How to Remove Xiaomi Apps: From Standard to System

Why Xiaomi is Hard to Remove Apps and What to Do About It

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO And they're constantly facing a problem: many of the pre-installed apps can't be removed in the standard way, and even after you click "Delete" on the menu, they stay in the system, taking up memory and consuming resources. MIUI — Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which blocks the complete removal of system utilities and Google services.

But the good news is that there are at least 5 working methods to get rid of unnecessary software, from simple (through settings) to advanced (using ADB or superuser rights). In this article, we will discuss each method in detail, taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models. Importantly, some methods require caution - improper actions can lead to a system failure or loss of warranty.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Your device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO X5 Pro)
• 🔢 Version MIUI (find out in Settings → The phone)
• 🔒 Unlocking status of the bootloader (if you plan to use it) ADB)

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

The safest and easiest method is to uninstall through the app menu.It is suitable for custom programs (installed from Google Play or APK), as well as for some preinstalled Xiaomi utilities that are not system.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search).
3. Click on it and select “Delete” or “Deinstall”.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive or replaced with Disable, the application is system-based. In this case, the standard method will not work, move to the following methods.

Installed games (such as PUBG Mobile or Free Fire)

Third-party messengers (Viber, Skype)

Some Xiaomi utilities (Mi Video, Mi Music)

Applications from the operator (if not blocked)

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If you want to remove updates to your system application (like Google Play Services), select “Delete Updates” – this will return the program to the factory version, but will not free up space completely.

Method 2: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

When you can't completely delete it, you shut it down, so it hides the app from the menu, stops the app from running in the background, saves battery power, and it still takes up memory.

How to turn it off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right app (like Mi Browser or GetApps).
• 🚫 Click "Disable" and confirm the action.

The apps that are disabled won’t receive updates or appear in the menu, but their data will remain in the device’s memory. To return the app, go to the same settings and click “Enable”.

Mi Browser (browser)

GetApps (app store)

Mi Video and Mi Music (media players)

Google Duo and other Google services

Other (write in the comments)

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Method 3: Removal through ADB (without ROOT-rights)

To remove system applications without obtaining superuser rights, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, but requires a connection to a computer and the activation of the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB-Drivers on PC (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. 📱 On your smartphone, turn it on: 🔘 Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate the developer mode) 🔘 Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB

File transfer

cmd

platform-tools

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

(e.g. for Mi Browser: com.android.browser)

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to search for all apps with "miui" in the title:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

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⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB may lead to:

• 🔄 Work failures MIUI (For example, the notification panel will disappear).
• 🔧 Unable to update (if critical services are removed).
• 📵 Loss of functionality (for example, it will be turned off) NFC or IR-blaster).

Before deleting, make a backup through Settings → System → Backup.

Method 4: Complete removal of c ROOT-rights

If you are willing to take radical measures, ROOT-This allows you to remove any application, including those that are protected, but it has serious disadvantages:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (Xiaomi does not officially support) ROOT).
• 🛡️ Security risk (vulnerability to viruses).
• 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

How to get ROOT on Xiaomi:

1. 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait) 7-15 days).
2. 📱 Install a custom Recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. 🔧 Swipe Magisk through the recavers to receive ROOT.

Once you have the rights, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove unnecessary packets.

• 🗑️ Move to the /system/app or /system/priv-app.
• 🔍 Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, Browser).
• 🚮 Delete the folder or rename it (add.bak at the end).

- com.android.systemui (MIUI interface)

- com.miui.home (launcher)

- com.google.android.gms (Google Services)

This will cause the smartphone to fail!

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Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (without ROOT)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized programs to remove system applications without ROOT.

• 🛠️ App Inspector – Shows the names of the packages ADB.
• 🧹 System App Remover (requires a connection to the USB).
• 🔍 Debloater Tools (e.g. Universal Android Debloater for PC).

Example of Universal Android Debloater:

1. 🖥️ Install the program on the PC and connect the phone to USB (plugged).
2. 🔄 Click on Read Device Packages to scan.
3. 📋 Select unnecessary apps in the list (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks).
4. 🗑️ Press "Uninstall Selected».

⚠️ Note: Third-party utilities may contain advertising or malicious code, download them only from official sources (for example, download them from official sources, XDA Developers.Pre-use check the program reviews.

What to do if after removing the application the phone is glitzy

Removing system components can sometimes cause MIUI to work in an unstable way.

• 🔄 Continuous resets
• 📵 Lack of mobile network
• 🔕 Lost sound or vibration

So the critical application was removed.

Recovery methods:

1. 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps you get back to work.
2. 📥 Restore the remote package through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet
3. ⚙️ Make a reset to factory settings (if nothing helps).
4. 🔧 Fly your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely).

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will save all applications and data in case of a crash.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi