How to completely disable or remove MI-Applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often have problems with pre-installed system applications that cannot be removed by standard means. MIUI Browser to Mi Video — take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even show ads. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to disable or completely remove MI-applications, including root-rights-free methods, using ADB and custom recovery TWRP.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer blocks removal of system components for a reason. Some applications are critical to the stable operation of MIUI, and their removal can lead to failures, from interface errors to complete device failure. We will detail which applications can be safely deactivated and which should not be touched to avoid "brick" (turning the phone into a "brick").

Why? MI-Applications cannot be removed in the standard way

All pre-installed programs in MIUI are divided into two categories:

• 📱 System applications – integrated into firmware, responsible for basic functions (e.g. com.android.mms for SMS or com.miui.home for launcher.
• 🎯 Branded services are applications from Xiaomi (e.g. com.miui.browser or com.xiaomi.scanner) that can be removed in theory, but the manufacturer blocks this ability through settings.

The main reasons for blocking:

1. License agreements with partners (for example, pre-installed games or services in regional firmware).
2. Monetization through advertising in MI-Applications (e.g. Mi Music or Mi Video).
3. Uniform user experience – Xiaomi aims to have the same interface across all devices.

⚠️ Note: Even if you disable the app through settings, it will remain in the device’s memory and can automatically update via Google Play or MIUI Updater.Total removal requires superuser rights or special tools.

Before you start deleting, check if the application is critical, such as com.miui.securitycenter for security, and com.miui.cleanmaster for optimization, and deleting them can lead to unstable smartphone performance.

Method 1: Disconnection MI-Applications through settings (without root)

The safest method is to deactivate unnecessary programs, which will not remove them from the device, but will stop background activity and hide icons from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) Select Show System Processes.
3. Find the right app (like Mi Browser) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is protected).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

List of applications that can be disabled without risk:

• 🌐 com.miui.browser — MIUI Browser (browser).
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (music player).
• 🎬 com.miui.videoplayer - Mi Video (videoplayer).
• 📦 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (file transfer).
• 🔍 com.miui.notes – Notes (if you use Google Keep).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable com.miui.home, com.android.settings, or com.miui.securitycenter, which will result in a cyclical reboot of the device.

Once the app is disabled, its icon will disappear from the menu, but the files will remain in memory. To free up space, you will need to completely delete (see the following methods).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is Google’s official tool that allows you to control your device via the command line. MI-Applications without obtaining root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type: adb devices If the device is displayed, type: adb shell
5. To remove the application, use the command: pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack For example, to delete Mi Browser: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

List of safe packet removal:

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall commands remove the application only for the current user (--user 0). After resetting the settings or updating the firmware, it can return. TWRP root.

If you have problems after deleting (for example, errors when running other applications), restore the remote packet by command:

cmd package install-existing name.packet

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Before deleting through ADB, back up your application list with the adb shell pm list packages > apps.txt command. This will help you recover remote programs if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Complete removal via TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If you're ready for more radical measures, custom TWRP restore allows you to remove system applications at the firmware level, which requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, which voids the warranty and carries risks.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Delete application files completely (not just deactivate).
• 🔄 Ability to create backups before changes.
• 🛠️ It works even after the updates. MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Download to TWRP (hold Power + Volume Up when enabled).
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Find the /system/priv-app or /system/app folder and delete folders of unnecessary applications (e.g. Browser for Mi Browser).
6. Reset the device.

List of folders for safe removal:

• 📁 Browser — Mi Browser.
• 📁 VideoPlayer — Mi Video.
• 📁 Music — Mi Music.
• 📁 MiDrop — Mi Drop.
• 📁 MiuiDaemon – analytics service that can collect data).

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders in /system without backup, it can make it impossible to boot the system. TWRP before the changes (Backup) → Select Partitions → System).

After removal, it is recommended to clean the cache (Wipe) → Cache/Dalvik) If the device doesn't boot, restore the backup through TWRP.

Method 4: Magisk and App Systemizer

If you already have root rights (obtained through Magisk), you can use the App Systemizer module, which allows you to convert system applications to custom ones and remove them without risk to the system.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 The ability to return the application back.
• 🛡️ Less risk than manual removal through TWRP.
• 📱 It works on most versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14).

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk and get root rights.
2. Download the App Systemizer module and install it through Magisk.
3. Reset the device.
4. Open App Systemizer from the Magisk menu.
5. Select the app from the list and click Convert to User App.
6. After conversion, remove the application in the standard way.

Examples of conversion applications:

• 📱 com.miui.analytics – Analytics collection.
• 🔍 com.miui.hybrid – hybrid services (advertising).
• 📦 com.xiaomi.mipicks — GetApps.

If the application stops working after conversion, return it to system state through the same module (Convert to System App).

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Using Magisk and App Systemizer is the safest way to remove root-righted system applications, as it allows you to roll back changes.

Method 5: Alternative solutions (without deletion)

If you don’t want to risk the stability of the system, consider alternative methods:

1. Hiding icons through launcher

• 📱 Use third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair) that allow you to hide application icons.
• 🔍 In Nova Launcher: a long press on the desktop → Settings → Hidden applications.

Limitation of activity in the background

• 🚫 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Autostart and disable Autostart for unnecessary programs.
• 🔋 B Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode add applications to the blacklist.

3. Freezing through ADB (without removal)

Freeze command (the app will remain but will not work):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 title.package

For defrosting:

adb shell pm enable name.package

4.Use of applications for freezing

• 🧊 Ice Box or Shelter (require root) lets you freeze apps without removing them.
• 🔒 App Quarantine – an alternative for devices without root (works through the app) ADB).

These methods will not free up memory, but will reduce the load on the system and reduce battery consumption.

Risks and how to avoid them

Removal of system applications can lead to:

• 🔄 Bootloop – Infinite Reboot of the Device.
• 📵 Loss of functionality (for example, inability to call or connect to Wi-Fi).
• 🔧 Update errors — MIUI may refuse to be installed.

How to minimize the risks:

• 📋 Make backups through TWRP Mi Cloud.
• 🔍 Check the packets before deleting (seek information on the XDA or 4PDA).
• 🛠️ Use test firmware (for example, MIUI EU no-bloatware).

If something went wrong:

• 🔄 Restore the backup through TWRP.
• 📥 Fastboot (instructions on Xiaomi Flash Tool).
• 📞 Contact the service center (if the warranty is valid, do not talk about root!).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable Deleting some applications (e.g. com.miui.hybrid) may result in Mi Account being blocked due to Anti-Rollback protections.

FAQ: Frequent questions