How to Remove Netflix from Xiaomi Smart TV: All Ways

Removing Netflix from Xiaomi smart TVs is often a non-trivial task due to the features of MIUI TV firmware. Unlike Android smartphones, where applications are removed in two clicks, on TV sets and TVs of the brand, the process is complicated by preinstalled system applications, manufacturer restrictions and operating system version. This article will help you understand why standard removal through the menu does not always work, what alternative methods exist, and how to avoid typical errors when cleaning the device.

The feature of Xiaomi Smart TV (including the Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV models, and others) is that Netflix is often integrated at the firmware level as a system application. This means that simply clicking on “Delete” in the application menu may not be available, and uninstallation attempts via Setting → Apps lead to the message “Deletion is impossible – the application is part of the system.” In such cases, workarounds are required – from reset to manual intervention via ADB.

It's important to understand that even if you managed to uninstall an app, it might reappear after you update your firmware again, so at the end of this article, we'll look at how to block the automatic installation of Netflix and other unnecessary services, and now we'll get to the practical methods.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on some Xiaomi Smart TV models (usually on newer versions of MIUI TV 3.0+), which requires no additional tools and is suitable for users who do not want to go into technical details.

Instructions:

• 📺 Turn on the TV and go to the main screen.
• 🔍 Find the Netflix icon in the app list (possibly hidden in the All Apps or Recommended folder).
• 🖱️ Select the app icon with the remote and press the OK button (or Menu, depending on the model) for 2-3 seconds.
• 🗑️ In the context menu that appears, select "Delete" or "Deinstall." If you don't have that option, go to the next method.

If the Remove button is inactive or not, it means that the app is protected from removal at the system level, in which case, try turning off updates for Netflix:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Netflix in the list and select it.
3. Turn off the “Auto Update” and “Notification” options.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021, standard deletion may cause the launcher to crash. If all app icons have disappeared after uninstallation, reboot via Settings → About TV → Reboot.

2. Removal through reset to factory settings

If Netflix is not removed in the standard way, a radical solution would be to completely reset the TV, which would delete all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to a "clean" state, but it has two significant downsides:

• ⏳ Time-consuming: After resetting, you will have to reconfigure your Wi-Fi, accounts, and image settings.
• 🔄 Return risk: On some Xiaomi models, Netflix is set automatically when you first connect to the internet after a Netflix reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Reset settings.
2. Select “Reset all settings” (not to be confused with “Reset sound/image”).
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Wait until the process is completed (the TV will restart 1-2 times).

After discharge:

• 🚫 Don't connect to the internet right away - check first if Netflix has disappeared.
• 🔌 If the app is not available, connect to Wi-Fi but opt out of automatically installing recommended apps.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 2.0 firmware (released before 2020), a reset may result in the loss of licenses for DRM (e.g., Disney+ or Prime Video) that can only be restored through support.

3. Removal via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable, but technically challenging, method is Android Debug Bridge (ADB) removal, which requires connecting the TV to your computer and working with the command line, but is guaranteed to remove even system applications.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📥 The ADB Tools utility (download platform-tools from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB TV-wise.

Instructions:

1. Activate debugging on USB: Go to Settings. → About TV. Find the firmware version and click on it 7 times in a row (you'll see a message saying "you're a developer"). Go back to the main settings menu and open Settings. → Additionally. → For developers. Turn on "Debugging by" USB».
2. Connect your TV to your computer via USB (use the USB 3.0 port on your TV if you have one).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with the platform-tools:

cd path do folder/platform-tools

1. Check the connection of the device:

adb devices

If the TV is recognized, you'll see its serial number. If it's not, install the ADB drivers for Xiaomi.

1. Remove Netflix by the command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.netflix.ninja

For some models, a different command may be required:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.netflix.ninja

If the command is successful, the application will be removed for the current user (without root rights).To completely remove from the system, root rights will be required, which is almost impossible on Xiaomi Smart TV without the risk of “bricking” the device.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If you can't remove Netflix, but you want to hide it from view, you can install an alternative launcher.This won't remove the app physically, but will make it unavailable on the home screen. Popular options for Xiaomi Smart TV:

• 🎯 ATV Launcher is a minimalist launcher with voice search support.
• 🖥️ Hal Launcher – allows you to hide system applications and configure menus.
• 🔄 Sideload Launcher – only displays custom applications.

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-a launcher file to a flash drive (for example, from the APKMirror website).
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager.
3. Start the APK installation by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
4. After installation, select the new launcher as the main one in Settings → Applications → Default Launcher.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.
• ✅ Allows you to hide other unnecessary apps (such as Amazon Prime Video or Mi Home).
• ✅ Stores access to the Google Play Market (if installed).

⚠️ Warning: Some launchers may conflict with the MIUI TV firmware, causing the remote to freeze or menus to slow down. Check the reviews about compatibility with your TV model before installing.

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If after installing the launcher, access to the TV settings disappeared, return the standard launcher through Settings → Applications → Default Launcher → MIUI Launcher.

5.Blocking Netflix's Automatic Installation

Even if you managed to delete Netflix, it may reappear after updating your firmware or connecting to the Internet, due to Xiaomi’s policy of automatically installing “recommended” apps.

Methods of blocking:

The most effective way is to lock through the router.

1. Go to the router control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Find the Parental Controls or Blacklist section.
3. Add the following domains: netflix.com nflxvideo.net api.xiaomi.com (blocks the installation of applications from Xiaomi)

Save the settings and restart the router.

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Blocking through a router is the only way to permanently prevent automatic Netflix installation, but it will also block access to the service on all devices on the network.

6. Alternative solutions: disabling, concealing, replacing

If removing Netflix seems too difficult, consider alternative options:

1. Disabling the application

Even if you can’t delete Netflix, you can turn it off so it doesn’t consume resources:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select Netflix and click “Disable” (or “Stop”).
3. Turn off notifications and auto-update.

2. Hiding the icon

On some Xiaomi models, you can hide the app icon without removing:

• Press the OK button on the remote by highlighting Netflix.
• In the context menu, select “Hide” or “Remove from the screen”.

3. Replacement with another service

If you don’t need Netflix but want to use another streaming service, install alternatives:

• 🎬 Disney+ is for Marvel, Star Wars movies and TV series.
• 📺 Kinopoisk HD is Russian content with subtitles.
• 🎵 YouTube Premium – no ads and original shows.

4.Use of IPTV

If you are interested only in content, not the app itself, connect to IPTV via:

• 📡 Built-in player MIUI TV (section "Television").
• 🖥️ Applications SS IPTV or Lazy IPTV (installed via APK).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete Netflix from Xiaomi Smart TV, users often face typical problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

1. "Application is not deleted" error

If you attempt to delete a message that says “Not able to remove the application”, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔒 The application is protected as a system (solution: use ADB).
• 📵 No Administrator Rights (solution: Reset settings or use launcher).
• 🔄 Firmware is corrupted (solution: Update TV via Settings → Software Update).

2.The TV brakes after removal

This happens if:

• 🗑️ Dependent system files have been deleted (solution: perform reset).
• 🔄 Cache not cleared (solution: go to Settings → Memory → Clear cache).

3 Netflix reappears after update

To avoid this:

• 🔕 Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → About TV → Software update.
• 🛡️ Use the router lock (see section 5).

4.The remote does not work after resetting

If after resetting the buttons, the remote does not respond:

• 🔋 Remove the batteries for 30 seconds and insert them back in.
• 📡 Reconnect the remote via Bluetooth: Settings → Remote and accessories → Add the remote.

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If other streaming services (e.g. YouTube) have stopped working after Netflix has been removed, check for updates for Google Play Services in Settings → Apps → Google Play Store.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions