How to completely remove undeleteable apps on Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem of pre-installed apps that cannot be removed by standard methods. These programs — from Mi Browser to Mi Video — take up space in memory, consume battery power and can send unnecessary notifications. Even after being “deleted” through the menu, they often remain on the system simply by hiding from the user.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to completely remove undeleteable applications on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models). The methods work on MIUI 14/13/12 and earlier, do not require root permissions, but some will require a connection to a computer. Important: before you start, back up data - removing system applications can lead to unstable phone operation.

Why is Xiaomi blocking the removal of apps?

The manufacturer sets the restrictions for several reasons:

• 🔄 Interaction with MIUI: Some applications (such as Security or Themes) are integrated into the shell and are responsible for its stable operation.
• 💰 Partner Agreements: Pre-installed services (Mi Pay, Mi Credit) generate revenue through advertising or commissions.
• 🛡️ Security: Removing system components can create vulnerabilities (e.g. in Mi Share or Game Turbo).
• 📱 Regional features: In firmware for different countries (Global/EU/China) The set of “unremovable” applications is different.

For example, in the Chinese version of MIUI, you can not remove Xiaomi Cloud, as it is tied to the Mi Account ecosystem. In global firmware, this restriction is often removed, but other “untouchable” programs such as Google Play Movies or Netflix appear instead.

⚠️ Note: Deleting applications like com.android.cts.ctsshim or com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice can result in network loss or cyclical reboot. Before deleting, check the name of the package through a Google search.

Method 1: Disconnect via settings (without deleting)

If you don’t need to completely erase the app, but stop it and hide it from the menu, use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the right app (such as Mi Music).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This method does not free up disk space, but:

• ✅ The app stops using the battery.
• ✅ Disappears from menu and search.
• ✅ No updates through the Play Market.

Cons: After resetting or updating MIUI, the application can be activated again, and some system programs (for example, Security) can not be disabled.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

The most reliable method to remove pre-installed apps is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but you need to connect the phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).li>
• 📥 ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, select File Transfer mode and confirm debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
6. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages
7. Find the name of the application package you want (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
8. Delete it by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect system files).

If you want to uninstall the app completely (including updates), use:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

⚠️ Note: Some packets (e.g. com.android.settings) cannot be removed, which will result in loss of access to the phone's settings. Always check the destination of the packet before deleting it.

Download ADB Tools from the official website

Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi

Activate debugging over USB

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable

Get a list of packages by adb shell pm list packages-->

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For users who don’t want to manually type commands, there’s Xiaomi’s ADB/Fastboot Tools utility.It provides a graphical interface to manage MIUI applications and settings.

How to use:

1. Download the utility from GitHub (version for Windows).
2. Install and run the program, connect the phone to the PC (debugging over USB should be enabled).
3. In the main menu, select Uninstall system apps.
4. Check the boxes of the application that you want to remove (the utility shows their names in Russian).
5. Press Uninstall selected and wait until it is completed.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Visual selection of applications (no need to remember the names of packages).
• 🔄 Possibility of rollback of changes (reinstall function).
• 🛠️ Additional features: unlock the bootloader, reset the Mi Unlock counter.

The program only runs on Windows and requires the.NET Framework 4.6+.

Method 4: Removal with TWRP (for advanced)

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recap, you can remove system applications directly through the file manager, a riskier method, but it can also erase programs that ADB doesn’t touch.

Instructions:

1. Download your phone to TWRP (usually Power + Vol Up) mode.
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/priv-app or /system/app.
4. Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, VideoPlayer for Mi Video).
5. Delete the folder (swipe to the right or press Delete).
6. Reboot the phone.

Important:

• 🔧 Before deleting, make a backup folder /system through TWRP → Backup.
• 🚫 Do not delete folders with names Settings, Framework, Telephony – this will lead to a phone blink.
• 🔄 If the phone does not boot after removal, restore the backup through TWRP.

💡

Before uninstalling via TWRP, check if there is an alternative app in the Play Market, for example, you can install Google Photos or Simple Gallery instead of the System Gallery.

Method 5: Debloating through Magisk (with root)

If your Xiaomi has root rights (bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed), the safest way to remove system applications is the Universal Debloater module or Xiaomi Debloater.

How it works:

1. Install Magisk and open it.
2. Go to the Modules section. → Download.
3. Find and install the Xiaomi Debloater module (for MIUI) or Universal Debloater (for all Android).
4. Reboot the phone.
5. After downloading, open the Debloater app (appears in the menu).
6. Select removal applications and confirm the action.

Advantages:

• 🛡️ Modules tested by the community – less risk of system breakdown.
• 🔄 You can roll back changes by removing the module in Magisk.
• 📊 There are descriptions for each packet (what it does and whether it can be removed).

Example of safe packets to remove via Debloater:

• 🌐 com.android.chrome – Chrome (if you use another browser).
• 🎵 com.google.android.music - Google Play Music (Old).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video.
• 📖 com.xiaomi.joyose - Mi Drop (if not used).

⚠️ Note: If after installing the module, the phone stopped booting, boot to the TWRP and delete the module file from the folder /data/adb/modules.

What to do if after removing the application the phone is glitchy?

Sometimes, removal of system components leads to:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot.
• 📵 Loss of network or mobile data.
• ⚙️ Failing settings (for example, it is impossible to open Wi-Fi).

Recovery methods:

1. Backup Recovery: If you were backing up in TWRP, load into the recovery and restore the System partition.
2. Reinstall the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
3. Reset: If the phone boots but is unstable, reset to Settings → About Phone → Reset. User data will be saved, but system applications will recover.

Fastboot flashing through Fastboot

• Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
• Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on 4PDA).

If nothing works and your phone doesn't turn on, call the service center, and indicate that the problem occurred after "optimizing system applications" - this will save time for diagnosis.

💡

Before experimenting with system files, always check if your Xiaomi model has custom firmware (for example, on base ROM from Xiaomi.eu).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi