How to remove an irremovable app on Xiaomi: from simple ways to root

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often come with pre-installed apps that can’t be removed in the standard way. Even if you click “Delete” in the app menu, some programs — like Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps — simply shut down but continue to take up space in memory. Worse, they can consume battery power and traffic in the background, show ads or conflict with other programs.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods to get rid of irremovable applications on Redmi, Poco or Mi – from secure (without superuser rights) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader and root).We will also discuss why MIUI blocks the removal of certain programs, and what risks are involved in these or other ways. If you are tired of unnecessary software that does not want to disappear, read on.

⚠️ Not all methods are suitable for the latest Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) due to tightening security policies MIUI 14/15. If your phone is released after 2023 Check the “Restrictions for New Devices” section at the end of the article.

Why does Xiaomi not allow you to remove some applications?

The reasons why MIUI blocks the removal of pre-installed programs are divided into technical and marketing reasons.

System dependency: Some applications (e.g. Security or Mi Account) are integrated into the MIUI shell and are responsible for critical functions:

• 🔒 Security – manages access permission, antivirus and optimization;
• 📱 Mi Share – responsible for wireless file transfer between Xiaomi devices;
• 🔄 Updater – Provides firmware updates.

Removing such programs may result in the phone being inoperable or inability to obtain OTA-update.

2. Partner agreements: Xiaomi enters into contracts with developers (e.g. Facebook, Netflix, WPS Office) under which it agrees to pre-install their software. Deleting these applications violates the terms of the agreement, so MIUI simply hides them, but does not uninstall them.

3. Regional restrictions: There may be different sets of irremovable applications in firmware for different countries. For example, the Chinese version of MIUI does not have Google Play Services, but there is a Mi App Store that cannot be removed. In the global version, the opposite is true.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi with Chinese firmware and are trying to remove Mi Pay or Mi Home, this may block access to Xiaomi services (such as cloud storage.

Method 1: Disabling the application (without deleting)

If you just need to hide an application and stop it from working in the background, you just need to turn it off through the settings, which is a super-user-free method that's safe for the system.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (like Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. Press the “Disable” button (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔹 Does not require rooting or ADB;
• 🔹 Reverse (you can turn the application back on);
• 🔹 It does not affect the stability of the system.

❌ Cons:

• 🗑️ The app stays in the phone memory;
• 🔄 Some processes can start automatically after restarting;
• 📱 It does not work for system services (e.g. Android System WebView).

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If the Disable button is inactive, try removing all app updates first (the Remove Updates button in the same menu).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall the app entirely using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Mi 11) and doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on;
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone; Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode; Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers; Activate Debugging over USB.

Connect your phone to your PC:

adb devices

If the device is not displayed, confirm the trusted connection on the phone screen.

Get a list of all the apps:

adb shell pm list packages

Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.android.browser for Mi Browser).

Delete the annex:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Replace com.android.browser with your package name.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) when removed via ADB They can cause errors in work. MIUI, including the inability to go to security settings. Before deleting, check the list of secure packages in the table below.

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If the application reappears after you delete it after you reboot, use the command adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 [packet] without the -k flag. This will remove it completely, but may require reconfiguration of some features.

Method 3: Use of MIUI Hidden Settings

MIUI firmware has a hidden menu called “Component Settings” that allows you to disable or remove system applications without ADB. This method works on most devices, but may not be available in the latest versions of MIUI 14+.

How to open hidden settings:

1. Open the Settings app;
2. Enter in the search bar (lamp in the upper right corner) the query: Component settings
3. Slip on the item found (if it appears).

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What can be done in the “Component Settings”:

• 🔘 Disable Auto-Start Application;
• 🗑️ Remove updates (return to factory version);
• 🚫 Block background activity;
• 🔄 Reset the application settings.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 13/14 Some items in the Component Settings can be blocked for system applications. If you see gray text instead of active buttons, this method will not work.

Method 4: Removal with root rights

If previous methods failed, the radical way is to root and manually remove applications, which gives you complete control over the system, but it is not warranty and can disrupt MIUI.

What you need to know before getting root:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the phone;
• 📵 Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will cease to work;
• 🔄 Oh.TA-Updates will stop coming (you will have to update manually);
• 🛡️ The warranty on the device will be cancelled.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Go to the Mi Unlock site and download the utility; Link the Mi Account to the device (in Settings → Mi Account); Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down); Follow the instructions in the Mi Unlock Tool program (it may require waiting 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recavers (TWRP): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Sweep Magisk to get root: Download Magisk; In TWRP, select Install → Select Magisk.zip → Swipe to Confirm; Reboot your phone.
4. Delete the application via Root Explorer: Install Root Explorer; Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/; Delete the folder with the application name (e.g. Browser); Clear the cache to /data/data/[app package].

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications from root can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot). TWRP:

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

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi K50 or Xiaomi 13) the fingerprint scanner stops working after receiving the root.

Method 5: Reflashing to custom firmware

If you need to not just remove a few applications, but completely get rid of MIUI, you can install alternative firmware, for example:

• 🤖 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications;
• 🔵 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface like Google Pixel;
• ⚡ Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🧹 No pre-installed garbage;
• 🔄 Regular security updates;
• 🎨 Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Cons:

• 📵 Some functions may not work (NFC, full-capacity camera);
• 🔋 Possible increase in battery consumption;
• 🛠️ Requires unlocking the loader and experience with TWRP.

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 4);
2. Set TWRP up.
3. Download the firmware for your model from the XDA Developers website;
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install the firmware through Install;
6. Sweep through GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root).
7. Reboot the phone.

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Before installing custom firmware, check if it supports your Xiaomi model. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito).

Restrictions for New Devices (2023–2026)

Starting with MIUI 14 and new models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12, Poco F5), Xiaomi has tightened its security policy.

• 🔒 Access blocked MIUI Hidden Settings;
• 🛡️ ADB-commands to remove system applications are ignored;
• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader requires 168 hours of waiting time;
• 📱 Some models (such as Xiaomi 14) do not support unlocking at all.

What to do with new device owners:

1. Use Disconnection: Even if the application is not removed, it can be disabled (see Method 1);
2. Try ADB with the flag --user 0: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.miservice Sometimes it works despite restrictions.
3. Install an alternative launcher: Apps will remain in the system but disappear from the home screen (e.g. Lawnchair).
4. Wait for custom firmware: Developers are gradually adapting TWRP and custom OS for new models.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (new shell instead of HyperOS) MIUI, Xiaomi 14’s standard application removal methods may not work, but the only way is to shut down or wait for modified firmware to come out.

FAQ: Frequent questions