How to Remove Apps That Can't Be Removed on Xiaomi: Expert Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face intrusive preinstalled software. MIUI and HyperOS firmware have a lot of programs installed by default that cannot be disposed of through the standard settings menu, which take up space, consume RAM and can even display ads, reducing the overall performance of the device.

To make matters worse, many of them are system applications that developers have deemed risky for operating system stability, but there are proven ways to circumvent these limitations, and you can safely uninstall or disable extra components using special computer tools or with enhanced access rights.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to clean your device from garbage, we will look at both secure methods without root rights through ADB, and more radical options for advanced users. It is important to understand the difference between deleting and disconnecting, so as not to disrupt the operation of critical modules of the phone.

Why Xiaomi does not allow you to remove standard programs

The company's policy is to integrate its own services and partnerships, with apps like Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps embedded deep inside the system and flagged against routine uninstallation, to preserve ecosystem integrity and, in some regions, to monetize through displays.

Technically, these programs are system-based. Android forbids them from being deleted by the user without special privileges to prevent accidental interface failure or loss of connectivity. If you try to remove a critical component, the phone can go into an endless reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system software, be sure to create a complete backup of data.

In addition, some processes are protected by the Device Admin mechanism or have superuser rights. Without their prior recall or the use of a debugging bridge (ADB), the system will ignore your cleaning attempts. Understanding the MIUI architecture helps avoid fatal cleaning errors.

Preparation of the smartphone for the cleaning procedure

Before you start deleting, you need to set up your phone correctly, and the main tool for working with system files is debugging mode, which allows the computer to send commands to the device without the standard interface constraints.

To activate the desired functions go to the Settings menu → About the phone. Find the line "Version." MIUI» or "Version" OS» And press it fast. 7-10 Once you have “You became a developer” label, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional (or Advanced Settings»).

In the "Developers" section, find the "Debug USB" switch and activate it. When you connect the cable to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen -- be sure to click "Allow." Without this step, the computer won't be able to interact with the phone.

Removal via ADB without root rights (Safe Method)

The most reliable and safe way to remove excess is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit. This method does not require obtaining superuser rights and does not violate the warranty, since it does not change the system partition recovery.

You'll need to download the Platform Tools package to your computer. After you unpack the archive, open the command line in the tool folder. Connect the phone with a cable and enter the connection check command:

adb devices

If a device with a serial number appears on the list, the connection is established. To remove a particular application, use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet. The key here is to know the exact name of the package, which often differs from the name of the program on the screen.

It is important to note that this method does not remove the application physically from memory, but “hidden” to the current user (user 0), which means that the disk space is not completely freed, but the program stops running, updating and consuming resources.

Use of graphical shells for ADB

Working with the command line can seem difficult for beginners. Fortunately, enthusiasts have created user-friendly graphical interfaces that automate the process. The most popular tool is Universal Android Debloater (UAD).

This program scans the connected device and lists all the packages installed, labeling the ones that are safe to remove in green and the ones that are critical in red, so you don't have to remember the packet names, you just have to select the ones in the list and click Uninstall.

• 🔍 Universal Android Debloater is an open source cross-platform utility, regularly updated with a list of secure packages for different versions of Android.
• 📱 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – a specialized application, sharpened specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem, allows you to remove groups of applications at once.
• 🛠️ ADB AppControl is a powerful program for Windows with a Russian interface, which allows not only to delete, but also to freeze processes.

Using them simplifies the task and minimizes the risk of error, but even with a GUI, you should be careful not to remove components that you are not sure of, even if the program marks them as being deleted.

Removal with Root rights and system utilities

For users willing to take risks, there is a method of obtaining Root rights, which gives you complete control of the file system. Once you unlock the bootloader and install Magisk, you can use powerful managers like Titanium Backup or System App Remover.

The main advantage of this method is the ability to physically delete files from the /system partition, which frees up disk space that cannot be taken back up using the ADB method.

⚠️ Attention: Getting Root rights voids the warranty and makes it impossible to work banking applications without additional configuration (Magisk Hide.

The process involves unlocking the bootloader through Xiaomi’s official website, which requires a wait of 7 to 168 hours, a complex process that is not recommended for ordinary users who want to just remove a few extra icons.

Risk analysis: What cannot be removed categorically

Blindly removing anything that seems superfluous can turn a smartphone into a brick. There are components that are necessary for basic functionality: calls, SMS, network and interface. Below is a table of packages that should be treated with utmost care.

If you accidentally delete an important component, don't panic. If you use the ADB method without Root, you can return everything back by using the adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet. This will restore the application from the hidden state.

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The ADB method hides applications for the user, but does not physically remove them, making it easy to restore the system in case of an error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If the phone starts to work unstable after you delete the system application, reset to factory settings (Factory Reset), which will return the original state of all system files.