Smart TVs Xiaomi is not only high-quality picture and sound, but also a full-fledged Android operating system TV But over time, the accumulated programs start to take up memory, slow down the device or just annoy with unnecessary notifications. TV Mi Box has its own nuances: some programs can be uninstalled by standard means, while others require the use of hidden functions or even the use of a new system. ADB-team.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can remove apps from Xiaomi TVs, from simple (via the settings menu) to advanced (via your computer), how the process differs across models (Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q2, Mi Box S), which apps can be removed without consequences, and which ones are better to simply disable, and what to do if the “Delete” button is inactive, and how to free up memory on the system partition.
Why you can’t remove some apps from Xiaomi TV
Many users are faced with the situation when the app menu does not have a button “Delete” or it is gray, because Xiaomi, like other manufacturers, divides the program into three categories:
- 📱 Custom apps – installed by you from Google Play or third-party sources and can be removed in the standard way.
- 🔧 System applications – pre-installed services (Mi Home, Xiaomi Market, Google Play Movies, etc.) can only be disabled or removed via the Internet. ADB.
- 🚫 Critical System Components – Android Services TV, Without which the device will not work (e.g. com.google.android.tvlauncher) and their removal will lead to the inability to boot the system.
In addition, on some models (for example, Mi TV Stick), memory is divided into two partitions: internal (for system files) and external (for user data), you can remove applications from internal memory only with superuser rights (root), which cancels the warranty.
⚠️ Note: Removing system applications without backup may result in loss of functionality (e.g., the remote or Wi-Fi will stop working). → System system → Backup.
Method 1: Remove user applications through the menu
If the application has been installed by you (e.g. YouTube, Kodi, IVI), it can be removed in the standard way:
- Open the Android TV main screen and find the Apps section (usually at the bottom of the screen).
- Select the unnecessary application using the remote and press the “OK” button (on some models – the “Menu” button).
- In the menu that appears, select Delete (or Uninstall).
- Confirm the action by pressing OK.
If the “Delete” button is missing, try another way:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the desired application in the list and select it.
- Click Remove (if the button is active).
On some firmware (MIUI TV version below 3.0), the path may differ: Settings → Device → Applications.
☑️ What to check before removal
Method 2: Disabling system applications (without deleting)
If the Remove button is inactive but the app is in the way (e.g. Xiaomi Ads or Mi Video), it can be disabled, which hides the program from the menu and stops its background processes, but does not free up memory.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Select the appropriate application (e.g. com.miui.tv.ads for advertising).
- Click Disable (or Stop, if available).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
The apps that are disabled won't update or appear in the list of programs, but their data will remain in memory. To return the application, just go back to its settings and click Enable.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling Google Play or Android System services may cause your TV to run unsteady.Do not disable programs called com.google. or Android..
| Annex | Can I remove it? | Can I turn it off? | Effects of removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Market | ❌ (only ADB) | ✅ | You will not be able to install branded applications Xiaomi |
| Mi Home | ❌ | ✅ | The management of a smart home will cease to work |
| Google Play Movies | ✅ | ✅ | Not critically. |
| Xiaomi Ads | ✅ (through ADB) | ✅ | The menu ads will disappear. |
| Netflix (pre-installed) | ❌ | ✅ | You can reinstall from Google Play |
Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work, you can uninstall the app using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for removing system applications, but requires connecting the TV to your computer.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (for Mi Box) or Wi-Fi connection (for Mi) TV).
- 📦 Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB debugging on your TV: Go to Settings → About TV → Software Version. Click on Software Version 7 times until the message “You’re a developer” appears. Go back to Settings → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
- For the Mi Box: Use it USB-cable.
- For Mi. TV: Connect to Wi-Fi (adb connect command) [IP-address]).
- Open the command prompt (or Terminal) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (it should appear its name).
- Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [name packet] For example, to remove ads Xiaomi Ads: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.tv.ads
After discharge:
- 🔄 You will have to reconfigure Wi-Fi, accounts and screen settings.
- 📥 All applications, except pre-installed ones, will be removed.
- 📂 Memory will be freed, but system applications (Mi Home, Xiaomi Market) will remain.
- 📉 Disable Auto Updates: Open Google Play → Settings → Auto-Update Apps. Choose Never or Only via Wi-Fi.