How to remove Outlook from Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email apps, but not all Xiaomi users like it. Some prefer standard MIUI Mail, some prefer Gmail or Yandex Mail, and some just want to make room for the smartphone. However, removing Outlook from Redmi, POCO or Mi phones often raises questions: the application may be a pre-installed system, hidden in the list or even blocked from uninstallation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to remove Outlook, from standard menu removal to ADB and manually clean residual files, and focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and Android (11-14), and how to avoid the typical bugs that can “resurrect” the app after a reboot. If you want to get rid of Outlook and its background processes that consume battery power, this guide is for you.

Why is Outlook difficult to remove from Xiaomi?

The problems with removing Microsoft Outlook on Xiaomi smartphones are due to several factors:

• 📱 Pre-installed software: On many models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO X4/X5) Outlook is embedded in the firmware as a system application, which means that the standard Delete button may not be available.
• 🔒 Protection MIUI: Xiaomi blocks removal of some applications to avoid service disruptions (e.g. sync with Microsoft 365).
• 🗃️ Residual files: Even after uninstallation, cache, account data, and background processes can remain in memory, which continue to consume resources.
• 🔄 Auto Update: If Outlook was installed via Google Play, it can automatically recover after a system update.

In addition, Android 12+ and MIUI 13/14 have added App Recovery, which can return remote programs after resetting or flashing, so it’s important not only to remove the app itself, but also to disable the associated services.

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

If Outlook was manually installed (not preinstalled), it can be removed in the standard way.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Outlook.
3. Click on the app icon.
4. If the “Delete” button is active, tap it and confirm the action.

If the "Delete" button is inactive or replaced with "Disable", then the application is system, in which case, move to the following methods.

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Before deleting, check if you have any important accounts (such as work mail) linked to Outlook, and if so, transfer the data to another application or make a backup copy first.

Method 2: Disable Outlook (if deletion is not available)

If Outlook cannot be removed, you can turn it off so it doesn't run in the background and take up space on the menu.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Outlook.
2. Click "Unplug" (the button may be gray).
3. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After the shutdown:

• 📵 The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.
• 🔋 Background processes will stop working (battery saving).
• 📥 No new letters or notifications will be downloaded.

However, the application files will remain in memory (usually 50-150 MB) to free up space, you need to delete the cache:

1. In the same app management menu, click "Storage".
2. Tap "Clear the cache" and "Clear the data."

Method 3: Delete via Google Play (if the app has been updated)

If Outlook has been installed or updated via Google Play, you can remove it from the store:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Go to Profile → Application and Device Management → Management.
3. Find Microsoft Outlook in the list.
4. Click on the basket icon ("Delete").

This method will only work if:

• 📲 The app was installed by you, not preinstalled.
• 🔄 It is not part of the Microsoft Apps package (e.g., on some Xiaomi models for business users).

Make sure you have an active internet connection.

Check if Outlook is used as a default email client

Backup important emails (if necessary)

Turn off Auto Update for Outlook in Google Play Settings-->

Method 4: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can remove Outlook using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but guarantees complete removal, including system components.

Attention! Incorrect use of ADB can cause MIUI malfunctions. Follow the instructions carefully.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It may disrupt some functions MIUI, For example, sync with the cloud or updates over the air (OTA). If you are not sure about your actions, skip this method.

Steps to remove:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download and install ADB on your computer (e.g. Google’s Platform Tools).
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices Make sure your phone appears in the list.
5. Remove Outlook by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.microsoft.office.outlook (if it doesn't work, try com.microsoft.outlook).

If the command is successful, you will see a message, Success, and Outlook will disappear from the system, including all of its data.

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Use ADB only if other methods have failed. After uninstalling system applications, some MIUI features, such as syncing with Microsoft 365, may stop working.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods work, you have to completely reset your phone, which is a radical solution that will delete all your data, including Outlook, but also erase your photos, messages and installed apps, and use it only as a last resort!

How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50, Xiaomi 13) after reset, pre-installed apps (including Outlook) can recover automatically. To avoid this, immediately turn off the App Recovery feature in the Mi Account settings after reset.

If you want to avoid resetting but Outlook still returns, try installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

How to check if Outlook is completely removed?

To make sure Outlook is no longer running or consuming resources, do the following checks:

• 🔍 Check the App Menu: Open a list of all apps – Outlook icons shouldn’t be there.
• 📊 Check in settings: Go to Settings → Apps and look for Outlook on the list. If it's not, the deletion was successful.
• 🔋 Battery Consumption Check: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery usage.Outlook should not be displayed in the power consumption list.
• 📁 File Checker: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) and look for folders called Microsoft or Outlook in the file manager. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.

If you find residual files, you can manually delete them:

1. Open a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.microsoft.office.outlook.
3. Delete the folder (superuser rights required).

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If you notice that notifications from other email clients (such as Gmail) have stopped coming after you delete Outlook, check your sync settings in your Google account. Sometimes system changes confuse background processes.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete Outlook from Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common problem is that the "Outlook is stopped" notification appears after you try to delete it, which means that the application has been disabled, but its processes are still trying to start.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Outlook → Storage.
2. Clear the cache and data.
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions