How to Remove the Audio App from Xiaomi Mi Smart TV

Why Standard Removal Doesn't Work and What to Do

Owners of Xiaomi Mi Smart TV (Mi TV 4/5, A, S, P1, etc.) often face a problem: some pre-installed audio applications - whether Mi Music, Spotify, Yandex Music or others - are not deleted in the standard way. The "Delete" button in the application menu is simply absent, and the "Disable" function only hides the icon, but does not free up memory and does not stop background processes.

The reason is because Xiaomi has a policy that some of the apps are integrated into PatchWall firmware at the system level, and they can't be removed as normal. APK-files, but there are workarounds - from hidden settings to use ADB (In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including those that do not require root rights and are suitable for Android TVs. TV 9/10/11.

Important: Before you start, check your TV firmware version. Go to Settings → About TV → Software version. If you have a Mi TV Stick or Mi Box, some of the instructions may not work – these devices run on a pure Android TV, not PatchWall.

Method 1: Disable the application through settings (without deleting)

If your goal is to simply hide an unnecessary audio application and prevent it from running in the background, use the built-in shutdown function, which won't free up memory, but will stop background processes and remove the icon from the menu.

Instructions:

• 📺 Open the settings (cog in the top menu).
• 🔍 Go to the Appendix section → All applications.
• 🎵 Find the right audio app (e.g. Mi Music or Spotify) in the list).
• ⚙️ Click on it and select Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the main menu, but will remain in the system. To return it, repeat the steps and click Enable.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Mi models TV (Like Mi. TV 5 Pro with firmware MIUI TV 3.0+) Disabled applications can automatically turn on after the system update. To avoid this, reset the settings to factory settings before upgrading (see Method 4).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If the shutdown is not enough and the app takes up a lot of space or conflicts with other services, you can remove it completely through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the TV to the computer, but does not need root rights.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📥 Utility. ADB Tools (download platform-tools for your OS).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB TV-wise.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About TV. Click 7 times in a row on the Build Number bar until the message "You're a developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers. Activate the USB Debugging and USB Installation switches.
2. Connect TV to PC: Connect TV and computer USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 on TV if any. On TV, confirm the debugging request (will appear after you connect).

Launch ADB and uninstall the application

adb devices

(Your TV serial number should be displayed)

adb shell pm list packages | grep music

(Find all music-related packages; example output: com.xiaomi.mitv.music)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.music

(Replace com.xiaomi.mitv.music with your app package name).

If the command is executed without errors, the application will be removed for the current user (flag) --user 0). To get it back, use it:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mitv.music

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.mitv.music) may cause a malfunction of Xiaomi’s PatchWall launcher. If recommendations are lost or voice search is no longer available, reset (see Method 4).

Method 3: Hiding through PatchWall settings (no technical manipulations)

If you don’t need to remove the app completely, but only remove it from the recommendations and search, use the PatchWall shell settings. This method does not require a PC connection and is suitable for all Xiaomi Mi Smart TV models.

How to hide the application:

1. Open the main menu and find the icon of the unwanted app.
2. Put the cursor on it (don't press!).
3. Press the OK button on the remote for 2-3 seconds.
4. In the menu that appears, select Hide or Remove from recommendations.

The application will then disappear from:

• 📊 Main screen (section "Recommended»).
• 🔍 Voice search results (if you press the microphone on the remote control).
• 🎬 Tabs "Applications" in the top menu.

To return the application, go to Settings → Applications → Hidden applications and uncheck the box opposite the desired item.

💡

If the hidden app continues to appear after the PatchWall update, try resetting the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → PatchWall → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 4: Resetting settings to factory (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the audio application interferes with the TV (for example, constantly starts itself or takes up critically much memory), perform a full reset, which will delete all user data, including accounts and installed applications, but return the system to its original state.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Resetting (or Resetting Factory Settings).
3. Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• ✅ All pre-installed applications will return to their original state.
• ⚠️ Deleting your accounts (Google, Xiaomi, Netflix, etc.).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (see Settings) → Update of the PO).

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/5X firmware-old 2021 The reset could result in the loss of Netflix or Disney licenses.+. To avoid this, link accounts to your device via Settings before resetting. → Accounts.

💡

Resetting is the only way to get the system back up if uninstalling applications through ADB has caused a crash, but only use it as a last resort, as the process is irreversible without backup.

Method 5: Blocking through parental control (alternative to deletion)

If you want to restrict access to an audio application (for example, for children or to prevent it from running accidentally), use the Parental Control feature. This will not delete the program, but will block it from running without entering it. PIN-code.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Parental control.
2. Install. PIN-code (remember or write it down!).
3. Select Application Limitation.
4. Find an unnecessary audio application in the list and check the box.
5. Save the settings.

Now, when you try to open a blocked application, you will be asked for a PIN. To unlock, repeat the steps and uncheck the tick.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Does not require technical skills.
• 🛡️ Protects against accidental launch.
• 🔄 Easily cancelled.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 The application stays in the system and takes up memory.
• 🔄 After resetting the settings, the lock is removed.

What to do if nothing helps: alternative solutions

If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:

1. Firmware Update: Sometimes newer versions of PatchWall allow you to remove previously blocked applications. Check for updates to Settings → Software Update.
2. Use of a third-party launcher: Install an alternative launcher (e.g, ATV Launcher or Leanback Launcher ADB It's going to hide Xiaomi's standard interface with its pre-installed apps. ADB Download. APK Launcher (e.g. Leanback Launcher) Connect the TV to your PC and execute the command: adb install leanback_launcher.apk Then install it with the default launcher: adb shell pm grant com.google.android.leanbacklauncher android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
3. Support for Xiaomi: If the app interferes with the TV (e.g. causes a freeze), write to Xiaomi official support via mi.com/support. Specify the TV model, firmware version and a description of the problem. In some cases, they can provide special firmware without unnecessary apps.

If you decide to sell or transfer the TV to another user, do a full reset (see Method 4) and untie all accounts, which will delete personal data and return the device to a “clean” state.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing audio apps on Xiaomi TV