How to Remove an App from Xiaomi’s Desktop: From Shortcuts to System Programs

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop often becomes a mess of unnecessary shortcuts and pre-installed apps. Even after uninstallation, its icon may remain on the screen, and some system utilities may not want to be removed by standard methods. In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from simply hiding the shortcut to completely removing root-free system applications.

The thing about MIUI is that it actively caches data and creates duplicate shortcuts, for example, when you update the firmware, you might see icons of Xiaomi Cloud or Mi Video services that you haven't used in a long time, and we'll look not only at basic menu activities, but also at hidden shell features, and at safe ways for power users to work with ADB.

1. Removal of the shortcut vs. uninstallation of the application: what is the difference

Many people confuse two different processes: removing the shortcut from the desktop and uninstalling the application itself. The first action simply removes the icon, but the program stays in the system and takes up space. The second is completely erasing the application with its data. On Xiaomi, this is especially important, since the MIUI shell likes to create ghost labels after updates.

How do you know if you're looking at a shortcut, not a full-fledged app? Hold your finger on the icon: if you see a menu with the option Remove (basket), it's a shortcut. If only App Information comes up, you have a full-fledged program that you need to uninstall through settings.

• 📱 The shortcut is just a "link" to the program, removed in 2 seconds, does not affect the operation of the system.
• 🗑️ The application is full software. Removed through the Settings menu → Annexes.
• 🔒 System software - preinstalled utilities (Mi Music, Mi Browser) require special methods for removing.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro) after removing the system application shortcut, its icon may reappear after the reboot. MIUI 12/13, which "restores" standard labels.

2. Method 1: Quickly remove the shortcut from the desktop

The simplest method, which works on all versions of MIUI (9 to 14), is suitable for removing duplicate icons or unnecessary widgets:

1. Press your finger on the icon of the app you want to remove.
2. After 1-2 seconds, a menu with options will appear. Select Delete (basket icon).
3. Confirm the action by dragging the icon into the basket that appears at the top of the screen.

If the menu does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Is screen editing mode enabled (double touching on an empty space on the desktop).
• 📵 Does not block the gestures of the protective glass or cover.
• 🔧 Are not the gestures disabled in the settings Special features → Convenience → Gestures.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 12), there may be an empty space left after the shortcut is removed. To remove the space, press your finger on an empty section of the screen and select Screen Settings → Autocomplete.

Method 2: Completely uninstall the application through settings

If you want to remove the app itself, not just its shortcut, follow this instruction:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top).
3. Slip it on it and select Delete.
4. Confirm the action if there is a request for administrator rights.

There is a caveat to MIUI: some applications (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) do not have a Remove button, but only Disable or Remove Updates, which means that the program is system-based and requires alternative uninstall methods.

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If the Remove button is inactive, try first hitting Disable, then Delete Updates, and then check again for uninstallation, which sometimes works for semi-system applications.

Method 3: Remove System Applications Without Root (via ADB)

For experienced users who are ready to work with the command line, there is a method of removing system applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This does not require root rights, but you need to enable USB Debugging and install Xiaomi drivers on your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'name packet'

(e.g. grep 'miui.gallery' for Gallery app)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

Example of Mi Music removal:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI. For example, after deleting com.miui.home, the phone may stop booting. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

5. Method 4: Hiding applications through MIUI Hidden Folders

If you can’t delete the app, but it’s in the way of the desktop, you can hide it in a special MIUI folder, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models:

1. Hold your finger on the app icon.
2. In the menu that appears, select Hide (eye icon).
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the desktop, but will remain on the menu of all applications.

To return the hidden app:

1. Swipe up the desktop to open the app menu.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
3. Find the right application and uncheck it.

This method is useful for temporarily hiding rarely used utilities, such as Mi Remote or Scanner, the main advantage is that you do not need to delete anything, and the application can always be returned.

Method 5: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex)

If standard methods don’t work, you can completely replace the MIUI shell with an alternative launcher, such as a Nova Launcher or an Apex Launcher.

• 🧹 Hide any applications, including system applications.
• 🔄 Customize gestures and hot keys.
• 🎨 Change icons and themes without restrictions MIUI.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market.
2. Open the app and select it as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on your desktop → Settings Nova → Hidden applications.
4. Check the boxes that you want to remove from the screen.

The advantage of this method is that it does not affect system files and is completely reversible, but some MIUI features (such as global search or gestures) may not work properly.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with the removal of applications on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems:

• 🔄 "The app appears again after the reboot is a feature MIUI, Solution: Use the system labels. ADB or disable the application in the settings.
• 🚫 "The Remove button is inactive, which means the app is system-based. Try disabling it or uninstalling the updates.
• ⚠️ "The phone started to brake after deleting" - the critical system software was probably removed. Solution: reset settings via Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting settings.

Another common mistake is to try to remove Google Play Services or MIUI System, which will cause the device to fail completely and require a flashing through Fastboot.

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Before removing system applications, always check their name in the list of safe to uninstall. For example, removing com.android.vending (Play Market) will make it impossible to install new programs.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions