How to completely uninstall applications on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest 16 GB of memory is quickly clogged with unnecessary applications. Even after standard removal through the menu, many programs leave behind tails: cache, settings and system files that continue to take up space. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove applications from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and root rights.

The Redmi 5A (codenamed riva) is based on Xiaomi’s MIUI, which often blocks the removal of pre-installed apps, and shows you how to get around these limitations without damaging the system, and what programs can be removed without risking smartphone stability, and which ones should not be touched.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for most user applications (such as games or social networks), but will not work for pre-installed Xiaomi services.

To remove the program:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search).
• 🗑️ Press Remove (if the button is active).
• ⚠️ If the Remove button is inactive, the application is system-based (super user rights are required or ADB).

After removal, it is recommended to clean the cache of the system:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications with the names com.android., com.miui. or com.qualcomm.* through this method – this can cause malfunctions in the phone.

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If the app doesn't get deleted, try turning it off in the same menu first (disable button) and this will stop it from working and free up some of the memory.

2.Delete via Google Play Store

An alternative way is to use the Play Store, which is convenient because it allows you to delete programs remotely (for example, if the phone is lost or is in another room).

Instructions:

• 🛒 Open Google Play Store on your computer or other device.
• 👤 Click on the profile icon → Managing devices and applications.
• 📱 Choose your Redmi. 5A device-list.
• 🗑️ Find the application in the Installed section and click Delete.

The downside is that not all apps are displayed in the Play Store (especially preinstalled MIUIs), and it can take up to 10 minutes to uninstall.

3. Removing system applications without root via ADB

If standard methods don't work and you don't want to get root rights, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can help, which allows you to delete even system programs, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Install Platform Tools on PC (includes) ADB fastboot).
2. 📱 On your phone, activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on the version. MIUI. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on the debugging. USB.

Redmi 5A

cmd

ADB

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

adb shell pm list packages -f

(Shows a list of all packages installed.)

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

(Replace the name.packet with the name of an unnecessary application, such as com.miui.weather2.)

The --user 0 command removes the application only for the current user, without affecting system files.

Install Platform Tools on PC|

Enable the developer mode on the phone |

Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging |

Check the list of packages with the command adb shell pm list packages|

Backup of important data-->

4. Complete removal through root rights

If you are willing to take risks, root access will open up the maximum possibilities for cleaning the Redmi 5A. But remember: this will void the warranty and can lead to a blink (breakdown) of the device if you do not care.

Ways to get root:

• 🔓 Magisk (recommended) – requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 🛠️ SuperSU (Old Method, but Works on Older Versions) MIUI).

After receiving root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (e.g., MiBrowser for Xiaomi’s browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications (such as com.android.phone or com.miui.home) can make the phone inoperable.Be sure to back up through the phone before experimenting. TWRP.

5. disabling unnecessary applications (alternative to deletion)

If you're afraid of removing system programs, you can turn them off, which will stop them working and free up some of the RAM, but the files will remain on the device.

How to turn it off:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Music or Mi Video).
• 🚫 Click Disable (if the button is active).
• ✅ Confirm the action.

Disabled programs:

• ✔️ Not updated through the Play Store.
• ✔️ Not consuming resources in the background.
• ❌ But take up space in memory (their files are not deleted).

To return the application, just click Enable in the same menu.

6. Cleaning up the residues of remote applications

Even after you delete, many programs leave behind cache, settings, and temporary files. To completely clean the system, use these tips:

For automated cleaning, programs are suitable:

• 🧹 SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning).
• 🗑️ CCleaner (works without root, but less efficiently).
• 🔍 Files by Google (built-in garbage cleaner).

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Regularly cleaning the cache and residues of remote applications can free up to 1-3 GB of memory on Redmi 5A without removing new programs.

7.How to prevent unnecessary applications from reappearing

MIUI is known for sometimes restoring remote system programs after an update, to avoid this:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
• 📵 Install. ADB AppControl (application for packet management through the ADB PCless).
• 🛡️ Use Magisk with Universal Module GMS Doze to limit background activity.
• 🚫 Block the installation of applications from unknown sources in Settings → Security.

If applications return after the MIUI update, re-delete them via ADB or root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 5A