Embedded apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often take up precious space in memory, consume battery resources and show annoying ads - even if you do not use them. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps or Mi Video can not be removed in the standard way, but they can be disabled, hidden or removed without root rights.
In this article, we have 5 proven methods (including hidden MIUI settings and ADB commands) that work on all current models, from Xiaomi 13 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12. We will analyze which applications can be safely deactivated and which should not be touched so as not to break the system.
Why you can’t just remove built-in apps on Xiaomi
The manufacturer blocks the removal of system applications for three reasons:
- 🔄 System dependencies: Some applications (e.g., Security or Mi Share) are associated with the kernel MIUI and are responsible for updates, security or gestures.
- 📦 License Agreements: Xiaomi is required to provide pre-installed services (e.g. Google Play Services) under a contract with Google.
- 💰 Monetization: Apps like GetApps or Mi Browser show ads that generate revenue for the company.
But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to put up with unnecessary software: Disabling (not removing!) most apps is completely safe — they’ll just stop running and updating. And for advanced users, there are ways to uninstall them without rooting through ADB or hidden menus.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android., com.miui. (except for obvious exceptions) or com.google.* – this can cause phone malfunctions, update issues, or even a “brick” (inoperability) of the device.
Method 1: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the application through the settings menu, which does not delete the program files, but stops it from working, removes it from the menu, and stops the background processes.
How to do this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
- Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
- Click Disable (if the button is active) and confirm the action.
✅ Pros of the method:
- 🔒 Secure – does not require superuser rights or PC connection.
- ⏱️ Fast, it takes less than a minute.
- 🔄 Back to the application – you can turn on again at any time.
❌ Cons:
- 🚫 Not all applications can be disabled (e.g., Security or Mi Account).
- 📦 Application files remain in memory (do not free up space).
Unnecessary browsers (Mi Browser, Mint Browser)
Musical players (Mi Music, Mi Video)
Branded store (GetApps)
Social Services (Mi Community)
Game utilities (Game Turbo)
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Method 2: Removal via ADB (no root rights)
If the standard shutdown doesn’t help or you want to completely uninstall the app, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with unlocked developer mode and does not require root rights.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting system applications may disrupt some features (e.g. Mi Share is responsible for fast file transfer.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB debugging (Enable)
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download ADB (like Google’s Platform Tools) and unpack it into a folder.
- Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
- Check the connection: Adb devices (the name of your device should be displayed).
- Remove the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.browser (replace com.mi.browser with the desired application package).
List of safe packet removal
🔹 How to find an application package?
Use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "mi"Or install the App Inspector app from Google Play.
💡
If the application appears again after removal, it means that MIUI Restored it when you update. To avoid this, disable automatic updates to system applications in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update of applications.
Method 3: Hidden settings MIUI Hidden Settings
MIUI has a hidden MIUI Hidden Settings menu that allows you to disable system applications that are not available in the standard interface, which works without ADB and is suitable for users who do not want to connect the phone to a PC.
Instructions:
- Open the dial and type in: ##4636###
- In the menu that appears, select MIUI Hidden Settings (if not, the method is not supported by your version of MIUI).
- Go to the Manage Applications section.
- Find the unnecessary app and click Disable.
📌 Important: In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13 Pro) this menu can be blocked.If the code doesn't work, try an alternative way:
- 📱 Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
- 🔍 Find it. MIUI Hidden Settings and Launch.
Standard Disconnection through Settings
Removal via ADB
MIUI Hidden Settings
Another method-->
Method 4: Using Freeze Applications (without root)
If you don't want to delete apps permanently, but a standard shutdown doesn't help (they turn on themselves after you reboot), use "freeze" programs. They block applications without deleting their files.
The best applications for this task:
- 🧊 Ice Box – creates a “sandbox” for unnecessary applications, does not require root rights on new versions of Android.
- ❄️ Shelter – uses Work Profile to isolate applications (powered by Android 8)+).
- 🔒 App Quarantine – blocks the launch of selected programs.
🔹 How does the Ice Box work:
- Install Ice Box from Google Play.
- Open the app and give access to special features (in Android settings).
- Select unnecessary apps (like Mi Browser) and click Freeze.
- The app will disappear from the menu and will not consume resources.
⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Google Play Services) cannot be frozen, which will cause errors in other applications. MIUI You may need to “freeze” the application again.
Method 5: Removal with root rights (for advanced)
If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk (or another root rights manager installed), you can completely uninstall any system applications, including those that are normally protected, which gives you maximum freedom but also maximum risk.
🛠️ Essential tools:
- 📱 Smartphone with root rights (installed by Magisk).
- 💻 Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
- 🔄 Backup copy of data (required!).
📝 Instructions:
- Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
- Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. Browser for Mi Browser).
- Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ What could go wrong:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's off ("brick") | Critical system application removed | Restore via Fastboot or Fastboot |
| Updates are not working | Removed by Updater or System Trimmer | Return the application from backup |
| Errors in Google Play | Removed from Google Play Services or Google Framework | Reinstall via APKMirror |
| The theme of the design is not working | Removed by ThemeManager | Reset theme settings in Settings → Theme |
🔹 Tip: Before you delete, check if the app is a dependency for other features. For example, Mi Share is for Quick Share, and Security is for fingerprint scanner.
💡
Removing root-righted system applications is the most radical method, and only use it if you know exactly what each application is responsible for and you have a backup to restore.
Which apps can be removed and which ones can’t
Not all built-in apps are equally useful (or useless), and below is a table that divides them into "can be removed," "can be turned off," and "no touch."
| Category | Annex | Package | Action. | Effects of removal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ Can be removed | Mi Browser | com.android.browser | Remove via ADB | None (use Chrome) |
| ✅ Can be removed | GetApps | com.xiaomi.mipicks | Remove via ADB | There will be no suggestions for installing applications |
| ⚠️ We can turn it off. | Mi Music | com.miui.player | Disable or delete | There will be no standard player (use VLC) |
| ⚠️ We can turn it off. | Game Turbo | com.xiaomi.glgm | Shut down. | There's no game mode. |
| ❌ You can't touch it. | Security | com.miui.securitycenter | Don't delete! | Security, updates, fingerprint scanner will break |
| ❌ You can't touch it. | Google Play Services | com.google.android.gms | Don't delete! | All Google apps will stop working |
🔍 How to check what can be removed?
- 📌 Use the service XDA Developers – there are lists of safe packet removal for every Xiaomi model.
- 🤖 Before deleting, look for information on request: [packet name] site:xda-developers.com.
- 📱 Install the Package Name Viewer app – it will show which apps are associated with the deleted app.
What to do if something breaks after removal
If you delete a critical app and your phone starts to malfunction (it doesn't turn on, it reboots constantly, the camera/sound doesn't work), don't panic. There are several ways to get it back:
🔧 Recovery methods:
- Return via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with a remote package).
- Restore from backup (if you did backup through Titanium Backup or Swift Backup).
- Fastboot (instructions are available on MIUI ROM).
- Reset to factory settings (last option if nothing helps).
⚠️ If the phone is not turned on ("brick"):
- 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power) + Vol Down).
- 💻 Install the Mi Flash Tool and run the official firmware.
- 📥 Download the firmware for your model on the official Xiaomi website.
💡
If Google services stop working after uninstalling the application (for example, Play Market does not open), install the latest version of Google Play Services manually from the APKMirror site.