How to remove the app from your Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Why Removing Apps on Xiaomi is Different from Other Android Smartphones

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are powered by MIUI, which significantly modifies standard Android, and this affects the removal process: there are nuances that are not found on pure Android or other brands’ smartphones, for example, many system applications cannot be removed in the standard way without obtaining root rights, and some “remote” programs are actually just hidden and continue to take up space.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and hidden MIUI settings. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between the firmware versions (MIUI 12/13/14/15) and smartphone models. If you tried to remove the application through the menu and you failed, here you will find a solution.

It’s important to understand that some apps (such as Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps) are part of the Xiaomi ecosystem and removing them completely can disrupt the stability of the system.

Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu

This is the easiest method that works for most custom apps (installed from Google Play or Google Play). APK-However, it has limitations:

• 📱 It does not work for pre-installed system applications (Mi Music, Mi Community, etc.)
• 🔄 Some applications after “deletion” are restored after restarting
• 📁 Does not clean the cache and residual files of the application

To remove the application in a standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications
2. Select the Application Management tab
3. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search)
4. Click Remove (if the button is active)
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears

If the Remove button is inactive or not, then the application is protected by the system, in which case proceed to the following methods.

Method 2: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

When you can't completely delete an app, you can turn it off, hide it from the menu, stop background processes, save battery power, but the program files stay on the device and take up space.

How to disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home)
3. Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available)
4. Confirm the action in the warning window

List of apps that can be safely disabled on most Xiaomi devices:

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android. or com.miui. at the beginning (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) – this can lead to unstable system operation.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can remove even applications that are protected by the system, and requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and basic command-line knowledge.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Remove system applications without root rights
• 📉 Frees up space on the device
• 🔄 Ability to restore remote application

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your debugging permission.
4. Download and install ADB Tools on PC
5. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear)
6. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages
7. Remove the unnecessary app (e.g. Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

💡

Before deleting through ADB, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

List of popular removal packages:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 📺 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 🛒 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 💬 Mi Community: com.miui.bbs

⚠️ Note: Removing some system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may result in loss of functionality (fingerprint, face unlocking will not work) or a cyclical reboot of the device.

Method 4: Using third-party applications to remove

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized utilities that provide a user-friendly interface to remove system applications without manually entering commands.

Popular removal programs:

• 🛠️ App Inspector – shows all installed packets and allows you to delete them
• 🧹 System App Remover – specializes in removing system applications
• 🔍 Package Name Viewer – Helps you find the exact names of packages

How to use System App Remover:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play
2. Provide root access (if required)
3. Select the System Applications tab
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary programs
5. Click Remove selected
6. Reset the device

Advantages of the method:

• 📱 It does not require a connection to a computer.
• 🔍 Easy search by application names
• 📊 Shows the occupied place of each application

⚠️ Note: Most of these applications require root rights that void the warranty on the device.

Method 5: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to take full control of the system, with the help of which you can remove system applications, install modified firmware and create backups.

This method is only suitable for experienced users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader)
• 📱 Installations TWRP Instead of standard recovery
• 💾 Create a full backup (nandroid backup)

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP on your device (instructions depend on the model)
2. Boot into recovery mode (usually Power + Volume Up)
3. Select Advanced → File Manager
4. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app
5. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (like Browser)
6. Select the folder and select Delete
7. Reset the device

💡

TWRP removal is the most radical method that can cause a system to fail. Always back up before making changes!

List of folders of popular system applications:

• 🌐 browser: /system/app/Browser or /system/priv-app/Browser
• 🎵 Music: /system/app/MiuiMusic
• 📺 Video: /system/app/MiuiVideo
• 🛒 Shop: /system/app/GetApps

How to return a remote system application

If you have problems after you delete the system application (some functions are not working, the smartphone restarts or gives errors), it can be restored.

Recovery options:

If you have removed the app through ADB and want to return it, use the command:

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

(Replace com.miui.browser with the name of the package you want)

To recover via TWRP:

1. Boot in recovery.
2. Choose Restore.
3. Specify the backup folder
4. Mark the System section
5. Confirm the recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi