Xiaomi and Redmi are famous for their availability and functionality, but owners often face the problem of crowded memory. Built-in storage is quickly filled not only with photos and videos, but also with pre-installed software that takes up space and consumes the CPU. Many users wonder how to safely remove unnecessary components of the system without compromising its stability.
The process of optimizing the device requires care, since deleting critical system files can lead to malfunctioning of the gadget or even a “bottle”. In this article, we will discuss proven ways to get rid of “bloatware” – preinstalled software that cannot be removed by standard methods through the settings menu. You will learn to use the hidden capabilities of the MIUI shell and HyperOS, as well as specialized utilities for deep cleaning.
Freeing up space is not just about removing games and social media, but also managing cache, residual files and duplicates. The right approach to cleaning a smartphone will speed up its performance, increase battery life and free up gigabytes of usable volume. Let's look at basic methods ranging from simple built-in tools to advanced techniques for power users.
Standard removal of user applications
The most obvious and safe way to free up space is to remove programs that you installed yourself from Google Play or GetApps. Unlike system software, these applications do not affect the operation of the operating system, and their elimination takes place without consequences.
However, if you want to do a deeper revision, you should use the full list of installed software in the settings. This shows all programs, including those that were hidden from the home screen. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications to see detailed statistics on the memory input of each element.
In the list that opens, find the unwanted program, click on it and select the "Delete" button. The system will request confirmation, as some applications may have administrator rights or active background processes. Once confirmed, the program will be completely deleted along with its data and cache.
- 🗑️ Press the app icon on your desktop for quick removal.
- 📱 Use the All Apps menu to find hidden software.
- 🔒 Confirm deletion if the system requests administrator rights.
- 🔄 Restart the device after removing heavy gaming packages.
It’s worth noting that some apps, such as Google Chrome or YouTube, may not have a full delete button if they’re part of a system image. GMS (In this case, only the “Disable” function is available, which hides the application and stops its processes, but does not delete files from the disk.
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If the Remove button is inactive, try pressing Stop first and then selecting Deletion again, sometimes helping to unlock the uninstallation process for some system services.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
MIUI and HyperOS shells are equipped with a powerful built-in optimization tool called Security, which is not just an antivirus, but a comprehensive memory and performance management center that can find and delete temporary files, cache and remnants of remote programs.
To get started, open the Security app and select Clean up. The system will automatically analyze and prompt you to remove junk. However, for a closer check, click on the Clean Up All button or go to deep analysis, where you can selectively delete files from specific folders.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful when using Deep Clean. Carefully read the description of files before deleting, so as not to accidentally erase important documents, messenger correspondence or saved passwords.
There's also a "Permissions" section in the Security app where you can turn off auto-runs for unnecessary programs, which will prevent them from running back and saving temporary data, which indirectly helps to save memory and battery power.
☑️ Verification by built-in means
Regular use of this tool helps to keep the smartphone clean without the need to install third-party "cliners", which are often themselves a source of advertising and unnecessary load on the system.
Removing System Applications Through ADB
Removing embedded software that is not removed by standard methods requires the use of a computer and tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is safer than obtaining Root-rights, as it does not violate the integrity of the system partition, but only hides or removes packets for the current user.
You need to activate the developer mode before you start. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the item "Version" MIUI" or "Version." OS". After the message about the developer activation appears, go to the Additional settings menu → For developers and include the item "Debugging by USB".
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Download and unpack Platform Tools onto your computer. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC and open the command line in the tool folder. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesThe phone screen will be asking for debugging permission from that computer, and the command line will show the serial number of the device, and you can now start deleting the packets, and the deletion command is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetThe name of the package (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer) can be found through the app analyzers on the phone itself, such as App Inspector, which removes ads, unnecessary Xiaomi services, and even some Google components if you don’t need them.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB to the computer before connecting.
- 📦 Find the exact name of the package before deleting it.
- ⚡ Use the uninstall command to hide the app.
- 🔄 To return the remote, use the install-existing command.
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The ADB method does not physically remove files from the system partition, but only makes them inaccessible to the user, which allows you to return everything back to the reinstall command without flashing it back.
Comparison of Smartphone Cleaning Methods
The choice of cleaning method depends on your technical background and goals. Standard removal is for everyone, ADB requires minimal PC knowledge, and obtaining Root rights is the way for experts willing to risk warranty for the sake of complete control.
The table below compares the main ways to remove applications by key performance and security parameters.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Efficiency | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard menu | Low. | Tall. | Low (custom) (only) | It's still there. |
| ADB (no Root) | Medium | Tall. | High (systemic) | It's still there. |
| Root rights | Tall. | Medium | Maximum | Takes off. |
| Third-party cliners | Low. | Medium | Low (cache only) | It's still there. |
As you can see from the table, ADB is the middle ground, allowing you to remove almost anything without losing warranty and risk turning your phone into a brick.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete packets that you don't know what they are intended for, especially those that contain the words "system," "framework," "telephony" or "security" in the name.
Storage analysis and search for hidden files
Often, the place is not occupied by the applications themselves, but by their data: messenger cache, downloaded files from browsers and residual folders after deleting programs. Use built-in storage or third-party utilities like Files by Google to analyze the situation.
Go to Settings → Memory. Here you will see a color diagram showing what the volume is doing. Click on the Apps category to sort them by size. Often it turns out that Telegram, Viber or Instagram are the largest volumes because of the accumulated media.
Clearing the messenger cache should be done inside the apps themselves. For example, on Telegram, you need to go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use and click Clear Cache. This will delete temporary files, but leave your correspondence and important documents intact.
It's also worth checking the Download and DCIM folder, which often stores screenshots that have long since lost their relevance, or duplicate photos, and deleting these files is the fastest way to get a few gigabytes of free space.
Recovery of Remote System Applications
If you delete something that is superfluous during the cleaning process and the system starts to work unstable, don't panic. Since the ADB method doesn't physically erase files, it can be easily restored without flashing the device.
To return a remote packet, use the command in ADB:
adb shell cmd package install-existing name packetIf you have removed apps in the standard way, you can return them via Google Play or the GetApps store. In the event of a serious crash when the phone does not load, you may need to log into Recovery mode and reset to factory settings, but this is an extreme measure.
It is recommended to keep a list of remote packages, if necessary, to know what exactly to restore, this is especially true when working with regional versions of firmware, where the set of system software may differ.