How to Remove Pre-installed Apps on Xiaomi: Safe Techniques for 2026

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known not only for their price-quality ratio, but also for the abundance of pre-installed software. Built-in applications from Mi Browser to GetApps take up memory, consume battery power in the background and often duplicate the functions of Google services. However, their removal is not an easy task: the manufacturer blocks standard removal through the menu, and careless actions can lead to system failures.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 proven ways to get rid of unnecessary system applications – from secure methods without root rights to radical solutions for power users. MIUI 12-15 (including HyperOS) and Android 11-14. ADB, which allow you to deactivate even those applications that are not displayed in the list "All applications".

Why you can’t just remove system apps from the menu

Unlike custom programs, Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps are firmware-based, and the manufacturer does so for several reasons:

• 🔒 License agreements with partners (such as Facebook, Netflix, or Tencent) who pay for firmware integration.
• 🛠️ System dependencies: some services (e.g. com.miui.system) are critical to the operation of the system MIUI.
• 📱 Regional restrictions: Chinese firmware versions often lack Google services, but there are local counterparts.

When you try to remove such an application in the standard way (click the icon → “Delete”), you will see a message “Can’t delete this application” or the deletion button will be inactive. Even the “Disable” function in the application settings can be blocked for key services.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications without understanding their purpose may result in a device cycling reboot, loss of features (such as a fingerprint), or inability to update. MIUI through OTA. Always back up before experimenting!

Method 1: Disconnect via settings (without root and ADB)

The safest method is to deactivate unnecessary applications, which will not free up memory on the device, but will stop background activity and remove icons from the menu.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the tab "All Apps" (not "Downloaded").
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Music or Mi Video) and tap it.
4. Click "Disable" → Confirm the action.

Not all system applications can be disabled this way, for example, Mi Browser or Security are often protected from deactivation, in which case hiding icons will help:

• 📱 Press the app icon on your desktop → Select "Remove" (not "Delete").
• 🔍 In some launchers (e.g, POCO Launcher) has a function "Hide apps" in the settings.

Check if the application is critical to the system (see the name below).

Create a backup copy of important data

Remember the name of the app in case you need to return it back.

Restart the device after disabling several applications-->

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is Google’s official tool that allows you to manage system applications without obtaining root permissions.This method works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires a connection to a PC.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB-Google drivers.

Steps to remove:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the adb.exe folder and type: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
5. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
6. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect system files).

To return the application, use the command:

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

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser

This often works for protected packages.-->

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.miui., com.android. or com.qualcomm. without understanding their purpose! For example, deleting com.miui.home will lead to the disappearance of the desktop.

Mi Browser (standard browser)

GetApps (branded store)

Mi Video/Mi Music (Multimedia Players)

Security (antivirus and optimizer)

Other (I will write in the comments)-->

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For users who don’t want to manually type commands, there is a Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility, a graphical shell for managing system applications, which automates the process and reduces the risk of errors.

The advantages of the utility:

• 🎯 Pre-loaded list of safe packet removal.
• 🔄 Ability to back up before deletion.
• 📋 Logistics of all actions to roll back changes.

Instructions:

1. Download the utility from the official GitHub.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in USB Debugging mode (as in Method 2).
3. Launch XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe and select "Uninstall system apps".
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary applications (green – safe, red – risky).
5. Click "Uninstall selected" and wait until it is completed.

The utility supports batch mode — you can delete several applications at a time, and it also has a feature called Debloat, which offers the optimal set of applications for removal depending on the device model.

Method 4: Removal with Magisk (for stitched devices)

If your smartphone is unlocked and Magisk is installed, you can use modules to clean the system deeply, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Unlock the loader (erase all data!).
• 📱 Custom recovery installations (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 🛡️ Install Magisk for root rights.

Popular modules for removing system applications:

• 🧹 Universal Debloater – allows you to selectively delete packets through a graphical interface.
• 🗑️ System App Remover – More aggressive tool with backup support.
• 🔍 App Systemizer – Converts user applications to system applications and vice versa.

Warning: Even with root rights, some packets (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) cannot be removed completely, leading to a bootloop (a looped reboot).

💡

Magisk not only removes, but also freezes system applications, which is safer because if they fail, they can be quickly returned via the MagiskHide Props Config module or Titanium Backup.

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (for advanced)

The radical, but most effective way to get rid of all pre-installed applications is to install custom firmware based on LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS.

• 🚀 Does not contain bloatware from Xiaomi.
• 🆕 Get updates directly from the community (more often than official ones).
• 🔧 Allows flexible system configuration (including removal of any packages).

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty if the device is new).
• 🔋 Possible battery or camera problems (depending on firmware).
• 📱 Not all functions. MIUI (For example, always-on display will work.

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires an account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (instructions are searched for on XDA Developers).
3. Download the right firmware (for example, LineageOS for Redmi Note 10 Pro is called sweet).
4. Sweep firmware and GApps (if you need Google services) through TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) unlocking the bootloader can lead to blocking encryption - the device will stop reading data from the internal memory after rebooting. Always back up to an external drive!

How to return a remote system application

If you have problems after deleting (for example, the camera or Wi-Fi stopped working), you can return the application in several ways:

• 🔄 Through ADB (flag-deleted --user 0): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser
• 📦 Using Magisk: Install the App Systemizer module and convert the user version of the application back to the system.
• 🔧 Resetting: Returns all standard applications but deletes user data.
• 📲 Through an update MIUI: sometimes OTA-The installation restores remote packets.

If none of these methods work, you just have to flash it over Fastboot or Recovery.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
3. Run the firmware script (flash_all.bat Windows).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications