How to completely remove unnecessary programs on Xiaomi: from system to viruses

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are not only famous for their rich functionality, but also for their abundance of pre-installed programs, from branded services (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) to partner apps like Facebook, Netflix or local services for the Chinese market. Even after resetting, many of them come back, taking up memory and using up battery power.

Unlike iPhone or pure Android, where system applications are hidden from the user, MIUI allows you to deactivate some software, but it does not always allow you to completely remove it, because some programs are integrated into the firmware and are responsible for key functions, from updates to account synchronization, but there are ways to get rid of them, and we will tell you how to do this without harming the system.

It is important to understand the difference between the types of applications:

• 📱 Third-party programs, downloaded from Google Play or Mi App Store, are removed in a standard way without consequences.
• 🔧 System utilities - Mi Video, Mi Calculator, Security. You can disable or delete via ADB.
• ⚙️ Critical services - Mi Account, Finder, Updater, their removal can disrupt the smartphone.

In this article, you will find 5 working methods, from simple (through settings) to advanced (using ADB and root rights), we will also discuss which programs can be removed without risk, and which should not be touched, and what to do if after cleaning the smartphone starts to glitches.

Method 1: Standard Setting Removal (for third-party and some system applications)

The safest and most obvious method is to delete it through the Settings menu.

• 🎮 Games and software installed manually (PUBG Mobile, TikTok, VK).
• 📺 Some Xiaomi branded apps that are not critical (Mi Community, Mi Pay, Mi Remote).
• 🗑️ Residual files after uninstallation (cache, data).

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show all apps (to see the hidden ones).
3. Find the desired application in the list and click on it.
4. If the Remove button is active, press it. If not, select Disable (this will stop the program from running in the background).

Make a backup copy of important data

Check if the app is system-based (see Google for information)

Close all background processes before removal

Reboot your smartphone after cleaning-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not working for embedded services (Mi Account, Security, Theme Manager).
• ❌ Some applications after updating MIUI back.
• ❌ Does not clean residual files in folders /data/app and /system/priv-app.

⚠️ Note: If after disabling the system application (for example, Mi Browser) the smartphone began to slow down or issue errors, return it to its original state through the same tab Application Management → Turn it on.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root, but with PC connection)

If the standard method didn’t work and you don’t have root rights, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to uninstall system applications without full access to firmware, works on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) regardless of the MIUI version.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack ADB Tools into any folder on your PC (e.g., C:\adb).
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
4. Check the connection of the device: adb devices If the smartphone is displayed in the list – everything is ready.
5. Find out the full name of the application package you want to remove. Enter: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" For example, for Mi Browser: adb shell pm list packages | grep "browser"
6. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package Example for Mi Browser (com.android.browser): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

What this method does:

• ✅ Remove applications that cannot be uninstalled through settings.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14).

Cons:

• ❌ After resetting settings or updating MIUI Applications may return.
• ❌ Some packets (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) will not be deleted, the system will block the command.
• ❌ Requires a connection to the PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete packages called com.android, com.qualcomm or com.miui.home are critical services without which the smartphone will not boot. TWRP.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you'll have almost unlimited options to clean your system, which allows you to delete any applications, including those locked in ADB, and clean up residual files in your system folders.

What to do before starting:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires binding Mi Account and waiting). 7-15 days).
• 📱 Install custom Recovery (TWRP) and firmware with support for root (for example, Magisk).
• 📝 Create a complete backup system through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

Instructions for removal:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app, where system applications are stored.
3. Find the folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
4. Also check the /data/app folder – user data may remain here.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Alternatively, through Terminal Emulator or ADB with root rights:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/NameFolds




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Names




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

💡

Before removing system applications, check their dependencies through the pm dump name packet command. Some programs are associated with Google or MIUI services, and deleting them can cause errors.

⚠️ Attention: Removing critical packets (e.g. com.miui.home) will result in a bootloop. TWRP Or re-flash your smartphone via Fastboot.

Method 4: Disconnect via Developer Mode (for temporary lock)

If you can't remove applications and you can't disable them through standard settings (they still take up space), you can use the hidden features of the developer mode, which doesn't physically delete programs, but completely blocks them from working, including background processes and updates.

How it works:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in the ADB method).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find Inactive Apps (or Forced Stop in new versions of MIUI).
4. Select the apps you want to block and confirm the action.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ADB root.
• ✅ Applications are not updated or run in the background.
• ✅ You can return to the original state at any time.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Applications remain in the memory of the smartphone.
• ❌ After resetting the settings, the lock will be removed.
• ❌ Some programs (such as Google Play Services) cannot be turned off completely.

💡

Disabling Developer Mode is the safest way to get rid of intrusive applications without risking system damage.

Method 5: Removal of viruses and suspicious programs (if they appear themselves)

Sometimes, Xiaomi will have apps that the user did not install – these can be:

• 🦠 Viruses (e.g. com.android.fakeapp or fake Google Play).
• 📦 Advertising software from Xiaomi partners (found on budget models).
• 🔄 Residual files after deleting programs.

How to find and remove them:

1. Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Apps. Pay attention to programs with unknown names or icons.
2. Use an antivirus (Malwarebytes, Dr.Web) to scan the system.
3. If the application is not removed in the standard way, use ADB (as in Method 2) or root.
4. To remove advertising modules (e.g., com.miui.analytics), you may need to disable services in Settings → Memory → Auto Run.

Signs of an infected smartphone:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge.
• 📶 Suspicious traffic (checked in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic).
• 📱 Spontaneous opening of advertising or installation of programs.

💡

If the smartphone continues to glittle after removing the virus, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset).

What if Xiaomi stopped working after removing the apps?

Even experienced users sometimes remove critical components of the system, if after cleaning the smartphone:

• 🔄 I'm stuck on the loading (logo) MI burns endlessly).
• 🚫 Not included or left in Fastboot.
• ⚠️ Issues errors like com.android.phone stopped.

Restore the working capacity in the following ways:

If none of the methods worked, the last measure is a complete reset via Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: After resetting via Fastboot, all the data on the internal memory will be erased, including photos and contacts. If the smartphone is not defined by the computer, try using the device. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing programs on Xiaomi