Xiaomi smartphone owners often face an intrusive set of pre-installed software. The MIUI and HyperOS shells, despite their functionality, contain a lot of built-in services that not everyone needs. Some just take up space, others are constantly hanging in the background, consuming battery power and RAM.
Many users are wondering if you can completely rid your device of digital debris without getting superuser rights. The answer is yes, but it requires caution. Unlike conventional software, system components can't just be erased through the standard menu, because the "Delete" button is simply not there.
Deep cleaning requires understanding the architecture of the Android operating system and the Chinese manufacturer’s shells. Mistakes can lead to unstable work of the gadget or even a “brick.” So it is important to clearly distinguish which software can be touched and which processes are best left alone for the sake of system stability.
Why Xiaomi is preinstalling unnecessary apps
The company's business model is based on selling hardware at a minimal margin, using software services to offset costs and generate profits, and embedded applications often serve to serve ads, collect analytics, or promote its own ecosystem services, such as cloud storage or music streaming.
In addition, global firmware versions have a huge number of third-party apps, such as games, hotel booking services, news aggregators or social networks popular in other regions, and the user interface is full of icons that cannot be removed by standard means, which annoys many pure Android enthusiasts.
⚠️ Warning: Removing critical system components such as Security, Framework Services, or Themes can result in an endless bootloop.
Some programs are integrated deep into the MIUI System, and they're responsible for basic functions like calls, messages, camera work, and removing them would violate the integrity of the operating system, but there's a whole layer of software that can be classified as bloatware, which is a ballast blower that's safe to dispose of.
Preparing a smartphone to remove system software
Before we take any action, we need to set the device up properly, and standard removal methods won't help here, so we're going to use USB debugging, and it's a special mode that allows the computer to interact with the phone's operating system at a deep level.
First, you need to activate the hidden menu for developers. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». You need to press this line quickly. 7-10 once in a row, until a notification appears that the developer mode is activated.
Then you go to the advanced settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Additional settings → For developers. In the list that opens, you need to find and activate two parameters: “Debugging on USB” and “Debugging on USB (security settings).” The second option is critical, because it allows the computer to emulate the presses and change the state of the packets.
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your computer through high-quality USB-cable.
- 📱 On the phone screen will appear a request for debugging permission - be sure to click "Allow».
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB on the computer, unless installed automatically by the system.
After completing these steps, your Xiaomi is ready for external management. The computer now sees the device not just as a drive, but as a debugging object, which opens up access to hidden package management functions.
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Use the original cable or certified analogue. Cheap charging cables often don't have data lines, which means the computer won't see the phone and the debugging won't start.
ADB Method: The Safest Way to Clean
The most reliable and controlled way to remove system applications is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit.This method does not require Root rights, which preserves the device warranty and makes it easy to roll back changes in the event of an error.
You'll need to download the Platform Tools package from Google's official website. After unpacking the archive on your computer, open the command prompt (cmd) or PowerShell in the tool folder. Check the connection with the adb devices command. If a device with a serial number appears on the list, then the connection is established.
To remove a particular application, you use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet name. The key here is to correctly define the packet name. It doesn't always match the name you see on the screen. For example, YouTube can be called com.google.android.youtube, and GetApps store can be called com.xiaomi.mipicks.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksThis command does not remove the application physically from the system partition, but hides it for the current user (user 0). This means that space is freed up in memory, processes do not start, but when reset to factory settings, the applications will return. This is a safe method, since it does not modify the system partition read-only.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Use of graphical shells for ADB
Working with the command line can seem difficult for beginners, so there are special shell programs that automatically identify connected devices and offer lists of applications with removal recommendations. One of the most popular tools is Universal Android Debloater.
These utilities have a database of security-marked packages, and they're usually color-coded: green means you can delete the app without consequences, yellow means you need to be careful, red means you can't remove it, which makes it much easier and minimizes the risks.
Once you connect it to your smartphone, you'll see a list of all the packages installed. You can use search to find specific services from Google or Xiaomi. The interface allows you to delete multiple apps at once, which saves time. However, even with a GUI, it's important to understand what you're turning off.
- 🛡️ Universal Android Debloater is an open source cross-platform utility.
- 📱 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools - specialized software specifically for devices of this brand.
- 🖥️ ADB AppControl - a convenient program for Windows with a Russian interface.
⚠️ Warning: Don't blindly trust third-party software recommendations. Some programs may label important system components as "safe to remove." Always double-check the destination of a packet on the Internet by its name.
If the interface becomes unstable after a service is removed, most helpers have a Restore function, which stores a list of deleted packets and can return them to place with a single button, which is a huge advantage over manually typing commands.
What Xiaomi apps can be safely removed
There's a list of services that don't affect the basic functionality of the phone, and removing them frees up resources and removes ads, especially for the company's own stores, such as Mi Store or GetApps, if you use Google Play.
Analytics and ad units are also considered safe to remove, such as com.miui.misys or com.miui.cloudservice (if you don’t use the Xiaomi cloud), which reduces pop-ups and improves privacy.
Special attention should be paid to applications for regions that you may not need, such as services for the Indian market, European news feeds or pre-installed games, which will not affect the camera, communication or Bluetooth.
| Package name | Function | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| com.xiaomi.mipicks | GetApps Store | Low. |
| com.miui.videoplayer | Standard video player | Low. |
| com.miui.screenrecorder | Screen recording | Medium (if necessary) |
| com.facebook.katana | Facebook (systemic) | Low. |
It is important to note that removing a standard video player or voice recorder is not critical if you are used to using third-party counterparts from the Play Market. However, if you like the standard interface and MIUI widgets, these components are better left.
List of deletion packages
What cannot be removed categorically
In the pursuit of cleanliness, it is easy to go too far. There are a number of processes that keep Android and MIUI alive, and removing them will cause the phone to stop booting or lose communication with the network.
This is especially true for the system framework and Google services, without which push notifications, contact synchronization, geolocation and most third-party applications will not work. SIM-maps and telephony.
- 📞 com.android.phone – telephone, without it there will be no calls.
- 🔐 com.android.providers.downloads – download manager, needed for updates.
- 📡 com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – modem services (on Snapdragon processors).
Special care should be taken with the application "Security" (com.miui.securitycenter), which is integrated into the system deeper than it seems, its removal can lead to the failure of permissions, task manager and antivirus, it is better just to turn off its advertising in the settings than to remove completely.
⚠️ Warning: If you delete something superfluous and the phone starts to behave strangely, don't panic. Complete a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset.
Remember that some applications, such as Themes or Wallpaper, may be associated with the system launcher. deleting them may cause the desktop to stop displaying widgets or icons. Always check for dependencies before cleaning.
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The golden rule of system modification is that if you don't know exactly what a particular packet with a Latin name is responsible for, you better leave it alone. Stability is more important than saving 50 megabytes of memory.
Recovery of Remote Components
Since ADB doesn't physically delete files, it only disables them for the current user, it's pretty easy to restore them. You don't have to refashion the phone. You just have to reverse the installation command.
The recovery command is: adb shell cmd package install-existing the name of the package. By entering it in the terminal, you return the application to its original state, as if it had never been removed. This only works for those packages that were originally present in the firmware.
If you've used graphical snails, it's even easier. Universal Android Debloater or ADB AppControl has a tab called Deleted or Recycle Bin, and it stores a list of everything that's been uninstalled, and just click the "Restore" button on the right item.
In case the phone stopped loading after removing the critical component, only a Recovery Mode reset will help. To do this, turn off the phone and pinch the button combination (usually Volume Up + Power). In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data. This will delete all user data, but restore system integrity.