Modern Xiaomi smartphones running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS often come with a pre-installed suite of software. Some are useful, others may seem superfluous or even annoying. Users often face the need to make room or simply clean up the interface by removing unnecessary icons.
The process of uninstalling software on devices of this company has its own features, different from pure Android. Standard methods do not always work, especially when it comes to system components. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from simple clicks on the screen to the use of advanced tools for deep cleaning of the system.
Understanding the differences between regular and system programs will help you avoid errors. We will look at safe removal methods that will not violate the guarantee and stability of your gadget. Careful study of the instructions will allow you to personalize the device to your needs without the risk of turning it into a brick.
Differences between user and system applications
Before you start cleaning up your memory, it's important to understand exactly what you're dealing with. All programs on your smartphone fall into two main types: those installed by the user and those implemented by the manufacturer or carrier in the factory. The first are removed without any restrictions or additional actions.
The second type, known as system software or bloatware, is often hidden deeper in the structure of the operating system. MIUI shell is known for its aggressive approach to integrating its own services, such as Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps. Attempting to remove them in a standard way is usually blocked by the system, since it considers these components critical to the operation of the interface.
Removing critical system processes can cause the phone to run unstable, cause cyclical reboots, or cause some functions, such as calls or internet access, to fail completely, so the type of application must be identified before any manipulations are initiated.
⚠️ Attention: Removal of system components responsible for the operation of the interface (System) UI) or basic communication functions, may require reflashing the device to restore operation
For the average user, it is safe to remove only those programs that he installed himself through Google Play or Google Play. APK-However, there are methods of working with system debris, which we will talk about later, but they require increased caution and understanding of the risks.
Standard method of removal through the desktop
The easiest and fastest way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use a desktop interface, which is suitable for most user applications and some system applications that the manufacturer has allowed to be removed, and you don't need any additional knowledge or connection to the computer.
It's intuitive, even for a beginner, if you look for an icon on the screen, you pinch it with your finger until the vibration and the context menu appear, and depending on the version of MIUI, you'll be asked to move the object or see the removal button right away.
- 📱 Find the icon of the application you want to eliminate on the home screen or in the menu of all programs.
- 🖐️ Press the icon and hold your finger near it. 1-2 seconds until the action menu appears.
- 🗑️ Select “Delete” (basket icon) or “Delete application” in the list that appears.
- ✅ Confirm your action in the pop-up window by pressing “OK” or “Delete».
If you only click on the About or Info menu after a long time and you don't have an uninstall button, it's a system component, and then the standard method won't work, and you'll need to access the settings or use special utilities. It's also worth noting that some of Xiaomi's built-in services can be disabled, which we'll discuss in the next section.
Removal and disabling through smartphone settings
Deeper control over installed software provides a menu of operating system settings, where you can not only delete the program, but also force the process to stop it or clear the cache if deletion is not available, which is especially true for built-in Xiaomi services.
To get to the desired section, you need to go to Settings → Applications → All applications. This list shows absolutely all installed programs, including hidden system processes. Find the desired name in alphabetical order or search from the top of the screen.
Once you log in to the app card, you'll have different actions available to you. If it's a user program, the "Delete" button will be active. If it's a system component, the button can be gray or replaced with "Disable" button, disabling it allows you to hide the program and stop it from working, effectively equating it with a deleted one, but without physically erasing files from the system partition.
In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, activating the system application uninstall button required several quick clicks on the build number in the About Phone section to enable developer mode, but in modern versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, this method no longer allows you to remove secure system packages without root rights.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Using the Security Application for Cleaning
Every Xiaomi owner has a built-in app called Security, developed by the manufacturer and has extended access rights to the system, and besides antivirus, it has a powerful application management tool that sometimes allows you to do things that don’t work through standard settings.
Launch the Security app and go to App Management, where the interface may be different from the standard Android menu, you'll see a list of programs sorted by category, select the Manage tab, and find the target application.
The advantage of this method is that Security often shows additional features such as Permissions, Battery, and Notifications. If standard deletion is blocked, the option to Disable or Hide may be available here, which visually removes the icon and stops the processes.
It is worth remembering that even this tool is powerless against mission-critical system files: Attempting to remove the system kernel or drivers through Security will be blocked by MIUI security mechanisms.
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Use the “Memory Cleanup” feature in the Security app after removing heavy programs to delete the remaining temporary files and cache.
Advanced Method: Removing System Applications Through ADB
For those who want to completely clean a smartphone of embedded garbage (bloatware), there is only one effective way to get root rights is to use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and executing commands, but it is safe if you follow the instructions.
The method is to send commands directly to the operating system through the USB-The computer acts as a control panel, allowing you to delete even those packets that are hidden from the user. You will need to download the Platform-tools set from the official Google website and install drivers for your smartphone.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). Then, in the “Additional” → “Development by USB” menu, turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.
| ADB Team Team | Description of action | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| adb shell pm list packages | Lists all packets on the device | Safe. |
| adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet | Remove the application for the current user | Medium. |
| adb shell pm install-existing name.packet | Restores a remote system application | Safe. |
| adb reboot | Reboots the device | Safe. |
The deletion process is like this: connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt in the ADB folder, and enter adb devices to check the connection. The phone screen will see a request for debugging permission — click "Allow." Then use the uninstall command with the exact packet name (for example, com.miui.videoplayer).
⚠️ Attention: Uninstall Team --user 0 It doesn't physically delete the file from the system partition, it hides it for your user. This means that the disk space will be slightly freed up, but the application will stop working and disappear from the menu.
There is also a graphical shell for ADB called ADB AppControl or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. These programs for Windows automatically detect the connected phone, show a list of apps with clear names and let you remove them with a mouse click, generating the right commands in the background. This is ideal for those who are afraid of getting the command syntax wrong.