How to Uninstall Unnecessary Apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9 Without a Computer: 5 Ways to Work

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is packed with dozens of apps you never use, which take up precious memory, consume battery power and interfere with the menu, and fortunately, you can uninstall most of them without a computer — right through your phone settings. But there's a nuance: MIUI system apps don't get removed as easily as the user apps, and some programs leave behind tails of cache and data after uninstallation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Redmi 9 can clean up unnecessary software, from standard menu removal to hidden MIUI features that few people know about, how to distinguish system applications from regular ones, which programs can be removed without risk, and which ones are better off, and how to free up additional space by clearing residual files after uninstallation.

Important: instructions are current for Redmi 9 based on MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If your phone is running on an older version, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. How to determine which applications can be removed

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what software you are dealing with. All applications on Redmi 9 fall into three categories:

• 📱 Custom - those you install yourself from Google Play or third-party sources, and can be removed without restriction.
• 🔧 Pre-installed (bloatwar) – programs from Xiaomi and partners (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music, Facebook), some of which are removed by standard means, some – only through hidden settings.
• ⚙️ System-critical services MIUI Android (e.g. com.android.phone or miui.analytics) and their complete removal can cause the phone to fail.

To see the complete list of installed programs and their status:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. In the list, applications marked Disabled or Stopped are no longer active, but take up space.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove apps with names that contain miui., android. or google. (e.g. com.google.android.gsf) Uninstallation may disrupt Google services or the interface. MIUI.

If you are in doubt about whether you can uninstall a particular application, check it in the XDA Developers database or ask a question on the 4PDA forums. For example, Mi Video and Mi Browser are deleted without consequences, and Security is not recommended to touch - this is antivirus and permissions manager.

2. Standard removal of user applications

The easiest way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use built-in MIUI tools.

• 🎮 Games, for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire)
• 📘 Social networks (TikTok, Instagram)
• 🛒 Shopping Apps (AliExpress, Wildberries)

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action by tapping OK.

Alternatively:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen or menu.
2. Drag it up to the Remove inscription (or click on the cross if it appears).
3. Confirm the uninstallation.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), it means the application is either system or preinstalled, in which case, try the methods in the following sections.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Chrome or YouTube) cannot be removed completely because they are part of Google services.

3. Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatwar) without root

Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps (called bloatwars) can often not be removed in the standard way, but they can be uninstalled via ADB – without superuser rights (root) and without a computer!

• 📱 Smartphone Redmi 9 with enabled debugging USB
• 🔌 Annex ADB AppControl (you can download from Google Play)
• 🔒 Installation Permit from Unknown Sources

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB AppControl and open it.
2. Click Connect and allow debugging access via USB (if requested).
3. In the list, look for an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music).
4. Slip it and select Delete for all users.
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

List of applications that can be safely removed through ADB AppControl:

💡

Before you uninstall your system applications, back up your Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.

Important: Once the Bloatwar is removed via ADB, some MIUI features may not work properly, such as the Video tab in the gallery disappears or the default built-in browser stops opening, and these problems are solved by installing alternative applications (for example, Google Chrome instead of Mi Browser).

4. disable system applications (if you can not delete)

Some system programs can’t be removed even through ADB, but they can be disabled, which will stop them from working, hide them from the menu and prevent auto-start, but the application files will remain on the device (though they won’t take up much space).

How to disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Mi Pay or Mi Roaming).
3. Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available).
4. Confirm the action by tapping Disable the application.

List of applications that can be safely disabled:

• 💳 Mi Pay – if you don’t use contactless payments via Xiaomi.
• 🌍 Mi Roaming – if you don’t travel with this phone.
• 📡 Mi Remote – if you don’t use your phone as a remote control.
• 🎵 Mi Music – if you listen to music on Spotify or YouTube Music.
• 📺 Mi TV — If you don’t have a Xiaomi TV.

⚠️ Note: Disabling apps like Security or Finder can weaken your phone’s security, and don’t disable Google Play Services, which will cause Google’s services to crash.

5. Cleaning of residual files after deletion

Even after uninstallation, applications on Redmi 9 often remain:

• 🗑️ Cache – temporary files (can take hundreds of megabytes).
• 📁 Data - settings, saves, downloads.
• 🔍 Folders in memory, for example, Android/data/com.game.name.

How to clean the tails completely:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Choose Deep Cleaning and wait for analysis.
3. Scroll down to the Residual Files section and click Clear.
4. For manual cleaning, use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager):

If standard cleaning doesn’t help, use third-party utilities:

• 🧹 SD Maid – Finds and deletes residual files, duplicates and debris.
• 🔍 Files by Google – a simple cleaner.
• 🛠️ CCleaner – Clears cache and unnecessary data.

After cleaning, restart the phone – this will help free up RAM and apply changes.

💡

Regularly cleaning up residual files can free up to 1-3GB of storage on Redmi 9, especially if you install and uninstall games or heavy apps frequently.

6 How to return a remote application if you need it

If you accidentally delete an important app (such as a Camera or Gallery), you can restore it in two ways:

Method 1: Through Google Play

1. Open Google Play and enter the name of the app in the search.
2. If it is available for your model, click Install.
3. For system applications (such as Mi Calculator), this method will not work.

Method 2: Resetting (if the system application is removed)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (this won’t delete your files, but will return system applications).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If neither of these methods works, you can only reflash your phone via Fastboot or Recovery, but this is an extreme measure — only use it if the phone becomes unstable after removing system components.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Security or Finder) after uninstalling via ADB They are not restored through Google Play. They can only be returned by reset or flashing.

7.How to prevent unnecessary applications from reappearing

Even after cleaning up, some apps (especially from Xiaomi and Google) can return after a system update.

• 🚫 Turn off auto-update MIUI:
• 🔄 Freeze Unnecessary Applications: Use ADB AppControl or Island (requires root) to block their update.
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher, like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which hides system apps from the menu, even if they are not removed.
• 📥 Turn off the automatic installation of applications:

It is also useful to regularly check the list of installed programs:

1. Once a month, open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (Triple Point → Sort by → Installation Date).
3. Remove suspicious or unfamiliar applications.

Frequently asked questions