How to completely remove an undeletable app on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a problem: some applications pre-installed in MIUI cannot be removed by standard methods. The Remove button is inactive, and the Disable feature only hides the program, but does not free up space on the device. Why is this happening?

The fact is that the manufacturer blocks the removal of system applications – both useful (for example, Security or Mi Video) and imposed (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps). However, there are workarounds that allow you to completely uninstall such programs without obtaining root rights. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven methods, from simple to advanced, and also describe the risks they pose to the stability of MIUI.

Important: Before you start deleting, back up your data. Some ways can cause system failures, especially if you uninstall a critical application (e.g., com.miui.home). MIUI).

1. Disable the application through the MIUI settings

The safest, but also the most limited, way is to shut down the program instead of deleting it completely, which won't free up memory, but will stop background activity and hide the icon from the menu.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the app you want in the list (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music).
• 🚫 Click "Disable" (if the button is active).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

This method is suitable for applications that are not critical to the system, but do not delete their files. For example, disabling GetApps (the Xiaomi store) will not lead to failures, but disabling com.miui.securitycenter can disrupt the work of device protection.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android.* or com.miui.core are the components of the system without which you can use the app. MIUI will not be able to function properly.

2.Removal via MIUI Hidden Settings (no root)

Hidden Settings’ hidden MIUI menu allows you to uninstall some system applications without using ADB or superuser rights, but this method does not work on all versions of MIUI (mainly MIUI 12-14).

Instructions:

1. Download QuickShortcutMaker from Google Play.
2. In the search, type in MIUI Hidden Settings and select activity with that name.
3. Launch the hidden menu and go to the Manage Applications section.
4. Find the application you want to remove and click Uninstall.

If the Uninstall button is inactive, the application is protected from removal through this method, in which case you will have to use ADB (see next section).

3. Removal via ADB (no root, but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a powerful tool for controlling an Android device from a computer, and it can remove almost any system application, even if MIUI blocks this action.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and platform-tools package.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer for Mi File Manager).
5. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.Flag --user 0 means that the application will be removed only for the current user (without root).

Example of Mi Browser removal:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

⚠️ Note: Deleting some packages (e.g. com.miui.home) will cause the interface to fail. Before experimenting, check the list of safe packets to remove (see table below).

Installed platform-tools on PC|

Turned on USB debugging on Xiaomi|

Downloaded the list of safe removal packages |

Created a backup of the data |

I hooked up the original. USB-cable-->

4. List of safe and dangerous packets to remove

Not all system applications can be removed without consequences, and here is a table with safe (deleting them will not disrupt MIUI) and dangerous packages.

A full list of packages for your Xiaomi model can be found on forums like 4PDA or Xiaomi.eu, which often publish scripts to massively remove unnecessary applications.

5. Removal with Magisk (root required)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed, you can use modules to remove system applications, a method that is more flexible than ADB, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a Magisk installed.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk and get root rights.
2. Download the System App Remover module for Magisk.
3. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the device.
4. Launch System App Remover, select removal apps, and confirm the action.

The advantage of this method is that it allows you to completely remove the application from the system (unlike ADB, where files remain in memory).However, the risks are higher: improper deletion can lead to a bootloop ( looped boot).

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Before you uninstall your system applications through Magisk, create a full /system partition backup using TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery. This will allow you to restore your device in the event of a failure.

6.Use of TWRP Recovery for Removal

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to manage system files directly. To use this method, your Xiaomi must unlock the bootloader and install TWRP.

How to remove the application via TWRP:

1. Download to TWRP (usually by pressing Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the /system/priv-app or /system/app folder.
4. Delete the folder with the name of the application (for example, MiBrowser).
5. Reset the device.

This method is suitable for experienced users, as incorrect deletion of files in the /system It can make the phone inoperable. It is recommended to create a backup of the system partition in advance. TWRP.

7. Alternative methods: substitution and concealment

If removal seems too risky, you can go another way:

• 🔄 Replace the standard app with a similar one, for example, instead of Mi Browser use Chrome, and instead of Mi Music, Spotify or VLC.
• 👁️ Hide icons from your desktop with a launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher).
• 📦 Disable Autostart through Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🔒 Block Internet access for unnecessary applications in Settings → Mobile network → Application traffic.

These methods won’t free up memory, but they will reduce the system load and eliminate intrusive notifications, such as turning off auto-runs for GetApps or Mi Video will reduce battery consumption.

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Removing system applications can disrupt MIUI. Start with the safest methods (disable, ADB), and only if they don't help - go to root and TWRP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)