Mi Video is a standard video player from Xiaomi, which is installed on all smartphones of the Redmi series by default. For many users, it becomes unnecessary: takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and duplicates the functions of Google Photos or VLC. However, it will not be possible to remove it by standard methods (like a regular application) - the system blocks this possibility.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to get rid of Mi Video: from simple disabling to complete removal with ADB or root rights. You will also learn what errors can occur when you delete, how to avoid them, and which alternative players are better to install instead of the standard. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5, etc.) based on MIUI 12-14.
Why can’t Mi Video be removed in the standard way?
Mi Video is a system utility, and it's integrated into MIUI firmware and it's uninstallable.
- 🔄 Compatibility with branded features (for example, watching videos in the Xiaomi gallery or streaming from other devices of the ecosystem).
- 🛡️ System Stability – Removal of critical components can cause failures.
- 📦 Marketing Goals – Xiaomi is promoting its services, including cloud-based video storage.
When you try to remove Mi Video through Settings → Apps, you will see a gray “Delete” button or a message saying “This is a system application. It can only be disabled.” However, even disabling does not always help: the application can activate itself after the MIUI update.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 8) Mi Video app is linked to MediaProvider - its removal may disrupt the gallery or camera!
Method 1: Disable Mi Video without deletion (safe for everyone)
If you don’t need to completely remove the app, but just hide it and stop background activity, use the built-in MIUI tools:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Mi Video in the list (use search if necessary).
- Slip it on it and select "Disable".
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
After the shutdown:
- 📵 The app will disappear from the menu and launcher.
- ⚡ Stops using battery and traffic in the background.
- 🔄 It will not be updated through the Play Market.
⚠️ Restriction: After resetting settings or updating MIUI The application may be activated again. To avoid this, use the method of ADB (described below).
Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)
The method is suitable for users who do not want to get root rights, but are ready to connect the smartphone to the computer. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to remove system applications without deep changes in the firmware.
📌 What's the matter:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
🔧 Step-by-step instruction:
- Download Platform Tools from the official Android website and unpack the archive.
- Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item "Version" MIUI».
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
- Connect your phone to your PC, select File Transfer mode and confirm debugging permission.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and execute commands in turn: adb devices (should appear serial number of your device) adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
If the command is successful, you will see the message "Success." the Mi Video app will be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).
Download Platform Tools|Developer mode turned on.|Activated debugging. USB|Connected the phone to the PC in file transfer mode|Checked the connection with the adb device team-->
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (In particular, Chinese, the application package may be called com.miui.videoplayer.global or com.miui.videoplayer.overseas. To find out the exact package, use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep video
Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)
If you already have root access (e.g. via Magisk), you can delete Mi Video permanently, including all of its files and cache.This method is suitable for users who are prepared for potential risks (loss of warranty, system failures).
🛠️ Tools:
- 📱 Smartphone with root (for example, via Magisk or SuperSU).
- 🖥️ Support for Root Explorer (Root Explorer, FX File Explorer).
- 🔍 Terminal (Termux or embedded in a conductor).
🔨 Instructions:
- Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/MiuiVideo or /system/app/MiuiVideo.
- Delete the MiuiVideo folder (or rename it to the MiuiVideo_bak in case of restoration).
- Clear the cache and application data through Settings → Applications → Mi Video.
- Reset the device.
Alternatively, you can use the command in Termux:
su
rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiuiVideo
rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.videoplayer| Deleting method | Need root? | You need a PC? | Post-discharge recovery | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shutdown | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Recovery. | ✅ No. |
| ADB | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Not recovering. | ✅ Minimum |
| Root removal | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Not recovering. | ⚠️ Medium. |
💡
Before removing via root, back up /system/priv-app/MiuiVideo to help restore the application if you have problems with the gallery or media player.
Method 4: Removal via TWRP (for custom firmware)
If your Redmi has custom TWRP recovery installed, you can remove Mi Video directly from it without having to resort to ADB or root.This is a method suitable for users who are already working with informal firmware.
🔧 Step-by-step action:
- Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
- Select “Advanced → File Manager”
- Go to /system/priv-app/ and find the MiuiVideo (or VideoPlayer) folder.
- Select the folder and press "Delete".
- Confirm the swipe and restart the device.
⚠️ Important: After removal through TWRP You may need to re-examine boot.img, If the system is not booting, always have a backup of nandroid on hand!
What if the gallery stopped working after the removal?
Method 5: Replace Mi Video with an alternative player
If you don't want to delete Mi Video, but you need to get rid of its disadvantages (advertising, slow work, lack of features), consider installing alternative players. They often exceed the standard solution in speed and capabilities.
🎬 Top.-5 alternatives:
- 🔍 nPlayer – for users who are interested in fine-tuning sound and video.
🔄 How to make an alternative player the main one:
- Install the selected application from the Play Market.
- Select “Open with Help” and select “Always” for a new player.
On some MIUI firmware, Mi Video is activated again by default after resetting the settings. To avoid this, turn it off via ADB before reset or remove it completely (method 2 or 3).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you delete Mi Video, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:
🔴 Error 1: “adb: failed to install” when you try to delete.
⚠️ Note: This error occurs if debugging is not enabled USB Xiaomi drivers are not installed.Solution: Check what is in Settings → Additionally. → For developers included "Debugging by USB». Install drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually (download from the official website). USB-cable (preferably original).
🔴 Error 2: After removal, a miniature of the video in the gallery was lost.
So that means Mi Video was responsible for generating previews.
- Install an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos or Simple Gallery).
- Restore Mi Video via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
🔴 Error 3: Phone does not turn on after removal via root.
Most likely, critical system files were deleted.
- Download to TWRP and restore the backup.
- Reflash MIUI via Mi Flash Tool (instructions at xiaomiflash.com).
💡
If you have problems playing video in other apps after you delete Mi Video, you'll likely have removed the codec, restore it through APK installation or factory reset.