUI. Also, avoid deactivating Google Play Services, otherwise many applications that depend on Google services will stop working.

Method 2: Remove through Developer Mode (without root rights)

If standard deactivation doesn’t work, you can try uninstalling apps through the developer menu, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires developer mode activation.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Remove system applications (on some firmware it is hidden – see spoiler below).
4. Select the unnecessary app from the list and confirm the removal.

List of apps that can be removed this way (checked on Redmi Note 11 and Poco X5 Pro):

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.xiaomi.mipicks (GetApps) may cause bugs when checking for updates MIUI In this case, update the firmware manually through Recovery.

Mi Browser|Mi Video|GetApps (Mi App Store)|Mi Community|Others-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root rights but with PC)

For advanced users ready to connect a smartphone to a computer, there is a method of removing via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It allows you to get rid of applications that can not be deactivated or deleted through settings. USB-Debugging and Minimal Command Line Knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Turn it on. USB-Debugging on a smartphone: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) in the adb.exe folder and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'xiaomi'

(Show all Xiaomi packages. Copy the name of the unnecessary, for example com.miui.weather2.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2

Key key --user 0 This means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files), which is safer than complete removal, since it allows you to restore the software through resetting settings.

adb shell pm list packages > packages_backup.txt

This file will help you recover remote applications if something goes wrong.-->

Examples of safe packet removal:

• 🌐 com.android.browser — Mi Browser
• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 💰 com.xiaomi.payment — Mi Pay
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service — Game Center

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you are willing to take the risk of root access, you can uninstall any system applications, including those that block MIUI. This method requires unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock) and installing a custom recavator (for example, TWRP), which cancels the warranty and can lead to a “brick” if you make an error.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Squeeze Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer) and delete APK-file: /system/app — standard; /system/priv-app — privileged system services.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system Without a backup, it can render the device inoperable, for example, deleting com.android.phone will cause the network connection to be lost, and com.miui.home will cause the launcher to be unloaded.

List of prohibited packets (even with root rights):

• 🚨 com.android.settings - Settings;
• 🚨 com.miui.home - Launcher MIUI;
• 🚨 com.android.phone - Phone calls;
• 🚨 com.miui.securitycenter - Security Center;
• 🚨 com.google.android.gsf – Google Services.

Method 5: Hiding applications without deleting (alternative)

If you don't want to risk system stability, but you want to get rid of badges of unnecessary applications, you can just hide them. It won't free up memory, but it will clear the desktop and the app menu.

How to hide it:

1. Hold your finger on the app icon on your desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (on some firmware - Hide).
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system.

For mass concealment, use launchers from third-party developers, for example:

• 📱 Nova Launcher (allows you to hide apps in your settings);
• 📱 Lawnchair (open source);
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher (Integration with Windows).

⚠️ Attention: Hidden applications continue to work in the background and receive updates. To completely stop their activity, combine this method with deactivation through settings (Method 1).

What happens if you delete the “wrong” app?

Not all Xiaomi system applications are safe to remove, some of which are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal can cause serious failures. Below is a table of consequences of removing key packages:

If after removing the application, the smartphone stopped working normally, try:

1. Restore the package through ADB (key-wise --user 0):

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home

1. Reset the settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).

💡

If the smartphone does not turn on after removing the system application, try to go to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up) and do Wipe Data. This will reset all settings, but will keep the device working.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi