How to Remove Android Apps from Xiaomi: From Standard to Hidden Methods

Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones run on a customized MIUI shell that differs from pure Android not only in design but also in the way they manage applications. Many users are faced with the problem of how to remove an unnecessary application if it is not removed in the standard way? Especially with preinstalled system programs that take up memory and consume battery power.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can uninstall applications on Xiaomi, including hidden methods for system utilities (without superuser rights), how the process differs on different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), which programs can be removed safely and which ones should not be touched, and how to clean residual files after uninstallation and what to do if the application returns after rebooting.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest way is to uninstall via the standard Android menu, which is suitable for most custom apps (downloaded from Google Play or manually installed via APK).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
• 🗑️ Click Remove (or Deinstall).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive (grey) or not, the application is system-based and requires alternative removal methods.

2.Delete via Google Play Store

If the app was installed through Google Play, it can be removed from the store, which is convenient when you need to massively clean the device of unnecessary programs.

How to do this:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → App and device management.
3. Go to the Installed tab.
4. Find the right application and click the tick next to it.
5. In the upper panel, the basket icon will appear - press it and confirm the removal.

🔹 Advantage: You can delete multiple applications at the same time, disadvantage: it does not work for system utilities and programs installed through APK.

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If the app is not removed via Google Play, check if it is the device administrator. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Administrators and uncheck the problem program.

3. disabling system applications (without deletion)

Many pre-installed programs on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Pay, Game Turbo) cannot be removed completely without root rights, but they can be disabled, which will free up RAM and stop background activity.

Step-by-step:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Find a system application (e.g. Cleaner or Mi Community).
• 🚫 Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the warning window.

⚠️ Note: Disabling some system applications (such as MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter) can cause the phone to run unstable. Before turning it off, check the program name on the network - some utilities are critical to work. MIUI.

Check the name of the program on Google|Create a backup copy of the data|Turn off one app at a time.|Reboot your phone after disconnecting|Keep an eye on the stability of the job-->

4. Remove system applications without root (via ADB)

For power users, there is a way to uninstall system applications without obtaining root permissions, through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. To see a list of all applications, type in: adb shell pm list packages
5. Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.cleanmaster for Cleaner).
6. Remove the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster (replace com.miui.cleanmaster with the desired package).

🔹 Important: After a reboot, some system applications may recover. To avoid this, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 [name packet]

(no key -k).

5. Complete removal through root rights

If you are willing to get root access, it will open the way for you to completely remove any system applications, including those that are restored after a reboot.

• ⚠️ Loss of guarantee.
• ⚠️ Possibility of "bricking" the phone in case of an error.
• ⚠️ Problems with updates MIUI.

Popular ways to get root on Xiaomi:

• 🛠️ Magisk (recommended for the latest versions) MIUI).
• 🔓 Through unlocking the loader and installing a custom recaveri (TWRP).

Once root is obtained, use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer) to manually delete application files from folders:

• /system/app/ - System applications.
• /system/priv-app/ - Privileged System Applications
• /data/app/ – User applications.

⚠️ Note: Before removing any file from /system/ Make a backup copy through TWRP Or OrangeFox. Deleting critical files can cause your phone to fail.

6. Cleaning of residual files after deletion

Even after you delete an application, your device still has its cache, settings, temporary files, and to clear the memory completely, follow these steps:

Cleaning methods:

🔹 Tip: If you deleted the app, but it reappeared after the update MIUI, So it's part of the firmware, and in that case, it's only going to help to disconnect through the ADB root-rights removal.

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Cleaning up residual files frees up to 20% of the extra memory, especially if you install and uninstall games or heavy apps frequently.

7 What to do if the application is not deleted?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the application stays on the device or returns after the restart.

Reason 1: The application is an update of the system component.

• 🔄 Try to roll it back to the factory version through ADB: adb shell pm install -r -d --user 0 [path_APK]

Reason 2: The application is protected by MIUI Optimizations.

• 🛡️ Turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimizations).

Reason 3: The app is part of the firmware and is restored when updated.

• 🔧 The only solution is to remove it with root rights and disable automatic updates to Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If you are trying to uninstall Google Play Services or Miui System UI, This will cause the phone to fail, and this is only allowed on a backup device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi