How to completely remove unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

MIUI

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to remove applications – from simple (through settings) to advanced (using the use of the app). ADB We'll look at which applications can be safely removed and which ones should not be touched so as not to disrupt the system, and you'll learn how to free up extra space by disabling unnecessary services. MIUI without the risk of "bricking" the device.

Redmi Note 3 was available in several versions (processors Snapdragon 650 and MediaTek Helio). X10), But the instructions in this article are for both versions, and the only difference is that some system applications may be called differently, but the principle of removing them remains the same.

If you have never worked with ADB Or root access, don't worry, we'll give you step-by-step instructions with pictures and explanations, and for advanced users, we've prepared advanced methods, including fastboot deletion and system file editing.

1. Which applications can be removed and which can not

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which applications are critical to work. MIUI, All programs on the Redmi Note 3 are divided into 3 categories:

✅ Securely removed – user applications (games, social networks, instant messengers), duplicate services (for example, two browsers), and unnecessary system utilities like com.miui.weather2 (If you are not using a weather widget).

⚠️ Conditionally secure: System applications that can be removed but that can affect individual functions, such as deleting com.android.mms will disable the standard application. SMS-app, and deletion of com.miui.gallery - gallery (but it can be replaced by Google Photos).

❌ Critical - core MIUI, Google Play services, and system processes like com.android.phone or com.miui.home, which would cause the smartphone to fail and require flashing.

Below is a table with examples of applications of each category for Redmi Note 3 (relevant to the following: MIUI 9–12):

⚠️ Warning: If you are in doubt whether an application is critical, it is best not to delete it. In extreme cases, you can turn it off (more on this below) to check if it will disrupt the system.

Also look for apps called com.xiaomi.* – many of them are responsible for branded features. MIUI (For example, com.xiaomi.scanner is a scanner. QR-Deleting them won't hurt the system, but it will deprive you of some of the firmware chips.

Method 1: Remove through standard settings (without root)

The easiest method is to remove applications through the application menu, and it is suitable for third-party programs (installed by the user) and some pre-installed ones that are designed to be used in the application. MIUI allows for uninstallation.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find an unnecessary application and tap it.
3. Press the "Delete" button (if it is active).
4. Confirm the action.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Do not allow you to delete system applications (the button "Delete" will be inactive).
• 🚫 Some applications can only be disabled (more on this in the next section).
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI Remote applications can return.

If the "Delete" button is inactive, but there is a "Disable" button, it means that the application is system, but it can be deactivated. The disabled application will not work and will not take up RAM, but will remain in the device's memory (it will take up the device). ~10-50 MB).

Try to disable the app|Check for updates in the Play Market|Use it. ADB forced-out|Get root access for complete uninstallation-->

Method 2: Disabling system applications (without root)

If an application can't be removed, but it gets in the way, you can turn it off, and it stops all the background processes and hides the icon from the menu, but it doesn't free up disk space.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as the weather or FM-radio).
3. Press "Disable" and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable apps called com.android. or com.google.android. – this can disrupt Google Play services or basic phone features (calls, internet).

🔹 What apps can be safely disabled on Redmi Note 3:

• 🌦️ com.miui.weather2 — Weather (if you don't use a widget).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Standard video player (replace with a video player) VLC or MX Player).
• 📡 com.miui.fm — FM-radio (if not used).
• 📝 com.miui.notes – Notes (if you use Google Keep or another service).
• 🌐 com.android.browser – Standard browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox).

You can activate the disabled applications again on the same menu, and this is a good way to test whether deleting the system will disrupt the system before you start using more radical methods.

💡

Before disabling system applications, back up important data. In rare cases, this can cause a malfunction. MIUI, rebootable.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

If standard methods do not help, and root access is not desired - you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to remove system applications without superuser rights, but requires a connection to a computer.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi Note 3.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Go to Settings. → About the phone, tap 7 times on "version" MIUI", To activate the developer mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, activate Debugging by USB".
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC: Download and unpack platform-tools (the archive will contain files adb.exe, fastboot.exe, etc.). Connect Redmi Note 3 on USB and select File Transfer Mode. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the adb folder (hold Shift). + right-button →"Open the team window").

Check the connection:

adb devices

You should have a device with a serial number. If you don't, reinstall the drivers or try another one. USB-cable.

Remove the unnecessary app:

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

For example, to remove the weather:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2

🔹 Important nuances:

• 🔄 Team uninstall -k deletes the application only for the current user (does not affect system files). After resetting the settings, it can return.
• 🚫 Do not use the command pm uninstall without --user 0 — This can damage system files.
• 📋 To find out the exact names of packages, use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep'miui' (shows all apps with miui in title).

⚠️ Note: If, after removing the application through ADB The smartphone started to glitch (for example, the sound is missing or the calls are not working), return it with a command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

💡

ADB — The safest way to remove system applications without root, as the changes do not affect the system partition. MIUI Remote programs can return.

5. Method 4: Complete removal with root access

If you're willing to take risks and get root rights, it will give you full control of the system, and you can remove any applications, including critical ones, but one wrong step can bring your smartphone down.

🔹 How to get rooted in Redmi Note 3:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. V TWRP plough Magisk.zip (jump on XDA Developers).

🔹 Removing applications from root:

• 📱 Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).
• 🗃️ Go to the folder. /system/app or /system/priv-app.
• 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, Weather2) and remove it.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system files manually can lead to bootloop.Always backup (nandroid backup) TWRP) change.

🔹 Alternative method (via Termux):

1. Install Termux from F-Droid.
2. Enter commands: su pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package (replace uninstall with remove for complete removal, but it is dangerous!).

💡 Tip: If after removing the application from the root smartphone stopped turning on, try flashing clean MIUI via Fastboot:

fastboot flash all name firmware.zip

6. Method 5: Removal through custom firmware

If you're tired of fighting with pre-installed apps, you can install custom firmware without too much software. Redmi Note 3 is popular:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without MIUI.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 📱 MIUI Pro - modified MIUI free of advertising and unnecessary applications.

🔹 The benefits of custom firmware:

• 🧹 No pre-installed garbage.
• 🚀 Best performance (especially on LineageOS).
• 🔄 Regular security updates.

🔹 Cons:

• 🔋 Possible battery problems (not all firmware is optimized for Snapdragon) 650/MediaTek Helio X10).
• 📱 Some functions may not work (for example, IR-blaster FM-radio).
• 🛡️ Risk of "bricking" when incorrectly installed.

📌 Installation instructions (briefly):

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in the root method).
2. Set up TWRP.
3. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 16 for Redmi Note 3 here).
4. V TWRP make a Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag System, Data, Cache, Dalvik).
5. Sweep through firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your Redmi Note 3 model:

• kenzo is a version of the Snapdragon 650.
• kate - version from MediaTek Helio X10.

Installing firmware for another modification will lead to the inoperability of the device!

7.How to free up extra space after deleting applications

Remove unnecessary programs is only the first step. To free up the memory as much as possible on the Redmi Note 3, do the following:

🔹 Cleaning up cache and garbage:

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean up and run the scan.
• 🗑️ Remove the app cache manually: Settings → Annexes → [select] → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Use it. SD Maid or CCleaner for deep cleaning (root required for full functionality).

🔹 Transfer of applications to SD-map:

1. Insert microSD (up to 256 GB cards are supported).
2. Go to Settings. → Annexes → [select] → Memory. → Change. → SD-map.
3. ⚠️ Not all apps support portability, and some may run slower afterward.

🔹 Disabling unnecessary services MIUI:

• 🚫 Turn off "Mi Cloud" (if you don't use it): Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Turn off sync.
• 🚫 Turn off Smart Help (collects usage data): Settings → Additionally. → Smart help. → Shut down.
• 🚫 Turn off Auto-App Update in the Play Market.

🔹 Optimizing storage:

• 📸 Move photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).
• 🎵 Remove downloaded music from apps (Spotify, Yandex Music often caches tracks).
• 📥 Clear the Download folder (there are files from the browser and messengers saved).

💡 Tip: If internal memory is full but you can’t find what’s taking up space, use the DiskUsage app (showing a visual map of occupied space).

💡

Even after removing all unnecessary applications MIUI Regular cleaning (every 1-2 months) will help keep the Redmi Note 3’s performance high.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you delete applications on Redmi Note 3, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

🔹 "The application is not deleted – the button is inactive":

• 🔧 It's a system application. Try disabling it or uninstall it through ADB.
• 🔧 If you need root rights but don’t want them, use them. ADB with the pm uninstall command -k --user 0.

🔹 "After removal, the sound / Internet / calls disappeared":

• 🔊 You’ve probably removed a critical app (e.g. com.android.phone).
• 🔧 Restore it through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet
• 🔧 If it doesn’t help, run the firmware through Fastboot.

🔹 "The smartphone does not turn on after removing applications":

• 🛠️ Try to get into Recovery (Power) + Vol Up and make Wipe Cache.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t help, run the firmware through fastboot: fastboot flash all firmware.
• 🛠️ Use the Mi Flash Tool (completely erases data!).

🔹 "Remote applications returned after update MIUI":

• 🔄 This is normal – a firmware update restores system applications.
• 🔧 Repeat the removal through ADB Or turn them off again.
• 🔧 To avoid this, turn off automatic updates. MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.

🔹 "Lack of space for installation ADB firmware":

• 📱 Free up space by deleting heavy files (video, games).
• 📱 Use it. SD-data-card.
• 📱 If you need to download firmware, but there is no space - download to the PC and transfer to the computer. USB.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi Note 3 with MediaTek Helio processor X10 (Kate modification, be careful with firmware. This version is harder to find custom firmware, and the risk of bricking is higher. Always check compatibility!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions