How to remove the app from the Xiaomi Mi TV: instructions for all models

Removing unwanted apps from a Xiaomi Mi TV is a challenge many users face. Unlike smartphones, where the removal interface is intuitive, Android TVs or PatchWall TVs often hide this feature in the depths of the menu. Moreover, some system applications (such as Mi Home or Google Play Music) do not have a “Delete” button at all – they can only be disabled or removed through developer mode.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove applications on Xiaomi Mi TV 4/4A/4S/5/5 Pro, Mi Box S and other models based on Android TV, including hidden methods through ADB and resetting. Special attention will be paid to the nuances: why some applications do not delete, how to free up memory without losing data and what to do if after deleting the TV began to slow down. If you are looking for a way to get rid of preinstalled software or clean the system of unnecessary services, you are on the right track.

1. Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in Android TV or PatchWall tools, which are suitable for most user applications (e.g. YouTube, Netflix, IVI) that have been installed manually, but system applications (e.g. Mi Video or Google Assistant) cannot be removed this way.

Instructions for PatchWall (Xiaomi Mi TV firmware):

• 📺 Open the main menu by pressing the Home button on the remote.
• 🔍 Go to the Apps section (or Apps in English version).
• 🖱️ Select the unnecessary application and press the button OK on the remote (on some models you need to press Menu).
• 🗑️ In the menu that appears, select Delete (or Uninstall). Confirm the action.

Instructions for Android TV (Mi Box S or Mi TV Stick firmware):

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 📋 Select the All Apps tab.
• 🔍 Find the right application in the list and click on it.
• 🗑️ Press Remove (if the button is active).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Mi models TV 4A (2018-2019) The Remove button may not be available even for user applications, due to manufacturer restrictions. ADB.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for system applications)

If the standard method didn’t work and the app interferes with the TV (e.g. Mi Live is constantly hanging in the background or Google Play Movies takes up space), you’ll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the TV to your computer, but allows you to remove any application, including system ones.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (for Mi Box) or Wi-Fi connection (for Mi) TV).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Developer mode on the TV.

Steps to remove:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About TV. Find the Build Number line and click on it 7 times in a row (you will be notified "You've become a developer"). Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging (or Network Debugging for Wi-Fi).

Connect the TV to the PC

• For the Mi Box: Connect through USB-cable.
• For Mi. TV: Connect to Wi-Fi (find out) IP-TV address in network settings and enter into ADB adb connect [IP-address]).
• Delete the application: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'application name' # find the exact package (e.g. com.xiaomi.mitv.live) pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.live # deletion for current user For complete deletion (including updates) use: pm uninstall com.xiaomi.mitv.live

Install ADB Tools on PC|

Enable the developer mode on TV|

Connect TV to PC via USB/Wi-Fi|

Check the list of packages by the team `adb shell pm list packages`|Make a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications (e.g. com.google.android.tvlauncher) may cause the interface to fail.Before experimenting, review the list of safe packets to remove or backup firmware.

3. Method 3: Disabling (freezing) applications

If deleting through ADB seems difficult and the application cannot be removed in the standard way, it can be disabled (freeze), which will stop the background processes and free up RAM, but the application itself will remain on the system and will not receive updates.

How to turn it off:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Select the app you want (e.g. Mi Home or Google Play Games).
• 🚫 Press Disable (or Disable).
• ✅ Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop running.

Advantages of the method:

• ✔️ Does not require a connection to a PC.
• ✔️ Safe for system applications.
• ✔️ You can return the application at any time (Include button).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not free up space in memory (application files remain).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Google Play Services) cannot be disabled without root rights.

💡

If the TV starts to slow down after the app is turned off, try rebooting it: hold the Power button on the remote for 10 seconds. This will reset the cache and restore performance.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the TV is full of unnecessary apps and you can't remove them, the last option is a complete reset, which will delete all user data, accounts and installed apps, returning the TV to the "out of the box" state, which is suitable if you are ready to reset the TV.

How to reset your settings:

1. Save important data (e.g. channel list, audio settings).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery.
3. Select Factory Data Reset (or Factory Data Reset).
4. Enter. PIN-code (if installed) and confirm the action.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 5 Pro (2020) after a reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock some features (such as Mi Share!

5. Why are some applications not removed?

Even after activation of the developer mode, some applications remain untouchable.

• 🔒 System applications: PatchWall firmware blocks the removal of key services (e.g. com.xiaomi.mitv.tvhome, the main launcher.
• 🛡️ Removal protection: The manufacturer may prohibit the removal of applications associated with license agreements (for example, Amazon Prime Video on some models).
• 🔄 Updates via Google Play: If the app has been updated through the store, the original version remains in the system section. -k --user 0 [packet]).
• 📦 Google Embedded Services: Apps like Google Play Services or Android System WebView cannot be removed without root rights, they are critical to the system’s operation.

How do you get around the restrictions?

• 🔧 Use it. ADB with the command pm hide (hide the application without deleting).
• 📉 Reverse to earlier firmware (if available) where restrictions are milder.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative launcher (for example, ATV Launcher) to hide unnecessary apps from the menu.

💡

If the application cannot be removed by any means, check it for malware. Some viruses disguise themselves as system services (e.g. com.android.system), in which case only a complete reset or firmware will help.

6.How to free up space without removing applications?

If the goal is not to delete the app, but to free up memory, try these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → [select the application] → Memory. → Clean the cache. Use it for mass cleaning. ADB-Command: Adb shell pm clear [package].
• 🗃️ Transfer of data to USB: Connect the flash drive to the TV and in the application settings (for example, Gallery) select Move to an external drive.
• 🔄 Update rollback: For system applications (e.g. YouTube) roll back to factory version: Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Reverse updates.
• 📥 Background activity restriction: In the application settings, turn off Auto Start and Background activity.

On the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (2019) and older, there is a built-in optimization tool:

1. Go to Settings → Memory and Storage.
2. Select Memory Cleanup.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you delete applications, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

If after manipulating the applications, the TV began to slow down or spontaneously restart, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot the TV (hold the Power for 10 seconds).
2. Clear the cache in Recovery mode: adb reboot recovery (select Wipe Cache Partition from the recovery menu)
3. If the problem remains, reset the settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Calling the service

Fastboot

Xiaomi

⚠️ Do not try to sew the TV firmware from another model - this will lead to "bricking" (complete inoperability).