Modern Xiaomi smartphones running on MIUI or HyperOS shells often come with pre-installed software that the user does not always need. Device owners face the need to free up space in memory or simply remove unnecessary icons from the desktop for visual comfort. Standard system tools can remove most user programs, but the situation is more complicated with system components.
The process of cleaning a device requires understanding the difference between routine removal and forced shutdown of services. System applications are often deeply integrated into the operation of the operating system, and their incorrect removal can lead to unstable operation of the gadget. In this article, we will look at safe methods of getting rid of excess software, ranging from simple settings to advanced tools for power users.
Before we start taking any drastic measures, it's important to assess the need for each component. Some services, such as MIUI Home or the system framework, are critical to the interface, and we'll go into detail on which packages you can touch and which ones you should leave alone so that your smartphone can continue to work consistently and quickly.
Basic removal of user applications
The easiest and safest way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use the standard functionality of the Android operating system. This method is suitable for all applications that were installed by the user himself through the Google Play store or GetApps.
Click on the app icon and hold your finger until the context menu appears. In the options list, select Delete or drag the icon to the basket located at the top of the screen. The system will request confirmation of action, after which the program will be completely erased from the device along with the cache and data.
The alternative is through smartphone settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Here is a complete list of all the software installed. Find the program you want in the list, click on it and select the Remove button at the bottom of the screen.
- 📱 Click and hold the icon on your desktop for quick access.
- ⚙️ Use the settings menu for detailed data management.
- 🗑️ Confirm removal in the system pop-up window.
It is worth noting that some programs, even though they are user-generated, may have device administrator rights or be part of the manufacturer's ecosystem, in which case the system may suggest disabling the application first if direct removal is impossible without root rights.
Disabling system applications through settings
Many of Xiaomi’s built-in services, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Mi Browser, cannot be removed in the standard way, as they are part of the firmware. However, they can be disabled.This procedure hides the application icon and prevents it from running in the background, saving battery power and RAM.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the system application you want to deactivate. The App Information menu that opens will have a Disable (or Disable) button.
⚠️ Note: Disabling system components may affect the operation of related functions. For example, disabling the system browser may cause links from other applications to stop opening automatically.
When you press the button, the system will warn you of the possible consequences, and if you agree, you will see that the application has disappeared from the active list and moved to the disabled section, the application data is stored, but it stops consuming the CPU resources.
If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), then this application is critical for the operation of the Android operating system or the MIUI shell.
Using ADB to remove system software
For advanced users who want to clean up their smartphone from advertising and system debris, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to control the device from a computer via the command line, gaining access to hidden parts of the system without the need to obtain root rights.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and click 7 times in a row on the field version of MIUI (or OS Version).
Include the USB debugging option in this menu. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. The PC must have Xiaomi drivers and the SDK Platform-Tools installed. Open the command line and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesYou'll see a debugging permission request on your smartphone screen, you'll check "Always Allow" and you'll click "OK." Once you've successfully connected, you can use commands to delete packets. You can get a list of all packets by command:
adb shell pm list packagesTo remove a particular application, the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet name is used. For example, to remove a standard browser, the command will look like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB It is irreversible without resetting to factory settings. An error in the packet name can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) of the device.
Analysis of the impact of applications on the system
Before you delete or disable unknown processes, you need to understand their purpose. In Android, many services have technical names that are not obvious to the average user. Removing a key component can lead to the disappearance of sound, loss of network or inability to make calls.
Below is a table of common Xiaomi system packages and their description to help you make an informed decision:
| Packet name | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| com.miui.securitycenter | Security Center, Antivirus, Cleanup | Do not delete (important for the OS) |
| com.android.browser | Standard Mi browser | Can be removed (if there is an alternative) |
| com.miui.weather2 | Weather appendix | Safe to remove |
| com.google.android.gms | Google Play Services | categorically not removed |
| com.xiaomi.joyose | Service for gaming and optimization | You can turn it off (affects trolling) |
Special attention should be paid to packages related to advertising, such as MSA (MIUI System Ads), which are often recommended to disable to improve the user experience, but in new versions of HyperOS, the mechanism of advertising has changed.
Use analytics apps like App Inspector or Package Name Viewer available on Google Play, which lets you see in real time which app is running and identify its exact system name for removal through ADB.
Hiding applications and working with the launcher
Sometimes it is impossible or impractical to completely remove the application, but the user wants to clear the desktop of visual noise, in which case the icon hiding features built into the MIUI shell or third-party launchers come to the rescue.
In the standard launcher Xiaomi has a mode "Hidden applications." To access it, pinch two fingers on the desktop (put your fingers together), as if zooming down the image. Opens a special storage.
Click on the add button (usually a plus) and select the apps you want to hide, which will disappear from the main screen and menu, but will remain accessible through this special login.
- 👆 Make a pinch with your fingers on the desktop.
- 🔒 Set a password to access hidden data.
- 📂 Add apps to the hidden container as needed.
Alternative launchers
You can also use the "Second Space" function, which creates a separate profile in the system, similar to the second desktop, and the applications installed in the second space are not visible in the first space, which allows you to separate work and personal programs or hide them from prying eyes.
Remote Application Recovery and Reset
If an important application that caused a malfunction of the smartphone was removed or disabled during the optimization process, you need to know how to restore it. If the device loads normally, the easiest way to return the remote application through the GetApps store or Google Play is by finding it by name.
If the application was system-based and removed via ADB, you can restore it by command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing name packetHowever, if errors caused the phone to stop turning on or reboot permanently, a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset) will be required.
To reset without access to the menu (if the phone is on the screensaver), you need to enter Recovery mode. Turn the phone off completely. Then press the Volume+ and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears.
From the Recovery menu, select English, then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm action. After you complete the process, select Reboot.
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Before any major removal of system components, back up your critical data to the cloud or computer, which will take a few minutes, but will save your photos and contacts in the event of a crash.