How to Remove a Game with Xiaomi Redmi: From Standard Methods to Deep Cleanup

Removing unnecessary games from Xiaomi Redmi seems like a simple task — until the system stubbornly “protects” pre-installed applications or leaves gigabytes of garbage after uninstallation. Unlike pure Android, MIUI firmware has its own peculiarities: some games are not completely deleted, take up space in memory or even restored after a reboot (especially if they were preinstalled by the manufacturer).

In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from basic to advanced, including uninstalling through ADB, disabling system applications and resetting to factory settings. Separately, we will focus on the nuances for the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and POCO models, where the process may be different. If you encounter errors like “Deletion is impossible” or “App is deactivated, but takes place” – here you will find a solution.

1. Standard removal through the application menu

The most obvious way is to uninstall via MIUI, which is suitable for most custom games (downloaded from Google Play or Mi App Store), but won’t work for system applications.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the game you want (you can search at the top of the screen) and tap it and select “Delete.” If the button is inactive or absent, the application is protected by the system (go to the following methods).

• 🔍 Alphabetical search: The games on the list are sorted by title, but some may hide under technical names (e.g. com.tencent.ig for the game). PUBG Mobile).
• 📥 Residual files: even after deletion, cache and data may remain in memory and need to be cleaned separately (see Section 3).
• 🔄 Recovery after update: Some pre-installed games (Mi Game Center, Game Turbo) return after update MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If the game was set as APK manually (not through the store), standard removal may not work. ADB (section).

2. disabling system games (without deletion)

Some games (Mi Game Center, Quick Games) can't be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled. This hides them from the menu and stops background processes, but doesn't free up disk space. Suitable for applications that can't be uninstalled without root.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the game you want to disable.
3. Click “Disable” (the button will appear if the deletion is blocked).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the game will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in memory. To return the application, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Menu (three dots) → Show disabled.

💡

Disabled games are not updated through Google Play, which saves traffic and memory space, but their data still takes up space — use ADB or root to clean up completely.

3. Clear cache and game data before deletion

Even after uninstallation, games often leave behind gigabytes of garbage: cache, saves, temporary files, which in MIUI need to be cleaned separately, and you can do this through built-in tools or third-party utilities like SD Maid.

Method 1: Through MIUI settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the game and tap the "Storage".
3. Click on Clear Cache and Clear Data (if the game is not yet deleted).

Method 2: Through Memory Cleansing:

1. Go to Security → Cleanup (icon with broomstick).
2. Select “Deep Clean” and tick unnecessary game files.
3. Click on “Clean” (reboot may be required).

⚠️ Attention: Deletion of folder OBB manually (via file manager) can cause other games to crash if they share resources.

4. Remove games via ADB (no root)

If the game is not removed by standard methods but you don’t have root rights, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.This method works for most system and user applications, including pre-installed games from Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on “Debugging by USB”.

ADB-driver

Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear – if not, check the drivers.)

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

Where the packet name is a unique game identifier (e.g. com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile) you can find it through the App Inspector or the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'game'

• 🔧 For system games: use the command pm uninstall with the flag --user 0 — This will remove the application only for the current user, without affecting system files.
• 🔄 Reset recovery: Some games (Mi Game Center) will return after resetting or updating MIUI.
• 📱 Alternatives for Mac/Linux: If adb is not recognized, use it./adb (pointing out the full path to the file).

Install ADB-PC drivers

Enable debugging over USB on Redmi

Connect your phone to your PC via cable

Check the visibility of the device by the team `adb devices`

Find the name of the game package-->

5. Complete removal through root rights

If you have root access (e.g. via Magisk), you can uninstall any game, including system, without restrictions, which is suitable for experienced users, as improper actions can lead to soft-brick.

Methods of disposal:

• 📁 Root Explorer: Open Root Explorer and go to Root Explorer /data/app or /system/priv-app. Find the folder with the name of the game package and delete it. /data/data/game-pack.

Through Terminal Emulator:

su


rm -rf /data/data/game package




rm -rf /data/app/game package




rm -rf /sdcard/Android/obb/game package

Through Titanium Backup:

1. Install Titanium Backup (requires root).
2. Find the game in the list and select “Delete”.
3. Check the box "Delete data and cache".

⚠️ Warning: Removal of the system games (Mi Game Center, Game Turbo) can disrupt the Game Mode in the game MIUI. Before deleting, create a backup copy through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the game is not deleted by any means or if it fails after it is deleted, the last option is hard reset, which will completely clean the phone, including all user data, games and settings.

• The game was pre-installed and is not removed even through ADB.
• After the removal, errors in the MIUI work appeared.
• You are planning to sell or transfer your phone.