How to Remove Unnecessary Apps From Xiaomi Desktop: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI desktop often turns into a mess of unnecessary icons — pre-installed Mi Browser, Mi Video, partner games or duplicate system utilities take up space and distract. Unlike pure Android, where you just drag an icon to the cart, in MIUI, this process has nuances: some applications can not be removed completely, only hidden or disabled. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB for persistent system programs.

It is important to understand the difference between the terms:

• 🗑️ Delete – completely erase the application from the device (possibly not for all preinstalled programs).
• 👁️ Hiding – the icon disappears from the screen, but the application remains in the system and can work in the background.
• ⚙️ Disconnection – the program is deactivated, does not consume resources, but takes up space in memory.

We have tested all methods on the latest versions of MIUI 14 (Android 13) for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T. The instructions are valid for older devices as well (starting with MIUI 12), but may require adaptation for versions below MIUI 10.

1. Standard removal: Drag in the basket

The most obvious way to do this is to only use custom apps you installed from Google Play or.apk files. System programs (Mi Community, Themes, Security) cannot be removed, and the icon will simply return to its place.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon of the app you want to remove.
2. Wait for the menu (or vibrations on some models) to appear.
3. Drag the icon to the top of the screen where the inscription “Delete or basket” appears. 🗑️.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Make sure the application is not system-based (check in Settings → Apps)

Close all background processes of the application

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to reinstall later)

Make a backup copy of data (for games / messengers)

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Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not working for Mi App Store, Mi Pay, Cleaner and other embedded services.
• ❌ On some firmware, the basket may be missing - instead of it, a menu with the option Delete will appear.
• ⚠️ If the icon is left after removal, then the application is hidden (see section 3).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT) The interface may be different, so instead of the shopping cart, you'll see a quick action panel. → Delete.

2. Disable system applications through settings

For programs that cannot be removed in the standard way (such as Mi Music or Mi Calculator), shutting down is a good way. This method does not free up space on the disk, but stops background activity and removes the icon from the desktop.

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right application in the list (use a search by name).
3. Slip on it and select Disable (on some firmware - Remove updates → Disable).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

What to do if there is no "disconnect" button?

• 🔧 Check if the application is the device administrator (C Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators).
• 🔄 Try to delete the updates first, then disable.
• 📱 On some models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4 Pro) must first reset the application settings.

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If the disabled application suddenly appeared again after the update MIUI, Check the auto-update settings in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-Update Apps and Disable It.

3. Hiding icons through the launcher (without removal)

If you can't delete or disable an application (like Google Play Services), but it interferes with the desktop, you can hide it. This method works through the MIUI launcher settings and doesn't affect the program itself.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings on POCO).
3. Go to Hidden Applications (in some versions, Hide Apps).
4. Check the boxes that you want to remove from the screen.
5. Click Ready – the icons will disappear, but will remain on the menu of all apps.

Where to look for hidden applications?

• 🔍 Search by device (swipe down on the desktop).
• 📂 In the menu of all applications (the icon "points" or "squares" in the dock panel).
• 🔧 Through Settings. → Annexes (full list).

⚠️ Attention: POCO Launcher (set by default on smartphones) POCO) The other way: Launcher settings → Hide applications → Select from the list. There's also the option to Hide folders if you group icons.

4. Removal of system applications via ADB (for experienced)

To completely remove embedded programs (e.g. Mi Drop, Mi Remote, User Guide) will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method suitable for users with experience with the command line and requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to system failures.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).

Commands for removal:

1. Open the command line (or Terminal) in the adb folder.
2. Enter Adb devices – your device should appear.
3. Use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.nameservice Replace com.xiaomi.nameservice with the package of the desired application (see table below).

How to find the name of the package yourself?

• 📱 Install App Inspector from Google Play.
• 🔍 Use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'xiaomi' (will display all packets with 'xiaomi' in the title).

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Removal through ADB It doesn't erase the application completely -- it stays on the system, but it becomes inaccessible to the current user. MIUI The program may appear again.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with names: com.android – system components of Android; com.miui.home – launcher MIUI; com.miui.securitycenter is a security center, and this can cause the device to fail and require flashing.

5. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If standard methods don't work, the most reliable way to control your desktop is to install an alternative launcher.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – flexible configuration, gesture support, hiding icons;
• 🎨 Lawnchair – lightweight open source launcher;
• 🔧 Apex Launcher – Extended Options for Power Users.

How to hide icons in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press and hold the icon → select Change.
3. Slip on the app icon → select Hide (eye icon).
4. The icon will disappear, but the app will remain on the menu (available via search).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎛️ Full control of the desktop (icon size, grid, animations).
• 🔒 Ability to block layouts (so that icons don’t get lost after updates).
• 📁 Support for folders in the dock panel and gestures.

Important: When using a third-party launcher, MIUI system updates can reset it to standard. To avoid this, turn off the launcher auto-update in Settings → Applications → Nova Launcher → Auto-update.

6.Reset launcher settings (if icons return)

After updating MIUI or system failure, hidden icons can appear on the desktop, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help:

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or POCO Launcher).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reset the device.

Method 2: Through Safe Mode

1. Press the power button → hold off Turn off until the Safe Mode window appears.
2. Confirm the transition – the device will restart with disabled third-party applications.
3. Remove or hide unnecessary icons (only system programs work in safe mode).
4. Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will return all desktop settings to factory settings, removing widgets, wallpaper and icon locations. Before the procedure, take screenshots of the current configuration.

FAQ: Frequent questions