How to Remove an App from Xiaomi if It’s Not Deleted in Standard Ways

Are you trying to make room for Xiaomi, but some app stubbornly refuses to leave? Is the system giving an error "Delete is impossible" or the uninstallation button is simply inactive? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - especially when it comes to pre-installed services Google, MIUI or branded utilities like Mi Browser or Mi Video.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to remove even the most “unkillable” application – from basic methods through settings to advanced techniques using ADB, root rights and even editing system files. Importantly, some methods require caution, so we will explain the risks in detail and give checklists for safe execution.

We warn you right away: if the application is system (for example, com.miui.securitycenter), its complete removal may disrupt the MIUI. In such cases, it is better to turn off or freeze - we will show you how to do this without harming the phone.

Why the app is not removed on Xiaomi: 5 main reasons

Before we get to the bottom of this, let’s look at why Xiaomi is blocking the removal of some software.

• 🔒 System Software: Applications like Mi Account, Security or Google Play Services are integrated into firmware and protected from removal.
• 📦 Pre-installed services: Xiaomi contracts with partners (e.g. Facebook, Netflix), so their applications are often sewn into the system.
• 🔧 Administrator rights: Some programs (such as antiviruses or device managers) gain advanced permissions and block uninstallation.
• 🛡️ Protection MIUI: Firmware MIUI Actively prevents system components from changing, even if you have root rights.
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 - Delete lock is laid down at the hardware level.

Interestingly, Xiaomi has 20-30% more undeleteable apps for the European market (EEA) than global versions, due to local laws requiring pre-installation of certain services.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system applications can lead to loss of warranty, unstable phone operation or even a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the device!

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

So let's start with the simplest method, which works 60-70% of the time, and even if the Delete button is inactive, sometimes the extra steps help.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. If the Remove button is gray, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates (this will reset the program to the factory version).
4. Try again to press "Delete".

Some applications (such as Google Duo or Mi Community) may need to disable administrator rights:

• 🔑 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Application privileges → Special rights of access → Administrator rights of the device.
• 🔍 Find the problem app in the list and disable the slider.
• 🗑️ Return to the removal attempt.

Disable Administrator Rights

Remove application updates

Check for root rights (if you plan to use ADB)

Create a backup copy of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

-->

If the standard method doesn't work, we'll move on to more radical methods, but first check if the application is an upgrade, which is often blocked until the next MIUI update.

Method 2: Disabling the application (if deletion is not possible)

If you can't delete the program, but it's disrupting work, you can turn it off. It hides the application from the menu, stops its background activity, and frees up some of the RAM. Less, the program files stay on the device, taking up space.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application and click Disable (the button will appear if deletion is blocked).
3. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

To restore the application, it is enough to re-find it in the settings and click Enable.

Disabling is suitable for most users, because it requires no technical skills and is safe for the system, but if you need to make room, read on.

Google Play Services

Mi Browser / Mi Video

Facebook / Instagram

MIUI system utilities

Other-->

Method 3: Removal via ADB (no root rights)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that lets you control your phone through a computer. It can remove many system applications without getting root rights. The method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO X5 and Mi 12.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times until you say “You’re a developer”) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging by USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Download ADB Tools from the official Android Developers website and unpack the archive.
4. Open the command line in the folder with ADB: On Windows: press Shift + right mouse button → Open command window. On macOS/Linux: open the Terminal and go to the folder with the command cd /path / to / folder.

Check the connection.

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

Find out the name of the application package

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, Mi Browser is com.android.browser.

Remove the app

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet

Example: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser.

💡

If the command fails, try adding the -k flag to save the cache: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet. This will help avoid errors when the next MIUI update is made.

Important: This method removes the application only for the current user (flag) --user 0). When you reset your phone or create a new profile, the program may appear again.

⚠️ Attention: Do not remove through ADB applications with packages com.android., com.miui. or com.google.android.gsf – this can lead to loss of functionality of the phone (for example, loss of access to the Play Market or settings).

Method 4: Use of root rights (for power users)

If ADB didn't help, and the application still takes up space, you'll have to resort to root rights, which gives you full control of the system, but requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized recavator (like TWRP), a process that's complex and risky, but allows you to remove any application, including the MIUI kernel.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum for instructions).
3. Squeeze Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove applications: Open a file manager with root access (like Solid Explorer). Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app. Find a folder with the application name (like MiBrowser) and delete it. Reboot your phone.

An alternative way to use the command in Terminal Emulator is to:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/NameFolds




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Names




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

Warning: After removing system applications through the root, you may need to clean the Dalvik cache (made in TWRP in Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache), otherwise the phone will constantly reboot.

Method 5: Freeze applications with App Inspector

If deletion is too risky and disabling is not helpful, you can freeze the application, it blocks its operation, but does not delete files, and it is suitable for applications that cannot be disabled by standard means (for example, Google Play Services).

Instructions:

1. Download the App Inspector or Package Disabler app from Play Market.
2. Provide administrator rights (if required).
3. Find the app you want in the list and click Freeze or Disable.
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop working.

Method 6: Resetting the phone to factory settings

The last resort, if nothing works, is a complete reset, which will delete all user data and apps, returning the phone to the "out of the box" state, and it works if the problem is caused by a program conflict or system files being damaged.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It could bring back the problem.
• 📱 Install only the necessary applications, avoiding those that caused conflicts.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Without this, the phone will not be activated!

Method 7: Uninstall via Fastboot (for advanced)

If the application is embedded in the firmware at the system partition level, it can be removed through Fastboot, the phone's firmware mode, which requires command line skills and is only suitable for advanced users.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed drivers Xiaomi and Fastboot Tools.
• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (see Method 4).
• 📦 Firmware MIUI For your model (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the MIUI firmware in a folder on your computer.
2. Find the system.img file and mount it using DiskInternals Linux Reader or a similar program.
3. Remove folders with unnecessary applications in /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Save the changes and reassemble system.img.
5. Fastboot: fastboot flash system.img fastboot reboot

This method allows you to permanently remove system applications, but requires deep knowledge and time. A mistake at any stage can lead to a "brick" of the phone.

💡

Before you manipulate your system files, create a full backup through TWRP or adb backup. This is the only way to restore your phone if something goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions