How to disable pre-installed apps on Xiaomi: from simple settings to ADB

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi and Poco series, often come with an extensive list of embedded software, some of which are vital to the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, but a significant share is accounted for by advertising services and duplicate utilities. Users often face a situation where standard applications take up space, consume traffic and interfere with the comfortable use of the device.

Fortunately, the Android architecture allows you to manage this process flexibly, so you can not only hide unnecessary icons from your desktop, but also completely stop the background processes that consume resources. Deep cleaning requires accuracy, but the result of accelerated work of the gadget is worth it.

Analysis of built-in software: what can be touched

Before taking drastic action, you need to be clear about the difference between system components and user applications. Deleting critical files can lead to a bootloop, a state where the phone is constantly rebooted and does not turn on until the end, and you can safely delete or disable services that are not related to the basic functionality of the communication and interface.

Safe to remove are usually browsers, music services, app stores (except Google Play), games and memory cleaners, while components like Security, MIUI System, or Google Play cannot be touched, and package selection errors can disrupt notifications or account authorization.

• 📱 Safe: Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, Games, Mi Browser, Mi Pay (if not used).
• ⚙️ Dangerous: Security, Settings, System UI, Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon.
• 🔒 Disputed: Mi Cloud, Themes, Screen Recorder (depending on user habits).

⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to the system, be sure to create a full backup of the data, as the process may be irreversible without flashing it over.

Basic cleaning through Android settings

The easiest and safest way to combat excess software is to not have to connect to a computer. The standard MIUI interface allows many system applications to be forcibly stopped and disabled. This action does not physically delete files, but prevents them from running and displaying them in the menu.

To start, go to your device's settings menu, find the section responsible for managing installed programs, and it shows a complete list of everything in your phone's memory, including hidden system processes.

Find an unneeded app, like Google TV or YouTube, if you don't use it. Click on it to open the information page. If the Delete button is inactive (gray), use the "Disable" option. The system will warn you of the possible consequences, confirm the action.

Once you shut down the icon, it disappears from the desktop and processes stop consuming RAM, but this method doesn't delete files completely, it just stops executing. More advanced methods will be needed to free up space completely.

Preparing the smartphone for deep cleaning

To remove system packages at the code level, you'll need to access via debugging via USB. This is a standard Android developer tool that allows a computer to control the phone. Without activating this function, commands from the PC will not be executed.

You need to unlock the developer menu first. Go to Settings. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». Press it quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until you get a message that you have become a developer.

Then go back to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers. In the list that opens, find the item “Debugging by USB” and activate it. When you connect to your computer, a request for access permission will appear on your phone screen – be sure to check the “Always Allow” box.

Now your Xiaomi is ready to receive commands from an external source. Make sure that the computer has ADB drivers installed, otherwise the system will not see the connected device.

Using ADB to remove system packets

The most effective cleaning method is the use of the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which allows you to send commands directly to the Android shell. You don't have to be a programmer, you just need to know the exact packet names and the syntax of commands.

Download the minimum set of ADB tools from the official website or trusted sources. Unpack the archive into a convenient folder on disk C. Open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in this folder. Connect the phone with a cable and enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the serial number of a device with device status appears on the list, the connection is established successfully. If the status is unauthorized, look at the phone screen and allow access. Now you can delete applications for the current user (device owner), which is safe for the system as a whole.

The removal command is as follows:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

Instead of a name.packet, you need to substitute an exact name, like com.miui.videoplayer. Once you run the command, the application will disappear from the interface and stop working. It's important to understand that the files are physically left in the system partition, but they no longer occupy the user profile.

• 🔍 Packet search: Use the adb shell pm list packages command to output all packets.
• 🗑️ Safe removal: Flag --user 0 Ensures that you remove the software only for yourself without breaking the system.
• ↩️ Recovery: To return the remote, use adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet.

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Use Universal Android Debloatter with a GUI if working with the command line seems too complicated and confusing.

List of safe to remove Xiaomi packages

To avoid getting confused by hundreds of system processes, it’s worth relying on verified lists. Below is a table with the most common Xiaomi and Google packages that can be safely removed by most users.

Removing the com.miui.miservice app may make it impossible for you to quickly call for support via your phone’s menu, but it won’t affect the device itself. Be especially careful with packages that contain the word daemon, framework, or system in the name.

⚠️ Note: Deleting the com.android.packageinstaller package will make it impossible to install any new applications from the APK-file.

If you accidentally delete something important, don't panic. The easiest way to get it back to normal is to do a factory reset, which will put all system files back in place, but delete your personal data.

Alternative methods and automation

Manually entering commands through ADB can seem like a tedious process, especially if you have to process dozens of packages. There are automated scripts and applications that take over the job. One popular solution is to use pre-built scripts for ADB AppControl or similar programs on a PC.

These programs scan the device, make a list of installed software and mark dangerous applications in red, preventing their removal, which reduces the risk of accidental system failure to a minimum.

There is also a method of using special APK-Shizuku allows you to run processes with enhanced privileges without obtaining root rights. Shizuku allows you to manage packages directly from your phone using interfaces like Canta or Hail.

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Using graphical shells for ADB significantly reduces the risk of error compared to manually typing commands into the console.

Remember that after major MIUI or HyperOS updates, the list of system applications may change, so the cleaning procedure sometimes has to be repeated, as the system can restore deleted components or add new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)