How to Uninstall an Android App via Computer: 5 Ways to Xiaomi

Removing unnecessary apps from a computer on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge faced by both novice users and experienced device owners. Unlike standard removal via a phone menu, connecting to a PC opens up access to system utilities, hidden features and deeper cleaning, especially for embedded applications (bloatvers) that cannot be removed in the usual way, or when the phone is locked and access to the menu is limited.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, from using official Mi PC Suite software to working with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and third-party tools. Each method is tested on current Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (2023-2026), taking into account the features of MIUI 14/15 firmware. You will also learn how to avoid errors when removing system applications and what to do if the phone starts to work unstable after the procedure.

Why is deleting via computer more effective?

The standard removal of applications through the Settings menu → Applications on Xiaomi has limitations:

• 🚫 You can’t remove embedded services (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps).
• 🔄 After resetting the settings, some applications are restored automatically.
• 📱 On a locked or "hung" phone, there is no access to the menu.

Connecting to a PC solves these problems:

Important: Removing system applications without understanding their purpose can cause MIUI to crash, including update errors, network connection problems, or phone failure. For example, removing com.miui.system will cause a cyclical reboot of the device.

Preparing Xiaomi phone to connect to PC

Before you delete applications through your computer, you need to configure your smartphone, and this is a critical step — without proper preparation, the PC will simply not see the device or be able to execute commands.

Enable Developer Mode (click 7 times on MIUI Version in Settings → About Phone)

Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (do not use cheap analogues)

Install Xiaomi USB Drivers (download from the official website)

Allow access to data on the first connection (pop-up on the phone)-->

If you are using Windows, check out:

• 🔌 Connection via port USB 2.0 (on some PCs) USB 3.0 causes errors ADB).
• 🛡️ Disable the antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky can block the software). ADB).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and PC after installing drivers.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a blocked bootloader (bootloader) some commands ADB Check the lock status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If the answer Device unlocked: false, unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).

Method 1: Remove via Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi's proprietary software for controlling your smartphone from your computer, which allows you to install/delete applications, back up data and update your firmware, and the downside is limited functionality: you can't uninstall system applications through the Mi PC Suite.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite (version no lower than 3.2.1 for compatibility with MIUI 14/15).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. In the program go to the tab of the Applications → Established.
4. Select the unnecessary app and click Remove (basket icon).

If the Remove button is inactive:

• 🔄 Reconnect the phone by changing mode USB Just charging, then back to MTP.
• 🔧 Update Mi. PC Suite to the latest version.
• 📱 Check if access to the application is blocked in the Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

💡

If the Mi PC Suite doesn’t see the phone, try connecting via Wi-Fi: activate Wi-Fi Debugging in your phone settings (ADB is required for initial setup).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root rights)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a universal tool for managing Android devices, with which you can remove system applications without obtaining root rights, but with restrictions: some packages are protected from removal even through ADB.

Instructions:

1. Download Platform Tools (includes ADB and Fastboot).
2. Unpack the archive to the root of the C:\ disk (e.g., C:\platform-tools\).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools\
4. Check your phone connection: Adb devices should show your device name (e.g. 1234abcd device).
5. Get a list of all installed packages: adb shell pm list packages
6. Find the name of the unwanted app (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser) and delete it: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser The flag --user 0 removes the app only for the current user (safer than a complete deletion).

If there is a mistake DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR:

• 🔧 Try removing the app cache before deleting: adb shell pm clear com.miui.browser
• 🔄 Reboot the phone and repeat the command.
• 📌 Some applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks) require first disabling the device administrator: adb shell dpm remove-active-admin com.xiaomi.mipicks/.security.receiver.ActiveAdminReceiver

Method 3: Completely remove system applications (with root rights)

If you have root rights (like Magisk), the possibilities of deleting are expanded, but this method is the most risky one - an error can lead to a "brick" (breakdown) of the phone, use it only if you understand the consequences.

Instructions:

1. Install on PC ADB with root support.
2. Connect the phone and check the rights of the superuser: adb shell su If the command returns # (not $) – root access is active.
3. Delete the app in its entirety (together with the data): pm uninstall com.miui.browser or forcefully: rm -rf /data/app/com.miui.browser*

⚠️ Note: After removing root-right system applications, you cannot update MIUI through OTA (Update by air. If you try to update the phone may stop loading. In this case, you will need to manually firmware through Fastboot.

An alternative to manual removal is to use scripts like Universal Xiaomi Debloater (available on XDA Developers), which automatically removes the bloatwer but requires a pre-backup.

Method 4: Use of third-party tools (Debloater)

For users who don't want to work with ADB manually, there are graphics utilities, one of the most popular is Universal Android Debloater (GitHub), which runs without root, but requires USB debugging enabled.

How to use:

1. Download and unpack Universal Android Debloater.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and run the universal-android-debloater.exe file.
3. In the main window, click Refresh – the program will download a list of all packages.
4. Check the unneeded apps and select the action: 🗑️ Uninstall – Deletion for the current user. 🔄 Disable – Disable (the application will remain in the system, but will not work).

Apply

The advantages of Debloater:

• 📊 Visual interface with categories (system, user, Google services).
• 🔍 Search function by packet name.
• 📥 Ability to create a backup before removal.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Not all packets are deleted the first time (refresh is required).
• 🖥️ On some PCs, the program may not start due to lack of.NET Framework 4.8.

💡

Third-party debloathers are convenient for mass removal, but always check the names of packages before confirmation. For example, deleting com.google.android.gsf will lead to loss of access to Google services (Play Market, Gmail, etc.).

Method 5: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to manage the Android file system at a low level.

• 🔧 You've already been installed. TWRP (For example, after unlocking the loader).
• 📁 You need to remove applications that are not deleted through ADB.
• 🔄 You plan to create a full backup before the changes.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to log into TWRP.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and in TWRP, select Mount → Enable MTP.
3. On PC, open the phone folder and go to /data/app/ or /system/priv-app/ (for system applications).
4. Delete folders with the names of unnecessary packages (e.g. com.miui.browser-1).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Delete files in /system without a backup can make your phone inoperable. TWRP (Backup → Select Partitions → Swipe to Backup).

If the phone does not load after removal:

• 🔄 Come back in TWRP and restore the backup.
• 📥 Fastboot phone with official firmware (download on Xiaomi website).

What if the phone is not working properly after removal?

Even if you remove a "safe" app, there are sometimes side effects, such as slow operation, service errors, or inability to update.

If the problem is serious (for example, the phone is not turning on or getting stuck on the MI logo):

1. Try to go to Fastboot (clamp Volume Down + Power) and reflash your phone with the official firmware: fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip
2. If Fastboot is not available, use the Mi Flash Tool (requires a Mi Account and unlocked bootloader).

Critical information: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 12 4G, POCO M5) flashing through Fastboot can lead to loss of IMEI. Always back up the nvram partition before firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi