How to disable or remove system applications on Xiaomi with MIUI: all ways

Xiaomi’s MIUI smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed apps, from useful services to unnecessary “junk” that takes up memory and consumes battery power. Many users want to get rid of Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music or Google’s backup services, but are afraid to disrupt the stability of the system. In this article, we will discuss all working methods from secure disconnection through settings to deep removal using ADB.

It is important to understand that system applications in MIUI are divided into three categories:

• 🔹 Safe to delete – duplicate services (Mi Browser, Mi Video) that do not affect the operation of the system.
• 🔸 Critical - MiuiSystemUI, Security or Settings, the removal of which will lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the phone.
• 🔶 Gray Zones – Mi Account, Finder or Game Turbo that can be disabled but can be deactivated if you delete them, which can disrupt functionality (e.g. sync or game mode).

We will not recommend “universal” methods like root rights or custom firmware, which are only suitable for power users and lack warranties, but instead focus on legitimate methods that work on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

1. disable system applications via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest way is to deactivate unwanted apps through standard settings, which won’t remove them completely, but will stop background processes and hide icons from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Applications (or System Processes in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Find the app you want (like Browser or Mi Video) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is inactive).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Security or MiuiDaemon) cannot be disabled via the menu, the system will block the button. ADB (let's take it down).

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

Backup of important data

Write down the names of the disabled applications

Make sure the battery is over 50 times charged%-->

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory. To return it, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.

2. Remove system applications via ADB (without root, but with PC)

If you don't shut down enough, you can completely remove unnecessary apps using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn't require root rights, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive into a folder on your PC.
2. Turn it on on the phone: 🔧 Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate the developer mode). 🔧 Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

File transfer

ADB

adb devices

(Your device name should appear – if not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "miui"

This command will display a list of all Xiaomi system packages. Find the name of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

Replace com.miui.browser with the name of your app package. --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect the system).

💡

Before you delete, check the package on Google or forums (such as 4PDA) – some applications may be linked to critical MIUI features.

⚠️ Note: Removing com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will cause your phone to fail, and you can only restore them through a full reset or firmware.

3. List of secure to remove system applications on Xiaomi

Below is a table of applications that can be removed or disabled without risk to the system, and the data is relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS (2023-2026).

🔍 How do you find the name of the package yourself? Use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to search for all apps with “miui”:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

4. How to disable system application updates

Even after removal, some apps (such as Mi Browser or Security) can automatically restore through Google Play or MIUI Updater.

Ways:

• 📱 Through Google Play: Open Google Play, find an app (like Mi Browser). → Remove from the list of updates.
• 🖥️ Through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending This command will disable Google Play for the current user (updates will stop, but the store will remain on the system).
• 🔧 Through settings MIUI: Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. Select the application. → Additionally. → Auto-update → Banned.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling updates for Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) may disrupt YouTube, Gmail and other Google services.

5. Alternatives to Deletion: Hiding Icons and Restricting Rights

If you are afraid of taking risks, but want to “get out of sight”, use these methods:

• 🗃️ Hiding icons: Click the app icon on the home screen → Remove from the screen or Hide (in new versions) MIUI). Use launchers like Nova Launcher, where you can hide system applications. 🚫 Restriction of Rights: Open Settings → Annexes → Permissions: Find an unnecessary application and disable access to Contacts, Locations, Camera, etc. ⏸️ Freeze through Developer Options: Enable Developer Mode (as in the Pro section) ADB). Go to Settings. → For developers → Inactive apps. Add unnecessary apps to the list, they will stop running in the background. 💡 Useful Lifehack: If the app can’t be disabled via the menu but it interferes with notifications (e.g. Mi Advertising), go to Settings → Notifications and manually disable alerts for it. 6. How to return a remote system application if after deleting ADB Something went wrong, you can restore the application in two ways: 🔄 Through ADB (if you do not reset settings: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser Replace com.miui.browser with the remote package. ⚙️ Through Settings Reset: Back up your data. Go to Settings → The phone. → Settings reset. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files, but returns system applications).

⚠️ Note: If after removing a critical application (for example, com.miui.home - launcher) the phone does not turn on or loads in an infinite loop, you will need firmware through Fastboot:

fastboot flash all firmware.zip

🔴 Removing system applications on Xiaomi with MIUI Global may result in the blocking of Mi Account due to the activation of protection against system changes. To avoid blocking, unplug the account in the settings before manipulation or use the version MIUI for the China region (without reference to the account).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users face problems after removing system applications, and let's look at common errors and solutions:

• 🚨 Phone not turned on after deletion: Reason: Critical package removed (e.g. com.miui.home - launcher) Solution: Fastboot firmware (see section above).
• ⚠️ Error notifications are constantly appearing: Reason: the application that other services depend on (e.g. com.miui.analytics) has been removed. Solution: return the application via ADB dump.
• 🔄 Applications are restored after update MIUI: Reason: System applications return when major updates are made. Solution: Repeat deletion via ADB or disable auto-updates.
• 📱 Gestures or theme don't work: Reason: com.miui.touchassistant removed or com.android.themes removed. Solution: restore packets.