How to remove the app from Xiaomi completely: 5 proven ways

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that seems simple at first glance, and many users are faced with a situation where, after a standard removal through the menu, the application continues to take up space in memory, cache or return after a system update, especially for preinstalled software that MIUI actively protects from complete removal.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic methods of uninstallation, but also advanced techniques, including working with the ADB, You'll learn how to remove user applications from system applications, why some programs "resurrection" after rebooting, and what to do if standard methods do not work, POCO and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, where the process may have nuances.

Why apps aren’t completely removed: Hidden MIUI mechanisms

Xiaomi’s MIUI operating shell is built on Android, but has a number of unique features that affect the removal of software. First, the system actively uses the split APK mechanism, where one application consists of several files (.apk,.odex,.vdex). Standard removal through the menu often affects only the main.apk, leaving the remaining components.

Second, Xiaomi aggressively caches app data. Even after uninstallation, there may be gigabytes of unnecessary files in /data/data/ or /sdcard/Android/data/ folders, such as games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile leaving up to 5-7 GB of junk behind, which is not automatically cleaned.

• 🔍 Separation APK: The application may consist of 3-5 files, only the main file is deleted
• 🗑️ Cache and data: Remain in hidden folders even after uninstallation
• 🔄 Auto-Recovery: System apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music) are back after the update MIUI
• 🔒 Protection of system files: MIUI Blocks the removal of critical components

The third problem is forced re-installation of system applications: After major MIUI updates (for example, when you switch from version 13 to 14), the smartphone automatically restores previously deleted programs like Mi Video, Mi Pay or GetApps, which is embedded in the shell security policy.

Method 1: Standard removal through settings (for user applications)

This method is suitable for applications installed by the user through Google Play or.apk files. It will not work for system software, but allows you to quickly get rid of unnecessary games, messengers or utilities.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the desired application from the list (use the filter "All applications")
3. Click Remove (if the button is inactive – the system application)
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window

For models with MIUI 14 and newer path may be slightly different: Settings → Annexes → View all applications. POCO-Devices sometimes need to first tap the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select "Show system".

Check if the application is system-based

Backup of important data from the application

Clear the cache before deleting (Settings → Storage → Clear the cache)

Restart the phone after removal-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4 Pro) after deleting the application through the settings, its icon can remain on the desktop.This does not mean that the program is not removed - just manually remove the shortcut with a long tap.

Method 2: Delete via Google Play (alternative method)

Few people know, but the Google Play Store allows you to remove applications remotely, even if they were installed through a store, which is useful when the standard removal through settings does not work (for example, due to a system failure).

How it works:

1. Open Google Play on your phone
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner
3. Select Application and Device Management → Management
4. Find the right app in the list (use search)
5. Click on the basket icon (Delete)

The advantage of this method is that it works even if the app itself fails when it launches, for example, if Facebook or Instagram are stuck in the opening phase, they can be removed through the Play Market without having to restart.

Method 3: Complete removal via ADB (for power users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can remove any application, including system, without rooting. The method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires pre-configuration.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools from the official Android website
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (Settings → About the phone → MIUI version → Tap 7 times)
3. Activate debugging over USB in the developer settings
4. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer
5. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'name packet'

(To find the exact application ID)

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

(for removal without root license)

For complete deletion (including data for all users) use:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

Examples of identifiers of popular Xiaomi system applications:

• com.miui.browser — Mi Browser
• com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• com.xiaomi.mipicks — GetApps
• com.miui.weather2 - Weather

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI. For example, deleting com.android.cts.ctsshim breaks Google services, and deleting com.miui.securitycenter is a security center. Always check what the package is responsible for before deleting it.

Method 4: Removal with root rights (maximum cleaning)

If you have root rights installed on your Xiaomi (via Magisk or other methods), you have full control over the system, which allows you not only to remove any applications, but also to clean their residues manually.

Popular tools for working with root rights:

• 🔧 Root Explorer – file manager with access to system folders
• 🧹 SD Maid - utility for deep cleaning of garbage
• 📦 Titanium Backup – Backup and Remove Applications
• 🔍 Root App Deleter – a specialized tool for uninstallation

Instructions for complete removal through Root Explorer:

1. Open the application and provide root access
2. Go to /data/app/ – here are the user applications stored
3. Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (e.g. com.facebook.katana-1)
4. Delete the entire folder.
5. Go to /data/data/ and delete the folder with the same name.
6. For system applications, check the folders /system/app/ and /system/priv-app/
7. Clear the cache in /cache/ and restart the phone

On models with MIUI 14+, some system applications may be protected by dm-verity, in which case, before deleting, you must disable the system integrity check via Magisk (Disable DM-Verity ForceEncrypt module).

💡

Before mass removal of system applications, back up via Titanium Backup or built-in feature MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Backup. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Disabling system applications (if deletion is not possible)

If you can't delete the system application (no root rights or ADB doesn't help), you can turn it off. This won't free up space on the drive, but it will stop background activity and hide the icon from the menu.

How to disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select a system application (e.g. Mi Music)
3. Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is blocked)
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window

Applications disabled:

• ✅ They do not consume working memory.
• ✅ Not getting updates
• ✅ Not displayed in the app menu
• ❌ They still have a place in the memory.
• ❌ Can be automatically activated after the update MIUI

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), disabled applications are marked in gray in the list. To return them, just click Enable in the same menu.

💡

Disabling system applications is the safest way to get rid of unnecessary software without risking damage to the system. However, it does not free up disk space, so it is better to use ADB or root rights for complete cleanup.

How to clean up the remnants of remote applications (cache and data)

Even after the application is successfully removed, traces of it remain in the system.

• 🗃️ Cash and data in /sdcard/Android/data/
• 📁 Configuration files in /data/data/
• 🔗 Symbolic references to /data/app-lib/
• 📋 Logs and temporary files in /cache/

For complete cleaning:

1. Use a file manager with root access (e.g. Solid Explorer)
2. Go to /sdcard/Android/data/ and delete the folder with the packet name.
3. Clear the system cache through Settings → Storage → Clear the cache
4. For deep cleaning, use the ADB command: adb shell pm clear name.packet (even if the application is already removed, this will clear its residual data)

On models with MIUI 13/14 there is a built-in cleaning utility - Security → Cleaner → Deep Clean. It finds up to 1-2 GB of "junk" from remote applications, but does not always cope with system traces.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi