How to remove completely MI-Applications from Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the problem of preinstalled MI-applications that take up memory, consume battery power and display annoying advertising. Even after standard removal through the menu, many programs continue to work in the background or recover from updates. MI-Xiaomi phone applications, including system services MIUI, without risk of damaging the operating system.

We will look at both the official methods through customization, and advanced techniques using ADB and third-party utilities. Particular attention will be paid to Redmi models, POCO and flagships of the Mi series, where the process may differ due to different versions of the firmware. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights — we will clearly indicate where this is necessary and where you can do without radical measures.

Why? MI-Applications are so hard to remove in standard ways

Xiaomi integrates its services at the MIUI firmware level, making them part of the operating system, even after clicking "Delete" in the app menu:

• 📦 Most programs are simply disabled, but remain in the device’s memory.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Remote applications are often restored automatically
• 🕵️‍♂️ Some services (e.g. miui.analytics) continue to run in the background, collecting data.
• 📱 On models with Google Mobile Services, some applications are tied to Google Play services

This is technically done through a mechanism. /system/priv-app/, stored APK-Standard removal through the user interface simply hides the application icon, but does not delete its files and processes.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard settings (without root)

The safest method that works for most users is that it doesn't remove apps completely, but it stops them from working and hides them from the menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select "Show all apps"
3. Find the right one. MI-Application (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Video)
4. Click "Disable" and confirm the action.

Some system services (e.g. com.miui.analytics) will require:

1. Click "Storage" → "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache"
2. Go back and select "Limit background activity"

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the version. MIUI In Settings→The phone.|Disable automatic update of applications|Write down the names of the deleted programs-->

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, try first to remove all app updates through the “Three Dots → Remove Updates” menu.

This is a reversible method, and you can always turn the app back on, but it's not suitable for applications that:

• 🔒 Secured by a system (e.g. Security or Finder)
• 📊 Related to core functions MIUI (For example, Themes)
• 🔄 Automatically Update via Google Play

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root, but with bootloader unlocking)

A more radical method that requires you to connect your phone to your computer, and the advantage is to completely remove the apps you've selected, rather than just disabling them.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB developer-setting
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for some models)

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer
2. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your debugging permission.
4. Open the command line/terminal and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package

List of packages of popular MI-applications:

⚠️ Note: Removal of system packages such as com.android.themes or com.miui.securitycenter may lead to unstable operation MIUI or a complete loss of functionality of some smartphone features.Always check the list of safe to remove packages for your particular model.

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For users who do not want to work with the command line, there is a convenient utility Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. It provides a graphical interface for managing system applications.

Instructions for use:

1. Download the utility from the official GitHub
2. Install ADB drivers and enable USB debugging on your phone
3. Connect the device and start the program.
4. In the main menu, select Uninstall System Apps.
5. Check boxes for unnecessary applications (the program shows their security for removal)
6. Click on "Uninstall Selected" and confirm the action

Advantages of this method:

• 🎯 Visually select applications instead of manually entering commands
• 🛡️ Automatic safety check for removal
• 🔄 Ability to restore remote applications
• 📊 Shows the occupied place of each application

💡

Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools supports backups before deleting – be sure to use this feature so that applications can be restored if needed.

The program works with all modern Xiaomi models, including:

• Redmi Note 12/13 Pro+
• POCO F5/X5 Pro
• Xiaomi 13/13T/14
• Mi 11 Ultra

Method 4: Magisk Removal (root rights required)

For advanced users who are ready to get root access, there is a most flexible method of removing system applications, which allows you not only to delete, but also to freeze programs so that they can be easily restored.

Conditions required:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader
• 📱 Installed by Magisk (last version)
• 🛠️ System App Remover or App Systemizer

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root access
2. Download the System App Remover module through the Magisk repository
3. Reset the device
4. Open the System App Remover app from the Magisk menu
5. Select applications to remove (the program shows the dependence between packets)
6. Press Uninstall and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Removing critical system components through Magisk may result in a device being lost and a need for complete flashing.Always create a full backup through Magisk TWRP before removing packets, unless they are sure of their purpose.

Advantages of the Magisk method:

• 🔄 Possibility of “freezing” instead of complete removal
• 📊 Shows the complete dependencies between packages
• 🔒 It works even with secure system applications.
• 🛠️ Supports recovery through backups

Method 5: Manual removal via TWRP (for power users)

The most radical method, which requires the installation of a custom TWRP recap, allows you to physically delete application files from the system partition.

• 📱 Devices with unlocked loader
• 🔧 Users who are prepared for possible risks
• 🛠️ Situations where other methods have not helped

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP for your model (instructions on the official website)
2. Download to Recovery Mode (usually Power + Vol Up)
3. Select "Mount" and select System
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager
5. Find folders: /system/app/ – custom applications /system/priv-app/ – system applications with increased rights

MiBrowser

Reset the device

Important nuances:

• 📁 Always back up the folder before deleting (Backup in) TWRP)
• 🔍 Some apps may have dependencies – deleting one folder can break another app
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Remote applications can return

💡

Before deleting via TWRP, check the contents of /system/priv-app/ for files with the.odex extension. Deleting them can lead to system boot errors.

How to prevent the return of remote MI-applications

Even after successful removal, many MI-Applications are returned after update MIUI. To avoid this:

1. Turn off automatic system update: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto Update (off)
2. Freeze update services via ADB: pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.updater
3. Use the community-based patched versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI EU or Xiaomi.eu) where many unnecessary apps have already been removed.
4. Check the list of installed apps regularly after updates

For models with Google Mobile Services, it is additionally recommended:

• 📱 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play
• 🔍 Check the permissions for Google Play Services (some of which are MI-Applications are updated through this service)
• 🛡️ Use App Ops to limit background activity

FAQ: Frequent questions about removal MI-applications