How to Remove Unnecessary Apps on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the problem of overcrowded memory and intrusive advertising, which is the source of preinstalled programs. The MIUI shell and its latest version of HyperOS are famous for their functionality, but the abundance of embedded software, often called “bloatware”, can annoy even experienced users. Many of these programs can not be removed by standard methods through the settings menu, since the “Delete” button is simply absent or inactive.

But there are several proven ways to make room and speed up the device without having to use the complicated manipulations of firmware. In this article, we will discuss how to safely dispose of embedded debris using both standard system tools and specialized utilities for the PC, you will learn which system components can not be touched and which can be safely removed to improve performance.

Deletion through system settings

The easiest and safest way to clean up the space is to use the built-in shell functionality, which is suitable for removing custom applications downloaded from Google Play or GetApps, as well as some system services that the manufacturer has authorized to be uninstalled. First, go to the Settings menu → Applications → All Apps. In the list that opens, find the desired program and click on it.

If the application is to be removed, you will see a bright “Delete” button at the bottom of the screen. In some cases, the system may request confirmation or warn that deletion will cause data loss. It is important to understand that for most system applications (calendar, music, themes, Mi browser), this button will be missing or replaced with “Disable”.

• 📱 Go to the “All Apps” section in the settings.
• 🔍 Find an unnecessary program in the list.
• 🗑️ Click the “Delete” button and confirm the action.
• ⚙️ If deletion is not available, try “Clear Data” first».

It's worth noting that simply removing a shortcut from your desktop isn't a complete uninstallation; it just hides the icon by leaving all the program files in your memory. To really free up space, always use the settings menu or the application manager.

Use of the “Disconnection” menu for system services

When standard deletion is not available, the “Disable” feature comes to the rescue, not deleting files physically, but completely shutting the application down, hiding it from the list, and preventing it from running in the background. It’s an effective way to combat Xiaomi’s intrusive services like Mi Video or Mi Music if you’re not using them.

To use this method, open the application information and find the "Disable" button, the system will warn you that the application will be removed from the home screen and stop working, and once confirmed, the program will disappear from the active list, and its processes will no longer consume RAM and battery power.

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Disabling system applications is a safe alternative to deleting, which does not disrupt the operation of the OS, but stops background processes.

But there are limitations to this method: Disabled applications still take up space in internal storage, although they do not affect performance, and after resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset), all disabled services are automatically activated again.

Removal via ADB: a method for advanced users

To completely clean a smartphone of embedded debris that cannot be removed or disabled by standard methods, USB debugging (ADB) is used, which requires connecting the phone to a computer and executing several commands, and allows you to remove almost any system components, including Chinese services and deep system integration.

Before starting the procedure, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version (or OS Version) seven times. After the notification “You became a developer”, go back to the settings menu, find the “Additional” or “Extended settings” section and select “Developers”.

In the Developer menu, find the USB Debugging option and activate it. When you connect the cable to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen — be sure to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." Now the device is ready to interact with your PC.

You’ll need a minimal set of tools on your computer to work with, you can use the command line with Platform-tools installed or graphical shells like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. The second option is much easier for beginners, since it doesn’t require manual input.

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Use the original. USB-Cheap charging-only cables don't transmit data, and the computer won't see the phone.

Command line work and batch removal

If you chose the manual method through the command line, you need to know the exact package name of the application being removed. This is not the same as the program name. For example, the theme store is called Themes, but its package can be called com.miui.theme. You can find out the names of the packages using the adb shell pm lists command.

To remove a specific packet, the command is: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet name. The --user 0 flag means that the application is removed for the current user, but remains in the system in case of reset. This is safe and reversible.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.katana

There are ready-made lists of safe packets to remove that can be found on the network, but blindly copying commands can lead to unstable system operation, and be careful to remove components that you are not sure about, especially those associated with the system interface or communication.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages containing the words security, settings, framework or systemui unless you have a deep knowledge of the Android architecture).

Safety analysis of removed components

To avoid turning a smartphone into a brick, you need to clearly understand which apps you can touch and which ones are better left alone. Below is a table that classifies popular Xiaomi system applications by their risk of removal.

As you can see from the table, most entertainment and marketing apps can be removed without fear, but system utilities like Security are tightly integrated into the MIUI shell, and their removal can lead to notification errors, blocking calls, or not being able to clear the cache.

If you accidentally delete an important component, don't panic. Since we used the --user 0 flag, the application can be restored by the adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet command or simply by performing a full reset of the phone's settings.

Alternative methods and third-party utilities

For those who are afraid of the command line, there are helper applications that work through the ADB, But with a user-friendly graphical interface, one of the most popular is Xiaomi. ADB/Fastboot Tools for PC: This program automatically detects the connected smartphone, shows a list of all installed packages with a description and allows you to delete them in one click.

You can also use uninstallation apps on your smartphone, such as System App Remover, but they often require Root rights to work properly, which are unwarranted and can be dangerous for inexperienced users. Without Root rights, these programs are limited and often show ads.

• 🛠️ Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – the best choice for PC.
• 📱 Universal Android Debloater – cross-platform utility.
• 🚫 System App Remover

Using specialized software on your computer is preferable because it allows you to create a restore point or backup of the application list before cleaning, which ensures that in case of an error, you can quickly return the system to its original state.

⚠️ Note: Install applications from unknown sources (APK-To remove system software, you can only use proven open source software or official repositories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)