How to completely remove hidden applications on Xiaomi: from simple ways to ADB-team

Hidden apps on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most annoying features of the MIUI shell. Even after being removed from the standard menu, many system utilities (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps) continue to take up space in memory, consume resources in the background and appear in the list of installed programs after updates. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB and hidden MIUI menus, which will help you permanently get rid of unnecessary software without root rights.

Complicating the problem, Xiaomi actively blocks the possibility of completely removing pre-installed applications through the GUI. For example, after resetting to factory settings, all “cut” programs come back. We tested each method on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra models (versions of MIUI 14-16) and identified those that work stably. Importantly, some actions require connecting to a PC and installing ADB Tools – but we detailed each step so that even a beginner can cope without errors.

1. How to hide applications through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is not to delete, but to hide unnecessary programs from the menu, which won't free up memory, but will remove them from the installed list and stop distracting them in the launcher, and this works on all versions of MIUI without exception.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, enter the name of the program (for example, Mi Browser).
• 👁️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Hide the App".
• ✅ Confirm the action – the icon will disappear from the menu, but the.apk file will remain in the system.

⚠️ Note: The apps that are hidden in this way continue to update through the Play Market and take up space in memory. To completely stop their activity, additionally disable the auto-update in the Google Play settings for each of them.

2. Remove via "Developer Settings" (without ADB)

MIUI has a hidden menu that allows you to disable system applications without connecting to a PC, which does not delete files completely, but stops all processes and frees up some RAM.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on the item "Version" MIUI" (A notice will appear saying, “You have become a developer!").
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section called “Settings for Developers”.

Next:

• 🛠️ Find the option "Application Management" MIUI" (In some versions, “Special Permits” → Application management").
• 📴 Check the list for unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Community).
• ❌ Click "Disable" - the applications will stop running, but will remain in memory.

💡

If the "MIUI Application Management" option is missing, upgrade to the latest version or use the ADB method (section 4).

3.Using MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Menu)

MIUI hides some settings from users, but they can be accessed through secret code, which allows you to remove pre-installed applications without ADB, but does not work on all models (tested on the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO F4).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the phone application (call).
2. Enter the combination: ##4636##
3. In the menu that appears, select "MIUI Hidden Settings" (if there is no option, the method is not supported by your model).
4. Go to the App Manager section.
5. Find an unnecessary app (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video) and click Uninstall.

⚠️ Note: Removing system components (e.g. com.android.systemui) can lead to interface failure and the need for flashing. Never uninstall applications with names that contain "miui.system," "android" or "google" - these are critical services.

4. Complete removal via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to uninstall via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC, but allows you to physically erase unnecessary applications from the device’s memory.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Google’s Platform Tools utility (download and unpack in folder) C:\platform-tools).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
3. Go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Check the device connection: Adb devices (the serial number of your Xiaomi should appear).
5. Remove the unnecessary app (example for Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

USB Debugging enabled (Settings → For developers)

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

Downloaded utility Platform Tools

The phone is connected in the "File Transfer" mode.

Backup of important data is made-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Remote applications can come back. To avoid this, re-run the delete command via ADB or use a script to automatically delete (example in the following section).

5. Automation of removal using scripts

To avoid manually entering commands after each update, you can create a bat script to automatically remove unnecessary applications, a method that is suitable for users who regularly face the return of hidden software.

Example of script (save as) remove_xiaomi_bloatware.bat):

@echo off


cd /d C:\platform-tools




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.player




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.weather2




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser




pause

How to use:

1. Copy the code above into a notebook and save with the.bat extension.
2. Connect the phone to your PC and launch the file on behalf of the administrator.
3. Wait for the commands to be executed (each line deletes one application).

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Quickly remove all unnecessary programs by one team.
• 🔄 You can easily edit the list of deleted packages.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 16).

💡

Scripts ADB No root rights required and are safe for the system if only user applications (flagged) are removed. --user 0).

6. Alternative methods: Magisk and custom firmware

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can get root rights through Magisk or install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which gives you complete control over the system, but has risks:

Pros:

• 🔧 Ability to remove any system applications, including Google Play Services.
• 🚀 Significant acceleration of the smartphone due to the switching off of background processes.
• 🔄 Easy recovery through backups TWRP.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔒 Risk of blocking Mi Account if the firmware is incorrect.
• 🔄 The need for manual firmware updates.

🔹 Recommendation: If you are a beginner, start with no root-right methods (ADB Magisk and custom firmware should only be considered with a deep understanding of the processes or if other methods have not helped.

7. How to return remote applications back

If you run into problems after uninstallation (for example, push notifications or system functions stopped working), you can restore applications through the same ADB or reset settings.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Through ADB (Example for Mi Video: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
• 📱 Through resetting settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings, but it will delete all data!).
• 🔗 Through an update MIUI (Some applications are automatically returned).

⚠️ Note: If you have removed critical system components (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter), the smartphone may stop booting, in which case you will need to flash through Fastboot or EDL-regime.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing hidden apps on Xiaomi