How to completely remove the application Lens on Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Xiaomi’s Lens app is designed to recognize objects through your smartphone camera, but it seems unnecessary or even intrusive to many users. It’s especially annoying that it can’t be standardized removed — there’s no such option on the app menu. If you want to get rid of the Lenses on your Redmi, POCO or Mi, this article will help you do it once and for all.

We will cover all the current methods, from simple disabling to complete uninstallation via ADB and Fastboot. It is important to understand that some methods require the rights of a superuser or unlocked bootloader, so assess the risks in advance. If you are a beginner, start with safe options (sections 2–3), experienced users can immediately move to radical measures (sections 4–6).

All instructions are tested on MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS firmware (2026).If your smartphone is running on an older version, some steps may differ. Additional uninstall options are available for Xiaomi models with Google Play Services (such as global versions).

1. Why can't the lens be removed in the standard way?

The lens is part of Xiaomi’s system services package and is classified as pre-installed software, and the manufacturer blocks its removal for several reasons:

• 🔹 Integration with MIUI/HyperOS: The lens is closely linked to the camera and artificial intelligence services, so the system “protects” it from accidental removal.
• 🔹 License Agreements: Some app features use proprietary algorithms (such as text recognition) that Xiaomi is required to keep.
• 🔹 Updates by air (OTA): After removal of the system APK There may be errors when installing firmware updates.

But that doesn't mean that deletion isn't possible. It just requires workarounds, from shutdowns to low-level firmware manipulations, and unlocked bootloaders like the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have better chances of success than locked-in devices.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to unstable smartphone performance, camera errors, or update issues.Before any action, back up through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

2. Method 1: Disabling the lens without deletion (without root)

If you just get in the way of an app icon or it starts accidentally, you just have to turn it off without completely removing it. This method does not require superuser rights and is safe for the system.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “lens” (or “Lens” for global firmware).
3. Click on the app, then select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🚫 The application will not start automatically (for example, when scanning). QR-code).
• 🔄 Updates to the Lens will no longer be installed through Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) After disconnection, the scan function may disappear QR-In this case, use alternative applications, such as Google Lens.

Method 2: Removing updates and resetting to factory version

If the Lens has been updated through Google Play, it can be rolled back to the factory version, which sometimes allows you to delete unnecessary files, which works on global firmware (MIUI Global or HyperOS Global).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Lens.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The app will return to the factory version.
4. Now try again to click Disable or Delete (if the option appears).

If the Remove button never appears, try clearing the cache and data:

• In the same menu, click Warehouse.
• Choose Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• Reboot your smartphone.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

For advanced users, the most reliable way to delete is through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require superuser rights, but you need to:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI to turn on Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Enable USB Debugging and confirm permission.

Connect your smartphone to your PC

File transfer

Open the command line (Windows)

ADB

Enter commands.

adb devices

(Your device’s serial number should be displayed)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.lens

If the command is successful, the application will be removed for the current user, and to return it, you just need to update the firmware or manually install the APK.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) after removal through ADB You may experience errors when using the camera in Document or Translator mode. Before deleting, check if you are using these features.

5. Method 4: Complete removal with Magisk (root required)

If you have a superuser rights, you can delete the lens permanently, including all of its system files.

• 📲 Installed by Magisk (last version).
• 🛠️ System App Remover or App Systemizer.
• 🔧 Backup copy of firmware (in case of failure).

Instructions:

1. Install the App Systemizer module from Magisk (available in the Magisk repository).
2. Open the App Systemizer app and find the Lenses (com.miui.lens) in the list.
3. Click on it and select Delete for all users.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Alternatively, use ADB with root rights:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Lens




rm -rf /system/app/Lens




mount -o ro,remount /system




exit




exit

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.-->

Method 5: Removal via TWRP (for power users)

If you have a custom TWRP recap, you can remove the lens directly from it, which is suitable for users who have already unlocked the bootloader and installed an informal firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the folders: /system/priv-app/Lens /system/app/Lens /data/app/com.miui.lens-* (if any)

Delete these folders (swipe to the right).

Reboot to the system.

After deleting, check if there are any errors in the camera or other system applications, and if so, restore deleted files from the backup.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0 for Xiaomi 14) remove system APK through TWRP This can lead to a bootloop, which requires a complete flashing of the device.

💡

TWRP removal is the most radical method, but also the riskiest. Use it only if you are confident in your actions and have a full backup system.

7. Alternatives to the Lens: Which Applications to Use Instead

If you have removed the lens, but still need scanning features QR-code, text recognition, or image search, consider these alternatives:

• 🔍 Google Lens – a full replacement with advanced features (plant recognition, text translation, product search).
• 📱 CamScanner – for scanning documents and text recognition (OCR).
• 🤖 Barcode Scanner (from ZXing Team) is a lightweight reading app QR-code.
• 🌐 Yandex.Lens – Russian analogue with support for Cyrillic and local services.

All of these apps are available on Google Play and do not require root rights. If you want maximum integration with MIUI/HyperOS, try Quick Search Box (built-in search engine with crawling features).

For owners of POCO or Redmi on global firmware, Mi AI is also suitable - it is less intrusive than the Lens, but retains the basic functions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the lens on Xiaomi