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

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

MIUI

bloatware

In this article, you will find 5 working ways to remove applications on the Redmi Note 5, from basic to advanced, including methods for system utilities. We will also discuss how to clean up the traces of remote programs, disable automatic recovery and avoid errors that can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone.

It is important to understand that Redmi Note 5 (codename whyred) runs on MIUI, which is deeply integrated with Xiaomi services.This means that some system applications are interconnected, and their removal may violate stability. For example, uninstallation of com.miui.analytics will disable the collection of statistics, but can cause errors in the Topics or Security.

If you've never cleaned a smartphone of unnecessary software, start with the first two ways — they don't require special knowledge and don't carry risks. Advanced users will need methods using ADB and root rights, but they will need caution. On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 12+ firmware, some system applications are protected from removal through ADB — they will need a patch or modified recovery.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for custom applications (installed from Google Play or.apk files), as well as for some preinstalled software that Xiaomi allows you to remove.

To open a list of all installed programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select the All Apps tab (only user-generated ones are shown by default).
3. Scroll through the list or use the search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

To delete, select the application and click the Delete button, if the button is inactive or absent, then the program is protected by the system.

• 🔄 Disable the application (the button will become active after pressing the three dots in the top corner) This hides it from the menu and stops background processes, but does not free up the memory completely.
• 📥 Clear the cache and data (Storeroom section) This will help free up space, but the application itself will remain in the system.
• ⚙️ Disable Autostart (Battery tab) → Autostarts: Prevents the program from automatically starting when the smartphone is turned on.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove or disable apps called com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.core. MIUI. Their deactivation can lead to a cyclic reboot or a “brick».

List of apps that can be safely removed in the standard way on the Redmi Note 5:

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use third-party players)
• 📖 Mi Reader (book reader)
• 🎮 Games (game center from Xiaomi)
• 📺 Mi Video (if you prefer YouTube or the like) VLC)
• 🛒 GetApps (branded app store)

2. Delete via Google Play Store (for custom applications)

If the app was installed from Google Play, it can be uninstalled directly through the store, a method that allows you to manage programs remotely (for example, from a computer) and see a list of all the utilities that have ever been installed.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store and go to your profile (the icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select Application and Device Management → Management.
3. In the Installed tab, find the unnecessary app and click on the cross next to it.
4. Confirm removal.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 A complete list of installed programs is visible, including those hidden in folders.
• 📱 You can remove apps from other devices that are linked to the same Google account.
• 🔄 Automatic cleaning of cache and temporary files.

Limitations:

• ❌ It does not work for system applications MIUI.
• ❌ Some programs (such as Facebook or Instagram) may remain in memory as "residual files».

💡

To delete residual files after uninstallation, use the Files by Google app (Clean Up → Unnecessary Files section).

3. Removing system applications without root via ADB

To remove secure system applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Pay, Cleaner) you do not need to obtain root rights. It is enough to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) - a debugging tool that allows you to send commands to your smartphone from a computer.

⚠️ Warning: Misuse of the right ADB may disrupt MIUI. Before the beginning:

• Create a backup of data (via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset).
• Make sure that the smartphone is enabled debugging by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your computer via USB-cable (original or quality).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. To uninstall the application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack For example, to uninstall Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of popular packs to remove on Redmi Note 5:

⚠️ Note: Adb uninstall commands remove the application only for the current user (--user 0). When resetting settings or updating MIUI Some programs can be rebuilt. To delete them forever, you'll need root rights.

USB | Installed drivers ADB| Smartphone connected in file transfer mode | Data backup created | Checked list of safe packets to remove-->

4. Complete removal with root rights and TWRP

If you are willing to take drastic measures, getting root permissions will open up access to uninstall any applications, including those critical to MIUI. However, this method requires caution: an error can lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the device.

First, we need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (the process takes up to 72 hours).
2. Install custom TWRP recavators for whyred (model Redmi Note 5).
3. Switch Magisk to get root.

After getting root, you can use:

• 📱 Root Explorer or FX File Explorer for manually deleting files from /system/app and /system/priv-app.
• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (to create backups before deleting).
• 🧹 SD Maid (to clean up residual files).

Example of removal through Root Explorer:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (by adding.bak at the end).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Removing the following applications may disrupt the work MIUI: com.miui.home (launcher) com.android.settings (settings) com.miui.securitycenter (security) com.android.phone (telephony) If after deleting the smartphone stopped turning on, try to recover via TWRP backup.

5. Disabling updates and restoring remote applications

Even after removal, some apps can recover after a MIUI update or reset, and to avoid this, you need to disable their update through Google Play and system services.

Ways to prevent recovery:

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update on Google Play: Open Google Play → Profile → Settings. Select Network Settings. → Auto-update applications. Set Do not update automatically.

Block installation via ADB:

adb shell pm hide name.packet

This command hides the application from the system, preventing it from being restored.

Package Disabler

:

Applications like Package Disabler Pro (require root) allow you to “freeze” system programs so that they do not recover.

If the app is still restored, check:

• 📦 Availability of it in the Settings list → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 Auto Update Settings in Google Play.
• 📱 Logs of updates MIUI (Sometimes apps come back after major updates).

💡

To permanently remove a system application, you need to combine methods: first uninstall via ADB or root, then block its recovery using Package Disabler or disable auto updates.

6. Trace cleanup and post-removal optimization

Deleting apps is only half the battle. To completely free up memory and improve the performance of the Redmi Note 5, you need to clear the residual files, cache and optimize the system.

Steps to complete cleaning:

1. Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Storage → Clean. Click Clear Unnecessary Files (remove all applications cache).
2. Residual File Deletion: Use SD Maid or Files by Google to search for com.name.packet folders in /data/data. manually delete them (requires root).
3. Autoboot Optimization: Open Settings → Battery → Autostart. Turn off autostart for unnecessary applications.
4. Memory defragmentation: Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup. Start the process (may take up to 10 minutes).

Recommended applications for optimization:

• 🧹 SD Maid – cleaning up garbage and residual files.
• 🔋 Greenify – Freezing background processes.
• 📊 AccuBattery – Monitoring battery consumption after cleaning.

After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the smartphone so that the changes take effect.If the Redmi Note 5 is slower, check:

• 📱 Having free space (less than 1 GB can cause lags).
• 🔄 Background processes (Settings) → Developer → Process limit).
• 🔋 Performance mode (Settings) → Battery → Performance mode).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi Note 5