How to remove pre-installed Xiaomi applications: an expert guide to cleaning the system

Ownership of the Xiaomi brand is often marred by the presence of a huge amount of built-in software that the user did not install on their own. These programs, known as bloatware, take up precious internal memory space, consume RAM in the background and can significantly reduce the autonomy of the device, especially for global versions of firmware MIUI and HyperOS, where the number of advertising modules and partner services is in the tens.

Fortunately, the architecture of the Android operating system allows you to interfere with the operation of system components deeper than the standard interface suggests. There are proven methods that allow you not only to hide, but also completely remove unnecessary packets. In this guide, we will discuss safe ways to clean your gadget from digital debris without the need to obtain Root rights, which keeps the device safe and stable.

Before we take decisive action, we need to clearly understand the difference between user and system applications. Standard menu removal is often not available for key MIUI components, so we will use more advanced but accessible tools. It is safe to remove only those packets that are not included in the critical telephony and communication infrastructure. Incorrect removal of system libraries can lead to a cyclical reboot, so follow the instructions carefully.

Analysis of built-in software: what can be touched and what can not be touched

The first step to optimizing is to analyze in depth what exactly occupies space on your device. Android identifies each application by a unique package name, such as com.miui.player for a standard player. Don't rely on desktop icons alone, as many hidden services have no visual representation, but are actively working in the background.

To study the list of installed software in detail, it is recommended to use specialized analyzer utilities, which allow you to see the real weight of the application, the date of the last update and, most importantly, its system status. The average user often confuses system security updates with advertising modules, removing critical components.

Here is a list of categories of software that you need to be as careful as possible when deciding to remove:

• 📱 Google Play Services: Deletion will result in the inoperability of most modern apps and store.
• 📞 System framework: the basic Android libraries needed to run the interface and communication.
• 🔒 Permission Manager: A critical security component that can disrupt other programs.
• 📡 MIUI Daemon: System process responsible for collecting telemetry, but also affecting some shell functions.

It is important to distinguish between applications that are simply built into firmware and those that are part of the core system. The former can be removed relatively safely, the latter require a deep knowledge of the Xiaomi architecture. If you are not sure about the purpose of a package called com.android.stk (SIM-tulkit), you better leave it alone.

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Use the Application Manager app or similar to see a list of all packages, including hidden system processes, before you start cleaning.

Basic method: disabling through system settings

The easiest and safest way to deal with preinstalled software is to use the operating system’s regular functionality, which does not require you to connect to a computer or install additional software, but it has a significant limitation: the Remove button is not active for all programs. For many system components, only the “Disable” function is available.

When you select the shutdown option, the app stops running, disappears from the active process list, and stops consuming resources. In fact, it stays in the phone's memory as a "frozen" file, but does not affect performance, which is ideal for those who are afraid of disrupting the stability of HyperOS.

The algorithm for standard shutdown is as follows:

1. Open the Settings menu of your smartphone.
2. Go to the Apps section and select All Apps.
3. Find a program that is not required (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).
4. Click on the app icon and select the Disable button at the bottom of the screen.

It is worth noting that after major updates to the MIUI firmware, some disabled applications can automatically reactivate, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated, and this method does not free up space in the "System Applications" section, although it clears the user's cache.

⚠️ Warning: When you disable system components like Weather or Security, you may lose desktop widgets or the ability to scan viruses with built-in tools.

Advanced removal via ADB (no Root rights)

The most effective way to completely remove even those applications that are hidden from the average user is to use the Android Debug Bridge toolkit (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-cable, but gives full control over the package manager of the system without the need to unlock the bootloader or obtain superuser rights.

To get started, you need to activate the developer mode on your Xiaomi device. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). After that, a new section Additional (or Advanced Settings) will appear in the settings menu, where you need to enable Debugging over USB.

Once you connect to a PC and start the command line in the ADB folder, you access the device shell. The deletion command looks concise but requires an accurate knowledge of the packet name. The syntax of the deletion command for the current user is this:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

Here pm stands for the packet manager, the -k flag saves the cache and data (in case of recovery), and --user 0 indicates the deletion for the main user. If you type the command correctly, the system will respond with the message Success. The application will disappear from the menu and cease to exist for the system, although the files will physically remain in the system partition until the next flashing.

To restore the application deleted in this way, a reverse command is used:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

This method is considered the “gold standard” among enthusiasts, as it is reversible and does not change the system partition /system, modifying only the user layer /data. This ensures that even in the event of a mistake, you can always return everything as it was.

Use of specialized slits: Universal Android Debloater

Working with the command line can seem difficult for an untrained user, so the development community has created graphical shells for ADB. One of the most popular and secure utilities is Universal Android Debloater (UAD).This open source program automatically determines the model of your device and offers a list of safe apps to remove.

The main advantage of UAD is that it has a database that labels packets with colors: green for safe to remove, yellow for safe to remove, and red for critical system components. You don't have to memorize complex names like com.miui.system, the interface will do it for you.

The process of working with the utility is as follows:

• 📥 Download: Download the latest version UAD from the official GitHub repository.
• 🔌 Connection: Connect your smartphone with enabled debugging USB computer-to-computer.
• ✅ Scanning: Wait for the program to count the list of installed packages.
• 🗑️ Cleanup: Select unnecessary apps from the list and click Uninstall.

The utility also allows you to back up a list of installed packages, which is extremely useful when configuring multiple devices of the same model, and UAD is regularly updated, adding support for new Redmi and Poco models, as well as new versions of MIUI shells.

⚠️ WARNING: Even with automated tools, avoid removing packets labeled "Unsafe" or "Critical" unless you know exactly what they're responsible for).

Comparison of Xiaomi System Cleaning Methods

The method of removing pre-installed software depends on your technical skills and goals. For the average user who just wants to remove unnecessary icons, standard settings are enough. Enthusiasts who want to squeeze the maximum performance and free up gigabytes of memory will have to master ADB.

The table below compares the main characteristics of the different Xiaomi system cleaning approaches:

It should be noted that after the complete removal of system components through ADB, automatic firmware updates (OTAs) may not work correctly or at all, the system may detect a violation of the integrity of the system partition and interrupt the update process.

If you plan to sell a device or transfer it to another user, it is recommended to perform a full reset (Wipe Data).However, if you have removed applications through ADB, they will not recover after reset, as they are physically removed from the user partition.

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The optimal balance between security and efficiency is to use graphical shells for ADBs, such as Universal Android Debloater, which minimize the risk of human error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)