How to disable the application on the Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality and affordable price, but the pre-installed set of programs often raises questions among users. Many applications that the company installs by default consume CPU resources and take up precious space in the internal memory of the device. This is especially true for models of the budget and mid-range segment, where storage is limited. Disabling the application is the optimal solution to stop background processes without deleting system files, which can disrupt the operation of the operating system.

Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS often face intrusive notifications and advertising from system services. Simply removing the label from the desktop does not solve the problem, because the process itself continues to work in the background. Proper deactivation allows you to significantly extend battery life and speed up interface response. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to manage programs, from standard settings to advanced methods.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the difference between deleting and disabling. Disabling a system application turns it into an inactive file that does not start, does not consume battery, but remains in the device's memory. It is a secure method that does not require superuser rights and does not entail loss of warranty. Next, we will look at step-by-step instructions for various use cases.

Difference Between Deleting and Disabling Applications

Users often confuse the notions of deletion and disabling, which can lead to undesirable consequences when working with system software. When you remove a user application downloaded from the Google Play store or GetApps, it is completely erased from the device along with the cache and data. System applications built into the firmware by the manufacturer usually do not have an active delete button, since they are part of the operating system.

The shutdown function, in turn, simply freezes the program, stops appearing in the installed program list, disappears from the menu, and can not be manually or automatically launched. However, the apk file remains in the system memory section, which means that you can bring the program back to life at any time just by clicking the "Enable" button, which is ideal for testing the stability of the smartphone after disabling suspicious services.

There are several categories of software that Xiaomi owners have to deal with:

• 📱 User Applications: programs installed by you personally that can be freely removed.
• 🛠 System Utilities: Important components like Theme, Security, or Conductor, the removal of which may disrupt the interface.
• 📢 Bloatware: Advertising and affiliate applications, often pre-installed by distributors, that do not carry a functional load.

It is important to distinguish between these types, as aggressive cleaning of system utilities can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.If you are not sure about the purpose of the specific process, it is better to use the shutdown function rather than looking for ways to completely remove through ADB.

Standard method of disconnection through smartphone settings

The safest and most recommended way to manage programs is built directly into the MIUI shell interface, which doesn't require a computer connection or third-party software installation. You need to go to the main settings menu of your device. Find the App section and select All Apps. Here's the full list of installed software.

In the list that opens, find the app you want. Note that the list can be sorted by name, size, or frequency of use. Once you select the program, a screen will open with information about it. If the application is system-based and cannot be removed in the standard way, the Delete button will be missing or inactive. Instead, you will see the Disable button.

When you click on the shutdown button, the system will give a warning that the application will be removed from the home screen and will stop working. Confirm the action. Now the program is marked as disabled. If you need to return it, you will need to go to the settings menu, select the display of all applications (including system) and find frozen software there to activate.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps related to the operation of the phone, SMS, Contacts or System Interface (System) UI). This can result in the inability to make calls or control your smartphone.

Sometimes the shutdown button may not be available (grey), which means that the application is critical to the Android operating system or the HyperOS shell, in which case the standard methods to affect its operation will not work without the risk of software failure.

Managing Auto Start and Permits

Even if you can't completely turn off an app, you can often limit its appetites. MIUI shell is known for its aggressive memory management policy, but many programs still try to start right after you turn on your phone. To prevent this, use the built-in Security tool. In the menu of this app, find the AutoStart section.

This is a list of programs that can run with the operating system, and turn off the switches in front of those applications that you don't need in the background, which will significantly speed up the device's load and reduce the RAM consumption in the first minutes after the screen is turned on.

You should also check permissions. Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps → [Selected App] → Permissions. Turn off geolocation, microphone, or contacts if the program doesn't need them for its primary function, like a flashlight doesn't need Internet access, and a calculator doesn't need to access your contacts.

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Use Battery mode in the settings to force background activity to stop. Select No Limits mode for messengers only to ensure you receive notifications.

There is also a hidden but useful mechanism for battery limitations: In the settings menu of a particular application, find “Activity Control” or “Charge Savings.” Setting “No Limits” will allow the application to run freely, and the “Strict Limit” value will actually turn it off as soon as you turn the window.

Using ADB to Advance Disconnect

For users who want to gain full control of their device, there is a method of disabling system applications through USB debugging and a computer, which requires connecting the smartphone to a PC and installing the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) platform, which allows you to hide system packages so that they disappear even from the list of installed applications, although they physically remain in the system partition.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the field "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». Then in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging by” USB». When connecting to a computer on the smartphone screen, a request for debugging permission will appear - confirm it.

The command to disable is as follows:

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

You can use the adb shell pm list packages command to find out the name of the package, or you can install a packet ID application on your phone. Be extremely careful: disabling key system components (for example, com.android.systemui) can make the phone inoperable, and you will have to reset to factory settings.

To return the application back, a command is used:

adb shell pm enable name.package

This method eliminates ads in system applications and removes the undeletable blot that annoys users around the world, but it requires carefulness and a basic understanding of command line structure.

Specifics of working with Xiaomi system services

Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes many services that enable cloud-based functions, sync and analytics, some of which, like Mi Cloud or Mi Video, can be easily disabled if you’re not using them, but there are services that are tied to your Mi Account that can lead to login errors.

Special attention should be paid to Analytics and Ad Services, which collect data about the use of the device for targeted advertising, disabling them will not only clear the interface from unnecessary offers, but also increase the level of privacy. In privacy settings, you can also revoke the license agreement for system applications, which often automatically disables their functionality.

When working with the HyperOS shell, the package structure may have changed. Some system applications have become modular, and turning them off may require rebooting the device. If after turning off any service you notice unstable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, try turning the application back on.

⚠️ Note: Before the mass shutdown of system services through ADB Make sure to back up your data completely. Recovering the system after an error may require a complete reset (Wipe Data).

Users often ask if Google services can be removed on Chinese versions of smartphones. Technically, it is possible through ADB, but on global firmware this will cause the Play Market store and most third-party applications to fail. On Chinese firmware (CN ROM), Google services are already disabled by default and hidden.

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Possible problems and ways to solve them

In the process of optimizing a smartphone, users can face a number of difficulties, the most common problem is that the application spontaneously turns back on, this is typical for system updates or after resetting, in which case you have to repeat the shutdown procedure, and you can also experience errors "App is stopped" when you try to start a dependent service.

If you have disabled a critical component and the phone is not behaving properly (black screen, endless boot), the only solution is to enter Recovery mode. To do this, you need to press the combination of the on and on buttons (usually "Loud up" + "Power") on the device turned off. From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data.

Another problem is that you can't find the shutdown button, and as mentioned earlier, this is a restriction that the manufacturer imposes to protect the integrity of the system, and in this case, only the use of ADB or custom firmware installation helps, although the latter requires unlocking the bootloader, which entails a loss of warranty.

You can use Safe Mode to diagnose problems. Press the turn off button, and when the turn off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it. The phone will suggest that you go to Safe Mode. Only the basic system applications are loaded in this state, and if the problem has disappeared, then one of the applications you installed is to blame.

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Safe Mode is the best way to diagnose which third-party application is in conflict with the system without removing them all in a row.

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