How to disable or remove unnecessary applications on Xiaomi Redmi: safe ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones out of the box come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users never run. These programs not only take up precious memory, but also consume CPU resources, reduce battery life and can collect data about your activity. Unlike pure Android, MIUI firmware aggressively integrates services from Xiaomi, Google and partners, making them a non-trivial task to disable.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to get rid of unnecessary applications – from standard methods through settings to advanced techniques using the use of the app. ADB You'll learn which programs can be removed without risk to the system, and which are better just "freeze." MIUI, The instructions are valid for all Redmi models (including Redmi Note) and continue to work even after visible removal through the application menu. 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 etc.) on the base MIUI 13/14 HyperOS.

Why you can’t just remove all pre-installed apps

Many users try to get rid of unnecessary programs through the standard Settings → Apps menu, but face limitations, because MIUI divides applications into three categories:

• 📱 User-generated – installed by you from Google Play or APK. They can be removed without consequences.
• 🔧 System (updated) – pre-installed, but with the ability to update (for example, YouTube, Chrome) and can be disabled or returned to the factory version.
• 🚫 System (non-renewable) – Critical Services MIUI And Android (like com.miui.securitycenter) and removing them without root rights will cause disruption.

The problem is that even disabled apps can continue to work in the background through related services, for example, disabling Mi Video will not stop the background download of updates for the player via com.xiaomi.midrop. Moreover, some services (like Mi Push) automatically restart after the device is restarted.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB or root access may disrupt work MIUI, including updates crashes, camera issues, or the inability to use Google Pay.Always back up before experimenting!

Method 1: Disabling applications through standard settings

The safest method is to disable (rather than delete) unnecessary programs, which hides them from the menu and stops background activity, but saves system files.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application.

After disabling the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the Settings list. → Annexes → It's off. It can be turned on anytime.

Method 2: Removing System Application Updates

Many system applications (like YouTube or Google Play Music) are originally part of the firmware but are updated through Google Play. They can’t be removed completely, but can be returned to the factory version, which will free up space and remove unnecessary features.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (e.g. Google Play Movies).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action.

After that, the app will return to the version that was in the firmware, to prevent automatic updates:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Find an app that you don’t want to update.
3. Click on the three dots next to the Update button and uncheck the Auto Update box.

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If the Remove Updates button is inactive, try first disabling the app, then turning it back on – sometimes this will unlock the option.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep removal

To completely remove system applications (including those that do not turn off via menus) will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but provides more features than standard settings. Importantly, improper use of ADB can lead to a device “brick” when the smartphone stops loading.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).

ADB Tools

Win + R → cmd

ADB

cd C:\platform-tools

adb devices

The serial number of your Redmi should appear.

adb shell pm list packages

Mi Browser

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of popular removal packages:

• 🌐 com.android.browser — Mi Browser
• 🎬 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 📱 com.xiaomi.scanner - Scanner QR-code
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm — Game Turbo
• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Statistics collection MIUI

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete packages with the names com.miui., com.android. or com.google.android.gsf are critical services.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root rights)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized utilities that provide a user-friendly interface to disable system applications without manually entering commands.

• 🛠️ App Inspector – shows all installed packages and their status (system/user) and is useful for identifying “extra” services.
• ❄️ Debloater Tool (for PC) – allows you to massively disable applications through ADB graphical.
• 🧹 SD Maid – clears cache and residual files from remote applications.

Examples of Debloater Tool:

1. Download the utility from GitHub.
2. Connect Redmi to your PC in debugging mode (ADB).
3. Run the program and wait for the list of packages to load.
4. Check out unnecessary apps (use a keyword filter, such as miui or google).
5. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

The advantage of these tools is that they can back up before they turn off and restore applications when needed, but they don't offer a 100% guarantee of security: always check what you're turning off.

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The side of the utility simplifies the process, but does not replace the knowledge of packet names. Always check what you delete so that you do not disrupt the MIUI.

Method 5: Root access and complete removal (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights will open up unlimited possibilities to clean up the system.

• 🗑️ Remove any system applications, including services MIUI.
• 🔄 Replace standard software with alternatives (e.g. Google Camera instead of Mi Camera).
• 🛡️ Block background activity via Magisk or Xposed.

The most reliable way to get a root on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install a custom TWRP recavator for your model.
3. Run Magisk through TWRP.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to uninstall applications.

Example of manual removal commands via ADB with root rights:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser




rm -rf /system/app/MiVideo




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Root access voids Xiaomi warranty and could lead to problems with Google Pay, Netflix (due to Widevine) L1) And banking applications, and the risk of virus infection is also increased.

How to prevent unnecessary applications from being re-installed

Even after removal, some applications (especially from Google and Xiaomi) can recover after a system update or reset.

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system. Tap three points and select Settings. Turn off Auto boot over Wi-Fi.
• 📵 Block background activity: In Settings → Apps select the unnecessary app. Go to Battery Consumption → Background activity. Select Limit.

Use the firewall.

NetGuard

For Google apps (such as YouTube Music or Google News), you can use the Disabler for Google Play Services utility, which prevents them from being re-installed through the Play Market.

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If you have returned remote applications after the MIUI update, repeat the procedure for disabling them via ADB. Save the list of commands in a text file for quick access.

What to do if after removing applications, the phone began to slow down

Sometimes, disabling or removing system components leads to unstable MIUI operation.

• 🐢 Slowing down animations and hanging.
• 🔄 Self-involved reboots.
• 📵 Lack of mobile network or Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge.