Smartphones line Xiaomi Redmi 7, running the shell MIUI, initially come with a pre-installed software package from Google. For many users, the availability of a full range of services is a necessity, but other owners prefer the most βcleanβ system for the sake of battery saving and freeing RAM. Standard tools of the Android operating system completely get rid of system components, as they are protected by the rights of the superuser.
The procedure for removing or, more safely, forcing these components to be disabled requires careful attention and understanding of the structure of the file system. Redmi 7 owners need to be aware that interfering with system processes can lead to instability of the device, if not careful. Below we will look at proven techniques that allow you to effectively manage preinstalled software without the need for root rights, which preserves the warranty on the device.
It is important to note at once that the complete removal of some critical libraries can disrupt third-party applications that depend on Google Play Services. Before taking action, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup of important data and understand the difference between deletion and freezing. Freezing allows you to return the component to working condition at any time, whereas deletion requires re-flashing for recovery.
Risk analysis and device preparation
Before any manipulation of the system partition should be carefully prepared. Xiaomi Redmi 7 is based on the Android architecture, where the removal of system packages is carried out through debugging over USB. This requires the inclusion of hidden developer modes, which in itself is an action that requires understanding the consequences. Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to a cyclical reboot or loss of functionality of the touch screen.
Device owners should be aware that Google Play Services is the foundation for push notifications, contact sync, and navigation maps. If you decide to remove this component, many apps like Uber, Yandex.Taxi, or bank customers will no longer function properly, so the βremove everythingβ strategy is only suitable for power users creating custom builds or using alternative ecosystems.
π‘
Before removing system packages, take screenshots of the list of installed applications β this will help restore deleted components in the event of a failure.
There is a myth that removing Google services significantly speeds up the performance of budget smartphones. In practice, on the Redmi 7 model with a Snapdragon 625 processor, the more effective method is to limit background activity, not completely delete. However, if your goal is maximum privacy and no telemetry, then the removal procedure is the only way out.
Enabling Developer Mode and USB Debugging
The first step to accessing system package management is to activate developer mode, which is a little hidden from the user in the MIUI interface, so you have to go to the settings menu and find the "About Phone" option, and then you have to quickly click seven times on the MIUI shell version until you notice that you've become a developer.
Once you activate the hidden menu, you need to go to the advanced settings and find the "Developers" section, where the key parameter is "Debugging over USB." Without this feature, the computer will not be able to send commands to the smartphone. When the cable is first connected, the device will request debugging confirmation - be sure to check the "Always allow from this computer."
βοΈ Redmi 7 Prepares for Removal of Applications
Connection security is also important: Use only proven USB 2.0 or 3.0 cables and ports on the computer motherboard, avoiding front panels where voltage surges are possible. A stable connection is critical, as interrupting data transmission during ADB execution can lead to script execution errors.
Installation and configuration of ADB tools on your computer
To interact with the operating system of a smartphone from a PC, you will need a minimum set of tools, known as Platform Tools. This is the official package from Google, containing adb and fastboot utilities. You should download it exclusively from the official Android developer website to avoid the introduction of malicious code. After downloading the archive, it must be unpacked into the root folder of the disk, for example, C:\adb, so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters.
The next step is to install drivers for Xiaomi. Windows can automatically find the underlying drivers, but the correct debugging often requires the installation of universal Google USB Driver or Xiaomi specific drivers. The installation is checked by the adb device command in the command line. If the list shows the serial number of your Redmi 7 with device status, then the connection is established.
adb devices
List of devices attached
1234567890ABCDEF deviceIf the device is displayed as unauthorized, check the screen of the smartphone. There should appear a window requesting debugging permission. If the window does not appear, try to turn off and reconnect the cable, or change the window. USB-Sometimes it helps to reset the service. ADB Adb kill-server command followed by adb start-server.
Search for packet identifiers for removal
Every application on Android has a unique identifier called a package. To delete or freeze Google services, you need to know the exact names of these packages. You can get a full list of installed applications through the adb shell pm list packages command. However, the output of this command contains hundreds of lines, so it is advisable to filter only packages related to Google.
Use the adb shell pm list packages | findstr google (for Windows) or adb shell pm list packages | grep google (for Linux/Mac) to output a list containing the word "google." In the resulting list, you'll see names like com.google.android.gms (main services), com.google.android.youtube (YouTube), and others. Write or copy the names of the components you're planning to remove.
| Package name | System component | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| com.google.android.gms | Google Play Services | Do not delete (critically) |
| com.google.android.gsf | Google Services Framework | Do not delete (critically) |
| com.google.android.youtube | YouTube | Safe to remove |
| com.google.android.apps.maps | Google Maps | Safe to remove |
| com.google.android.videos | Google Play Movies | Safe to remove |
List of safe packet removal
Pay special attention to Chrome and Gmail-related packages. If you don't use these products, removing them will free up a significant amount of space. However, remember that deleting a Gmail email client can make it difficult to restore your account if your device is blocked. Always weigh the need to remove each specific component.
Procedure for deleting and freezing applications
There are two main methods of influencing system applications: uninstall and disable. Freezing is a safer option, since it hides the application from the interface and prevents it from running, but leaves files in the system. Use the syntax to perform the freeze command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 [name packet].
If you are determined to remove the application permanently, the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [name packet] is applied. The flag -k stores the cache and application data when deleted, which sometimes avoids errors in recovery, but in the case of complete cleanup, this is not crucial. Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the installed list and cease to consume resources.
β οΈ Note: Deleting com.google.android.gms will render most modern applications, including social media and instant messengers, inoperable.
The removal process is better done in stages. Remove one or two applications, then check the stability of the Redmi 7. If after removing the next package, the system begins to behave strangely, you can always execute a recovery command: adb shell cmd package install-existing.
π‘
The method of freezing (disable) is preferable to complete removal, as it allows you to quickly roll back changes without flashing the device.
Alternative methods and graphical utilities
For users who donβt want to work with the command line, there are graphical shells for ADB. One of the most popular and reliable tools is the Universal Android Debloater program. It automatically identifies the connected device, scans the list of packages and marks the ones that are safe to remove in green and the systemically important ones in red.
Using them simplifies the process, since you do not need to remember long packet names. The program interface allows you to search for packages by keywords, such as βgoogleβ, and perform deletion or freezing actions with a single click. This is especially convenient for owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 who want to quickly optimize the system.
However, even with GUIs, there is still a risk of error: Helper programs may have their own databases that are not always relevant to a particular version of MIUI. So the seven-measure rule remains in place: always check what you are going to delete by reading the package description on the Internet before pressing a button.
Where to download Universal Android Debloater?
System Recovery and Frequently Asked Questions
If you're experimenting with a smartphone that's not booting or not working properly, there are several ways to fix the problem, and the easiest way to do that is to reset the factory settings through the Recovery menu, and that will put all the remote system applications back in place, because the reset restores the original system image.
To access Recovery mode on Redmi 7 turned off, press the power and volume buttons at the same time. In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data. Remember that this process will completely delete all your personal data, so having a backup is critical.
Can I delete the Google Play Store without removing the services?
Is it safe to delete Google Chrome on Redmi 7?
What if notifications have stopped coming after removal?
Will the MIUI counter reset after removing system applications?
To sum up, managing the pre-installed software on Xiaomi Redmi 7 gives the user full control of the device. Proper use of ADB tools allows you to turn a standard smartphone into a light and fast device, free of unnecessary software. The main thing is to act consciously and always have a plan to roll back changes.