How to disable unnecessary applications on Xiaomi MIUI 12: Safe ways to do this

Shell MIUI Xiaomi's 12 is known for its abundance of pre-installed apps that the user doesn't always need, and many run in the background, using up battery power, taking up RAM and sending notifications. Disabling such programs can significantly improve smartphone performance, but it is important to do it correctly so as not to disrupt system stability.

In this article, we will analyze all available ways to disable applications on devices with MIUI 12 — from standard system tools to hidden features for power users, you will learn which applications can be safely deactivated and which are better left to avoid errors in the operation of the phone. We will also consider alternative methods for those who want to completely remove unnecessary software, but are not ready to get root rights.

We will pay special attention to the differences between disabling and uninstalling applications. MIUI 12 Many system programs can’t be removed without special tools, but they can be frozen, which will have a similar effect. 10T and POCO X3 NFC) And we've prepared step-by-step instructions, taking into account the features of the firmware.

Why you should disable unnecessary apps on Xiaomi

Even if you don’t notice any obvious performance issues, the background processes of pre-installed apps can negatively affect smartphone performance, and here are the key reasons why you should turn them off:

• 🔋 Battery savings: Many system utilities (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Mi Browser) continue to run in the background, consuming power even when you are not using them.
• ⚡ Speed up work: disabling unnecessary services frees up RAM, which is especially noticeable on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM.
• 📱 Reducing CPU load: Some applications (such as Cleaner or Security) run automated optimization, which in practice often only interferes with the processor’s performance.
• 🛡️ Privacy protection: A number of system programs (such as Mi Cloud or GetApps) collect data about the use of the device, and disabling them reduces the amount of information transmitted.

According to the tests conducted on the Redmi Note 8 Pro MIUI 12.5, disabling 10 pre-installed applications (including Mi Pay, Mi Community and Game Turbo) increased battery life by 12-15% and reduced the number of background processes from 45 to 32.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications with names that contain android, google, miui or system at the beginning (for example, android.process.media or miui.analytics.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings MIUI 12

The simplest and safest method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for most user and some system applications.

1. Open Settings and go to the Applications → Application Management section.
2. At the top of the screen, select the All Apps tab (the Download tab can be selected by default).
3. Find the app you want to disable (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) and tap it.
4. Press the Disable button (if the button is inactive, then the application cannot be disabled in the standard way).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears by clicking Disable the application.

After that, the application will disappear from the menu, stop sending notifications and consuming resources, its data will remain on the device, so when you turn on again, all settings will be saved.

Check if the application is systemically important (e.g. Settings or Phone)

Make sure you have an alternative (e.g., disabling Mi Browser, install Chrome or Firefox)

Remember the name of the app in case you need to turn it back on

Backup important data (for example, for Notes or Calendar)

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Some apps (such as GetApps or Mi Community) may not be on the main list.

1. In the Application Management section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Show all applications or Show system (depending on the firmware version).
3. Now you will see the full list, including hidden system utilities.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Mi Share or Nearby Share apps may disrupt the fast file transfer function between Xiaomi devices. If you use it often, it is best to keep these programs active.

Method 2: Use of the ADB disable

If the standard method does not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A debugging tool that allows you to control system components, which requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but doesn't require root rights.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers for your Xiaomi (you can download from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi program) PC Suite).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original, as cheap cables may not provide stable connection).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the Android developer’s website or through the Platform Tools package).
• 📱 On the smartphone should be included debugging on USB (Path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer Mode (not just charging).
2. Open the command prompt (or PowerShell in Windows) and go to the folder with ADB (for example, cd C:\platform-tools).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined, you will see its serial number.
4. To disable the application, use the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 For example, to disable Mi Browser: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser
5. To enable back, use: adb shell pm enable name.package

List of packages of popular system applications MIUI 12:

Important: Disabling applications through ADB It doesn't delete their data, but it makes it inaccessible to the system.

Standard Disconnection through Settings|Use it. ADB|I remove it with root rights.|I'm not removing it, I'm just ignoring it.|Another way.-->

Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If you work with ADB It seems complicated, and you can use specialized applications that make it easier to disable system components. One of the most popular tools is the App Inspector (available on Google Play).

How to use App Inspector:

1. Install the app from Google Play (link: App Inspector).
2. Open it and provide access to Special Opportunities (required for analysis of installed programs).
3. In the main menu, select System Applications.
4. Find an unnecessary app in the list and tap it.
5. Click Disable (if the option is available).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Convenient interface with sorting by category (system, user, cached).
• 📊 Shows the size of each application and the number of processes it occupies.
• 🛠️ Allows you to disable applications that are not visible in standard settings MIUI.

Alternative utilities:

• Debloater (requires connection to the ADB, but provides a graphical interface).
• Package Disabler (a paid app with advanced features for Samsung, but it also works on Xiaomi).
• SD Maid (allows you not only to disable, but also to clean residual files).

⚠️ Note: Some apps from Google Play may request super-user (root) permissions to remove system programs. Do not grant such rights if you are not sure about the security of the utility - this can lead to hacking of your device.

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Before using third-party utilities, check reviews and rankings on Google Play. Apps rated below 4.0 stars and few downloads may contain malicious code.

What applications can be safely disabled MIUI 12

Not all pre-installed applications are equally useful, and here's a list of programs that you can disable without risking system stability, and we've categorized them according to functionality.

1. Multimedia applications

• 🎵 Mi Music is a standard music player, and you can turn it off if you use Spotify, YouTube Music or whatever. VLC.
• 🎬 Mi Video is a video player. Alternatives: MX Player, VLC or Google Photos.
• 📷 Mi Gallery - Xiaomi Gallery. You can replace it with Google Photos or Simple Gallery.

Browsers and Internet services

• 🌐 Mi Browser is the standard browser. Better use Chrome, Firefox or Brave.
• 📥 Download Manager: Download Manager. You can turn it off if you download files through your browser.
• 🛒 GetApps is Xiaomi’s app store, and is only useful for Chinese users.

3. Social and communication applications

• 💬 Mi Community is a Xiaomi user forum, useful only for discussing firmware.
• 📧 Mi Mail is an email client. You'd better use Gmail or Outlook.
• 👥 Mi Chat is a Xiaomi messenger, almost not used outside of China.

4. Utilities and services

• 🎮 Game Turbo is a game optimizer, only useful to gamers.
• 🔄 Cleaner is a garbage cleaning utility that often works aggressively by removing useful caches.
• 📍 Mi Drop is a file transfer service, and it can be replaced by Google's Nearby Share.

Before you turn off, check if you are using the app’s functionality. For example, Mi Share may be needed to quickly transfer files between Xiaomi devices.

What to do if the disabled application needs to be returned

If you have a smartphone problem or just changed your mind after you turn off the app, it can be easily returned.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show off.
3. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
4. Press Enable.

Method 2: Through ADB

If the application has been disabled through ADB, use the command:

adb shell pm enable name.package

For example, to return the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm enable com.android.browser

Method 3: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If you turn off a few applications, you can reset the settings to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (do not delete all data so as not to lose files!).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting will return all disabled applications, but also reset personal settings (wallpaper, sounds, network settings, etc!

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The apps that are disabled are not deleted from the device completely — their data is stored in memory, which means that you can return them at any time without losing information.

Alternative methods: removing system applications without root

If shutting down isn’t enough and you want to completely remove unnecessary apps, there are several ways to do so without getting root permissions, however, these methods require caution, as improper actions can lead to a device being knocked out.

Method 1: Use of the ADB AppControl

ADB AppControl is an open source utility that allows you not only to disable, but also to remove system applications through ADB. Its advantage is that it provides a convenient interface for working with packages.

Instructions:

1. Download. ADB AppControl with GitHub and unpack the archive on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
3. Open the ADBAppControl.exe file.
4. In the main window, select Uninstall system app.
5. Find the unnecessary app in the list and click Uninstall.

List of applications that can be safely removed:

• 📺 Mi TV (com.miui.tv – if you do not use the TV control function.
• 📖 Mi Reader (com.miui.reader) is a book reader app.
• 🎁 Mi Gift (com.xiaomi.gift) – Gift service (only available in China).
• 📊 Mi Analytics (com.miui.analytics) – collection of usage statistics (can be removed to enhance privacy).

Method 2: Use of the TWRP (for advanced users)

If you have a custom recavator installed on your device TWRP, You can remove system applications directly through the file manager:

1. Get in mode. TWRP (usually clamping power + Loudness up).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Find a folder with the name of an unwanted app (such as Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through TWRP This can cause the system to not boot if you remove a critical component.Be sure to back up the partition before this procedure. /system into TWRP!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions