How to Remove a Game with Xiaomi Redmi 5: From Standard Methods to Hidden MIUI Features

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is still a popular device even after years, but its modest 16-32 GB of memory is quickly clogged with games. If you notice that your favorite Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile takes up gigabytes of space and the system begins to slow down, it’s time to clean. However, not everyone knows that simply clicking “Delete” in the app menu does not always work: some games leave behind cache, data and even system files that continue to “eat” memory.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can delete games on Redmi 5, including hidden MIUI features, working with ADB, and even radical methods like factory resets, focusing on system games (such as Mi Game Center) that can’t be deleted by standard methods, and explaining how to clean up residual files to free up space. If your smartphone is slower after installing heavy games, these instructions will help it return to its previous speed.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most custom games (e.g. Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars), but will not work for pre-installed system applications.

To delete the game:

• 📱 Open the "Settings" menu» → «Annexes» → «Application management»**.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), the application is system-based and requires other methods (see sections below). Also, pay attention to the "Clear Cache" item - even after deleting the game, its temporary files can take up to 1-2 GB of memory!

2. Delete via the Security menu (for residual files)

Many games (especially online shooters like Call of Duty Mobile) leave behind data in the Android/obb and Android/data folders, which you can't see in the standard app menu, but they take up space.

1. Go to Settings → Security → Cleanup.
2. Select the “Deep Cleaning” tab.
3. Scroll through the list to the “Residual Files” section and tick off unnecessary game data.
4. Click “Clean” (the basket icon at the bottom of the screen).

This method helps to free up to 30-50% of the memory occupied by “garbage” from long-deleted games. For example, after uninstallation of Honor of Kings in the obb folder can remain a file size of 1.5 GB!

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If the Cleanup menu does not have a Residual Files section, update the Security app** via the Mi App Store. Older versions of MIUI may not have this feature.

3. Remove system games (Mi Game Center, Mi App Store Games)

Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphones often come with pre-installed games from Xiaomi, such as Mi Game Center or Mi App Store Games. They can not be removed by standard methods, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Disconnect (without root access)

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find a system game (e.g. com.xiaomi.gamecenter).
• 🚫 Click Disable (this hides the game from the menu and stops it from working).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (requires a PC)

To completely remove system applications, you will need debugging over USB and the ADB command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.gamecenter

Replace com.xiaomi.gamecenter with the packet ID of the game you want (you can find it through the App Inspector app** from Google Play).

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⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI or update errors. Backup your data before the procedure!

4. Clearing the cache and game data before deleting

If the game weighs a few gigabytes but takes up even more space, the cache and user data are to blame. For example, Genshin Impact can inflate to 15 GB after updates, although the game itself weighs ~5 GB. To remove everything without a trace:

• 📊 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [play-off].
• 🧹 Click on Clear Cache and Clear Data (this will delete saves, accounts and uploaded files!).
• 🗑️ Now press "Delete».

If the game is not deleted (button is inactive), try to stop the game first:

1. In the same menu, click "Stop".

5. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If games take up a critical amount of space and you can’t delete them (for example, due to a MIUI crash), you’ll be completely reset, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps, so first:

Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive

Record logins/passwords from accounts

Copy photos and videos on PC

Make sure the battery is charged >50%-->

To reset Redmi 5:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Mark “Clear internal memory” (delete all games and files).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi 5 with the bootloader unlocked, a reset may result in loss of access to the Mi Account (requires device binding again).If you don't remember the password from your Xiaomi account, don't reset!

6. Alternative methods: file manager and Root access

If the standard methods don't work, you can try to manually delete the game through the file system.

Method 1: Through a file manager (without Root)

• 📁 Install a file manager (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb and delete the folder with the game name.
• 🗃️ Repeat the same thing in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.

Method 2: Root rights (for power users)

If you have Root access, you can delete any game, including the system:

1. Install Root Explorer or ES File Explorer (with Root option enabled).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with the game (such as GameCenter) and delete it.
4. Reset the device.

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Root access will void the warranty on Xiaomi Redmi 5 and may result in the inability to update MIUI via OTA. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When removing games on Redmi 5, users often face problems:

• 🔄 The game is not removed → Check if it is systemic (see section 3). ADB.
• 📥 After the game is removed, the game reappears. → This is typical for pre-installed games (Mi Game Center). Disable it in the settings or delete it through ADB.
• 🛑 Error "Insufficient Memory" when deleting → Clear the cache through Settings → Storage or use it SD-data-port.
• 🔌 The smartphone does not see the PC when connecting USB → Enable file transfer mode (MTP) notice-curtain.

If after removing the game, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, perform a reboot - sometimes the game processes continue to work in the background.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions