Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI and HyperOS shells, are often filled with pre-installed software. Some are standard tools that every user needs, but the other is hidden system processes or unnecessary partner software that just takes up space. Even if you don’t use these programs, they can consume RAM, drain the battery and slow down the device in the background. Which is why the question of how to turn off unused applications in Xiaomi remains one of the most pressing for owners of these gadgets.
Freezing or deleting completely through a computer can help restore the smartphone to its former speed. Deactivating system components requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to unstable operation of the operating system or even cyclical restart. In this article, we will discuss safe methods for cleaning the interface from excess software, using debugging via USB and working with the Android package manager. You will learn to distinguish between critical processes and those that can be eliminated without harming the device.
Why disable system applications and services
Many users mistakenly believe that if an app icon is not visible on the desktop, the program does not work. In fact, many of Xiaomi's hidden processes are actively operating in the background. They can request geolocation, use an Internet connection to synchronize data or collect telemetry. Disabling such services not only frees up CPU resources, but also significantly extends battery life.
Also, there are often duplicate applications in the MIUI shell, such as two browsers, two video players, or several app stores, one of which you never opened, and the background activity of these programs puts an extra strain on RAM, which is especially noticeable on low-end smartphones with a small amount of RAM.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system components is initiated, it is strongly recommended to create a complete backup of critical data.
Also, consider that some seemingly unnecessary services are responsible for specific functions, such as push notifications or authorization in a Mi Account. Blindly deleting everything in a row can disrupt messengers or cloud storage, so it is important to understand what each package is responsible for before applying radical measures to it.
Preparation of the smartphone for the debugging procedure
To do a deep cleaning, you'll need access to hidden Android features. Standard settings menu tools can only remove user applications, but not system ones. To get the control you need, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». You need to press this line quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until you receive a notification that you have become a developer.
Once you activate the hidden menu, you need to enable USB debugging. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Developer. In the list that opens, find “Debugging by USB” and activate the switch. The system will alert you to the risks — confirm the action. Without this step, the computer will not be able to send commands to the phone.
- 📱 Make sure that the smartphone has at least 20% battery charge so that the device does not turn off during operation.
- 💻 Prepare your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and workable USB-cable, preferably original.
- 🔌 When you first connect to your PC, select the File Transfer mode» (MTP) phone-screen.
- 🔐 On the screen of the smartphone will appear a request for debugging permission - be sure to tick "Always allow».
It is important to use a quality cable, as cheap analogues often only support charging and do not transmit data.If the computer does not see the device in the Device Manager or command line, try replacing the cable or USB-The port must also have drivers installed on the computer. ADB, Which usually come with Android platform tools SDK.
☑️ Preparation for application deactivation
Using ADB AppControl for Safe Deletion
The most convenient and safe way for beginners is to use specialized software such as ADB AppControl. This utility automatically identifies the connected device and displays a list of all installed packages with clear names, not just technical codes.
Once you connect your smartphone and start the program, you'll see a request on your phone to confirm the RSA key. Click "Allow." In the program interface, you'll see a list of applications sorted by system, user and updated system. The program interface highlights important components in red, warning you of the risks of turning them off.
To turn off the application, you just need to select it from the list and click the "Stop" or "Delete" button. APK-The file stays in the phone's memory, but the process doesn't start. When you delete the file, it's erased completely. It's recommended that you use the shutdown function first, test the smartphone for a couple of days, and then delete the unnecessary one.
| Type of application | Recommended action | Risk to the system | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| User-generated (User) | You can remove it boldly. | Low. | Average. |
| Systemic (System) | Just turn it off. | Medium. | High. |
| Google services | Don't touch it. | critical | High. |
| Xiaomi Telemetry | Recommended to disable | Low. | Average. |
What if the program doesn’t see the phone?
Manual shutdown via ADB command line
For advanced users who prefer full control without third-party shells, a direct command line method is available, which requires knowing the exact package name. To find out the name of the package, you can use the analyzer applications on the phone itself or look up the list in the same ADB AppControl program, copying the desired value.
Open the command line (cmd) or PowerShell in the folder with the ADB tools. Enter the command adb devices to make sure that the phone is connected. If correct, you will see the serial number of the device. To delete or disable the application, the pm command (package manager) is used.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.example.packageHere, com.example.package needs to be replaced with the real name of the package. If you want to completely uninstall the application for the current user (but leave the possibility of recovery when reset), use the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.packageThis is a good way to write scripts for mass cleaning, but a single letter error can cause a critical component to be disabled. Command line doesn't always have the kind of convenient warnings that graphical interfaces provide, so be very careful when you type.
- 🔍 Always double-check the name of the packet before entering the command.
- 🔄 To recover a remote application, use the command adb shell pm install-existing com.example.package.
- 📝 Keep a list of modified packets in a text file to know what has been changed.
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Use the adb shell pm list packages command to display a complete list of all installed packages, which will help you find the exact name of the application you want if you are not sure of the spelling.
What Xiaomi Apps Can Be Safely Disabled
Xiaomi smartphones have a number of applications that most users consider junk, including analytics services, ad modules and duplicates of standard tools, such as com.miui.misys is responsible for system logs, and com.miui.analytics collects usage data, which disabling does not affect stability, but increases privacy.
There are also some third-party apps that are pre-installed in a particular region, which can be games, social networks or delivery services, if you don't use them, you can remove them, and the list of safe candidates also includes some interface components if you use an alternative launcher.
However, be careful with Google Play Services and Xiaomi Cloud components if you use contact and photo sync. Disabling com.google.android.gms will cause most applications dependent on your Google account to fail, including maps and the Play Market store.
⚠️ Warning: Never disable packages containing the words framework, provider (especially DownloadProvider, TelephonyProvider) or systemui.This can cause the interface to "brickle" when the phone turns on but the desktop doesn't load.
If you accidentally disconnect an important component and the phone starts to behave strangely, don’t panic. Try booting into Safe Mode (clamping the off button on the logo at start) or plugging the phone into your computer and restoring the package via ADB, as described in the previous section.
Recovery of the system after errors
Even experienced users can make a mistake: If the smartphone stopped responding to touch, lost sound or the network is not working, you need to reverse the changes, and the easiest way is to remember which packets you touched last, and restore them through ADB with the install-existing command.
If the interface does not load at all (black screen or endless screensaver), reset to factory settings via Recovery Menu. To do this, turn off the phone completely, then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data or Factory Reset.
This procedure will remove all user data, photos and contacts, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. All system applications will be reinstalled in the original state.
- 🛡️ Always do a backup before mass removal.
- 📱 Use the “Recovery Point” function in the program ADB AppControl.
- 🔄 Knowing the Recovery Teams Through ADB It can save the situation without a complete reset.
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The main principle of system modification is "Seven times measure, one cut." Disable applications in one or a small group, checking the stability of the operation after each change.