How to disable Mi Video on Xiaomi in the gallery: step-by-step instructions

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive functionality that is pre-installed in the default system. One of these elements is the Mi Video app, which automatically integrates into the standard gallery and offers to play video content through their player. This behavior can annoy users who are used to other video players or prefer minimalist interfaces.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove the shortcut or hide the application, but Mi Video is deeply integrated into the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS. Even if you do not use this player, it can consume background resources, receive updates through the GetApps store and take up space in memory. In this article, we will discuss effective ways to permanently get rid of this application or turn off its activity, regaining full control of your device.

There are several levels of solution to this problem, from simple settings inside the gallery itself to advanced methods using a computer and debugging by ADB. The choice of the specific method depends on your version of the operating system and the availability of root rights, although in most cases you can do without them. It is important to understand that removing system components requires caution, but in the case of a video player, the risks are minimal, since this is not a critical download module.

Why Mi Video is Embedded in Gallery and Interfering with Work

The phenomenon of forced in-house services is common among many electronics manufacturers, and Xiaomi is no exception. The company aims to create a single ecosystem where all media is opened through their proprietary solutions. When you click on a video file in a gallery, the system checks the list of applications by default. If Mi Video is prioritized or assigned as the main player, it starts automatically, ignoring your preferences.

In addition, the application is often updated in the background through the system store, which can return its functionality even after attempts to restrict. Complete removal of Mi Video is possible only through ADB or obtaining root rights, since the standard button "Delete" in the application settings is usually inactive, this is done so that the user can not accidentally disrupt the multimedia part of the system, although in practice the player is easily replaced by analogues.

Shell developers also use a variety of triggers to return an application to active status. For example, after a major firmware update or factory reset, system components can be restored to their original state, so it's important not only to disable the application, but also to prevent it from automatically updating if you want to keep the interface clean for the long term.

⚠️ Note: Before making changes to system applications, make sure you have an alternative video player installed (e.g., an alternative video player, VLC or MX Player, so you don’t have to watch videos.

Basic methods: data cleaning and default reset

The safest and easiest way to start fighting an intrusive player is to reset its default settings. This method does not require a computer connection and works on all versions of MIUI. The point is to "forget" the choice of a system that makes Mi Video a priority for opening files. However, it is worthwhile to understand that this is a temporary measure that only resets file associations.

To do this, you need to go to your smartphone settings. Find the Apps section, then select All Apps or App Management. From the list, find Mi Video (may be called Video or have an orange Play button logo). Inside the app menu, you need to find the Default button and click Reset Settings or Clear Default.

Then, the next time you run a video file, the system will ask you to open the file. Select your preferred player and click Always to secure the selection. It's also recommended to clear the cache and data of the Mi Video app itself to free up space and remove temporary files.

If the problem comes back after that, then the system priorities are tightly set in the shell configuration, and then you need to move on to the more radical methods described below, and don't ignore this step, because it helps in 30% of cases, especially on older versions of firmware.

Using ADB to completely remove system applications

The most effective method to completely remove Mi Video even without root rights is to use the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-It allows you to remove applications for the current user, making them invisible and inactive, effectively removing them from the system.

First, you need to activate the developer mode on your Xiaomi. To do this, go to Settings → About your phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). After the message “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, find “Additional” → “For developers” and turn on the “Debugging by USB” item.

Then download and install ADB Platform Tools on your computer. Connect your phone with a cable, allow debugging in a pop-up window on your smartphone screen. Open the Terminal or CMD command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is identified, you can proceed to delete. The command to remove the Mi Video packet is as follows:

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

Once the command is successfully executed, the app will disappear from the installed program list. If you want to return it in the future, you can use the command cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer. This method is considered the “gold standard” for customizing Android devices.

⚠️ Note: Be careful when entering a packet name. Removing system components with incorrect names can lead to unstable system operation or cyclical reboot.

Alternative solutions: third-party galleries and launchers

If you don't want to mess with the command line, you can go the other way, and replace the standard Xiaomi gallery with a third-party counterpart. The standard gallery often acts as a "conductor" that redirects video files to Mi Video. By installing an alternative application, you will get an interface that is devoid of advertising and intrusive recommendations.

Popular options are Google Photos, Simple Gallery (or its forks, since the original was sold) and A Gallery. Once installed, the system can suggest using it by default to view images and videos.

• 📸 Google Photos: Great cloud integration, but requires a Google account and can compress quality when backing up.
• 🖼️ Simple Gallery Pro: Lightweight, fast, open source gallery, fully user-controlled.
• 🎞️ 1Gallery: Powerful tool with file hiding features and built-in video player that supports all formats.

Another option is to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. Although they primarily change the desktop, some allow you to more flexibly manage file associations and hide system applications from the user's field of view.

Comparison of methods of disabling video player

The choice of method depends on your technical skills and the desired result. Below is a table that will help you compare the main ways to deal with Mi Video and choose the best one for your situation.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal balance is to use ADB or switch to a third-party gallery. Root rights give full control, but give access to the system not only to you, but also potentially malware, and can disrupt the operation of banking applications.

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Using ADB is the only way to remove a system application without root rights, while maintaining the ability to restore it at any time.

Blocking updates and background activity

Even if you haven't removed the app completely, you can significantly limit its appetites. Mi Video is known for trying to update through GetApps or its own mechanisms. To prevent this, you can limit background activity.

Go to the Mi Video app settings, find Battery or Energy and select No Limits mode (paradoxically, in some versions of MIUI, this allows you to control the process) or Vice versa, Strict Limitation (depending on the shell version). Also, in the Permissions menu, turn off network access (Wi-Fi and mobile Internet).

You can also turn off notifications from the app so that it doesn't remind you of its existence, so in the notification settings, find Mi Video and switch to off, which will create a digital detox effect for your smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling network access may cause the app to stop downloading video or online content covers if you do decide to run it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Tip: After removing system applications through ADB, create a restore point or backup of important data to quickly return the phone to working condition in case of unforeseen circumstances.