How to uninstall the app on Xiaomi Redmi 4: the full guide

Xiaomi’s Redmi series is well-deservedly considered a popular choice for its excellent price-performance ratio. However, owners of the Redmi 4, released a few years ago, often face a lack of internal memory and slowdown over time. One of the main reasons for the brakes is the accumulation of unused software that continues to consume CPU and RAM resources even in the background.

The Android operating system in the MIUI shell provides flexible tools for managing installed software, but not all the features are obvious to the average user. Many applications preinstalled by the manufacturer are not removed in the standard way through the menu, which puzzles gadget owners. In this article, we will discuss all available methods for cleaning the device, from simple removal of games to advanced ways to work with system components.

Proper program management allows not only to free up precious gigabytes, but also significantly extend battery life. Optimizing the list of installed programs is the first step to take after buying or when scheduled maintenance of the device. Let's consider how to properly and safely clean your smartphone of digital garbage.

Standard method of removal through the settings menu

The safest and most recommended way to uninstall programs is for most custom applications downloaded from the Google Play store or third-party sources. First, go to the main menu of the device and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the list of options that opens, select the App item, and then go to the All Apps subsection, which displays the full list of installed software.

In the list that opens, you need to find an unnecessary program, click on it to open the information page. Here the user will see the amount of space occupied, the version and the control button. If the application is not a system component critical to MIUI, then the Delete button will be active and clickable. Once confirmed, the system will completely clear the program files and free up space.

There is also a faster way that doesn't require a deep dive into the menu: On your desktop or in the app menu, find the program icon you want to remove. Press your finger on the icon before the context menu or edit mode appears. At the top of the screen, you can see a basket or cross icon, dragging the icon to which you will instantly delete.

⚠️ Note: When you delete some programs associated with your Google account or Xiaomi services, the system may alert you to possible failures in other features.

It is important to understand that the standard method does not remove embedded system components such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps. to work with them will require more sophisticated methods described below, but for conventional games and social networks, the algorithm described above is quite enough.

Remove programs through the application management menu

The MIUI shell offers an alternative interface for managing software that may be more convenient for mass removal. In the settings menu, find the Apps section and select Application Management. Here the interface is adapted for quick cleaning: often in the upper right corner or at the bottom of the list there is a Remove button, allowing you to select several programs for uninstallation.

This is especially effective when you want to remove a dozen games or apps that have accumulated over the long term, and you just tick off the unwanted objects and confirm the action, which saves time compared to taking each program apart from the standard information menu.

In the same section, you can sort applications by memory size or last use date, which helps you quickly identify the heavyweights that occupy the most space, or programs that you haven't used in months, and analyze these data to make informed decisions about what to leave on the device.

It is worth noting that some system applications on this menu may be hidden or labeled as secure, and if you don’t see the program in the list, it may be a system process that requires superuser rights or special software on a PC to be removed.

Cleaning through Google Play Market

Google Play's digital content store also provides the ability to manage installed apps, which is handy if you want to uninstall the program but don't remember where its shortcut is located. Open the Play Store app and tap the profile icon in the top right corner. In the drop-down menu, select App and Device Management, and then go to the Manage tab.

This shows you a list of all the apps associated with your account, and you can sort them by "Installed" status to see only what's in your smartphone's memory right now. Select an unnecessary app from the list and click Delete. This is a good way to do it even if the program shortcut has been accidentally removed from your desktop.

Google Play also allows you to see which apps are taking up the most space and decide to remove them, and it can tell you which apps haven't been used in a long time, which helps keep your smartphone in order and prevents the accumulation of unnecessary software that only slows down Redmi 4.

⚠️ Note: Deleting apps via Google Play requires an active internet connection. If the network is unstable, the uninstallation process may freeze or not be completed until the end.

The advantage of this method is synchronizing the list of remote programs with the cloud, so if you accidentally uninstall an important application, you can always restore it from the download history in the same Play Store section, which provides an additional level of data security and ease of restoring the working environment.

Removal of System Applications (Bloatware)

Xiaomi owners often complain about having a lot of pre-installed software that can’t be removed by standard methods.These programs, often called bloatware, take up space and can be annoying with notifications. ADB (Android Debug Bridge and Computer.

First, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version MIUI. Once you have the message "You became a developer" go back to the main settings menu, find the section Additional and select For developers. USB.

Next, connect the smartphone to the computer through USB-You need to install drivers on your PC. ADB platform SDK Platform Tools. After connecting in the computer command line, enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You can now use special utilities like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater that have a graphical interface and allow you to safely remove system components, marking them as unnecessary.

Be extremely careful when removing system components: Deleting critical services such as Security, System UI, or Google Play services can result in the device being unable to boot or functionality being lost. Always check the purpose of the package before removing it.

Use of third-party tools and launchers

If standard methods seem too complex, you can use specialized cleaning applications such as Clean Master, CCleaner or SD Maid. These programs have built-in modules for managing applications and often provide a more convenient interface for batch removal.

Another option is to install an alternative launcher, like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, some of which hide app icons or have advanced management features, even though the application remains physically in the system, a good compromise for those who want to just remove visual debris from the desktop.

For advanced users, there is a method of obtaining Root rights, which gives full access to the file system and allows you to delete absolutely any program, including those that are protected at the kernel level, but obtaining root rights voids the warranty and can make the device vulnerable to viruses.

Using third-party software should be a smart decision. It is often easier to configure the system once through ADB than to keep in the background a heavy cleaner that will only simulate useful activity, using up battery power.

What to do if the application is not removed

Sometimes the user is faced with a situation where the delete button is inactive and the system says that the application is the administrator of the device or is used by other services. First of all, check the administrator rights. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Privacy → Device administrators. If the problem application is there, uncheck it.

Another common reason is that the app is running in the background. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the right one and press the Stop button. Only after the process stops, the delete button becomes active. Also helps to reboot the smartphone before you try to delete.

In rare cases, an application may be infected with a miner virus or an ad module that blocks its deletion. In such cases, it is recommended to scan the device with an antivirus, such as Dr.Web or Xiaomi's built-in Security scanner. If this does not help, you may need to reset to factory settings.

Understanding the type of application you are struggling with is key to successfully solving the problem.Do not attempt to delete system files without first examining their purpose, as the consequences may be irreversible without flashing the device.

Prevention and optimization of memory

After successfully cleaning your smartphone of the excess software, it is important to keep order so that the problem does not return in a month. Set a rule: if you have not used the application for two weeks, you can safely remove it. Modern services often have lightweight web versions that do not require installing a separate application.

Check the Downloads folder regularly in the file manager, often with APK installation files that are no longer needed after installing programs, and messenger cache that can grow to gigabytes. Clearing the cache through application settings is a secure procedure that doesn't delete your logins and passwords.

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Use the Cleanup feature in the built-in Security app once a week, which will automatically delete temporary files and cache, keeping the system in good shape without you.

Also, you should disable automatic app updates on Google Play if you have charging traffic or little memory. Update programs manually only when you really need to, and this will prevent unexpected memory overflow with new versions of the software.

⚠️ Note: Do not store application installation files on your device (APK) They take up space and they don't do any good, and if you need them, you can always download them again.

Compliance with these simple digital hygiene rules will allow your Redmi 4 to run fast and stable even years after its release. Memory is a valuable resource and should be managed sparingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Cleaning out unnecessary apps regularly is the easiest way to speed up your old smartphone without costing a new device.