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

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user sooner or later faces. Even on new devices with MIUI 14/15, preinstalled services take up precious space in memory, and some programs simply do not want to disappear from the system. In this article, we will discuss not only standard removal methods, but also hidden shell functions that will help get rid of even stubborn system applications.

Xiaomi is very much integrating its own services, from Mi Browser to GetApps, which can’t always be removed through the Settings menu, and after uninstallation, many programs leave behind cache and configuration files that continue to take up space, and we’ll show you how to clean them without a trace, and what to do if the system gives an error, “Delete is impossible,” or the application reappears after a reboot.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, for example, removing system APKs through ADB can cause a phone to malfunction if critical components are touched, so we divided the instructions by difficulty level, from basic to advanced, so you can choose the best option without risk.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest way to do this is for most custom apps: It doesn’t require any additional tools and works on all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

To remove the program:

• 📱 Open the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search by name).
• 🗑️ Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

If the Remove button is inactive or not, then the application is system, in which case move on to the following methods.

💡

Before you delete, check if the application is connected to important features (for example, Mi Share is responsible for fast file transfer).

2. Removal through launcher (desktop)

Many users don't know that most applications can be controlled directly from the home screen, a method that is faster than the way through settings, but doesn't work for all types of programs.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Click and hold the app icon on the desktop.
• 📌 In the menu that appears, select "Delete" (or the basket icon).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Note that this method only removes user applications, and system programs (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) will not be uninstallable in this way.

3. disabling system applications (without root)

If the delete button is inactive, but you don't need the app, you can turn it off. This won't free up space on the drive, but it will stop background activity and hide the program from the menu.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click "Disable" (usually located under the "Delete" button).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Disabled programs don't update or consume resources, but their data stays in the device's memory, and to delete them completely, you need superuser rights or ADB.

4. Removal via ADB (for power users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to remove system applications without root permissions, a method that requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm list packages | grep 'name packet'

For example, to find the Mi Browser package, use:

pm list packages | grep 'browser'

After finding the exact name of the package (e.g. com.android.browser), execute the deletion command:

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Install ADB-PC drivers

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Connect your phone to the original cable

Check the connection with the adb device command

-->

Important: Deleting system packages via ADB can disrupt MIUI. Before experimenting, back up your data.

5. Complete cleaning of application residues

Even after removal, many programs leave behind:

• 🗃️ Cash and temporary files in the folder /Android/data/
• 📁 Configuration files in /Android/obb/
• 🔑 Android Registry entries (requires root to clean)

To remove them manually:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to /Android/data/ and find the folder with the name of the remote application.
3. Remove it along with the contents.
4. Repeat the same for /Android/obb/.

For automated cleaning, you can use utilities like SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without superuser rights).

6. Solving common errors

When removing applications on Xiaomi, users often face the following problems:

⚠️ Note: If, after removing the system application, ADB The phone started to brake or give out errors, try to return it with a command: cmd package install-existing com.android.browser (replace com.android.browser with the name of your package).

Mistake: "Impossible to delete"

• 🔹 Reason: The application is system-based or secure MIUI.
• 🔹 Solution: Use methods with ADB or shut down the program.

The app reappears after the MIUI update

• 🔹 Reason: System applications recover when you update firmware.
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.

Lack of space for removal

• 🔹 Reason: the device has less than 100 MB of free space.
• 🔹 Solution: Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clean or transfer files to a memory card.

💡

Before mass removal of system applications, check their dependence through the dumpsys package com.android.browser command in ADB. This will show which services use this package.

7. Alternative methods for advanced users

If the standard methods do not help, you can use:

1. Debloater scripts

There are ready-made scripts for ADB that automatically remove most of Xiaomi's unnecessary system applications.

• 🛠️ Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools (GUI-windows)
• 🐧 Universal Debloater (Cross-Platform Solution)

2. Custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience completely replaces MIUI, removing all pre-installed applications, but this method requires unlocking the bootloader and can be unwarranted.

3. Root access + Titanium Backup

With root rights, you get full control of the system. Titanium Backup allows you not only to remove any applications, but also to "freeze" them, preserving the possibility of recovery.

⚠️ Note: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi resets all data and requires an account to be tied to Mi. On some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 with a Snapdragon processor), unlocking can take up to 720 hours of waiting.

FAQ: Frequent questions