Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a challenge that every smartphone owner faces sooner or later. Even 6 years after its release (model released in March 2018), the device continues to be used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, digital garbage accumulates: pre-installed MIUI services, forgotten games, test utilities – all this takes up precious space in memory and slows down the system.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to remove applications, from standard methods through the settings menu to advanced techniques using ADB and root rights. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances associated with Redmi 5: its version of MIUI (current for 2026), restrictions on removing system applications and ways to circumvent these restrictions. If you are looking for a way to free up memory or get rid of intrusive notifications from Mi Browser, Mi Video or Cleaner, you are at the right place.
1. Standard removal through the "Settings" menu
The most obvious and safe way is to uninstall via the MIUI interface. It is suitable for third-party applications (user installed) and parts of preinstalled ones that are not critical to the system. On Redmi 5, this method works equally regardless of the firmware version (be it MIUI 9 or custom LineageOS).
To remove the app:
- 📱 Open the Settings menu (cog icon on the main screen).
- 🔍 Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
- 📌 Find the right app in the list (use the search at the top if the list is long).
- 🗑️ Click Remove (if the button is active) or Disable (for system applications).
⚠️ Important: On Redmi 5, some system applications (e.g. Mi Account, Security) cannot be removed in the standard way - the Remove button will be inactive. In such cases, disabling (the application will disappear from the menu, but remain in memory) or methods from the following sections will help.
Do I need an app to work with other functions?
Is there a backup of data (for games/messengers)?
Is there enough space after removal?
Is the application part of the MIUI (failure-risk)-->
2. Removal via the Play Store (for third-party applications)
If the app was installed via Google Play, it can be removed directly from the store, which is convenient because it allows you to manage the applications remotely (for example, from a computer through the web version of the Play Market) and see a list of all the programs ever installed.
Instructions:
- Open the Google Play Store on your phone.
- Tap the profile icon in the upper right corner → App and device management.
- Go to the Installed tab and find the desired application.
- Click on three dots next to the name → Delete.
🔹 The advantage of the method: if the application was installed on several devices (for example, on Redmi 5 and tablet), it can be removed from all gadgets at once.
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) on Redmi 5 may be pre-installed by the manufacturer as “system” in which case the Play Market Remove button will be replaced by “Disable.
3. disabling system applications (without root)
On Redmi 5, many pre-installed apps (Mi Music, Mi Pay, Game Center) can’t be removed in the standard way, but they can be disabled, which will free up RAM and stop background processes, although the application itself will remain in the system partition.
How to turn it off:
- 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Select a system application (e.g. Cleaner).
- 🚫 Press Turn Off. → confirm.
📌 What's the blackout doing:
- ✅ The app disappears from the menu and stops sending notifications.
- ✅ 10–50 MB of RAM is freed (depending on the application).
- ❌ Does not free up space in the section /system (only /data).
- ❌ When resetting the settings, the application is activated again.
What system applications can be disabled without risk?
4. Removal via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don't work and root rights don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to uninstall system applications, but requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.
📌 Preparation:
- Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 5: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack the archive.
🖥️ Elimination:
- Connect Redmi 5 to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter commands in order: adb devices (you should have your device name) adb shell pm list packages | grep 'name packet' (e.g. pm list packages | grep 'miui.browser' to search for Mi Browser) pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet (e.g. pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser)
⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It may cause some functions to fail. MIUI, for example:
- Removing com.xiaomi.mipicks will break the Recommendations widget.
- Deleting com.miui.weather2 will remove the weather from the lock screen.
Always check the name of the package before removing it!
Yes, via ADB| Yes, root-rights | No, I'm afraid to break my phone | Tried, but nothing worked-->
5. Complete removal with root rights (for advanced)
If you are ready for radical measures, root access will give you full control over system files. On Redmi 5, you can get root through Magisk or SuperSU, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized recovery (for example, TWRP).
🔧 How to remove the application from root:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
- Find the folder with the name of the application being removed (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
- Reboot the phone.
📊 Comparison of removal methods:
| Method | PC required | Root is required. | Remove system applications | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard removal | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ No. |
| Shutdown | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ No. |
| ADB | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium. |
| Root + File Manager | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ High-pitched |
⚠️ Warning: Once root rights are granted, Redmi 5 will no longer receive official updates MIUI through OTA. Also, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) can block work on rooted devices.
💡
Before removing system applications through root, back up /system/app with TWRP, which will allow you to recover deleted files if something goes wrong.
6. Alternative methods: custom firmware and debloating
If you’re annoyed by the abundance of pre-installed software on Redmi 5, but don’t want to mess with ADB or root, consider installing custom firmware.
- 🌍 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary applications.
- 🔄 MIUI Pro - modified version MIUI with a remote bloat (unnecessary applications).
- 🛡️ Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
🔹 The benefits of custom firmware:
- ✅ No pre-installed garbage.
- ✅ More recent versions of Android (e.g. LineageOS 18 based on Android 11 for Redmi 5).
- ✅ Improved performance and battery life.
⚠️ Cons:
- ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets all data!).
- ❌ Risk of “bricking” (turning your phone into a “brick”) when you make an error.
- ❌ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
📌 Where to download firmware:
- XDA Developers is the largest community with guides and firmware.
- LineageOS official website (select the version for rosy - codename Redmi 5).
💡
Installing custom firmware is the most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of system blobate, but it takes time and technical skills. If you're a beginner, start with the methods in the previous sections.