How to remove the app from Xiaomi phone completely: from standard removal to hidden MIUI features

Why Removing Apps on Xiaomi is Different from Other Android Smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones run on the proprietary shell MIUI, which significantly changes the standard Android, and this applies to the process of removing programs: there are nuances that you will not find on “pure” Android or devices of other brands. For example, some system applications can not be removed by standard methods, and to completely clean the memory requires the use of hidden shell functions.

The main problem with Redmi, POCO or Mi users is that they have pre-installed apps (bloatwar) that take up space and consume battery power. Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel, where some software can be turned off, Xiaomi often needs more radical measures. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and hidden MIUI settings.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, for example, removing system applications through ADB can cause the phone to malfunction if you don't do it correctly, so we'll explain in detail which programs can be removed without risk and which ones are better off just by disabling.

Method 1: Standard removal through the application menu

The easiest and safest method is to uninstall via the standard menu, which is suitable for most custom apps installed from Google Play or third-party sources.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the app you want to remove and pinch the icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Remove (basket icon).
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the dialog box.

If there is no cart icon, then the application is either system or installed as a device administrator, in which case try the other methods in this article.

Make sure the application is not system-based|Check if it is used in the background.|Save important data from the app (if necessary)|Remember that some apps may be linked to your Mi Account.-->

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may be part of the package. MIUI. Their removal in the standard way is impossible, but you can disable in the settings.

If you delete a messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), pre-backup chats, otherwise all correspondence will be lost without the possibility of recovery.

Method 2: Remove via phone settings

Not all applications can be removed through the menu, for example, if the program is installed as a device administrator or is part of MIUI, a different approach will be required.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).
4. If the button is not, click Disable - this will stop the program and free up some resources.

In this section, you can also see how much space an application takes up and what permissions it has, for example, if a program has access to Contacts or Locations but you are not using it, it is better to delete or disable it.

If you see an app on the list called com.miui. or com.xiaomi., it's a system component of MIUI. Deleting it can cause your phone to malfunction, so it's best to just turn it off.

Social media|Games|Pre-installed (bloatwar)|Messengers|Other-->

Method 3: Disabling pre-installed applications (bloatwar)

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the problem of pre-installed applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, such as “bloatwar” programs that take up space and consume battery power, but are not used.

• 🎵 Mi Music is a standard music player;
• 📺 Mi Video – video player from Xiaomi;
• 📰 Mi Browser - a proprietary browser;
• 🛒 GetApps – Xiaomi’s app store;
• 📱 Mi Remote - remote control for control equipment.

You can't remove them completely without root rights, but you can turn them off so they don't interfere with your phone.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Press Turn Off.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

The app that is disabled will stop working, will not update, and will not appear in the menu, but it will remain in the phone's memory and will take up space. If you need to free up all memory, you will have to use ADB (mode 5).

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If you disabled the app, but it reappeared after the update MIUI, Check the settings for automatic system application recovery in the Settings section → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Application recovery

Method 4: Remove via Safe Mode

If the application is not removed by standard methods and blocks the phone (for example, a virus or an incorrectly installed program), you can try to remove it in Safe Mode.

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button on the phone turned off.
2. When the Xiaomi logo appears, press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Wait for the system to boot. In the lower left corner of the screen, the Safe Mode will appear.

Now try to remove the problem app through Settings → Apps. If it is removed in this mode, then another process has previously blocked it.

⚠️ Note: Safe Mode does not work with certain features, including mobile internet and Wi-Fi, and you can not use applications that require root rights.

After removing the app, restart the phone as normal.If the problem persists, it may be a system application or a virus that requires deeper cleaning.

Method 5: Completely remove system applications via ADB

For power users who want to completely remove pre-installed Xiaomi apps without root rights, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which is a debugging tool that lets you control your phone via a computer.

Warning: this method requires caution. Removing system applications can lead to unstable operation of the phone, so make a backup before starting.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB

Platform Tools

cmd

ADB

adb devices

Make sure your phone is on the list.

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

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

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

List of pre-installed Xiaomi applications packages:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 📺 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 🛒 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📱 Mi Remote: com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller

⚠️ Note: Removing some system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) can cause your phone to fail.Before experimenting, study what each package is responsible for.

If the application reappears after the MIUI update after the deletion, it is restored by the system, in which case you can either repeat the procedure or disable automatic recovery in the update settings.

Method 6: Using third-party cleaning software

If you don't want to mess with ADB or phone settings, you can use third-party cleaning software that allows you to remove pre-installed apps without root rights, but with some restrictions.

Popular programmes:

• 🧹 Debloater (for PC) – works through ADB, but with a user-friendly interface;
• 🔍 App Inspector – shows all installed packages and allows you to disable unnecessary packages;
• 🗑️ SD Maid – Clears the cache and deletes residual files after uninstallation;
• 🛠️ Universal Android Debloater – an open tool for removing bloatwar.

Example of Universal Android Debloater:

1. Download the program from GitHub.
2. Connect your phone to your computer and enable debugging via USB.
3. Launch the program and press Refresh to download the list of applications.
4. Check the unneeded apps and select Uninstall.

The advantage of these programs is that they show the dependencies between packages, for example, if you delete the Mi Browser, the program will warn if it affects the other components.

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The side of the cleaning software does not give 100% security guarantee. Always check the reviews and reputation of the developer before using.

If you are using SD Maid, look for CorpseFinder’s feature – it finds residual files from remote applications that may take up disk space.

What to do if the application is not removed?

If none of these methods have helped, you may be dealing with:

• 🔒 Secure system application (e.g. Google Play Services);
• 🛡️ Application with Administrator Rights (check in Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators);
• 🔄 Appendix Restored After Updating MIUI;
• 🦠 A virus or malware that blocks removal.

In such cases:

1. Check if the application is the device administrator (turn off this status in the security settings).
2. Try removing it through the recavers (TWRP type custom recavers are required).
3. If it is a virus, use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
4. In extreme cases, make a reset to factory settings (but this will delete all data from the phone).

If there is a problem in the system application that cannot be removed, try disabling its updates:

1. Go to Google Play. → Menus (☰) → My apps and games.
2. Find the problem app and click on the three dots next to it.
3. Uncheck the auto update box.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi