Removing unnecessary apps on a Xiaomi TV is a challenge that every Mi TV or Redmi TV owner faces. Even after resetting to factory settings, many pre-installed programs come back, taking up precious memory space and cluttering the main screen. Unlike smartphones, where removing software is intuitive, PatchWall or Android TV TVs often hide this feature in the depths of the menu.
Complicating the problem, Xiaomi divides apps into two categories: custom (installed by you) and system (preinstalled by the manufacturer), the former being easily removed, while the latter being twisted from ADB to manually editing configuration files, and in this article we will break down all the working methods, including the little-known tricks for the Mi TV 4A/4S/5 Pro and Redmi Smart TV X models.
Preparation: What to Know Before Removal
Before you start cleaning your TV, consider a few key points:
- 🔍 Application type: User programs (such as YouTube or Netflix you installed) are removed in a standard way. System programs (such as Mi Home or PatchWall Launcher) require additional manipulation.
- 📦 Free space: On Xiaomi TVs with 8-16 GB of memory, removing 2-3 unnecessary apps can free up to 500 MB – critical for models with eMMC drives.
- ⚠️ Impact: Removal of system components (e.g. com.xiaomi.mitv.settings) may cause a remote or home screen to malfunction.
Also check the firmware version: Android TV 9/10 (Models 2020-2023) available all the described methods, and on the outdated PatchWall 1.0-2.0 (2018-2019) some of the features may not be available. To find out the version of the software, go to Settings → About TV → Software Version.
Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu
The simplest method is suitable for custom applications and some pre-installed ones (such as Prime Video or Disney).+). The instructions are relevant for all models on Android TV PatchWall 3.0+:
- Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
- Go to the Applications section → Installed Appendices.
- Select the program you want to remove (such as TikTok).
- Click Delete and confirm the action.
If the Remove button is inactive (grey), the application is protected by the system, in which case, try to turn it off (disable button) so that it does not appear in the menu and does not waste resources.
Check the application type (user/system)
Backup of important data (if any)
Ensure stable power supply of the TV (do not disconnect from the socket)
Remember the name of the application for finding alternative methods-->
⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models TV After deleting the app, its icon can remain on the home screen. To remove it, reboot the TV (Settings) → On TV. → Reboot).
Method 2: Delete via Google Play Market (for Android TV)
If the standard method didn’t work, try uninstalling the app through Google Play Market.This method is suitable for Android TV 9.0+ (e.g. Mi TV 5 Pro or Xiaomi TV Q2):
- Open Google Play Market on your TV.
- Go to the section My apps and games → Established.
- Find the desired application in the list and click on it.
- Choose Remove (if the button is active).
If the app is not listed in the Play Market, it has been preinstalled by the manufacturer and requires alternative removal methods, in which case, check its batch name (e.g. com.netflix.ninja) through ADB, which you will need for the following methods.
How to find out the package name of the application?
Method 3: Forced removal via ADB (for power users)
Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method, you can remove any apps, including system ones, without rooting.This is the only way to get rid of Mi Video, PatchWall Launcher or Mi Home on Xiaomi TVs.
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (to connect the TV to the PC).
- 📝 Packet name of the application (see spoiler above).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB Debugging on your TV: Go to Settings → About TV. Press 7 times on Build Number to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
USB 3.0
adb devicesIf the TV is on the list, enter:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packetFor example, to remove Mi Video:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerOnce the command is executed, the application will disappear from the system, but its data may remain in memory.
adb shell pm clear name packet⚠️ Note: Removing system components (e.g. com.xiaomi.mitv.systemui) may result in loss of remote functionality or failure of TV boot.
1. Use another. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
2. disable the firewall/antivirus on the PC.
3. Reboot the TV and PC.
4. Install drivers for Android ADB Interface manually via Device Manager (Windows).-->
Method 4: Reset to factory settings (radical method)
If none of these things worked, and the TV is full of unnecessary software, do a complete reset, which will delete all user apps and data, but return the preinstalled ones (such as PatchWall or Mi App Store).
- Open Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery.
- Select Reset (on some models – Reset factory settings).
- Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).
| Model TV set | Time to reset | Are system applications being removed? | Is PIN required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A/4S | 3-4 minutes | No (returned after update) | Yes (0000 or 1234) |
| Mi TV 5 Pro | 4-5 minutes | No. | Yes (installed by the user) |
| Redmi Smart TV X | 2-3 minutes | No. | No (unless established) |
| Xiaomi TV Q2 | 5-6 minutes | No. | Yes (6-digit code) |
💡
Factory reset is not a panacea; it deletes user data, but not system applications, and they return when they first connect to the Internet.
Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)
This method requires root rights and is only suitable for power users, and allows you to remove system applications forever, but the risk of "bricking" the TV is extremely high.
- Get root access on your TV (for example, through a dirtycow vulnerability or specialized firmware for Xiaomi TV).
- Connect to your TV via ADB and launch the superuser rights shell: adb shell su
- Go to the directory with system applications: cd /system/priv-app
- Delete the folder with the unnecessary app (for example, Mi App Store): rm -rf MiAppStore
- Reboot the TV: reboot
List of folders of system applications on Xiaomi TV:
- MiAppStore — Mi App Store
- MiVideoGlobal — Mi Video
- PatchWall - Main Launcher
- MiHome – Mi Home (Smart Home Management)
⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system If you don't have a backup, you can make the TV inoperable. /system system_backup And save it on PC.
How to return a remote application (if something goes wrong)
If after removal, the TV started to glittle or an important function disappeared (for example, the remote or Wi-Fi does not work), restore the application one of the ways:
- 🔄 Resetting (see Method 4) – will return all pre-installed programs.
- 📥 Hand-mounted APK: Download. APK-An application file (e.g., with APKMirror) transfer it to a flash drive and connect it to a TV. Open the File Manager and install it. APK.
- 🖥️ Recovery through ADB: adb install name file.apk