How to completely remove unnecessary applications on Xiaomi: from the browser to system services

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known not only for their powerful hardware at an affordable price, but also for their pre-installed apps, the so-called bloatwear. Even after buying a new device, users are faced with dozens of unnecessary services, from duplicate galleries to advertising utilities like Mi Browser or Mi Video, which take up space in memory, consume battery power and sometimes even transmit data in the background without the user’s knowledge.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove applications on Xiaomi, from standard methods through settings to advanced techniques using ADB and disabling system services. Particular attention will be paid to security issues: what can be removed without risk, and what actions will lead to system failure or loss of warranty. The instructions are relevant for all devices based on MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS), as well as for models Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5 and others.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi?

Smartphone makers, including Xiaomi, are partnering with software developers to pre-install their products on devices, which brings the company additional revenue but creates problems for users:

• 📱 Duplicate functionality: for example, along with the standard Google Gallery, Mi Gallery is installed, and instead of Chrome, Mi Browser is installed.
• 📊 Background activity: Many applications (such as Mi Security or Cleaner) run in the background, consuming up to 5-10% of the charge per day.
• 🛡️ Limitations MIUI: The system does not allow you to remove most pre-installed applications through the standard menu - only disable.
• 🔍 Data collection: Some services (e.g. Mi Analytics) send anonymous usage statistics, raising privacy concerns.

According to a study by AppBrain (2023), new Xiaomi smartphones have an average of 25-40 apps pre-installed, of which users actively use no more than 10-15.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system applications can lead to unstable phone operation, update errors, or even loss of warranty.Before any manipulation, back up your data!

Method 1: Standard removal through settings

The easiest and safest method is to remove settings through the settings menu, which is suitable for third-party applications installed by the user, as well as for the part of the preinstalled software that Xiaomi allows to uninstall.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app from a list (like Facebook or Netflix).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active) If it is displayed instead to Disable or Remove Updates, the application is system-based, it cannot be removed in the standard way.

What can be removed in this way:

• 🎮 Games from partners (Garena Free Fire, PUBG Mobile and others.).
• 📺 Streaming services (Amazon Prime Video, Hungama Play - relevant for Indian firmware).
• 🛒 Store apps (Flipkart, Paytm – if you don’t use them).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) may be associated with features NFC Removing them would disable the appropriate capabilities of the phone.

Method 2: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

If the Remove button is inactive, the application is system, in which case it can be disabled, this will stop the background processes and hide the icon from the menu, but will not free up space on the disk.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable and confirm the action.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Does not disrupt the system.
• ✅ You can return the application at any time.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not free up space in memory.
• ❌ Some applications (such as Mi Security) can self-repair after an update. MIUI.

💡

If the app reappears after disabling, try freezing it via ADB (instructions in the next section).

Method 3: Remove system applications via ADB (without root)

Removing system applications that cannot be uninstalled in the standard way will require an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method that does not require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

ADB Tools

Win + R → cmd

ADB

cd C:\platform-tools

adb devices

(Serial phone number should be displayed).

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.package.name

(Replace com.package.name with the real name of the package)

How to find out the name of the application package:

• Install App Inspector (from Play Market) on your phone.
• Open the app and find what you want in the list - at the bottom will be the Package Name bar.

Examples of commands for popular applications:

• Removal of Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser
• Removal of Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
• Cleaner: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications with com.android., com.miui. (except for the above) or com.google.* – this may disrupt the system!

Method 4: Using Magisk (for advanced users)

If you are ready to get root rights, then using the Magisk module you can remove any system applications, including those that are blocked even for ADB. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery.

Advantages:

• ✅ Full control over system files.
• ✅ Ability to remove deeply integrated services (e.g. Mi Analytics).
• ✅ Returning a place in memory (/system).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (unlocking the bootloader resets the Knox-like protection counter from Xiaomi).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” the device in case of error.
• ❌ Some banking applications (such as SberBank Online) may stop working due to root.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Sweep Magisk through the Recovery.
4. Install the System App Remover module (available in the Magisk repository).
5. Select the apps to remove and restart the phone.

List of apps that can be removed via Magisk (but not via ADB):

• 📊 Mi Analytics (com.miui.analytics) – statistics collection.
• 🔄 MiUI Daemon (com.miui.daemon) - background processes MIUI.
• 🛡️ Mi Security Center (com.miui.securitycenter) – if you use a third-party antivirus.
• 📱 Mi Share (com.miui.mishare.connectivity) – if you don’t use Wi-Fi Direct.

💡

Removing through Magisk gives you maximum freedom, but requires deep knowledge and preparedness for possible problems with MIUI updates.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (radical method)

If the phone is full of unnecessary apps and manual deletion doesn't work, you can do a complete reset, which will delete all user data, but return the system to its original state -- sometimes the only way to get rid of an intrusive bloatwer after you've done the firmware.

How to reset your settings:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you can immediately turn off the automatic installation of unnecessary applications in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Auto Install.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ All temporary files and cache are deleted.
• ✅ Apps installed by updates disappear MIUI.
• ✅ Possible system errors are eliminated.

⚠️ Note: After a reset, Xiaomi may re-install some pre-installed apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video).To avoid this, turn off the internet during the initial phone setup and manually uninstall unnecessary software.

What you can’t remove on Xiaomi (risks and consequences)

Not all system applications can be safely removed, some of which are critical to MIUI or Android, and below are the list of uninstalled packages and the possible consequences:

If you accidentally delete a critical app:

• Try to restore it with ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.package.name
• If the phone doesn’t boot, reset via Fastboot: fastboot erase userdata (this will erase all data, but return the system to working state).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi