How to completely remove system applications on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven methods

Why Xiaomi System Apps Take Memory and How to Deal With Them

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: dozens of pre-installed applications take up precious memory, slow down the system and consume battery power. Even after resetting to factory settings, they return back. In this article, we will discuss legal and technical ways to remove system applications from simple to advanced, taking into account the risks and consequences for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

It's important to understand that not all system applications are useless. Some are responsible for basic functionality — for example, com.android.phone manages calls, and com.miui.securitycenter provides security. Deleting them can lead to critical failures. We'll show you how to determine what can be removed without harm, and what is better just to disable or freeze.

This article is relevant for models 2020-2026: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13 Pro, POCO F5/X5 and others based on Android 12-14. If you have an older model (for example, Redmi 9A or Mi A3), some methods may not work – we will warn about this separately.

Method 1: Disabling system applications without removal (safe for beginners)

The easiest way to get rid of intrusive apps is to turn them off through settings, which won't free up memory, but will stop background activity and remove icons from the menu, suitable for applications like Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video or GetApps.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enter the name of the application in the search (for example, Mi Browser).
• 🔄 Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action. The icon will disappear, but the files will remain in memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.miui., com.android. or com.qualcomm. - this can disrupt your phone's performance. com.miui.weather2 Remove the weather widget and com.android.providers.media will disrupt access to the multimedia.

If the Disable button is missing, the application is protected by the system, in which case hiding icons through the launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) or using ADB (more about this below) will help.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root, but with risk)

For experienced users who are ready to work with the command line, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) removal is suitable.This method does not require root rights, but if mistaken, it can lead to the inability to update MIUI via OTA or malfunction of some functions.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux and established ADB.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the terminal (command line) and enter:

adb devices

(You should have your device serial number.)

1. Get a list of all packages:

adb shell pm list packages -f

1. Find the name of the package you want (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
2. Remove it by command:

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

⚠️ Attention: Flag --user 0 removes the application only for the current user, without affecting the system files. Without this flag, you risk damaging the firmware! -k — This will remove the app completely, which may disrupt the work MIUI.

Method 3: Using Magisk and Universal Android Debloater (for stitched devices)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, you can use the Universal Android Debloater (UAD) module.This is the most flexible way to remove system applications, as it allows you to selectively remove packets with the possibility of recovery.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Possibility of rollback of changes.
• 📋 Support for exclusion lists.
• 🛡️ Less risk of "bricking" compared to manual removal through ADB.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk and Universal Android Debloater via Magisk Manager.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Open the UAD app and select Debloat.
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary apps (use the Xiaomi filter for convenience).
5. Press Apply and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Even with Magisk, do not delete packets associated with:

• 📞 Telephony (com.android.phone).
• 🔒 Security (com.miui.securitycenter).
• 🔄 Updates (com.android.updater).
• 📶 Communication modules (com.qualcomm.).

💡

Before removing via UAD, back up to TWRP or export the packet list with the adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt command. This will help restore deleted applications if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Manual removal via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you have custom TWRP recavators installed, you can manually remove system applications by editing firmware files, which is the riskiest method, because an error can make it impossible to boot the system. Use it only if you understand what you're doing!

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install TWRP for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 12 Pro, use the OrangeFox version or the official version).
2. Load into the recavery: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Up.
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Open the /system/priv-app or /system/app folder.
5. Find a folder with the name of an unwanted app (such as Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders in /system It can break firmware integrity. Always backup through TWRP → Backup before changes. If the phone doesn't boot after you delete it, restore the backup or run the firmware over again through Fastboot.

Method 5: Alternative to Deletion – Freezing via App Quarantine

If you don’t want to risk system stability but want to get rid of the background activity of unnecessary applications, use freezing. App Quarantine (required Magisk) or Island (for work in an isolated environment) is suitable for this.

Benefits of freezing:

• ❄️ The application does not work, but remains in the system.
• 🔄 You can defrost at any time.
• 🛡️ Safer than removal.

How to Freeze the Application:

1. Install App Quarantine from Magisk or Island from Google Play.
2. Open the application and select unnecessary system programs.
3. Press Freeze.
4. Reboot the phone.

This method is particularly useful for applications that cannot be removed via ADB but that are actively consuming resources (e.g. com.miui.analytics for statistics collection).

Table: What can be removed and what is better left

If you are not sure if you can remove a particular application, check its name on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. For example, the com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop) package can be removed without consequences, but com.android.providers.media can’t.

What to do if after removing system applications the phone does not work

If after manipulating system files Xiaomi stopped downloading or there were errors, use these tips:

1. Backup Recovery: If you have a backup in TWRP, download to the Recovery and restore it (Restore).
2. Fastboot Firmware: Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi and run it through the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Install custom firmware: If the official firmware doesn’t help, try custom (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), but this will require unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is loading but some features are not working (like the camera or mobile network), check if you have removed critical packets. ADB team:

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

If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center - self-recovery can lead to a loss of warranty.

💡

Before you manipulate your system files, backup your phone with TWRP or Mi Cloud, which is the only way to bring your phone back to life if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi