How to completely remove the game Xiaomi Redmi 9T: all working methods

Why are Redmi 9T games not removed like other smartphones?

Xiaomi Redmi 9T runs on the MIUI shell, which is markedly different from the “pure” Android. This also affects the process of removing applications – especially games that are often installed with additional services (cache, data, updates). Unlike devices on standard Android, it may require not only the usual removal through the menu, but also cleaning the residual files, disabling autoload or even working with ADB (Developer Tool).

Another feature of Redmi 9T is the presence of pre-installed games from Xiaomi (such as Mi Game Center or Game Turbo), which can not be removed by standard methods, but can be disabled or hidden. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from simply removing user games to deep cleaning of system components that interfere with the device.

It is important to consider the version of MIUI: on Redmi 9T, MIUI 12 was originally installed based on Android 10, but many users have already upgraded to MIUI 13/14 with Android 11/12. The interface and location of menu items in these versions may differ - we will indicate the current ways for all options.

Method 1: Standard removal through MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to uninstall apps through the app menu, which is suitable for custom games installed from Google Play or third-party sources (APKs), and system games (such as Mi Game Center) will not be removed, but they can be disabled (more on this in the next section).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the top line of the search, type the name of the game (such as PUBG or Free Fire).
4. Click on the found application, then select Remove.
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the dialog box.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), it means:

• 🔹 The game is system (pre-installed by Xiaomi).
• 🔹 You don’t have enough rights (root access is required, but it’s risky for beginners).
• 🔹 The application was installed as the device administrator (you must first disable this status in the security settings).

On Redmi 9T with MIUI 12 and later, after deleting the game through the settings, the cache folder in /Android/obb/[name packet] remains. It must be manually deleted through the file manager, otherwise errors may occur when you re-install the game.

Method 2: Disabling System Games (without root)

Xiaomi’s pre-installed games (such as Mi Game Center, Game Turbo or Mi Pay Games) can’t be removed completely without root rights, but they can be turned off.This hides them from the app menu, stops background processes, and frees up some RAM.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find the game you want in the list (use search).
4. Click on it, then select Disable.
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The game will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 Updates for it will stop loading.
• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (For example, Game Turbo for speeding up games may not work properly.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI. For example, if you disable Game Turbo, the game performance modes (e.g. Balance or Performance) will become unavailable. Before disabling, check if the game is used by other services (e.g. Mi Account for authorization).

Method 3: Removal via ADB (for power users)

If the game is not removed by standard methods, but you do not want to get root rights (which voids the warranty), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove even some system applications, but requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb) on your computer.
2. On Redmi 9T, turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

Platform Tools

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

PUBG

com.tencent.ig

adb shell pm list packages | grep "game"

package.name

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 It works for system applications (without root).
• 📱 Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ⚡ Faster than manual deletion through file manager.

⚠️ Note: Removing System Games Through ADB may disrupt MIUI. For example, deleting com.miui.gamecenter.sdk will cause errors in Game Turbo. Before executing commands, back up your data via Settings. → System system → Backup.

Method 4: Manually Delete Residual Files

Even after deleting the game through Settings or ADB, Redmi 9T still has tails:

• 📁 Cache folders in /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/.
• 🗃️ The save files in /storage/emulated/0/ (For example, for Genshin Impact, this is a folder. Genshin_Impact).
• 🔄 Data in cloud services (Google Play Games, Mi Account).

These files take up space and can cause conflicts when you re-install the game.

How to clean:

1. Open any file manager (such as Google Files or Mi File Manager).
2. Go to Internal Memory → Android → obb and delete the folder with the game name (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG).
3. Similarly, clean Android → data (app data is stored here).
4. Check the root folder of internal memory for folders with the name of the game (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).

Important: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) store the saves directly in the folders of internal memory. If you plan to reinstall the game, copy these files to your PC or to the cloud before deleting.

💡

To find all the files associated with the game, use a search in the file manager by keyword (e.g., "pubg" or "cod"). This will help to detect hidden folders or temporary files.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the game was installed as a system application (for example, through firmware from a third-party developer) and is not removed by any of the above methods, a complete reset remains. This is a radical way that will remove all data from the device, including photos, contacts and other applications.

How to perform the reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → System → Backup or manually.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 The device will return to the state of "out of the box".
• 🔄 All games and apps will be removed.
• ⚠️ Reconfiguring (account login, application installation) will be required).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9T With the bootloader unlocked, the factory reset can lock the device (re-unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool is required). If you previously obtained root rights, they will be lost after reset and you will have to restore them again.

💡

Factory reset is the last option, and try all other methods before using it, as it may not be possible to recover data after resetting.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you delete games on Redmi 9T, users encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. The "Delete" button is inactive (grey)

Causes and solutions:

• 🔹 The game is a system. → use ADB or disable it (see Method 2).
• 🔹 The application is installed as the administrator of the device → Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Administrators of the device and uncheck the tick from the game.
• 🔹 The game account is linked to the account Google/Xiaomi → untie it in your account settings.

2 After removal, the game reappears

It's because of:

• 🔄 Automatic recovery from backup (disable in Settings) → System system → Backup).
• 📥 Background installation via Mi Game Center (turn off auto-update in game store settings).
• 🔧 Virus or Adware (check your device through Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes).

3. "Insufficient memory" error during deletion

Decisions:

• 📁 Clear the cache through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files (photos, videos) or transfer them to SD-map.
• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing games on Redmi 9T