How to Remove Unnecessary Apps from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Proven Ways

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often come with pre-installed apps that many users consider unnecessary.These programs take up precious space in memory, consume battery power in the background and can slow down the device. However, simply clicking “Delete” in the app menu does not always work – some system utilities are protected from standard removal.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can uninstall applications on Xiaomi, including hidden system tools, development teams, and alternative disabling methods. You’ll learn how to distinguish secure-to-remove programs from mission-critical system components, and how to restore a deleted application by mistake. The instructions are relevant for all modern models, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

Before we start cleaning, it's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences, some of which are responsible for basic functions, from connecting to a mobile network to security updates, and we will explain in detail which packets can only be removed through ADB, and which are better to simply disable so as not to disturb the stability of the system.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

Let’s start with the simplest method that works for most user applications (installed from Google Play or Mi App Store), which does not require superuser rights and is suitable even for beginners.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see the complete list of installed software, sorted by alphabet or size. Click on the desired application, then select Remove. If the button is inactive or absent, then the application is system-based, it cannot be removed in the standard way.

• 📱 For MIUI 14/15: There is a filter in the upper right corner – select “All Apps” to see hidden system utilities.
• 🔍 Search by title: Use the search bar at the top of the screen if you can't find the application you want manually.
• ⚙️ Additional Options: In some cases, the “Disable” option is available instead of “Delete” – this is a secure alternative for system applications.

Note that even after removal, some apps (such as Facebook or Netflix) may reappear after the next MIUI update, due to Xiaomi’s policy of integrating affiliate software, and to avoid re-installation, you will need to use the methods in the following sections.

2. disabling system applications (without deletion)

If the Remove button is not available, but you don't need the app, you can turn it off, and that will block the program, free up RAM, and prevent background activity, but the application files will stay on the system, and it's safer than deleting them completely.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, you may need to click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

• ✅ Pros: System-Secure, Reversible, No Root Rights Requirement.
• ❌ Cons: Does not free up space in memory, the application remains in the list.
• 🔄 Recovery: To return the app, find it in the same menu and click "Enable".

A list of apps that you can safely disable on most Xiaomi devices:

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable applications called com.android. or com.miui. unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, com.android.phone is responsible for phone calls, and com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for system security, and disabling them will cause basic functions to fail.

3. Removal via ADB (for power users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to remove system applications that cannot be removed in standard ways, which requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Before we start:

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC by USB and select the File Transfer Mode.
• 🔑 Allow debugging on USB in the window that appeared on the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages
4. Find the name of the application package you want (e.g. com.miui.cleanmaster for Cleaner).
5. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet Example for Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

The --user 0 key means that the application is only removed for the current user (your account), not completely from the system, which makes the process more secure.

Install ADB Tools on PC|

Turned on the developer mode on the phone |

Connected the phone to USB in file transfer mode |

Allowed debugging on USB on the phone |

Backup of important data-->

⚠️ Note: Deleting some system packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings) may result in the inability to boot the system or loss of functionality (e.g., the settings menu disappears). → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4.Use of applications for uninstallation (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized applications that simplify the process of removing system programs, which do not require root rights, but use the same mechanisms as ADB.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🛠️ App Inspector – shows all installed packages with the ability to quickly search and delete via ADB.
• 🧹 Debloater (by XDA Developers – contains a database of “safe to remove” applications for various manufacturers, including Xiaomi.

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to Settings → Special features → App Inspector.
3. Find an unnecessary app in the list (e.g. Mi Browser).
4. Click on it and select Uninstall via ADB.
5. Confirm the action – the application will send a command to delete.

The advantage of these utilities is that they often contain a list of safe to remove packages, compiled by experienced users. For example, Debloater has a separate section for Xiaomi, which notes applications that can be removed without risk to the system.

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Before mass deletion, take a screenshot of the application list or export it to a file. This will help restore the deleted software by mistake through ADB with the adb shell cmd package install-existing name of the package.

5. Removal with root rights (for advanced users)

Obtaining superuser rights (root) opens up the maximum possibilities for managing system files, but at the same time increases the risk of disrupting the stability of the phone, this method is suitable only for experienced users who are ready for possible consequences (loss of warranty, problems with updates, etc.).

How to get root on Xiaomi:

• 🔓 Magisk is the most popular solution that allows you to hide root from certain applications (for example, banking).
• 📦 Custom Recovery (TWRP) — Alternative recovery, through which modified firmware can be stitched.
• 🔧 Fastboot method – unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (Mi Unlock Tool).

After obtaining root, you can use:

• 🗑️ Root Explorer is a file manager with access to system folders. APK-file /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
• 🧹 Titanium Backup – allows you not only to delete, but also to “freeze” applications, as well as create backup copies.
• 🔍 SD Maid – Clears residual files after uninstallation.

Example of removal through Root Explorer:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
3. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. MiBrowser).
4. Delete the folder or move it to another directory (for example, on the SD-map) in case of restoration.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Deleting files from system folders can lead to a "bootloop" if you remove a critical component. Always check the purpose of the file before deleting. /system/priv-app/ responsible for the operation of the settings menu – its removal will make the phone unusable.

6. How to Restore a Remote Application

If you have problems with your phone after deleting it (e.g., your phone calls, Wi-Fi or camera stopped working), you need to restore the remote application.

• 🔄 If you have been disabled: Return to Settings → Apps, find the application and click "Enable".
• 🖥️ If removed through ADB: Use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet For example, to recover Mi Video: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
• 🔧 If deleted from root: Restore deleted files from backup (if you did) or reflash your phone via Fastboot.

If you don’t remember the name of the package, use the command to list all the packages you’ve ever installed:

adb shell pm list packages -u

To restore system applications on Xiaomi, you can also use the official firmware:

1. Download the firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Unpack the archive and find the system.img file.
3. Use the tool. MIUI System Extractor to Retrieve the Right Requirements APK-file.
4. Install the extracted APKs via ADB: adb install name file.apk

7. How to prevent re-installation of unnecessary applications

Even after removal, some apps (such as Facebook, Netflix or Mi Browser) may reappear after the MIUI update, which is because Xiaomi integrates them into the firmware as "recommended software."

• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings and disable automatic download of updates.
• 📵 Block the installation through ADB: After deleting the application, follow the command: adb shell pm hide the name packet This hides the package from the system and it will not recover.
• 🔒 Use Magisk modules: Modules like Universal Debloater or Xiaomi Debloater block installation of unnecessary software at the system level.
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher: For example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair lets you hide system apps from the menu.

For models with HyperOS, the process is slightly different, with some applications being more protected and may require removal:

• Use the HyperOS Debloater Tool (a special script for the new shell).
• Disable updates through Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ → Special access → Updating the applications.

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Check the list of applications regularly after the MIUI/HyperOS updates. Even disabled programs can be activated again. Use the adb shell pm list packages -d command to display a list of disabled packets and, if necessary, repeat the deactivation procedure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi