How to completely remove the application on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Deleting applications on Xiaomi smartphones only seems to be a simple task. In practice, users are faced with “undeleteable” system programs, residual files that take up memory, and unexpected failures after cleaning. In this article, we will analyze all possible methods of deletion from standard to hidden, including working with ADB and manual settings of MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise: why some applications return after rebooting, how to avoid the error “Delete is impossible”, and what to do if important functions are lost after cleaning.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi is actively integrating pre-installed services (such as Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps) into MIUI firmware that can't be removed in the standard way, but they take up to 3 to 5 GB of storage and run in the background, draining the battery. We'll show you how to get rid of even such programs - legally and without harm to the system. If you want to not just free up space, but also optimize the smartphone, read on.

1. Standard removal: when it works and why it doesn't

The most obvious way is to uninstall apps through the app menu, which is suitable for custom programs installed from Google Play or.apk files, but even here there are pitfalls.

To remove the application by the standard method:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the right app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
• 🗑️ In the menu that appears, select “Delete” (or basket icon).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

But what if there's no Delete button? That means that the application is either system-based or MIUI-based, blocking it from being deleted, like Mi Security or Mi Account, and in that case, the standard method doesn't work, and you'll need alternatives, which I'll talk about later.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Play Services) may cause Google services to crash after being deleted. If you are not sure about the consequences, it is better to disable them through settings rather than completely delete them.

2. Disabling system applications: alternative to deletion

If the app can't be removed, it can be turned off, which will stop background processes, free up RAM, and prevent automatic updates, and works for most Xiaomi pre-installed programs, including Mi Music, Mi Pay, and others.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list (use the All Apps filter).
3. Click “Disable” (the button will appear if the deletion is blocked).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

The application that is disabled will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the device's memory, and it can be turned on back at any time, and this method is safer than uninstalling, since it does not affect system files.

Back up important data | Check if the app is linked to key features (like calls) | Remember the name of the app in case of recovery |Reboot your smartphone after you turn it off-->

Some applications (such as Mi Security) may cause a loss of functionality after a shutdown, such as a virus scanner or blocking spam calls, and if you notice problems, return the application to working condition.

3. Remove via MIUI settings: Hidden options

MIUI hides some of the removal features in the depths of the menu, such as removing system application updates and returning them to the factory version, which will free up space and eliminate bugs that have appeared after updates.

How to do this:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right application and open its page.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete Updates».
• 🔄 Confirm the action. App will return to factory version.

This method works for updated system applications, like the Gallery or the Camera, and it doesn't remove the program completely, but it reduces the space it takes up.

⚠️ Note: Removing updates for Google Play Services or Miui System UI This can cause an interface to be unstable or some functions to be lost (such as push notifications) before you act, check if the application is critical.

4. Removal via ADB: for power users

If standard methods don't work, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a deep-management tool that can remove applications that MIUI blocks, but it requires care: an error can cause a system to crash.

Step-by-step:

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

Connect your smartphone to your PC

Download ADB

Platform Tools by Google

Open the command line.

ADB

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

Remove the app

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find out through adb shell pm list packages).

Once removed via ADB, the application will disappear for the current user, but remain in the system, meaning that once you reset your settings or create a new profile, it may reappear again.

Do not remove the following packets (risk of critical failure) via ADB:

• com.android.systemui – system interface
• com.miui.home - MIUI launcher;
• com.android.phone – telephone functions.

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Before deleting through ADB, back up your data using adb backup or third-party utilities (like Swift Backup) to help restore the system if something goes wrong.

5. Residual File Deletion: Why Memory Is Not Freed

Even after you delete an application, your device often has cache, settings, and temporary files that can take up hundreds of megabytes and even gigabytes of memory. To completely clear the program tracks, follow these steps:

Methods of cleaning residual files:

• 🧹 Manually through Settings → Warehouse → Clean: Select "Other Apps." Find the remote app in the list and click "Clean».
• 🔍 Through File Manager: Open Files → Categories → Delete folders with the name of the remote application (usually in the /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/).
• 🛠️ With the help of third-party utilities (for example, SD Maid or Files by Google that find junk files.

Pay special attention to the folders:

• /Android/data/[name packet] – this is where the application data is stored.
• /Android/obb/[name packet] – additional files (e.g., game cache)
• /sdcard/[application name] – Some programs create their folders at the root of the storage.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android. or com.google. - these are system data without which Android can not work properly. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and Pictures (images).

6 Remote Application Recovery: What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you lose an important function after deleting it (for example, you stop receiving notifications or you lose the ability to call), do not panic.

Method 1: Recovery through MIUI

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Turn on the All Apps filter and find the app that is disabled.
• 🔧 Click on “Include” (if it has been disabled) or “Install” (if deleted through the ADB flag-headed --user 0).

Method 2: Reinstall via Google Play

• 🛒 Open Google Play and find the remote app.
• 📥 Press "Install».
• ⚠️ If the “Install” button is inactive, then the application is system-based – restore it through the ADB command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app

Method 3: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, do a soft reset:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 📱 Select Reset All Settings (does not delete files, but returns system applications).

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Before resetting, be sure to back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you delete applications on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Another common problem is deletion freeze, which occurs when the application is currently active (e.g., running in the background).

• 🛑 Close the application through Settings → Annexes → [name] → Stop it.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🗑️ Repeat the removal attempt.

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If the application being removed is a launcher (e.g. com.miui.home), pre-instal an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher), otherwise the screen may become empty after removal.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions