How to completely remove the application on the Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter system utilities that do not want to disappear, or residual files that occupy memory. Unlike “pure” Android, MIUI firmware has its nuances: hidden Google services, duplicate applications from Xiaomi, and even “undetectable” programs that can actually be uninstalled via ADB.

This article covers all the current methods, from basic menu removal to advanced techniques for power users, we will discuss how to get rid of pre-installed applications, why some programs return after a reboot, and what to do if the Remove button is inactive, special attention is paid to cleaning the cache and data, which often remain even after uninstallation.

All instructions are tested on MIUI 14 (the basis of Android 13), but they are also suitable for older versions, MIUI 12/13. If your smartphone runs on HyperOS (the new firmware Xiaomi 2026), some menu items may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.

1. Standard removal through the application menu

The most obvious way is to uninstall apps through the main screen or menu, which works for most user programs (like Facebook, TikTok, games), but is often useless for system utilities.

How to do this:

• 📱 Find an icon on the home screen for an unwanted app. Hold it with your finger. 1-2 A few seconds before the context menu appears.
• 🗑️ In most cases, you'll see the Remove button (or the basket icon). Press it and confirm the action.
• ⚙️ If there is no Delete button, but there is Application Information, tap it, then select Remove in the upper right corner.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) may only offer the option to disable instead of completely uninstall, meaning that the program will remain on the system but will stop working and update.

💡

If the application is not removed in the standard way, check if it is system-based. To do this, open its Settings → Apps page and see the Storage section. If it says System App, alternative methods will be required.

2. Remove through smartphone settings

If the app doesn't get removed from the home screen, try doing it through the settings menu, which gives you more control, like clearing the cache before you delete it.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the notification curtain).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
4. Click Remove (or Disable if Deletion is not available).
5. Confirm the action if a request appears.

🔍 Tip: Before deleting, open the Storage tab in the application information and click Clear Cache + Clear the data. This will free up extra space, especially for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks.

Clear cache | Clear data | Check if accounts are tied | Backup important data (for instant messengers) | Check if the application is system-->

⚠️ Note: Some apps (like Google Play Services) are critical to Android, and if removed, they may cause Play Market, notifications, and other features to crash.

3. Removal of system applications without root rights (via ADB)

Many Xiaomi users are facing a problem: some applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) can not be removed in the standard ways (ADB), debugging tool that allows you to uninstall system programs without obtaining root rights.

🛠️ What's the matter:

• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google or via Google) SDK Platform Tools).

📌 Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

File transfer

cmd

Windows

Terminal

macOS/Linux

adb devices

If the device is displayed in the list, then the connection is successful.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

🔎 How to find out the name of the package? Install the App Inspector app from the Play Market or use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to search for all applications from Xiaomi:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

4. Cleaning up residues after deletion (cache, data, folders)

Even after the app is removed, Xiaomi often has tails: cache, temporary files, folders in internal memory, which can take hundreds of megabytes, especially if it is a messenger or a game.

🧹 How to completely clean the tracks:

1. Manually through the file manager: Open Files (or any other manager, such as Solid Explorer). Go to Internal Memory → Android → data and find the folder with the name of the remote application (for example, com.whatsapp). Delete it. Check the Android → obb folder, there may be large game files.
2. Using Storage Sense (MIUI 14+): Go to Settings → Storage. Slip on Cleanup → Deep Cleanup. The system will scan the memory and suggest that you delete unnecessary files.

SD Maid

• Install SD Maid from the Play Market.
• Start scanning for "corps" (CorpseFinder).
• The application will show all the remaining files from the remote programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders in Android → It's going to crash, and be careful with the system folder, because changes to it without rooting can make your smartphone go down.

💡

Cleaning up residues after uninstalling apps can free up to 1-2GB of storage, especially if you install and remove games or instant messengers frequently.

5. Removal of applications using root rights (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks and get root access, the application management capabilities expand many times over, and with root rights, you can remove any system programs, including critical services from Google and MIUI, but this can lead to unstable smartphone performance.

🔧 Popular tools for working with root rights:

• 📦 Titanium Backup – allows you to freeze or completely remove any application, including system.
• 🗑️ Root App Deleter – convenient interface for uninstallation with the possibility of backup.
• 🔍 Root Explorer – file manager with access to system folders.

⚠️ Warning: Removal of critical services (e.g. com.google.android.gms or com.miui.home) may result in a device brisk (completely inoperable:

1. Create a full backup with TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
2. Check out the list of safe packets to remove (for example, on the XDA Developers forum).
3. Start by freezing apps instead of completely uninstalling them.

💡 Example: To remove Mi Browser with root rights through Root Explorer:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
2. Find a folder with the name Browser (or similar).
3. Hold the folder, select Delete and confirm.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

6 How to return a deleted application (if something went wrong)

If after removing the system application, the smartphone starts to glittle (for example, notifications are missing or the Play Market stops working), do not panic.

🔄 Recovery methods:

• 📥 Reinstall via Play Market: If the app was custom (like WhatsApp), just find it in the store and install it again.

🔍 How to avoid problems:

• Before removing system applications, create a backup via TWRP or OrangeFox.
• Use ADB with the --user 0 flag – this removes the app only for the current user without affecting system files.
• If you are not sure, disable the application instead of deleting (Settings → Applications → Disable).

7. Frequent errors and how to fix them

When you delete applications on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and their solutions.

💬 Community advice: if links stop opening after you delete your system application (e.g. Mi Browser), install an alternative browser (e.g. Chrome) and Settings → Annexes → By default, assign it to the browser by default.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions