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

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come out of the box with a pre-installed set of apps, many of which the user simply doesn’t need. Over time, games, messengers and services are added that stop being used, but continue to take up memory, consume battery power and slow down the system. In this article, we will explore all possible ways to remove unnecessary apps on MIUI phones – from standard methods to hidden features for power users.

The MIUI feature is that some pre-installed applications (system services) can't be removed in the usual way -- they can only be disabled or removed with root permissions. We'll show you how to determine which app can be safely removed and which is better to simply hide, and you'll learn how to completely clean your phone of digital debris without risking system disruption.

It's important to understand that not all apps that seem unnecessary can be removed without consequences. Some of them are responsible for basic functions, from push notifications to security updates.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest and safest way to get rid of unnecessary apps is to use built-in MIUI tools. This method is suitable for custom programs (installed by you from Google Play or Mi App Store), as well as for some pre-installed applications that Xiaomi allows you to remove.

To remove the application in a standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All Apps tab (or Downloaded if you want to see only the programs you installed).
3. Slip on the name of the unnecessary application.
4. Press the Remove button (if it is active).

If the Remove button is inactive or absent, then the application is system-based and requires other removal methods (about them in the following sections).

• ✅ Pros of the method: fast, safe, does not require additional knowledge.
• ❌ Cons: Does not work with all applications, does not clean residual files.

2. disabling system applications (without deletion)

Many of Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser, and others) can’t be removed completely without root permissions, but they can be disabled, which hides the program from the menu, stops its background activity, and frees up some RAM.

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All Apps tab and find the right one.
3. Slip on it and click Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is not available).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

The disabled application will disappear from the main menu, but will remain in the system, and it can be activated again through the same settings, if necessary.

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Before you turn off, check if the application is critical, for example, Mi Security is responsible for protecting the system, and Mi Share is responsible for the function of fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android., com.miui. or com.google.android.* are system services without which the phone can stop working correctly.

3. Removal via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work and you don't want root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android through your computer, which allows you to remove even those applications that MIUI normally blocks.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux;
• 📱 USB-cable;
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools utility (includes adb);
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the Platform Tools folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Get a list of all installed packages: adb shell pm list packages
5. Find the name of the package of the unwanted application (for example, com.miui.video for Mi Video).
6. Delete it by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect system files).

This method does not require root rights, but after flashing or resetting the settings, the remote applications can return.

⚠️ Note: Deleting some system packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may result in loss of functionality (security settings will disappear, notifications will stop working, etc.). Always check the purpose of the package before deleting.

4.Use of third-party removal programs

If you don't want to work with ADB, you can use specialized cleaning applications that offer a user-friendly interface and often have databases describing system packages.

Popular utilities:

• 🧹 App Inspector – shows all installed packages with the ability to quickly search and delete via ADB (requires a connection to the PC).
• 🗑️ System App Remover – allows you to remove system applications without root, but requires ADB-access.
• 🔍 Package Name Viewer – Helps you find manually deleted package names.
• 🛡️ Debloater (for PC) – utility with a graphical interface for mass removal of unnecessary packages.

Example of System App Remover:

1. Install the program from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in the previous section).
3. In the application, select the System Apps tab.
4. Check the unneeded apps and click Uninstall.

The advantage of these programs is that they have visual control over the process and the ability to undo changes, but they don't always show hidden dependencies between packages, so only remove applications that you know are intended.

5. Complete removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you are willing to take risks and gain root rights, it will open up access to the complete removal of system applications without the possibility of restoring them (except through firmware re-flashing), a method suitable for experienced users who understand the consequences of their actions.

What will be required:

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi are on the official website);
• 🔓 Established custom recovery (TWRP);
• 🛠️ Magisk utility for getting root;
• 📦 Root Explorer or Titanium Backup application for packet removal.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 72 hours to wait for confirmation from Xiaomi).
2. Install TWRP for your phone model (instructions are searched on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.
4. Install Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
5. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
6. Reboot the phone.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ The phone guarantee will be lost.
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” (turning into a “brick”) when errors occur in the process.
• ⚠️ Some banking applications (such as SberBank Online) may stop working on rooted devices.

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Getting root rights gives you complete control of the system, but it gives you no security and can disrupt key functions, and use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

6. Cleaning of residual files after deletion

Even after you delete the app, your phone still has cache, settings, and temporary files that take up space. To completely clean up the system, follow these steps:

Cleaning methods:

• 🧹 Built-in cleaning MIUI: Go to Settings. → Clean. Select Deep Clean. Tick the unneeded files and click Clear.

Manual cleaning through the file manager:

1. Open Files (or any file manager with access to system folders).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data and delete folders with the names of remote applications.
3. Clear the cache in /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb (large game files are stored here).
4. 🔍 Third-party utilities: SD Maid or CCleaner can help you find and delete the remaining files.

The XDA Developers forum has firmware guides for most Xiaomi models.