How to Remove Unnecessary Apps on Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Work

Why are there so many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all known for their value for money, but many users are faced with one unpleasant feature: the abundance of pre-installed software. Even on clean MIUI firmware, you can find dozens of applications that you have never run, from branded services Mi Browser and Mi Video to affiliate games and software for specific regions. These programs not only occupy space in memory, but can consume battery power in the background.

Unlike the Google Pixel or iPhone, where system applications are removed by standard means, many programs on Xiaomi are protected from simple removal, due to the manufacturer’s policy and the features of the MIUI firmware, which is deeply integrated with Xiaomi services. However, this does not mean that you can get rid of them. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to remove unnecessary applications on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods without root rights and using hidden system functions.

Before we start cleaning, it's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences. Some system components are critical to MIUI, and removing them can cause malfunctions. We'll take a detailed look at which programs are safe to remove and which ones are better to disable.

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings (for user applications)

The easiest method is suitable for apps you installed yourself through Google Play or.apk files. It requires no additional tools and works on all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

To remove such an application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
3. Press the "Delete" button (if it is active).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

If the Remove button is inactive or not, then the application is system or preinstalled, in which case move on to the following methods.

💡

Before you delete, check if the app is connected to important features (for example, Mi Share is responsible for fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices).

• 📱 It works on: all models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO any version MIUI.
• ⚡ Advantages: No Administrator Rights, Safe for the System.
• ⚠️ Limitations: Does not remove system and some preinstalled applications.

Method 2: Disabling unnecessary applications (without deleting)

If the application cannot be removed in the standard way, it can be disabled, which will stop all background processes, free up RAM and prevent automatic updating, and the disabled application will not appear in the menu, but will remain in the device's memory.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to disable (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music).
3. Click "Disable" (the button will appear if deletion is not available).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

You can activate the disabled applications again in the same menu, which is a safe method and is recommended for programs that you don't use but are afraid to delete.

Turn off Mi Browser if you use Chrome or Firefox | Disable Mi Video and Mi Music if you use YouTube and Spotify | Disable games from partners (Game Center, Mi Game) | Disable regional services (e.g. Mi Pay for India)

-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system services called com.android., miui. or xiaomi. at the beginning of the package. MIUI or complete inoperability of certain functions (e.g., camera or mobile network).

Method 3: Remove system applications via ADB (without root)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) can be used to remove pre-installed applications that cannot be removed by standard methods.This method does not require superuser rights (root), but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Before you start, make sure that:

• 🖥️ The computer has Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB (You can download it through Android Studio or separately).
• 📱 The phone's debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Used by the original USB-cable (cheap cables may not support data transmission).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

1. To remove the application, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of packages of popular unnecessary Xiaomi applications:

⚠️ Note: Removal of some system packages (e.g. com.miui.home) MIUI) You'll be inoperable before mass deletion, back up through Settings. → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.

Mi Browser and Mi Music|Game Center |Regional apps (Mi Pay, Mi Credit) |Mi Remote, Mi Drop) |I don't want to delete anything-->

Method 4: Using the hidden function "Laboratory" MIUI" (power-user)

MIUI has a hidden Lab menu that allows you to remove some system applications without ADB or root, which doesn’t work on all MIUI models and versions, but can be useful for owners of MIUI 12-14 devices.

How to open the Lab:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. In the search bar (lamp in the upper right corner) enter the Laboratory or Lab (in English firmware).
3. Select MIUI Lab (may be called MIUI Optimization).
4. Go to the "App Manager" or "App Manager" section.

Here you will see a list of apps that you can remove or disable. Please note that some items may be in Chinese - use a translator or focus on icons.

💡

The Lab method is unstable and may disappear after the MIUI update. Always check for a backup before experimenting.

If the "Laboratory" section is missing, try an alternative method:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and find it in the list of com.miui.hiddenmenu.
3. Start an activation called HiddenSettings or LabMode.

Method 5: Complete removal with root rights (for advanced users)

If you're willing to take the risk of rooting, you can uninstall any application, including deeply integrated system components.

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (manufacturer may refuse repairs).
• 🔄 Risk of “bricking” (turning the phone into a “brick” if you make an error).
• 🔒 Security issues (some banking apps will not work).

If you do decide, follow the instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install a custom recap (TWRP) for your model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to uninstall applications.

List of apps that can not be removed even from root:

• 📵 com.android.phone – phone calls.
• 📶 com.android.settings – System settings.
• 🔋 com.miui.powerkeeper - power management.
• 📷 com.android.camera – Camera (on some models).

⚠️ Note: After removing system applications from root, they may stop working OTA-Updates (updates over the air) will require manual firmware through Fastboot to restore them.

How to return a remote application if something goes wrong

If the phone is unstable after the system application is removed (for example, the mobile network is lost or notifications stop coming), it can be restored.

• 🔄 If removed through ADB: Use the command to re-install: adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet
• 📥 If deleted from root: download the original.apk files for your version MIUI forum-wise XDA Developers or 4PDA and set them up through TWRP.
• ⚙️ If the phone doesn’t turn on: Fastboot your full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

To restore efficiency without loss of data:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (select the version of "Recovery ROM").
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Select firmware file".
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and wait until the process is completed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi