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

Xiaomi smartphones out of the box come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users never run. Over time, manually installed programs that no longer need to be installed, but continue to take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and can even collect data. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove applications on devices with MIUI 14/15 – from standard methods to hidden functions for power users.

It is important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences. For example, Xiaomi system services (such as com.miui.securitycenter) are responsible for the stable operation of the shell, and their forced removal can lead to failures. We will explain in detail which programs can be safely uninstalled, and which only disable or freeze.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way is to use the system’s built-in tools, and it’s suitable for most custom applications (installed from Google Play or Google Play). APK-files, and for some pre-installed programs that Xiaomi allows to be deleted.

To remove the app:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enter the program name in the search bar or find it manually in the list.
• 🗑️ Click Remove (if the button is active) or Disable (for system applications).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action if a warning of possible consequences appears.

Note: for some applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Video), the Remove button may not be active, in which case the system will only prompt you to Disable or Remove updates (return the program to the factory version).

2. Removal of updates to system applications

Many of Xiaomi’s standard software (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Music) can’t be removed completely, but you can return it to the factory version, saving space, especially if the app has been updated through Google Play and now weighs several times more than the original version.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the right application (e.g. Mi Community).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm action. The app will return to the version preinstalled on the device.

After that, the program will no longer be updated automatically through Google Play, but its functionality may be limited, for example, in the old version of Mi Browser, some websites may not work.

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If the app stopped working correctly after removing the updates, try clearing its cache in the same menu (Storage → Clear cache).

3. disabling system applications (without deletion)

For applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, the option of disabling remains, which hides the program from the menu, stops its background activity and frees up some of the RAM, but does not delete files from the device.

• 📦 Mi Pay, Mi Credit and other financial services if you do not use them.
• 🎵 Mi Music or Mi Video if you use alternatives (e.g. YouTube Music or YouTube Music) VLC).
• 📡 Mi Remote if you don’t have a control device.

How to disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (e.g. Mi Game Center).
3. Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop working.

⚠️ Note: Disabling some system services (e.g. com.miui.analytics) may cause errors in the work MIUI. Before disabling, check the program name on the network.

4. Removal via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work and root rights don't, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to remove even those applications that MIUI blocks through the interface, but it requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (e.g., via Mi PC Suite) and open the command prompt.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices The device should appear in the list.
5. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages
6. Find the name of the unneeded package (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video) and delete it: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

Key key --user 0 This means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files), which is safer than a complete deletion, but the program can return after resetting the settings.

5. Complete removal through root rights

If you unlock the bootloader and install Magisk or another root rights manager, you can uninstall any application, including system applications, which gives you maximum freedom, but also maximum risks: careless removal of critical components can lead to bootloop or failure of MIUI functions.

For removal from root, applications are suitable:

• 🛠️ Root App Deleter – a simple interface for removing packages.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup – allows you not only to delete, but also to create backup copies.
• 📦 SD Maid – garbage cleaning and removal of system applications.

How to remove the application through Root App Deleter:

1. Open the program and grant root rights.
2. In the list, find the unnecessary application (you can filter by System category).
3. Click on it and select Delete.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Before removing system applications, be sure to back up through TWRP Some packages (e.g. com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice) are critical for modem and communication.

Backup via TWRP| Check the name of the package on the network | Remove only unnecessary programs | Prepare for a possible reset of settings-->

Alternative methods: freezing and concealment

If deletion seems risky, you can freeze the application, which will suspend it without physically deleting the files.

• 🧊 App Quarantine (without root, but requires) ADB).
• ❄️ Ice Box – creates a sandbox for frozen applications.
• 🔒 Shelter – isolates programs in a separate profile.

The advantage of freezing is that you can easily get the app back to work if you need it, for example, if you freeze the Mi Browser and then decide to use it, you just need to defrost it in the same app.

Another option is to hide the icons from the menu.

1. Press your finger on the app icon on the home screen.
2. Choose Remove or Hide (depending on the version of MIUI).
3. The icon will disappear, but the program will remain in the system and will be available through search.

Comparison of Application Deletion Methods on Xiaomi

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For most users, standard removal or disabling is enough, and methods with ADB and root are suitable only for advanced users who are ready for possible failures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi