How to completely remove applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Removing Apps on Xiaomi is Different from Other Android Smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi and POCO lines, run on the MIUI proprietary shell, which significantly modifies the standard Android. This also affects the process of removing applications: there are nuances that are not on “pure” Android or other brands. For example, MIUI provides a feature to disable system applications instead of completely removing, as well as a hidden ADB mode for deep cleaning.

Many users find that after standard removal through the menu, the application continues to take up space in memory or reboots, which is due to the peculiarities of memory sharing in MIUI: some applications (especially preinstalled ones) store their data in protected partitions. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of deleting, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and manually clearing cache.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally secure, such as uninstalling system applications through the use of a system. ADB It can lead to unstable operation of the interface or breakage of functions such as NFC/IR-We'll highlight the risk areas separately and give you backup recommendations.

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to remove the settings through the settings menu, which is suitable for custom applications installed from Google Play or.apk files. System applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) can not be removed this way, but they can be disabled.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired app from the list (use search if the list is long).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active) or Disable for system applications.
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive, it means that the application is system-based or secure. MIUI. Attempt to delete it may cause system instability.In such cases, use the methods 3-5 of this article.

Availability of a backup copy of important application data |

Free space in memory (at least 10% of the total volume)|

No binding to Mi Account (for some services)|

Battery condition (at least 30% charge)

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After deleting, it is recommended to clear the system cache: go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Clear the cache. This will help avoid “ghost” notifications from remote applications.

Method 2: Remove via Google Play (for custom applications)

If the app was installed via Google Play, it can be removed from the store, a method that syncs with your Google account and allows you to quickly restore the app if necessary.

How to delete:

• 📱 Open the Google Play Store and go to the Installed section (profile icon) → Application and device management).
• 🔍 Find the right app in the list and click on it.
• 🗑️ Choose Delete and confirm the action.

The advantage of this method is the ability to mass delete: in the section Application Management you can mark several programs and delete them simultaneously, but system applications (for example, Mi Community or Themes) will not appear here.

Once a week |

Once a month |

Only when memory ends|

Never delete.

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⚠️ Note: Delete via Google Play does not clear app data in the folder /Android/data/. For complete cleaning, use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) or specialized utilities like SD Maid.

Method 3: Disabling system applications (without root)

MIUI blocks the complete removal of most pre-installed applications, but allows them to be disabled, which hides the program from the menu, stops its background processes and frees up some of the RAM, while the application data is stored, and it can be activated again.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system app (such as Mi Music or Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the deletion is blocked).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Disabled applications do not take up space in user memory, but their data remains in /data/app/. Complete removal will require ADB (Method 4) or root rights.

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Before disabling system applications, check if they are used by other services, for example, disabling Mi Account can disrupt the cloud backup.

Method 4: Complete removal via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work, and the application interferes with the system, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method allows you to remove even system applications, but you need caution: the wrong commands can lead to loss of functionality of the smartphone or “brick”.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to click to unlock the developer menu, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

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

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

1. Find out the name of the application package (can be found on Google Play or via the command):

adb shell pm list packages | grep'appendix name'

1. Remove the application by the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

⚠️ Warning: Removing system packages like com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone can make your phone inoperable. Create a backup using adb backup or Mi Cloud before experimenting.

Method 5: Removal with root rights (advanced level)

If your Xiaomi has customized recaps installed (such as TWRP) and root rights obtained, you can remove any applications, including system ones, using a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

How it works:

1. Open the file manager and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app/ (system applications) or /data/app/ (user applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (e.g. com.miui.calculator) and delete it.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system/ This may result in loss of warranty and inability to update MIUI through OTA. Before such actions, it is recommended to create a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

An alternative is to use applications like Titanium Backup (requires root), which allows you not only to delete, but also to freeze applications, while maintaining the ability to restore them.

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Root rights give you maximum freedom, but they take away warranties and increase security risk, and only use them if you understand the consequences.

What to do if the application is not removed

Sometimes even after using ADB or root rights, the app keeps popping up.

• 🔄 Auto-Update via Google Play (turn off in store app settings).
• 📦 Residual files in folders /data/data/ or /sdcard/Android/obb/.
• 🔧 Reconstruction MIUI After the update (some system applications are returned).

Decisions:

1. Clean the residual files manually through the file manager.
2. Turn off auto-update in Google Play for this app.
3. If the application returns after the MIUI update, use ADB again or consider debloating (deleting the bloat through scripts).

For debloating, you can use ready-made scripts like Universal Debloater or MIUI Debloater, which automate the process of removing unnecessary system components.

• Create a backup with adb backup or TWRP.
• Check the compatibility of the script with your version of MIUI.
• Eliminate critical packets (see spoiler in Method 4).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi