How to completely remove pre-installed apps on Xiaomi Redmi: from Mi Browser to Mi Video

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their value for money, but many users face the same problem: dozens of pre-installed applications that cannot be removed by standard means. Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps and other services take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even show ads. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to remove system applications from the simplest to advanced, including root-free methods.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be safely removed, some of them are critical to MIUI, and removing them can cause system failures, we'll detail which apps can be removed and which ones can only be disabled, and you'll learn how to return a remote application if something goes wrong.

The instructions in the article are relevant for all modern Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and others) based on MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS. If your smartphone runs on an older version of the firmware, some methods may not work - we will mention this too.

Why can’t you just delete system applications through settings?

Unlike user-installed applications, pre-installed programs in MIUI are protected from removal for several reasons:

• 🔒 System protection: Xiaomi blocks removal of critical components to avoid shell failures.
• 📦 Embedded Services: Some applications (such as Security or Mi Share) are tightly integrated with the phone’s functionality.
• 💰 Partner agreements: Xiaomi enters into contracts with developers (for example, Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn), under which it undertakes to pre-instal their software.
• 🔄 Recovery after reset: Even if you delete the application through ADB, It may return after updating or resetting the settings.

However, there are workarounds, such as disabling an application instead of deleting it (which will stop it from working and hide it from the menu), or using ADB commands for soft removal, and there are special utilities like MIUI Optimizer that extend the control of the system.

⚠️ Note: Removing some system applications (e.g. MiuiDaemon or MiuiSystemUI) may result in loss of functionality (animations will disappear, gestures will stop working, notification panel will disappear!

Method 1: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

If you don't have to completely remove an application, you just have to stop it and hide it from the interface, it's the safest method. It doesn't require superuser rights and it's suitable for any Redmi model.

To disable the unnecessary application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find the right app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Once you shut it down, it disappears from the menu, it stops updating and it doesn't waste resources, but it stays in the memory of the device and takes up space, and to return it, you just go back to the application settings and click Enable.

Unnecessary browsers (Mi Browser, Chrome)

Music players (Mi Music, Spotify)

Video players (Mi Video, Google Play Movies)

Social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn)

Game Center (Mi Game Center, Game Turbo)

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Some applications (like GetApps or Mi Pay) cannot be disabled in the standard way, in which case the developer mode will help:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times in a row).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to turn off MIUI optimization and activate it.
4. Now try to disable the desired application again through Settings → Applications.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is an Android debugging tool that lets you execute commands from your computer, can remove many system applications without getting root access, and works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the latest HyperOS models.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Initiated Debugging Mode USB smartphone.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Google website or use Platform Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on your computer: Download Platform Tools from Google. Unpack the archive into any folder (e.g., C:\platform-tools). Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools

Connect your smartphone and activate debugging

• On the phone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times to activate the developer mode).
• Then go to Settings → Further → For developers.
• Turn on USB debugging and confirm the resolution when connecting to the PC.
• Check Connection: Adb devices If the device appears in the list, you can continue.
• Get a list of all apps: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the unwanted app in the list (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
• Delete the application: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package For example, to remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

The --user 0 command means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files).This is safer than completely uninstalling. If you want to return the application, use:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

Mi Browser|Mi Video|Mi Music|GetApps|Facebook|Other-->

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.home) cannot be removed even through the ADB. This will cause your phone to fail! Always check the name of the package before you delete it.

Method 3: Use MIUI Optimizer (for power users)

MIUI Optimizer is an informal utility that extends the options for customizing MIUI, which allows you to uninstall system applications, customize animations, change the DPI of the screen, and more. However, it requires an unlocked bootloader to work.

If you are ready to take this step, follow the instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Go to Mi Unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool utility. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account. Launch the utility on your PC, log in to your account and follow the instructions (the process can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install. MIUI Optimizer: Download the latest version MIUI Optimizer from the official Telegram channel. APK-File on your smartphone. Launch the app and provide root access (if requested).

Remove unnecessary applications

• Go to the App Manager section.
• Select the app from the list and click Uninstall.
• Confirm the action and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is that it allows you to remove applications completely, not just for the current user.

• ⚠️ The risk of losing the warranty (if the manufacturer finds root).
• ⚠️ Possible disruptions MIUI (For example, topics or gestures will be lost).
• ⚠️ Some banking apps will stop working (due to root detection).

💡

Before uninstalling applications through Magisk, back up the /system partition using the TWRP utility. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Which apps can be removed and which ones can’t?

Not all system applications are equally useful (or harmful), and here is a list of programs that can be removed without serious consequences, and those that should not be touched.

✅ Safe to remove (or disable):

• 🌐 Browser: Mi Browser, Chrome (if not used).
• 🎵 Music players: Mi Music, Spotify (if installed by default).
• 🎬 Video Players: Mi Video, Google Play Movies.
• 🎮 Games: Mi Game Center, Game Turbo.
• 📱 Social networks: Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok (if not used).
• 🛒 App Stores: GetApps (if you only use Google Play).

⚠️ Remove with caution (may affect stability):

• 📡 Google Play Services: Google Play Services, Google Play Store (only delete if you do not use Google Services).
• 🔒 Security: Mi Security, Cleaner (Virus scanning may be missing).
• 📶 Network services: Mi Share, Mi Remote (unless you use file transfer or remote control).

❌ Cannot be removed (critical to the system):

• 🏠 Launcher: MiuiHome (Desktop will disappear).
• ⚙️ System Services: MiuiSystemUI, Android System.
• 📞 Telephony: Phone, Contacts, Messaging.
• ⚡ Energy Conservation: MiuiPowerKeeper.