How to completely remove applications on Xiaomi Redmi: from standard to system

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on the MIUI shell are known for their functionality, but often users face the problem of how to remove unnecessary applications, especially those installed by default. Unlike naked Android, there are nuances here - from hidden settings to restrictions on removing system programs. This article will help to understand how to properly remove applications on Redmi, including standard services Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps and others that can not always be uninstalled in the usual way.

We’ll look at all the available methods, from basic menu removal to using ADB to unlock system applications. Particular attention will be paid to the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other current devices from 2022-2026, where the procedure may differ due to MIUI 14/15 versions.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This is important, as newer versions (like HyperOS, which replaces MIUI) may have different removal mechanisms. If you use Redmi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some of the instructions will be irrelevant – there are rules for “clean” Android.

1. Standard removal of user applications

To start with, the simplest way is to remove programs you installed yourself through Google Play or.apk files, which works for all applications except for the system and pre-installed Xiaomi.

To remove such an application:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enter the name of the program in the search bar or find it in the list.
• 🗑️ Press Remove (if the button is active).
• 🔄 Confirm the action in the window that appears.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), it means the application is either system-based or can only be disabled (more on this below). Also, some programs (such as Facebook or TikTok) may offer the option to Remove Updates - this will reset the application to the factory version, but will not remove it completely.

⚠️ Note: Deleting some apps (such as Google Play Services) may disrupt Google services. If you have errors after uninstallation, try restarting your phone or restoring the app through Settings. → Annexes → Show all applications → Three dots (menu) → Show system-based.

2. disabling pre-installed applications (without root)

Many of Xiaomi’s standard programs (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Community, Security) can’t be removed completely without special permissions, but they can be disabled, which hides them from the menu, stops background processes and frees up some RAM.

How to disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the Three Points (menu) → Show all the apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Video) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is available).

Disabled programs will not be updated through Google Play, but their data will remain in the device's memory. To return the application, repeat the steps and click Enable.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the Security application may cause malfunctions MIUI Optimization is the service that manages the smoothness of the interface. If you have lags after you shut down, return it to its original state.

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

For experienced users willing to work with the command line, there is a way to remove even Xiaomi system applications without obtaining root rights. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which is part of Android SDK.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Does not require unlocking the bootloader or root.
• 📉 Frees up more memory than shutting down.
• 🔄 Applications will not return after resetting (unless you update the firmware).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Danger of disrupting system stability when removing critical components.
• 🔌 Requires PC connection and installation ADB-driver.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Redmi

ADB-tool

Platform Tools by Google

cmd

adb.exe

adb devices


adb shell




pm list packages | grep 'miui' # for system package search




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # example of deleting Mi Video

List of popular removal packages:

• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser or com.miui.browser
• 📦 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📺 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 💬 Mi Community: com.miui.bbs

Install ADB drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download Platform Tools from Google

Connect your phone to the original cable

Make a backup copy of the data-->

⚠️ Note: Removing com.miui.securitycenter or com.miui.home packages may result in bootloop.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4. Delete via file manager (for root users)

If your Redmi has root rights (for example, after unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk), you can remove system applications directly through a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and give it root access.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, MiBrowser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it by adding.bak at the end (e.g. MiBrowser.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal without traces.
• 🔧 The ability to return the application by simply renaming the folder back.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Incorrect removal can cause system failure.
• 🔄 After updating the firmware, remote applications can return.

5. Clearing cache and application data (alternative to deletion)

If you don't want to delete an app, but it takes up too much space, you can clear its cache and data, and that frees up memory without affecting the program itself, like Google Play Services or Facebook, which can take up a few gigabytes of cache.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (e.g. Gallery).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. Tap Clear cache and Clear data (Warning: this will delete all settings and files of the program!).

For mass cleaning:

• 🧹 Use the built-in Cleanup tool in Settings → Battery and productivity → Cleanup.
• 🔍 Applications of type SD Maid or Files by Google will help you find and delete unnecessary files.

💡

If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the phone and the system will restore the necessary temporary files automatically.

6. How to return a remote application

If you have removed the system application through ADB or file manager and want to return it, there are a few ways to do this:

For applications removed via ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
2. Follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired package).

For applications removed through root:

• Return the deleted folder from the backup (if you did backup).
• Or rename the folder back (remove.bak).
• Reboot the phone.

If nothing helps:

• 🔄 Reset your phone to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Resetting settings).
• 📥 Flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware (this is an extreme measure!).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all data on the phone will be erased. If you have important information, pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.

7. How to prevent re-installation of unnecessary applications

Even after removal, some Xiaomi system applications may return after a firmware update.

• 🔕 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play: Open Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📵 Block App Installation via GetApps: Go to Settings → Annexes → GetApps → Notifications and disable all permissions.
• 🛡️ Use it. ADB, to block the installation of packets: adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks (this hides GetApps from the system).

You can also use blocking apps like AppBlock or Island (requires root) to limit the background activity of unnecessary programs.

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Check the list of applications regularly after MIUI updates – some system programs can be restored automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi