How to disable system applications on Xiaomi MIUI 12

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with the shell MIUI 12 often face the problem of excessive amounts of preinstalled software. Many users wonder how to turn off system applications to free up RAM and remove intrusive advertising. Standard interface tools do not always do this, as the manufacturer blocks access to critical modules.

However, there are proven methods to safely deactivate unnecessary components without obtaining root access rights. In this guide, we will discuss in detail the regular system tools, as well as more advanced ways through debugging via USB. The right approach will allow you to speed up the gadget and get rid of visual debris.

Before you start active actions, you need to clearly understand the difference between deletion and disabling. Complete erasure of system files can lead to unstable operation of the operating system, whereas deactivation simply hides the application from the launcher and prevents it from running in the background. In MIUI 12, it is critical not to remove the components responsible for the operation of the framework, otherwise the device can go into an endless reboot.

Deactivation methods through MIUI settings

The safest and most affordable way to manage software is built directly into the shell interface, which doesn't require a computer connection or third-party utilities, but the functionality of this method is limited: you can only disable applications that the manufacturer has deemed unnecessary for the basic operation of the smartphone.

To get started, you need to go to the App Management menu. Open Settings, then search the Apps section and select All Apps. In the list that opens, find the object you want, such as Google Play Movies or Mi Videos. If the app can be deactivated in the standard way, the button will be active.

Click on the app icon to go to its properties. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see the Disable button. Once validated, the icon will disappear from the desktop, and the processes associated with the software will no longer consume the CPU resources. The system will warn you of the possible consequences if you try to disable an important system module.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications to access the list.
• 🚫 Use the Disable button only for user or labeled as secure software.
• ⚙️ To return the functionality, use the menu Show system processes in the developer settings.
• 🔄 After disconnecting, it is recommended to reboot the device to clean the cache.

It is worth noting that in the MIUI 12 update, the list of available to disable elements has been slightly expanded compared to the previous versions.However, many Xiaomi services, such as Mi Cloud or GetApps, can resist attempts to deactivate through the standard interface, requiring deeper intervention.

Preparing for Advanced Management through ADB

If standard methods don’t work, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging toolkit helps, allowing you to manage packages at the system level, bypassing the limitations of the user interface, and you need to set up your smartphone correctly before you start.

The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and find the MIUI Version line. You need to quickly click on this line 7-10 times in a row until you notice that the developer mode is activated.

In the Additional (or Advanced Settings) menu, select Developer's option. Find and enable the USB Debugging option. The system will issue a risk warning - confirm the action. It is also recommended to enable the USB Debugging option (Security Settings) if available in your firmware version to allow you to install applications and change rights via your computer.

It is important to use an original or quality cable to connect to your computer, as an unstable connection can interrupt the command transfer process. Make sure that the PC has drivers installed for your device, otherwise the computer will not see the smartphone in debugging mode.

Instructions for removal through ADB AppControl and console

You can use both graphical shells such as ADB AppControl and the command line to work with packages. Graphics programs are more convenient for beginners, since they automatically identify applications that are safe to remove and have a Russifi3-enabled interface.

If you prefer to work manually, connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter the adb device command and confirm the connection permission on the smartphone screen. Once the serial number of the device appears, you can start searching for packages.

To find the name of the package, use the adb shell pm list packages with the filter by name. For example, to search for advertising services, type adb shell pm list packages | grep miui. Once you get the exact name of the package (for example, com.miui.misys), you can disable it by command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.example.package

This command does not delete the file physically, but changes its status to "disabled for the current user." This is the safest option, allowing you to return everything back at any time. For complete deletion (not recommended for system components), the uninstall command is used, but in the context of MIUI 12 we recommend limiting disabling.

• 💻 Install platform tools ADB from the official Android website.
• 🔍 Use the pm list packages command to find the exact packet names.
• 🛑 Disable-user command is safer than complete deletion of system files.
• 📝 Keep a list of modified packages to know what has been modified.

System Process Analysis: What You Can Touch

Not all system applications are equally useful, but not all are touchable. MIUI 12 has a lot of processes that don't tell the average user the names of, and trying to disable a critical component can cause the phone to stop catching the network or working with the camera.

You can safely disable analytics services, advertising modules (MSA), and duplicate Google apps if you don't use them. For example, if you don't use Mi Browser, it can be deaktivirovat' in favor of Chrome or Firefox, similar to Mi Music and Mi Video.

Pay special attention to the processes associated with the shell. disabling System UI or MIUI Home will cause the desktop and control panel to disappear, and be careful with security services (Security Center), as they control the permissions and operation of other applications.

💡

Before a mass application shutdown, create a complete backup of your data, and even seemingly safe changes can affect specific functions, such as contact synchronization or alarm clocks.

Possible risks and system recovery

Modifying the system partition always carries certain risks. Even using the secure disable-user method, you can find yourself in a situation where telephony or Wi-Fi stops working, most often due to the disabling of dependencies that the user may not have known about.

If after your actions, the smartphone began to behave incorrectly, the first thing you should do is try to reboot the device in safe mode. To do this, press the off button, and when the menu appears, press and hold the "Stop" (or "Reboot", depending on the version) until you have a suggestion to go to safe mode.

⚠️ Note: If the phone goes into a cyclic reboot immediately after turning on, you will have to reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode. To do this, press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously before the Mi logo appears, then select Wipe Data.

Restore remote through ADB The application can be used by adb shell pm install-existing package_name, But only if you haven't erased the apk file completely, which is why the disable method is preferable to deletion: it leaves a "backpoint" in the system.

In case of serious errors, when the device does not boot, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool utility.This will return the phone to its original state, but all user data will be lost.

💡

The most reliable way to recover from errors is through factory reset (Wipe Data), so regular backup of important data is a must before any interference with the system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)