Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro have powerful hardware and extensive memory, but even 128 or 256 gigabytes of internal storage tend to run out. Especially quickly, heavy gaming projects with high-resolution textures and data cache fill the space. Users often face a situation where standard methods to vacate space fail or deletion is not complete, leaving “junk” files in the system.
The process of uninstallation on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS may differ from the usual Android due to aggressive optimization and protection of the system. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove games and applications, from a simple swipe on the desktop to using advanced tools for system software. You will learn how to properly clean the cache, delete residues of programs and avoid common errors that can lead to unstable device operation.
We'll focus on the nuances of working with pre-installed software that can often be uninstalled in the usual way. We'll look at safe computer cleaning methods and explain which system processes you can't touch. Proper memory management not only frees up gigabytes, but also positively affects the autonomy and performance of your Redmi Note 9 Pro.
Standard methods of removal through the desktop
The most obvious and quick way to get rid of unnecessary games is to use the desktop interface. However, depending on the launcher settings, the algorithm of actions may differ slightly. Xiaomi owners often confuse menu modes, which leads to a search for non-existent crosses on icons. First, make sure that you are in the classic application display mode, where all programs are displayed on screens, and not hidden in a separate folder “All applications”.
To remove the game, you need to pin your finger on the app icon on the desktop and hold it for 1-2 seconds. At this point, the vibration will confirm the activation of the editing mode. At the top of the screen or directly below the icon, a basket icon or a cross that says "Delete" will appear. Drag the object to this area. If there is no removal icon, then this application is protected or it is system.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a game from your desktop, progress data may be lost if your account is not tied to a cloud service (Google Play Games or Mi Cloud.
An alternative option in the All Apps menu allows you to manage the software in more detail. Press and hold the icon, then select "Application Information" or just click on the "i" icon that appears in the circle. A program card will open, where the "Delete" button will be available at the bottom of the screen, which is especially useful if the game icon is lost in the back of the folders.
Remove through MIUI system settings
If the visual interface of the desktop does not give full control or you want to audit all installed software, refer to the system menu. Settings → Apps → All applications provide an exhaustive list of everything that takes up space on your Redmi Note 9 Pro. Here you can see not only the name of the program, but also the amount of memory it occupies, which is critical for finding heavyweights.
You can sort objects by size, date of use or name in the app list. Find an unnecessary game, tap its name. A control screen will open where, in addition to the deletion button, you can access the Cache Clear and Clear Data functions. Often users delete the game but forget to clear the data, although in the case of a complete uninstallation this happens automatically. However, pre-cleaning the cache can help if the deletion process freezes.
- 📱 View rights: In the same menu, you can see what resolutions the game has (camera, microphone, geolocation) before deleting.
- 💾 Memory analysis: The system will show how much space it takes up APK-file and how much is user data and cache.
- 🔒 Protection: For some system components, the delete button will be inactive (gray), which indicates that standard removal is not possible.
Importantly, newer versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS have added Safe Delete. When you try to erase an application, the system may suggest that you clean the associated files in storage. Always agree to a full cleanup so you don't leave gigabytes of garbage in your Android/data folder.
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Before removing a heavy game, go to Settings → Memory and check if it really takes up a lot of space.Sometimes the game's cache can grow to 10-15GB and clear it without removing the game itself will make room for other tasks.
Managing Apps Through Google Play Market
Since most Xiaomi users download games from the official Google Play store, it is logical to use its own tools to manage installed content, which is convenient because it allows you to remove applications remotely or manage them from another device, as well as see the history of all games ever downloaded.
To do this, open the Play Store app on your smartphone. tap your profile avatar in the top right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select App and Device Management. Then go to the Manage tab. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. For convenience, sort them by size by clicking on the appropriate filter to immediately find the most voluminous games.
You can choose multiple games to remove from each program. Once you select the right objects, click on the basket icon in the top right corner. The system will request confirmation of action. The good thing about this is that it bypasses some of the launcher's visual bugs and works at the level of the Android package manager.
| Deleting method | Speed of operation | Possibility of mass removal | Access to system data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Tall. | No (only one at a time) | No. |
| MIUI settings | Medium | No. | Partial |
| Google Play | Medium | Yes. | No. |
| ADB (PC) | Low (requires training) | Yes (scripts) | Complete. |
Cleaning of residual files after deletion
Even after a successful uninstallation, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro may still have tails in its memory. Game developers often store cache, configs, and temporary files in public directories that are not affected by the standard uninstall process. Over time, such folders can take up significant volume, reducing the efficiency of vacating space.
For manual cleaning, go to the Explorer app (or Files) and you need to find the Android folder and the data inside it. This is where most games store data. Look for folders with names that contain the name of the remote project or developer (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG or com.roblox.client).
⚠️ Note: Be very careful in the folder Android/data. Do not delete files that you cannot identify as belonging. Erasure of active game data will lead to loss of progress or the need to re-download resources.
It's also worth checking the root directory of internal memory. Many games create their own folders with names like Gameloft, Asphalt, WoT_Blitz If you delete the game, but the folder with its name is still and takes gigabytes, feel free to delete it. To automate the process, you can use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Xiaomi Security app, which can find residual files (Junk files).
☑️ Check before removing the game
Removal of system and preinstalled applications
Xiaomi smartphones are known for having a lot of pre-installed software that can't be removed by standard methods. The "Delete" button is either missing or inactive in the settings for these programs. However, there are ways to get rid of them if you're confident in your actions. The safest method is to use the "Disable" feature.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a system program (like Mi Video, Mi Music or third-party services like Facebook/TikTok if they are sewn in). Click on it and select “Disable.” The app will disappear from the menu, stop updating and consume resources, but formally stay on the system. This is a good compromise for users who do not want to risk the stability of the firmware.
Removing system applications requires a computer connection and using USB debugging (ADB).Important: Removing critical system components (e.g., Security, Google Play Services, System UI) can result in a bootloop or phone inoperability.
You will need a PC, a USB cable and a suite of ADB Platform Tools to work with.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetThe command above removes the app for the current user (user 0) without affecting the system partition, which makes the process reversible (through resetting). To find out the name of the package, use the command adb shell pm list packages. This method requires technical literacy, but allows you to turn the "clogged" phone into a clean system.
List of safe to remove system applications Xiaomi
Frequent problems and their solution
When you delete games on Redmi Note 9 Pro, users may encounter various errors: the system may report that “App not found”, “Insufficient rights” or the deletion process simply hangs in the “Delete...” stage, most often this is due to the fact that the game process is still active in the background or there is a conflict of access rights.
If deletion is stalled, try to force the app to stop before you try again. Go to Settings → Apps, select a problem game, click Stop and then Delete. If that doesn't work, reboot your smartphone to Safe Mode. To do this, press the turn off button, and when the turn off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it. In Safe Mode, third-party apps don't start, which allows you to remove even "viral" or damaged games.
- 🔄 Application Not Installed Error: Occurs when you try to reinstall over the old version. Requires complete removal of the old version via ADB or-reset.
- 🚫 No delete button: Characteristic of system applications. Requires disabling or root rights.
- 📉 Little room for surgery: Paradoxically, it sometimes takes at least 500MB of free memory to delete and unpack archives.
⚠️ Warning: If after removing the game, the phone starts to behave strangely (heating, the battery goes down quickly), the removal process may have been incorrect. + powered-off).
Cleaning your software regularly is key to your Xiaomi long life. Don't be afraid to delete what you don't use. Modern games require a lot of resources, and freeing up space has a positive effect on the speed of flash memory.
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Use of the ADB-System garbage removal commands are the most effective way to free up space on Xiaomi, but they require strict adherence to instructions to avoid system breakdowns.