How to Disable or Uninstall System Apps on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: Risks and Safe Techniques

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed applications that users don’t always need, from advertising services to backup utilities, which take up memory, consume battery power, and can interfere with the device, but they can’t be removed simply because the system protects critical components from accidental interference.

In this article, we will look at which system applications can be turned off without risking the stability of MIUI 12 and which cannot be touched categorically. You will learn about three main methods: through phone settings, using ADB and using third-party utilities. We will also warn against typical errors that lead to the "bricking" of devices, and share a list of safe programs for deactivation.

Important: the procedure requires caution. Even if you do not plan to obtain root rights, some manipulations may disrupt the work of Google services or Xiaomi branded features (for example, Mi Cloud or Finder).

Why are MIUI 12 so many pre-installed apps?

The MIUI 12 shell is not just a wrapper over Android, but a full-fledged ecosystem with its own services. Xiaomi integrates utilities into the firmware for:

• 📱 Device management: Security (antivirus), Cleaner (optimizer), Game Turbo (game mode).
• 🌍 Ecosystems: Mi Home (smart home), Mi Pay (payments), Mi Video (video player).
• 💰 Monetizations: GetApps (app store), Mi Browser (browser with advertising), Music (player with promo).
• 🔄 Duplicate functions: second browser, second calendar, second file manager.

Some of these applications cannot be removed without consequences, because they are connected to the kernel of the system, for example, com.miui.system is responsible for the interface, and com.android.phone is responsible for phone calls, and deactivation will lead to a cyclical reboot or complete failure of the phone.

Another category is bloatware, which can be safely turned off.

• 🎵 Mi Music – if you use Spotify or YouTube Music.
• 📺 Mi Video - with alternatives available (VLC, MX Player).
• 🛒 GetApps – Xiaomi app store, duplicates Google Play.
• 🌐 Mi Browser – a browser with aggressive advertising.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) The com.miui.analytics app is responsible for collecting statistics, and disabling it can disrupt Mi Cloud and data synchronization.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI 12 settings (without root)

The easiest way is to deactivate unwanted programs through a standard menu, which won't delete them completely, but will stop background activity and free up RAM.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Video) and open your card.
4. Click Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates (for some system utilities).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not all applications can be disabled (e.g., MiuiDaemon or System). UI).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Some programs may be activated again.
• 📦 Memory on the device will not be freed – application files will remain in the system.

Backup of important data

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Write down the names of the disabled applications

Connect your phone to charge (in case of hanging up)-->

List of apps that can be safely disabled on most devices:

⚠️ Note: On devices with regional firmware (e.g. India or China), disabling com.miui.region may cause Google Play Services to crash. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

A more radical way is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to completely remove system applications, but requires a connection to the computer and enable the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.

ADB Tools

File transfer

ADB

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

(Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

The keys of the pm uninstall command:

• -k - saves the cache and application data.
• --user 0 — delete only for the current user (does not affect the system).

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Before deleting, back up the list of all packages with the adb shell pm list packages | sort command. Save the output to the text file - this will help restore the deleted application if something goes wrong.

Examples of safe packet removal:

• 📁 com.miui.cleanmaster – Cleaner Optimizer (can be replaced by SD Maid).
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm - Game Turbo (if you don't play).
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid – hybrid mode for tablets (on smartphones you do not need).

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.google.android.gms (Google services) or com.miui.home (launcher) will cause your phone to fail. These packets can only be recovered through a full reset or firmware re-flash.

Method 3: Use of third-party utilities (requires caution)

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can use specialized programs like Debloater or Universal Android Debloater (UAD), which provide a graphical interface for managing system packages.

Advantages:

• 🖥️ A convenient list of all applications with filters.
• 🔍 Ability to create a backup before removal.
• 📊 Support for a mass shutdown.

Disadvantages:

• 🛡️ Demands. ADB and the debugging included.
• 🔄 Not all utilities support MIUI 12 (check compatibility).
• 💻 Minimum knowledge of working with PCs is required.

Instructions for Universal Android Debloater:

1. Download the program from GitHub.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging.
3. Run the UAD and wait for the packet list to load.
4. Filter apps by keyword (e.g. miui).
5. Select the unnecessary and choose the action: Uninstall or Disable.

How to restore a remote system application?

If after manipulations the phone began to glittle or an important function disappeared, you can return everything back in several ways:

Method 1: ADB (if the packet has not been completely erased)

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer

Method 2: Reset to factory settings

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.
• 📱 Select Reset (all data will be deleted!).
• 🔐 After restarting, the applications will return to their original state.

Method 3: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast

If the phone doesn’t turn on or gets stuck on the MIUI logo, you will need to:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down).
4. Connect to your PC and flash through Mi Flash (select Clean All option).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite) to firmware through Fastboot will need to unlock Bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.

What applications can not be disabled on MIUI 12?

Some system components are critical to the operation of the phone, and deactivation will result in:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
• 📵 Loss of network (no calls, no mobile Internet).
• 🔒 Mi Account block (you will need to unlock through support).

List of "untouchable" packages:

On devices with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition (such as Xiaomi 12 Pro), some packages can be renamed. To make sure that the removal is safe, check the dependence through the command:

adb shell dumpsys package com.miui.videoplayer

(Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired package).

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Before any manipulation of system applications, be sure to check their dependence on other services. For example, com.miui.weather2 (weather) can be associated with a widget on the home screen - its removal will lead to interface errors.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when working with system applications.

Mistake 1: Remove without backup

Always save the list of packages with the command adb shell pm list packages and make a backup through TWRP (if there is a custom recap).

Error 2: Using third-party utilities without checking

Some Google Play debloaters (like NoBloat) may contain malicious code. Use only proven open source tools (UAD, ADB AppControl).

Error 3: Disabling Google Services on GMS-enabled Devices

On smartphones with Google Mobile Services certification (e.g. global versions of Redmi), deleting com.google.android.gms will result in:

• 🛑 Stopping Google Play Market.
• 📱 Loss of sync with Google account.
• 🔍 Google Assistant and Google Maps inoperability.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the regional features of the firmware

On the Chinese version of MIUI (for example, for the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), many system applications are tightly integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem.

• 📧 Mi Cloud (Cloud Storage).
• 💳 Mi Pay (Contactless Payments).
• 🏠 Mi Home (Management of a Smart Home).

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If you are unsure of the purpose of the package, check its description on the AppBrain website or in the Package List database.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions