How to completely remove pre-installed apps on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s built-in apps are bothering users – and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, from branded services (Mi Browser, Mi Video) to affiliate software (Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn), many of which not only take up space in memory, but also work in the background, using battery power and traffic. According to Counterpoint Research (2023), up to 30% of Xiaomi users try to get rid of unnecessary system programs in the first months of using the device.

The problem is that standard methods (disable or “delete” through the settings menu) only hide applications, but do not delete their files. Moreover, after resetting or updating MIUI, they return. In this article, we will analyze 5 ways - from safe (no root rights) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader), and also tell you which applications you absolutely cannot delete so as not to break the system.

Method 1: Disconnecting through Settings – Why It’s Not a Solution

The easiest way is to disable unnecessary apps from the Settings menu → Apps → App management. However, this method has critical drawbacks:

• 🔄 Applications remain in memory – their files (.apk, cache, data) continue to take up space.
• 🔋 Background activity does not stop completely - some services (mipush, miui.analytics) can be started by the system.
• 🔄 Recovery after update — MIUI Returns disabled applications when installing a new firmware version.

To disable the application:

1. Go to 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 in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system services called com.android., miui. (except for obvious garbage like miui.bugreport) – this can lead to the collapse of the interface or the inability to call.

Method 2: Removal via ADB – no root rights, but with limitations

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to remove system applications without root rights, but requires connecting your smartphone to a PC. This is the most secure way among the radical ones, since it does not affect system partitions. However, it does not work on all models — for example, on the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12, some packages are protected from removal.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original......>
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from the official Android website).
• ⚙️ Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:


   adb devices


(The serial number of the device must appear).




4. Get a list of all packages:


   adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui\|xiaomi'


5. Remove unnecessary package (e.g. com.miui.browser):


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

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB drivers on PC

The smartphone is connected in the mode "File Transfer" (MTP)

Backup of important data is made

Checked free space on PC (minimum 500 MB)-->

List of safe packets for removal (for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models):

⚠️ Note: Pm uninstall team with flag -k You can only cancel by reinstalling the firmware. If you delete a critical package (e.g. com.miui.home), the phone will stop loading!

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Before deleting, take a screenshot of the packet list with the adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt command to help restore remote applications if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Debloate with Magisk (root required)

If your Xiaomi has a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can use the modules for debloat, which is system debris removal, which is the most effective method, since it allows you to remove even protected packets, but requires technical skills.

Popular modules for Magisk:

• 🧹 Universal Debloater – Removes Google and Xiaomi’s Standard Apps.
• 🔍 Xiaomi Debloater – a specialized module for MIUI.
• 🛡️ DisableFlagSecure – Disables screenshot protection in some apps.

How to install the module:

1. Download the module file (for example, Xiaomi_Debloater.zip) s XDA Developers.
2. Open the Magisk application → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After installing the module, some applications may disappear from the menu, but their files will remain in the system. For complete removal, use ADB or a file manager with root access (for example, Root Explorer).

Method 4: Reflashing to custom MIUI or AOSP

The radical, but cleanest way to get rid of pre-installed apps is to install custom firmware.

• 📱 MIUI without bloat - modified versions of the official firmware (for example, MIUI EU or MIUI Pro).
• 🤖 AOSP-Firmware – LineageOS, Pixel Experience, ArrowOS (completely without Xiaomi services).

Advantages:

• ✅ Complete absence of unnecessary applications.
• ✅ The ability to select Android versions (for example, upgrade to Android 14 on older models).
• ✅ Improved performance and battery life.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” (turning into a “brick”) in case of an error.
• ⚠️ Certain functions (IR Blaster, Game Turbo may not work.

Instructions for installation of MIUI EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-168 hours).


2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).




3. Download the MIUI EU firmware from Xiaomi.eu.




4.Reboot to recovery and swipe ZIP-file.




5. Clear the cache (Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache).




6. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On models with Dynamic Partition (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12 and later) custom firmware installation can lead to loss of IMEI. Before the firmware save the nvram section!

💡

Custom firmware is the only way to get rid of system applications forever, but requires unlocking the bootloader and technical skills.

Method 5: Using Debloater Applications (without Root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root, you can use specialized apps that don't delete packets completely, but turn them off more aggressively than standard settings.

Top.-3 debloite:

How to work with App Inspector:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open a list of all applications and sort by System.
3. Select an unused app (such as Mi Community).
4. Click Disable or Remove Updates (if available).

Limitations:

• 📱 In some models (POCO X5, Redmi K60) Debloater applications are blocked by the system.

What Xiaomi apps can’t be removed (brick risk)

Even if an application seems unnecessary, deleting it can disrupt the system, and here are some critical packages that you can't touch:

• 🚨 com.android.* — Android system services (e.g. com.android.phone is responsible for calls).
• 🚨 miui.home – standard launcher (without it there will be no desktop).
• 🚨 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (manages permissions and updates).
• 🚨 com.xiaomi.finddevice – Device search service (its deletion can block the account Mi).
• 🚨 com.qualcomm.* – processor drivers (deletion will result in network loss or graphic artifacts).

It is also dangerous to remove:

• 📞 Phone services (com.android.dialer) – without them there will be no outgoing calls.

If you accidentally delete a critical packet, restore it through ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home

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Before experimenting with deletion, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool, which will save your smartphone if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi system applications