How to disable or remove the application on Xiaomi Poco X3: all ways

Xiaomi Poco X3 smartphone based on MIUI often comes with pre-installed applications that are not always necessary for the user. They take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and can slow down the device. However, simple deletion through the menu is not always available — especially for system utilities. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable applications, from standard methods to hidden shell functions.

It is important to understand the difference between deleting and disabling. Deleting completely erases the program from the device, while disabling only freezes it, stopping background activity. On the Poco X3 with MIUI 12/13/14, some system applications can only be disabled — their complete removal requires superuser rights (root).

1. Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most custom applications and some pre-installed services.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the Application Management tab.
3. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the visible area).
4. Slip on it and select Disable (or Delete if the button is active).

If the Disable button is inactive, the application is protected by the system, in which case one of the alternative methods described below will help. Please note: once the application is disabled, the application will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in the device's memory. To completely clear the cache and files, press Storage → Clear the data before turning off.

2. Disconnection via "Security" (for system applications)

Some MIUI system utilities (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps) cannot be disabled in the standard way, but can be hidden through the Security menu.

• 🔒 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• 🛡️ Move to Acceleration. → Deep acceleration.
• 🔍 In the list, find an unnecessary application and uncheck it.
• 🔄 Confirm action – the application will stop and will not be able to start automatically.

This is useful for applications that you can't turn off through settings, but you don't want to see on your active process list, like you can block Mi Browser or Mi Pay if you're not using them, but after you reboot your smartphone, some system applications can be activated again, in which case you'll have to repeat the procedure.

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If the Security menu doesn’t have a “Deep Acceleration” option, update the app via GetApps or Google Play. In older versions of MIUI, this section could be called “AutoStart.”

3.Use ADB to disable system applications

For advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, there is a more powerful method - disabling through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will allow you to block even those applications that do not respond to standard methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Poco X3: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

USB debugging

ADB

Mi PC Suite

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, you can continue.

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

Instead of com.example.app, substitute the batch name of the desired application (you can find out through the App Inspector in Google Play).

Example: To disable Mi Browser, type:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

To turn the app back on, use the same command, but with the enable option:

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable developer mode on Poco X3|Activate debugging on USB|Download and unpack ADB Tools|Read the package name of the application-->

4. Complete removal of system applications (root required)

If you're willing to take the risk of rooting, you can completely remove unnecessary system applications, which will free up memory and permanently eliminate background processes. However, improper deletion of system files can lead to a smartphone failure or download cycle, and we recommend this method only to advanced users who are prepared for the possible consequences.

Removal will require:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader and root rights (for example, through Magisk).
• 💻 PC fitted ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Application for working with system files (for example, Root Explorer or Titanium Backup).

Instructions:

1. Back up all data (e.g., via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
2. Install Root Explorer and give it root access.
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (depending on the location of the application).
4. Find a folder with the name of the app (such as Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

If the smartphone stopped booting after deleting, try recovering deleted files via TWRP (Castom Recovery) or reflashing the device via Fastboot.

5. Hiding applications without turning off (for launcher)

If you don’t have to remove the app completely, but you just want to remove it from the home screen and menu, you can use the hide feature in the POCO Launcher.

How to hide the application:

1. Hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen.
2. Select the launcher settings (cog icon).
3. Go to Hidden Apps.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

The hidden apps will stay on the system and will be available through search (Find apps in the menu) or through settings. To show them again, repeat the same procedure and uncheck the boxes.

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Hiding apps doesn't save battery power or free up RAM -- it only removes icons from the interface. Use the methods from the previous sections to actually disable them.

6. Disable autostart and background activity

Many apps on the Poco X3 continue to run in the background even after closing, consuming battery power and traffic. To avoid this, you can manually disable auto-start and background activity. This will not remove the application, but will significantly reduce its impact on performance.

How to turn off autostart:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and tap Autostart.
3. Turn off the Autostart Switch.
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Activity → Limit.

For mass shutdown of autostart:

1. Open Security → Accelerate → Auto Start.
2. Sort the applications by the date of last use.
3. Turn off auto-run for all unnecessary programs (especially for social networks and instant messengers, if you rarely use them).

7. Restore Disabled Applications

If you have problems after disabling or uninstalling the application (e.g., system functions have stopped working), it can be returned. The way you restore it depends on how you got rid of the program.

If the application has been disabled:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Turn on the display of disabled applications (three dots in the upper right corner) → Show off).
• 🔘 Select the desired application and click Enable.

If the application has been removed via root:

• 📥 Download the original APK-Application file (for example, from the APKMirror site).
• 🔧 Set it up through ADB file manager with root access.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

If the smartphone does not boot after deleting the system file:

• 🛠️ Load into Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness down when switched on).
• 💻 Connect your smartphone to your PC and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Before restoring system applications, check their batch names through adb shell pm list packages. This will help you specify exactly which application to enable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling apps on Poco X3