How to completely remove the application “COVID-19” from Xiaomi and any Android-smartphone: 5 working ways

The COVID-19 app (or similar contact tracking services such as Exposure Notifications, Aarogya Setu, Stop Coronavirus) are often installed on smartphones automatically, either through system updates, pre-loaded software or at the request of carriers. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, these applications can be integrated into MIUI firmware as system, making it difficult to remove them by standard methods.

Many users complain about the constant notifications, background activity and battery consumption associated with these services. Even though the pandemic is officially over, some applications continue to run in the background, collecting location and contact data. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to delete from disabling to completely erasing system files, including methods for and with non-root devices.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt stability MIUI. Some Xiaomi models 12/13 series and Redmi Note 11/12 This causes Google services to crash. Before you do something, back up through Settings. → The phone. → Backup.

Why is the COVID-19 app so hard to uninstall?

Contact tracking applications are often system or privileged, meaning that they:

• 🔒 Installed in section /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/, Where the average user does not have access.
• 🛡️ Protected by the manufacturer’s digital signature (e.g. Xiaomi or Google).
• 🔄 Automatically recover after removal through standard methods (e.g., through Settings) → Annexes).
• 📡 They may be linked to Google Play Services or MIUI Optimization.

On Xiaomi devices, such applications are often disguised as:

• com.miui.health is a MIUI health service.
• com.google.android.apps.exposurenotification — Google Exposure Notifications.
• en.gov.coronavirus is a Russian application “Stop Coronavirus”.

Even if you manually remove them, the system can restore them after a reboot or update, so special techniques are required, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Disable the application without removing (without root)

If you just need to stop the app but not remove it completely, use the built-in Android tools:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find the app by name (e.g. COVID-19, Exposure Notifications, or Stop Coronavirus).
4. Slip on it and select Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).

On some MIUI 14+ firmware, the option to turn off may be blocked.

• 🔧 Try Stop the app first, then Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• 📵 Disable notifications in the Notifications section.
• 🚫 Disallow auto-start in Settings → Permits → Auto-start.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with Global firmware ROM Disabling system applications can cause com.android.phone error. If the mobile network is lost after the disconnection, return the default settings via Settings → System system → Resetting settings (select Resetting app settings).

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, try removing all app updates first (if any), then try again.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

This method is suitable for users who do not have root rights, but have access to debugging via USB.

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

1. Enter the command to delete (replace package.name with the real name of the package):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name

Examples of packages:

• com.google.android.apps.exposurenotification — Google Exposure Notifications.
• en.gov.coronavirus - "Stop Coronavirus".
• com.miui.health is a MIUI health service.

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 package.name

USB debugging enabled

Installed ADB drivers on PC

The phone is connected in file transfer mode (MTP).

Command Prompt Launched on behalf of the Administrator-->

On some Xiaomi devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 Pro), this method only works until the first reboot.

Method 3: Removal with root rights

If you have Magisk or another root rights manager installed on your device, you can delete the app permanently.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, ExposureNotifications or MiuiHealth).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (e.g. add at the end of.bak).
5. Reset the device.

Alternative method through Termux with root:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/ExposureNotifications




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi with firmware MIUI 13/14 removal APK This can lead to bootloop. Before you do anything, check if you have custom recovery (TWRP) repair.

💡

On devices with MIUI 14+, removing system APKs through root most often causes crashes.Use ADB or disabling without removing.

Method 4: Remove via TWRP (for power users)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery TWRP installed, you can uninstall the app through it:

1. Load into TWRP mode (clip Power + Volume up).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
4. Find the folder with the application and delete it (swipe for confirmation).
5. Go back to the main menu and select Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache.
6. Reset the device.

If the phone does not load after removal:

• 🔄 Go back in TWRP and restore the backup copy (if any).
• 📦 Check it out. MIUI via Install → Select ZIP (Download the firmware from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Method 5: Blocking through hosts file (alternative to deletion)

If you can't delete the application, you can block its access to the Internet by editing the hosts file, which will prevent the data from being sent to the servers, but the application itself will remain in the system.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root access (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts and open the file in the text editor.
3. Add a line to the end of the file:

127.0.0.1 exposure-notifications.googleapis.com


127.0.0.1 coronavirusapi.ru




127.0.0.1 health.mi.com

1. Save the file and restart the device.

This method works on all versions of Android, including MIUI 14, but requires root rights.

💡

If you don’t have root, you can use the NetGuard or Blokada app to block internet access for specific apps without editing hosts.

How to check if the application has been removed?

After using any of the methods, check the result:

1. Open Settings → Apps and find the name of the remote app. If it's not there, success.
2. Check the list of running processes through Developer Options (Settings → Developer → Launched Services).
3. Use the ADB command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i covid

If the command does not return the results, the application is removed.

To check background activity:

• 📊 Install AccuBattery or Greenify and check if the remote application is consuming resources.
• 🔍 B Settings → Battery → Battery use check if there are any suspicious processes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing COVID-19 applications