How to remove applications on Xiaomi: system, user and built-in

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter system programs that don’t want to disappear from the menu, or with consequences like sudden errors, MIUI It works according to its own rules: there are users here. APK, Google’s built-in services, and Xiaomi’s own system utilities that behave differently.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways of removing - from a standard swipe up to working with the ADB And we'll talk about what applications can't be removed without risking system stability, and what to do if the phone starts to slow down after cleaning. 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra including devices on MIUI 14/15 hyperos.

1. How to remove a regular (user) application

The standard way works for all the programs you install yourself, whether from Google Play, APKMirror or other sources, and there are no pitfalls, but there are nuances that many people don't know about.

The fastest method:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the right application and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
• 🗑️ In the menu that appears, select “Delete” (or basket icon).
• ✅ Confirm the action by pressing “OK».

If the icon does not respond to a long press (this happens in some topics). MIUI), Use an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
3. Click “Delete” (if the button is inactive – see the section on system applications).

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If the application is not removed through the menu, try to stop it working in the settings first, and then try again.

Important: Some apps (like Facebook or TikTok) can leave behind cache and data even after being deleted, to completely clear the trail:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select “Deep Clean” and tick the residual files of the remote application.
3. Press "Clear."

System applications: what can be removed and what can not

Here's where the fun begins. MIUI And HyperOS is stuffed with pre-installed apps, from Mi Browser to Mi Video, many of which duplicate the functions of Google services or are simply not needed. APK It can lead to a crash of the interface, update errors or even a “brick” of the device.

Let’s look at three categories of system applications:

Before you remove anything from the "safe" list, check:

• 🔄 Do you use this feature (e.g. Mi Home is needed to manage Xiaomi smart devices).
• 🔍 Is there an alternative (for example, instead of Mi Browser, you can use Chrome).
• 📱 Does not block the removal of system updates (some of them) APK test OTA-updates).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) Removing Mi Video or Mi Music can cause an error when you try to open a gallery, because these applications are integrated into the system's media player.

3. Remove system applications without root (via ADB)

If standard methods do not work, and root-rights do not want to get, help will come. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to disable (rather than remove) system applications, which is safer and more reversible.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (original so there are no connection issues).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone. Tap 7 times on the "version" item. MIUI» (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).

USB-debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Activate the "Debugging by" switch USB» and confirm the authorization.
• Connect your phone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
• Open the command line (or Terminal) macOS/Linux) file ADB and execute the commands: adb devices (should appear the name of your device – if not, check the drivers). adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' (this will display a list of all Xiaomi system packages).
• Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video) and do: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired package).

What does the team mean?

• pm uninstall is a packet removal command.
• -k — saves cache and data (so that when you return the application you do not have to configure again).
• --user 0 — delete only for the current user (does not affect the system completely).

Developer mode is on |

USB| debugging activated

Drivers installed ADB|

Phone is connected in mode MTP|

Backup of important data is made-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stops loading after you run the command, or if a bootloop appears, don't panic. Connect the device to your computer and do adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer. This will return the application without resetting the settings.

4. Complete removal of systemic APK (rooted)

If you are willing to take risks and get root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can delete system applications forever, this method is suitable for advanced users, since it requires working with the file system.

Important: Before removal it is necessary to:

• 📱 Make a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
• 🔍 Check the application dependencies (some of them) APK linked to other services).
• 📝 Make a list of deleted packets in case of recovery.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the deleted APK (For example, MiBrowser) and: Rename it (add at the end of.bak, so you can return it) or delete it completely (irrevocably!).

Reboot the phone.

Examples of ways to popular system applications:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: /system/app/MiBrowser or /system/priv-app/MiBrowser
• 🎵 Mi Music: /system/app/MiuiMusic
• 📺 Mi Video: /system/app/MiuiVideo
• 🏠 Mi Home: /system/priv-app/MiHome

5. How to return a remote system application

If you've cleared it, and you've found it's uncomfortable to live without Mi Video or Themes, there are a number of ways to get it back. APK.

If removed through ADB (team pm uninstall):

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

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

If you have renamed the folder manually (with root):

1. Come back in /system/app or /system/priv-app.
2. Remove.bak from the folder name (for example, rename MiBrowser.bak back to MiBrowser).
3. Reboot the phone.

If you deleted the folder completely:

• 🔄 Restore the backup through TWRP.
• 📥 Or download the original. APK from a site like APKMirror and install manually (not for all system applications).
• 🔧 In extreme cases, run the firmware through Fastboot (full instructions in the spoiler above).

If the app does not return, check:

• 🔌 Is the package name (packet name) correct).
• 📵 Does it not block antivirus or firewall.
• 🔄 Have access rights been lost (check through ls) -l into ADB Shell).

6.Why Remote Apps Return After Update

One of the most common problems is that you have removed the Mi Browser and then you have to remove it. OTA-It's reappeared because it's got to do with the fact that MIUI HyperOS and Restore System Systems APK when installing new versions of the firmware.

How to deal with it:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Freeze the app via Titanium Backup or App Quarantine (root rights required).
• 🔧 Use the script for ADB, scavenge APK immediately after the update: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (add this command to batch file and run after each update).
• 🛡️ Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have Xiaomi apps preinstalled.

If you do not want to abandon the official updates, but do not want to see unnecessary applications, there is a compromise option:

1. Download. APK empty shell (e.g., Nullify).
2. Install it on top of the system application (for example, Mi Browser will open a blank page).
3. Hide the icon in the app menu.

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The only reliable way to get rid of returning applications is to disable their update via ADB or use custom firmware.

7. Alternative methods: disabling and concealment

If deleting seems risky, you can simply disable or hide unnecessary applications, and it won't free up memory, but it will eliminate visual debris.

Disconnection through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and click “Disable”.
3. Confirm the action (the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system).

Hiding icons:

• 📱 In the launcher MIUI Press the icon and drag it up to the inscription “Remove” (or “Hide»).
• 🔍 V POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher can hide applications through launcher settings.
• 📂 Use folders: create a folder “Unnecessary” and move all the unnecessary icons there.

Blocking notifications:

Even the apps that are disabled can send notifications to stop it.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management.
2. Find the app in the list and turn off all the switches.

For advanced users, there is another trick – replacing the system APK dummy":

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when removing applications on Xiaomi, and let’s look at the most common and ways to solve them.

The most dangerous mistake is to remove applications associated with MIUI Account (e.g. com.xiaomi.account) This may result in:

• 🔒 Blocking Xiaomi account (you can’t unlock your phone after resetting).
• 📵 Loss of access to cloud data (photos, notes, backups).
• 🔄 Inability to obtain OTA-update.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer a phone, do not remove Find Device (com.miui.finddevice) and Mi Account (com.xiaomi.account) apps.The new owner will not be able to link their device to an account and the phone will remain locked!

If you’re not sure if you can uninstall a particular app, use AppBrain or the XDA-Developers forum, where users share experiences on each Xiaomi model.

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Before removing any system application, check its dependence through the dumpsys package command com.miui.example in the ADB Shell.This will show which services are using the package.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions