How to Remove Pre-installed Apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9: Safe Techniques for 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget devices, but many users face the problem of imposed system applications. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps and other MIUI services take up space in memory, consume battery power and often become unnecessary. Unlike conventional programs, they can not be removed in the standard way – the “Delete” button in the app menu is simply absent.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods to get rid of pre-installed software on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models) without having to resort to root rights. You will learn which applications can be removed without risk to the system, how to hide their icons if complete removal is impossible, and how to return everything back in case of an error. All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 12-14 (Android 10-12) and do not violate the manufacturer's warranty.

Why you can’t just remove system apps from the menu

Pre-installed programs on Xiaomi are divided into two categories:

• 📱 System services are critical to the operation of MIUI (e.g., com.miui.system or com.android.phone) and their removal will render the phone inoperable.
• 🗑️ Bloatware: Unnecessary applications (Mi Video, Mi Pay, Games, etc.) that can be removed without consequences.

The manufacturer blocks the removal of such programs for several reasons:

• 💰 Monetization: Some apps (GetApps, Mi Browser) show ads or promote Xiaomi services.
• 🔄 Ecosystem uniformity: The company wants all users of MIUI to have the same set of features.
• 🛡️ Security: Removing system components may disrupt updates or services (e.g., Mi Cloud).

⚠️ Warning: Even if an application seems unnecessary, check its purpose before removing it. For example, com.miui.analytics is responsible for collecting statistics, but removing it will not affect the basic functions of the phone.

In the following sections, we will look at removal methods, starting with the safest (hiding icons) and ending with radical (complete removal via ADB).

Method 1: Hiding icons through the MIUI launcher (without deleting)

If you're just getting in the way of icons of unwanted apps on the home screen, you can hide them without removing programs. This method doesn't free up memory, but visually clears the desktop.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Press and hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings).
3. Go to the Hidden Applications section.
4. Check the boxes you want to hide (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Pay).
5. Click Ready – the icons will disappear from the screen.

To bring back hidden apps:

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• In the top menu, select Hidden.
• Click on the three dots next to the desired application and select Display.

Check if the application is used by the system (for example, Mi Browser can be set as the default browser)

Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons in case you want to return everything back.

Make sure that hidden apps are not needed to run other features (e.g., Mi Video can be used to play video in a gallery)

-->

This is a good way to do this if you don't want to risk system stability, but you want to get rid of visual clutter, but it doesn't solve the problem of the background activity of applications -- they're still going to use up battery power and take up space in memory.

Method 2: Disable applications through Android settings

A more radical method is to disable unnecessary programs, which, unlike concealment, stops them from working in the background, but does not delete files from the device, and is suitable for applications that cannot be removed in the standard way, but that are definitely not needed (for example, Mi Game Center or Mi Pay).

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the desired application (such as GetApps) and open its page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action.

What happens after the shutdown:

• ✅ The app stops working and doesn't appear on the menu.
• ✅ A portion of RAM (but not the device’s permanent memory) is released.
• ❌ No updates will be installed for a disabled application.
• ❌ Some features MIUI may not work properly (e.g., if you disable Mi Share, fast file transfers will stop working).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android.* or com.miui.core — this can cause your phone to reboot cyclically. Also avoid turning off Mi Cloud if you use data sync.

List of apps that can be turned off without risk (tested on Redmi 9):

If something went wrong after turning off, you can return the application in the same way: go to its settings and click Enable.

Mi Browser (unnecessary browser)

GetApps (Xiaomi app store)

Mi Music and Mi Video (standard players)

Mi Pay and other financial services

Others (write in the comments)-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without ROOT but with PC)

The most effective way to get rid of unnecessary apps is to use Android Debug Bridge.ADBThis is an official tool from Google that allows you to manage system files without obtaining root permissions. MIUI And it doesn't violate the warranty.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9.
• 🛠️ The utility ADB (you can download from the official Google website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Select file transfer mode (MTP). The phone will request debugging permission — confirm (always allow).

Install ADB

• Download the Google Platform Tools.
• Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\adb).
• Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\adb
• Check the connection: Adb devices If the phone is connected correctly, you will see its serial number.
• Remove the unnecessary application: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet For example, to delete Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Important: the uninstall-k --user 0 command removes the application only for the current user, without affecting the system files, which allows you to return it back if something goes wrong.

List of safe packets to remove on Redmi 9:

com.xiaomi.mipicks          # GetApps


com.miui.player             # Mi Music




com.miui.videoplayer        # Mi Video




com.android.browser         # Mi Browser




com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service  # Game Center




com.miui.analytics # Statistics collection (uncritical)




com.miui.bugreport # Error Reports




com.miui.hybrid #WebView (can be deleted if you use Chrome)




com.miui.hybrid.accessory #Accessories (e.g. Mi Band)




com.xiaomi.payment          # Mi Pay

⚠️ Warning: If after deleting the application, the phone starts to slow down or restart, return it with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet For example: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser.

adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt

This file will help you recover deleted programs if something goes wrong.-->

Method 4: Use of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or disable apps, you can just replace the standard MIUI launcher with a third-party one.

• 🗑️ Hide icons of unwanted applications (including system ones).
• 🎨 Customize the appearance of the desktop.
• 🔍 Use gestures and additional functions.

Best launchers for Redmi 9:

How to hide system applications in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press and hold your finger in the free screen space.
3. Select Nova Settings.
4. Go to Apps and Widgets → Hidden Apps.
5. Check the boxes you want to hide (e.g. Mi Browser, GetApps).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ADB root.
• ✅ You can return the standard launcher at any time.
• ✅ Does not affect the operation of system functions.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Applications remain in the system and can run in the background.
• ❌ Some launchers consume additional RAM.

Method 5: Complete removal with Magisk (power users only)

If you are willing to take risks and get root rights, you can remove system applications permanently using the Magisk module.

• 🔓 Violates Xiaomi’s Guarantee.
• 🛠️ Requires bootloader unlocking.
• ⚠️ If you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a brick.

What you need:

• Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
• Installed by Magisk (or TWRP).
• System App Remover or Debloater.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 7 days to wait).
2. Install Magisk (instructions are available on the XDA Developers forum).
3. Download Universal Debloater or System App Remover.
4. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the phone.
5. Open the Debloater app and tick off unnecessary programs.
6. Click Delete and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system applications via Magisk may result in: 🔄 Cyclical Bootloop. 📵 Communication loss (if modem-related applications are removed). 🔋 Quick battery drain (if power-saving services are disrupted). Be sure to back up via TWRP before deleting!

List of apps that can not be removed even from root:

com.android.phone #Telephony


com.android.settings # Settings




com.miui.securitycenter #Security




com.miui.home # Launcher MIUI




com.android.systemui # System interface

This method is as free as possible, but it requires deep knowledge and a willingness to face challenges, and if you're a beginner, you'd better focus on ADB or icon hiding.

How to return remote applications back

If something goes wrong after you delete or disable the apps, you can restore them, depending on how you delete them:

1. If you have disabled through settings:

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Click on three dots and select Show all apps.
• Find the disabled application and click Enable.

2.If removed through ADB:

• Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet For example: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser.
• If the package is not restored, try reinstalling MIUI through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

3.If removed through Magisk:

• Go to Magisk Manager and remove the Debloater module.
• Reboot the phone.
• If the apps are not returned, restore the backup via TWRP.

If none of these things work, you just have to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 from Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

💡

Before any manipulation of system files, back up your data. Even if you just turn off the application, it is better to be safe and save important files on your PC or in the cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 9