How to remove the app on your Xiaomi TV: 5 proven ways

Removing unnecessary apps from a Xiaomi TV is a challenge that almost every owner of a Mi TV, Mi TV Stick or Redmi Smart TV faces. Over time, games, streaming services and utilities accumulate on the device that take up memory, slow down the system or simply interfere with the menu. However, not everyone knows that the removal process on Android TV is different from smartphones - there is no usual "Delete" button in one click.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from standard removal through settings to manual cleaning of system applications using ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of firmware (MIUI TV and Google TV), and also tell you which applications can not be removed without the risk of “bricking” the TV. If your Xiaomi TV began to slow down or gives an error “Insufficient memory” – this guide will help to return it to performance.

1. Standard removal through TV settings

The simplest method that works for custom applications (installed manually from Google Play or via APK) is suitable for most models: Mi TV 4/4S/4A, Mi TV 5/5X, Redmi Smart TV X, etc. The main condition is that the application should not be system (for example, Netflix or Prime Video are often sewn into firmware).

Instructions:

• 📺 Turn on the TV and go to the main screen (Home button on the remote).
• 🔍 Find the app you want to remove and highlight it (without opening it).
• 🖱️ On the remote, press the button. OK (or Select on 2-3 Seconds, the context menu will appear.
• 🗑️ Select Delete (or Uninstall) and confirm the action.

If you don't have Delete, you're system-based, and then you can move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Google TV (Like Mi. TV Q2 2023) The path to uninstall may be different. Try holding the Select button on the app icon in the menu of Your apps.

2. Remove through the menu "Settings → Applications"

An alternative way for those who don't have context menus, which is to give you access to all the programs you've installed, including those that are hidden in folders, and it's suitable for MIUI TV and PatchWall firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (cog on the home screen or the Settings button on the remote).
2. Go to the Apps (or Apps) section.
3. Select the All Apps tab (not "Systems").
4. Find the desired application in the list and click on it.
5. Click Remove (or Remove Updates if the button is inactive).

If the Remove button is not active, the application is built into the system, and then you can try:

• 🔄 Disable it (disable or disable button).
• 📉 Clear the data (Storage button) → Clear the data).
• 🔧 Remove updates (return the application to the factory version).

Check the TV model in settings (Settings → About TV)

Backup important data (such as saved Wi-Fi passwords)

Connect the TV to the Internet (required for recovery after reset)

Write down the firmware version (Settings → About TV → Software version)

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3. Removal of system applications via ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable for deep cleaning of the TV from embedded applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, such as Mi Home, Xiaomi Game Center or duplicate streaming services. ADB It could cause the system to fail!

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (to connect TV to PC).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (Download from the official website of Android Developers).
• 🔑 Included debugging by USB TV-wise.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your TV: Settings → About TV → Software Version → Click 7 times on “Software Version” (you will be labeled “You became a developer”) Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable “Debugging by USB”
2. Connect the TV to your PC via USB and confirm your trust in the device on the TV screen.
3. Open the command line (or Terminal) on your PC and type: Adb devices should show your TV name (e.g. 192.168.1.100:5555).
4. To see a list of all applications, type in: adb shell pm list packages
5. To remove a specific application (e.g. Mi Home with com.xiaomi.smarthome): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.smarthome

List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications like com.google.android.tvlauncher or com.mitv.tvhome may cause your TV to fail.Be sure to have a backup of your firmware or reset to factory settings before experimenting.

4. Resetting the TV to factory settings

If Xiaomi TV is slowing down and you can’t remove unnecessary apps, a complete reset will help. This method deletes all user data, including installed programs, accounts and settings. Suitable for Mi TV 4C, Mi TV 4X, Redmi TV A Series, etc.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Reset All Settings (or Factory Data Reset).
3. Enter. PIN-code (if installed) or confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After resetting, the TV will return to the "out of the box" state.

• 🔄 Reset Wi-Fi and login to your account Google/Xiaomi.
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications (avoid downloading unnecessary services).
• 🔧 Disable Auto-Update Apps in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).

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Before reset, take a picture of the image and sound settings in the TV (brightness, contrast, equalizer).

5. Remove applications via Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If an application blocks the TV (such as a virus or malfunctioning software), you can boot in safe mode, where all third-party programs are disabled, which will remove the problem software.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the TV with the power button on the remote.
2. Press and hold the Menu button on the remote (or Volume Down on the TV body).
3. Without releasing the button, turn on the TV with the power button.
4. Hold Menu until the Safe Mode sign appears at the bottom of the screen.

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 🗑️ Find the problem app and remove it.
• 🔄 Restart the TV (Settings) → Reboot).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV 5 Pro) Safe Mode entry may be different. If the above method didn't work, try holding Volume Down + Power on the TV body.

6. How to prevent the installation of unnecessary applications in the future

To avoid the re-accumulation of garbage, set up your Xiaomi TV to a minimum automatic installation:

Ways to limit the background installation:

• 🚫 Turn off auto-update in Google Play: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Auto-update → Never.
• 🔕 Block installation from unknown sources: Settings → Security and limitations → Unknown sources → Shut down.
• 📵 Turn off Xiaomi Advertising Notifications: Settings → Notifications → Promotional notices → Turn it off.
• 🔄 Regularly check the list of applications in Settings → Annexes → All applications and remove unnecessary ones.

We also recommend:

• 🛡️ Install antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes for Android) TV).
• 🔍 Use launchers like this. ATV Launcher or Sideload Launcher to hide system applications.
• 📡 Connect the TV to the Internet only when necessary (via Settings) → Network).

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Disabling auto updates and advertising notifications reduces the memory load of the TV by 20-30% after a month of use.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)