How to Remove Xiaomi App from Android Smartphone: From Standard to Hidden Methods

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users never use. From Mi Browser to Mi Video, these programs take up precious memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even show annoying ads. But here's the problem: most of them can't be removed in the standard way through the settings menu.

In this article, we will look at all possible removal methods, from secure (disable and hide) to radical (complete erasure of system APKs through ADB and TWRP). You will learn which applications can be removed without risk to the system, and which should not be touched, even if they seem useless.

Why you can’t just uninstall the Xiaomi app through settings

If you tried to click “Delete” on an unwanted app icon (such as Mi Music or Mi Pay), you’ve probably seen a gray menu without this option.

• 📱 Custom - downloaded from Google Play or third-party sources, removed in the standard way.
• 🔧 System (built-in) – preinstalled by Xiaomi, but not critical to the operation of the OS. They can be disabled or removed through the ADB.
• ⚠️ Protected system kernels MIUI, Synchronization services, updates, deleting will cause the smartphone to fail.

Even if you see a "Delete" button for some apps (like Facebook or Netflix), it's often not a complete deletion, but only a de-installation of updates. The APK itself stays in the system and takes up space. To get rid of it forever, you need special tools.

Method 1: Disabling the application (without root rights)

The safest method is to disable, not delete, and the app stops working, disappears from the menu, but its files remain in memory.

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or Yandex Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (replaced with YouTube or Kodi)
• 🌐 Mi Browser (prefer Chrome or Firefox)

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the application can be deactivated).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Check if the application is system (no button to disable)

Create a backup copy of important data

Make sure there is an alternative replacement

Remember the name of the application in case of recovery-->

⚠️ Note: Some applications (for example, Security or Mi Account) can not be disabled - this will lead to errors in the work MIUI. Also, after the shutdown, associated functions may disappear, for example, deactivating Mi Share will turn off fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root, but with PC)

If shutdowns aren’t enough, you can completely remove unnecessary apps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but you will need a computer and USB-Advantage: The application is erased from the device, freeing up space in memory.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into a folder.
4. Connect the phone to your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear. If not, install Xiaomi drivers.)

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'

(Show a list of all Xiaomi packages. Find the right one, for example com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

(Replace com.miui.videoplayer with your app package name.)

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

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages called com.android, com.miui.home or com.xiaomi, which can cause the system to not boot, and after deleting some applications (for example, Mi Gallery), functions such as editing photos directly in the gallery may disappear.

Method 3: Remove via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

For advanced users willing to take risks, there is a custom recovery TWRP method that allows you to erase even those applications that ADB does not touch, but there are three prerequisites:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (the procedure erases all data!).
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery for your model.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (to avoid bricks).

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for your Xiaomi model.
2. Load into recovery mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up).
3. In TWRP, select Mount → System.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ via ADB or file manager in TWRP.
5. Remove folders with the names of unnecessary applications (for example, MiuiVideo).
6. Wipe your cache (Wipe → Cache) and restart.

⚠️ Note: Deleting folders like MiuiSystemUI or Settings will cause the interface to fail. OTA-Update – you will have to install the firmware manually.

Method 4: Using applications to remove system APKs

If ADB and TWRP seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities that allow you to remove system applications directly from your phone, but require root rights.

Example of System App Remover:

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Check the boxes for unnecessary apps (such as Mi Drop or Mi Remote).
3. Click Uninstall (remove) or Backup & Uninstall (create backup before deleting).
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Google Play Services) may seem unnecessary, but removing them will disrupt Google Pay, YouTube, and other services!

Method 5: Reflashing to custom MIUI or AOSP

The radical but most effective way to get rid of all unnecessary applications is to install alternative firmware.

• 🔄 MIUI without bloat - modified versions of the official firmware without preinstalled applications (for example, MIUI by Xiaomi.eu).
• 🤖 AOSP-Firmware – pure Android without shell MIUI (LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Pros:

• ✅ Complete absence of unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ The ability to choose a shell (or its absence).
• ✅ Regular security updates.

Cons:

• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader and installing through TWRP.
• ❌ Some functions may not work, for example, IR-blaster NFC informally).
• ❌ No guarantee of stability (possible bugs with camera, sensors).

Where to download:

• 🌍 Xiaomi.eu — MIUI bloat-free for the European region.
• 📱 XDA Developers – custom firmware for specific models.

💡

Flashing to custom MIUI (for example, from Xiaomi.eu) is the best balance between the purity of the system and the preservation of all the functions of the smartphone.

What Xiaomi apps can be removed and which can’t be removed

Not all pre-installed apps are equally useful, and the following table is divided into "can be removed", "can be disabled" and "can't be touched":

💡 Tip: Before removing, check the dependency of the application through the command ADB:

adb shell dumpsys package com.miui.videoplayer

In the output, look for lines like “requiredFor”: they will show which functions depend on this APK.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi apps