How to disable applications on Xiaomi MIUI 11: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device starts to run slower and RAM fills up for no apparent reason. One of the main reasons for this behavior is the excessive number of running background processes, many of which generate system services and preinstalled software. The MIUI 11 operating shell, despite its optimization, still contains components that may not be necessary for a particular user, but continue to consume battery resources.

Disabling unnecessary software is an effective way to extend battery life and unload the processor. Unlike conventional deletion, which is only available for downloaded software from the Internet, the shutdown function allows you to freeze even system components without risking a disruption to the stability of the device. Deep cleaning of the system begins with an analysis of what is actually used daily.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the safe methods of deactivating applications, examine the differences between deleting and disabling, and learn which services should not be touched. You will learn how to control autorun and get full control of your gadget.

Difference Between Deleting and Disabling Applications

Many users confuse the concepts of deletion and disabling, although technically these processes are significantly different: When you delete an application that you installed yourself through Google Play, it completely erases from the internal memory of the device along with the cache and user data. This frees up space in storage, but does not always guarantee that the remaining files will not remain in the system.

The system applications are different. They cannot be removed by standard means without obtaining superuser rights (Root), because they are part of the firmware. The "Disable" function puts the application into sleep mode: its icon disappears from the desktop, processes stop starting, and updates are blocked. However, the installation file itself remains in the system partition, occupying a place that cannot be cleaned by conventional methods.

Using the disable feature is a safer option for untrained users. If a service is deactivated, you can always turn it back on through settings. Complete removal of system components through ADB or root-righted file managers can lead to a device building or endless restart.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling critical system services such as Settings, Security, or System UI», This may cause the interface to be completely inoperable. Always check the service's purpose before deactivating it.

Preparation for cleaning of MIUI 11 system

Before starting to shut down applications, you need to do some preparatory work. Chaotic deactivation of services can lead to unpredictable consequences, so it is important to act consistently. The first step should always be to back up important data, since disabling some services can reset the sync settings.

It is recommended to analyze the list of installed programs and determine which ones you use regularly. Often users forget about applications that have not been used for months, but which continue to hang in memory. It is also worth checking for updates to MIUI 11, as new versions of security patches may have changed the names or paths to system components.

It is important to understand that some applications are related, for example, turning off Google Photos can affect the work of the gallery if it is configured to sync with the cloud, and an analytical approach will help to avoid situations where the camera or alarm clock stops working after “optimization”.

Standard way to disable through settings

The safest and most affordable deactivation method is built into the operating system itself, which does not require a computer connection or additional software installation. First, you need to go to the Settings menu, which is usually presented as a gear, then you need to find the App section, which can sometimes be called “All Apps” depending on the version of the the theme.

In the list that opens, find the application you want. Please note that only user programs can be displayed by default. To see the system programs, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select Show System Processes. Once you find the target application, click on it to open the information page.

If the Disable button is active (not grey), then deactivation is possible. Pressing this button will start the process of stopping the service. The system will warn you of the possible consequences, after which the application icon will disappear from the desktop and from the menu. If the button is inactive, then this application is critical for the operation of Android or the MIUI shell.

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Use a Settings Search by entering the app name to find it faster in a long list of system processes, instead of manually scrolling through.

Managing Auto Start and Permits

Even if you haven't turned the app off completely, you can limit its activity. MIUI 11 has a powerful autostart control mechanism that users often ignore. Many programs prescribe themselves to autoboot to start immediately after the phone is turned on, consuming RAM. To manage this, go to the Security app (green zipper icon) and select the Permission option, and then Autostart.

Here you will see a list of all programs that start automatically. Leave only messengers (to receive notifications) and alarms on. The rest can be safely turned off. This will not delete the application, but will prevent it from starting without your knowledge. It is also worth checking the permissions: go to Settings → Applications → Permissions and take away access to the microphone, geolocation and contacts from suspicious programs.

There's also Battery and Performance in the same Security app, where you can set up a backdoor activity restriction for specific programs in the Smart apps section, which is especially useful for games and heavy applications that don't require constant background work, and this approach allows you to keep the functionality but take the load off the processor.

Using ADB to Advance Disconnect

For users who want to achieve maximum results and remove system “garbage” that can not be turned off by standard means, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-It allows you to forcibly hide or delete system packages for the current user without affecting the system partition, which is safe for guarantee.

First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press MIUI 11 seven times. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging. Connect your phone to your PC, install Platform Tools on your computer, and open the command line. Enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

Once you've confirmed the connection on your smartphone screen, you can type in commands to disable the packets. The syntax of the command is as follows:

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

For example, to disable the standard Mi Browser browser, the command will look like this: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser. To return the application, use the command adb shell pm enable name.packet. This method gives full control, but requires caution: removing an important system component may require resetting to factory to restore performance.

What apps can not be turned off on Xiaomi

There are a number of system components that will cause your device to be unstable or completely functional, most notably Google Play services and basic system frameworks, and if you turn off Google Play Services, your maps, app store, contact sync, and many third-party programs that depend on Google notifications will stop working.

Also, be wary of MIUI System components. Apps like Security, Downloads, Task Manager, and Themes are the core of the shell. Disabling them can cause the phone to stop responding to taps, lose sound, or fail to work the camera. Even if you don't like the design of these apps, it's better to install an alternative from the store than remove the system one.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable packages with names that contain the words “Framework”, “Provider”, “Input” or “SystemUI”. These are the basic elements of the operating system, without which Android will not be able to run a graphical interface.

Pay special attention to phone and messaging applications. The standard calls and SMS managers in MIUI are deeply integrated into the system. Their replacement is possible, but completely disabling stock versions sometimes causes conflicts, which may not show incoming calls or the sound of the call may disappear. In MIUI 11, it is critical to keep the com.miui.securitycenter package active, since it manages permissions and power consumption.

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