Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi and POCO lineups, often come with pre-installed software that users don’t always need, especially gaming apps that take up valuable space in internal memory and can consume resources in the background. Many device owners are faced with the question of how to effectively get rid of excess software to speed up the gadget.
The uninstallation process can vary depending on whether the game is user-generated or system-based. While regular programs are removed with the simple push of a button, embedded projects require deeper intervention in the structure of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Understanding the differences between these types of applications is the first step to properly clean the device.
In this article, we will look at all available methods, from standard interface tools to advanced tools for experienced users. You will learn how to safely remove the game without damaging the stability of the smartphone, and what nuances should be considered by owners of different models.
Basic removal of user applications through the desktop
The easiest and most obvious way to get rid of unnecessary games is to use the standard launcher interface, which is suitable for all applications that have been downloaded by the user independently from the Google Play store or GetApps, as well as for some pre-installed programs that the manufacturer has allowed to be removed.
Click on the icon and hold your finger until the context menu appears. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, you will be prompted to drag the object to the basket or select Delete in the pop-up. The system will request confirmation of action to prevent accidental loss of data. Once confirmed, the game will be completely deleted from the device along with the cache and saves.
If standard removal doesn't work, it's possible that the game has administrator rights or is part of the system package, in which case the interface may not respond to long-pressing or only offer the "Desktop Remove" option, which only hides the label, but does not remove the application itself.
⚠️ Note: Deleting a game via desktop does not free up space if you have selected the Hide or Remove the Shortcut option.
It is important to distinguish between shortcut removal and uninstallation. Some users mistakenly believe that the icon's disappearance solves the problem, but background processes may continue to work. Always check the list of installed programs in the settings if the goal is to free up memory.
Complete uninstallation through system settings
A more reliable method of controlling installed software provides an Android settings menu. This displays a complete list of all installed components, including those that don’t have desktop shortcuts. To get into this section, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the list that opens, find the name of the game you’re planning to remove.
When you select the application you want, you will see a screen with detailed information about it. The Delete button is usually located at the bottom of the screen. If it is active (not grey), then the game is not critical to the system and can be deleted in the standard way.
In some cases, especially with Chinese firmware versions, games may be disguised as system services or have strange names. Before removing, it is recommended to check the name of the package, so as not to remove an important component.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Using the settings menu also allows you to pre-clear the cache and application data, which is a useful feature if you just want to reset the progress in the game or free up space, but are not ready to delete the installation file itself, but to completely get rid of the program, this step is only preparatory.
Removing System Games and Bloatware through ADB
Many pre-installed games on Xiaomi smartphones are system games, and the delete button in the interface is inactive for them. This is so-called bloatware - software imposed by the manufacturer or partner. To remove them, you need to use the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB), which allows you to control the system through a computer.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». After the message about the activation of the developer mode appears, go to Additional settings → For developers and include the item "Debugging by USB».
Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable and install drivers ADB Open the command line or terminal on your computer and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesThe phone will have a debugging permission request that you need to confirm. Once you've connected successfully, you can proceed to deletion. This is done using the adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet name. The name of the package can be found through the analyzer apps or in the app details in the phone settings.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Removing system packages required for the shell to function (e.g., Security Center or Updater) can cause the device or bootloop to function unstable.
List of safe games for removing packages
The advantage of ADB is that the app is only removed for the current user (user 0), but physically stays in the system partition, which means that when reset to factory settings, the game will return, but the risk of “bricking” the phone is minimal. If something goes wrong, the functionality can be restored by a simple reset.
Use of specialized utilities for cleaning
For those who don’t want to work with the command line, there are graphical shells for ADB, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater. These programs automatically identify the connected device and offer a list of system applications with recommendations for their removal.
Programs scan a list of packages and mark safe to remove with a bright color, and critical ones are hidden or marked with a warning. The user can only select games from the "Bloatware" list and press the "Uninstall" button. The process takes a few seconds and does not require manual commands.
However, it is worth remembering that these utilities require ADB drivers and enabled USB debugging, as is the case with manual method. In addition, some antiviruses can falsely react to system modification tools, so you should only download them from official repositories, for example, from GitHub.
| Name of utility | Difficulty | Security | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi ADB Tools | Low. | Tall. | PC, USB-cable |
| Universal Android Debloater | Medium | Tall. | PC, USB-cable |
| ADB AppControl | Medium | Medium | PC, Windows |
| ADB manual input | Tall. | Depends on the user. | Knowledge of teams |
Using GUIs reduces the risk of human error, but does not guarantee full compatibility with all models.Always back up important data before mass cleaning the system, even if you use proven tools.
Features of removal depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS
Shells. MIUI The new HyperOS has different levels of protection for system files (MIUI 12, 13) access to uninstall system applications was relatively free. MIUI 14 and especially HyperOS Xiaomi has increased security measures that may block the work of some ADB-teams without additional permission.
In new firmware versions, removing certain system components may require more than just enabling debugging. USB, But also activating additional flags in the developer menu «USB-Debugging (security settings)" must also be enabled, otherwise the computer will not receive full packet management rights.
Global ROMs typically contain less aggressive bloatware than Chinese ROMs. In Chinese firmware, removing standard games and services is often a must-have for a device to be used comfortably outside of China.
If you have reset your previously deleted games after you upgrade, it's normal behavior, and the system update restores the original state of the system partition, and the ADB cleanup procedure will have to be repeated after each major software update.