Xiaomi Redmi 6A smartphones remain popular due to their availability, but their modest hardware resources require careful control over installed software. Over time, many programs accumulate on the device that not only occupy precious space in internal memory, but also consume RAM, slowing down the MIUI system. For the budget processor MediaTek Helio A22 installed in this model, unnecessary background processes can become critical.
Users often face situations where standard uninstallation methods donβt work or some system programs are hidden from normal access. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to safely free up space and speed up your gadget. We will look at both simple methods for beginners and advanced techniques for advanced users who want to gain full control of their device.
Proper software management is key to keeping your phone running for years. Don't ignore the need for periodic cleaning, as it directly affects interface response speed and battery life. Let's start with the simplest and most accessible methods that don't require a computer connection.
Standard uninstallation through the desktop
The most obvious and quick way to remove unnecessary software is to use the desktop of your Redmi 6A. In the MIUI shell, this process is intuitive, but has its own peculiarities depending on the firmware version. Usually, just hold your finger on the icon of the application you want to remove and hold it until the context menu or vibration appears.
Once the icons start to shake or a pop-up menu appears, you need to drag the icon to the top of the screen, where the cart or button that says "Delete" is usually located. If the program is user-generated, it will be deleted immediately after the action is confirmed. However, system applications such as the Google Play Store or Google Services will not be removed this way - they will either not respond to drag and drop or the delete button will be inactive.
It is important to understand that removing the shortcut from the desktop does not always mean completely uninstalling. In some launchers, this action simply hides the icon by leaving the program files in memory. Make sure you see the "Delete" item, not "Remove from the screen."
π‘
If it disappears when you drag the icon into the cart, but reappears through the search for applications, then you just removed the shortcut, not the application itself.
To be sure that the program is removed, always check the list of installed software in the settings. This is especially true for heavy games and messengers that can leave cache even after trying to delete through the desktop.
Managing applications through system settings
A deeper and more reliable method is to use the Android Settings System Menu, which allows you to see a complete list of all installed software, including those programs that do not have icons on the desktop. To access this menu, you need to go to Settings β Applications β All applications.
In the list that opens, find the app you want, you can use the search bar at the top of the screen to avoid manually scrolling through the list, and when you select the program, you'll see a page that shows the version, memory usage, and access rights, and that's where the Remove button is active for most user programs.
- π± Go to the settings menu of your smartphone.
- π Find the "Applications" section and select "All Apps".
- ποΈ Click on the desired program and click the "Delete" button".
- β Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
Itβs worth noting that in this section you can also clear the data and cache of the application before deleting it, which is useful if the program is not working correctly or takes up too much space due to accumulated temporary files. Sometimes cleaning the data allows you to free up gigabytes of space without completely uninstalling it if you still need the program.
βοΈ Pre-deletion check
Some Xiaomi system applications, such as Security or Themes, may not have an active delete button.This is done to protect the integrity of the operating system. Attempts to remove critical components can lead to unstable phone performance or even a cyclical reboot.
Removing system applications and hidden services
Redmi 6A owners often want to get rid of pre-installed junk that cannot be removed by standard methods, such as system applications such as Mi Video, Mi Music or various games from partners, and require extended rights or the use of special tools to work with them.
One of the safe ways to hide or freeze a system application without root permissions is to use USB debugging and a computer, which allows a system component to be deactivated so that it stops consuming resources but formally stays in the firmware in case it resets, which requires the developer mode to be turned on.
β οΈ Disable critical system components such as System UI Or Phone Services, which can make it impossible for the operating system to boot!
To enable the Developer Mode, go to Settings β About the phone and seven times quickly click on the build number MIUI. Then a new option, "Developers" will appear in the settings menu, and you need to activate the Debugging Switch. USB.
There is a table of popular packages that users often delete and their impact on the system:
| Application package | Appointment | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| com.miui.videoplayer | Standard video player | Low (can be replaced) |
| com.facebook.katana | Facebook services | Low (not needed in Russia) |
| com.android.chrome | Chrome browser | Medium (needed for many services) |
| com.miui.securitycenter | Security centre | High (may disrupt the OS) |
Using third-party utility to remove system applications such as System App Remover often requires root rights.Getting superuser rights to Redmi 6A is possible, but this voids the warranty and can create data security vulnerabilities.
Using ADB for Advanced Cleaning
The most effective and safe method of removing system debris without obtaining root rights is the use of the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which allows you to send commands directly to the operating system, bypassing the limitations of the MIUI interface.
To get started, youβll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and platform tools. ADB. Connect your phone to your PC through quality USB-Cable and allow debugging on the smartphone screen. Once connected, check the device with the adb devices command in the command line.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetIn this command, instead of the name of the package, you have to substitute the full name of the application you want to remove, and you can find the name of the package in the Play Market address bar or through the analysis apps on the phone itself. For example, to remove a standard browser, the command will look like an adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser.
How to return a remote application via ADB?
The advantage of ADB is that it removes the application only for the current user (user 0), without affecting the system partition.This means that when you reset the phone to factory settings, all remote programs will return, but the process itself will not damage the integrity of the firmware.
Cleaning cache and residual files
When apps are removed, they often leave tails β folders with configuration files, cache and logs β on Redmi 6A, with its limited internal storage (often 16 or 32 GB), each megabyte is in the account, and cleaning that data regularly helps keep it running.
Use the built-in Security app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. Run the scan and select the Cleanup function. The system will automatically find files larger than 20 MB, remnants of remote applications and cache.
- π§Ή Open the "Security" app on your desktop.
- π Click on the "Clean" button and wait for analysis.
- π Carefully review the list of files before deleting.
- β‘ Press the cleaning button to free up the space.
You should also check the Download folder manually and Android/obb. The first often stores apk installation files that are no longer needed, and the second may retain data from remote games. Android/data Touch is not recommended without understanding their purpose, as it stores the settings of the remaining programs.
Remember that messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram store media files in separate folders, and even after deleting the app itself, those folders can stay in place, taking up gigabytes of space with photos and videos.
Typical problems in removal and their solution
Redmi 6A users may experience a situation where the uninstall button is inactive or the system says, "Can't delete the application," often because the program has been granted device administrator rights, a common situation for antiviruses, call blockers or parental control apps.
To solve this problem, revoke administrator rights. Go to Settings β Advanced Settings β Privacy β Device administrators (the path may vary slightly in different versions of MIUI). Find the problem application in the list and uncheck it.
β οΈ Warning: If the app requires administrator rights and you can't turn them off, it may be a sign of malware.
Another reason could be a background update: If Google Play is updating an app right now, the system will block an attempt to delete it, wait until the download is finished or stop the process in Task Manager.
In rare cases, Safe Mode helps. Only system applications are downloaded, which allows you to remove viruses or programs that block their uninstallation in normal mode. To enter Safe Mode, press the off button, and then hold your finger on the "Stop" item on the screen for a long time.
π‘
Safe Mode is a powerful malware removal tool that resists conventional removal.
If none of these methods worked, the last resort is a complete factory reset, and make sure to back up your important data before doing so, as all the information from your phone will be lost forever.