How to completely uninstall the app Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 5 working ways

Removing unnecessary applications from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is a task that seems trivial at first glance. Users face two key challenges: embedded MIUI services that the system does not allow to uninstall using standard methods, and residual files that continue to occupy memory even after visible deletion. This model, released in 2018 on the basis of MIUI 9/10 (with the possibility of upgrading to MIUI 12.5), has features in the management of the software associated with Xiaomi’s policy of integrating its own services.

Unlike today’s flagships, Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with limited internal memory (32/64 GB depending on the modification). Here, every unnecessary application takes precious megabytes, and the background activity of system services (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) additionally consumes battery power. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of removal from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and manual cache cleaning, taking into account the specifics of the firmware for the Redmi 5 Note.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The most obvious method is the use of built-in tools. MIUI. It is suitable for third-party applications installed by the user through Google Play or.apk files. It is important to note that even after such deletion, folders with data in the system may remain in the system. /data/data/ and cash /cache/.

To remove the application in a standard way:

• 📱 Open the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the program (for example, Facebook or Clean Master).
• 🗑️ Click on the basket icon (Delete) in the upper right corner.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive (grey), then the application is system-based and requires superuser rights (root) or commands. ADB Attempting to remove such programs without preparation can lead to malfunctions. MIUI.

Make sure the application is not system-based|Create a backup copy of important data|Close all background processes|Check the free space on the device-->

2. Remove via MIUI launcher (for non-system applications)

Xiaomi offers an alternative way to remove directly from the home screen, which is convenient for quickly clearing the device of rarely used programs, but has a limitation: it does not work for embedded services (Mi Browser, Mi Pay, etc.).

Instructions:

• 🏠 Hold your finger on the app icon you want to remove until the menu appears.
• 📌 Drag the icon to the top of the screen where the Remove (or basket) will appear).
• 🔴 Release your finger to confirm the action.

💡 Useful tip: If only Application Information appears instead of Delete, then the program is protected from removal through the launcher. ADB root-access.

Through Settings. MIUI|From the home screen|Through ADB/Termux|Don't delete apps.|Another option-->

3. Remove system applications without root (via ADB)

To remove embedded applications (Mi Drop, Mi Community, Yellow Pages, etc.) without obtaining root rights, you will need a computer and an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool. This method is safe if you follow the instructions, but requires care: mistaken removal of critical services (MiuiSystemUI, SecurityCenter) can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI to unlock Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original USB Type-C cable (on Redmi Note 5, microUSB connector). On your phone, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. Install ADB: Download Google’s Platform Tools. Unpack the archive and open the cmd in the folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).

Follow the commands:

adb devices

(Serial number device should appear)

adb shell pm list packages -f

(List of all packages installed)

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

(Example of Yellow Pages removal)

🔹 List of safe to remove system packages on Redmi Note 5:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home, this will cause the system to fail. Before mass deletion, back up via adb backup or Mi Cloud.

4. Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, it opens up opportunities for deep cleaning. On the Redmi Note 5 root is obtained through unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (TWRP).

After obtaining root rights, you can use:

• 🛠️ Root Explorer or FX File Explorer for manual folder removal /system/app/ and /data/app/.
• 🧹 Titanium Backup for Freezing or Deleting System Applications.
• 🔧 SD Maid to clean residual files and cache.

📌 Key takeaway: Root access gives you maximum freedom, but requires caution, framework-miui-res.apk) It's gonna make it impossible to boot the system. TWRP change.

5. Cleaning of residual files after deletion

Even after uninstallation, the applications in the system remain:

• 🗃️ Folders with data in /data/data/[packet]/.
• 🧹 Cash in /cache/ and /sdcard/Android/data/.
• 📁 Settings files in /sdcard/MIUI/ or /sdcard/.data/.

For their removal:

1. Use a file manager with superuser rights (e.g. Solid Explorer with root mode enabled).
2. Go to /data/data/ and manually delete folders with the names of deleted packets.
3. To clear the cache, run in ADB: adb shell pm clear com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the packet name).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete folders of current running applications, this will lead to their collapse:

adb shell ps | grep [name packet]

Alternative methods: shutdown and freezing

If removal is not possible or risky, consider:

• ❄️ Disabling the application: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select a program and click Disable. The app will disappear from the menu, but stay in the system.
• ❄️ Freeze through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.weather2 (example of turning off the weather widget).
• 🔄 Factory Reset: Delete all user applications and data. Performed through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

💡 Useful tip: To temporarily disable system applications without ADB Use the App Inspector (available on Google Play), which allows you to analyze the activity of programs and block them through the battery. → Optimization.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with the removal of applications on Redmi Note 5, users make typical mistakes:

• 🚫 Removing Critical Services: For example, com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for security – its removal will disable antivirus and permissions.
• 🔌 Interruption ADB-If the adb uninstall process is interrupted, the packet may remain in a "semi-remote" state, causing failures.
• 📱 Ignoring Backup: Without Backup, System Recovery After Error Will Take Hours.
• 🔄 Wrong Reset: Choosing to Delete All Data instead of Resetting will result in loss of photos and files.

🔹 How to Restore a Remote System Application?

If the phone becomes unstable after being removed via ADB or root, return the packet with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.weather2

Or reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official forum).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions