The MIUI operating system, which is installed on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, is famous for its functionality, but is also known for its abundance of pre-installed software. Often users are faced with a situation where the internal memory of a device is filled not only with personal files, but also with programs that they never use. This can slow down the gadget and annoy with constant notifications. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to effectively clean the device from excess debris.
The uninstallation process can vary depending on the firmware version and the type of object being removed. Standard methods allow you to remove most user programs, but system software is often hidden from normal removal. Deep cleaning requires more advanced tools like ADB, but gives you complete control over the operating system. Understanding these differences will help you avoid errors and not disrupt the health of your smartphone.
Below we will look at all the available methods, from simple actions through the interface to the use of the command line, you will learn to distinguish between safe-to-remove components and critical system processes. A competent approach will significantly speed up the work of the Redmi Note or Poco, making use of the device more comfortable.
Standard removal through the desktop and menu
The most obvious and safe way to get rid of an unwanted program is to use the built-in Android interface. On your desktop, find the app icon you want to remove. Click on it and hold your finger for a couple of seconds until the pop-up menu appears or the icon starts to "shake." Depending on the version of MIUI, you need to drag the object to the basket or select "Delete" in the action list that appears.
An alternative method is to use the main settings menu, which is especially useful if the application icon is removed from the desktop or hidden in folders. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Here is a complete list of installed software, sorted by alphabet or date of use. Find the desired program in the list and click on it.
On the app information screen, you'll see the "Delete" button, if it's active (not grey), it means that the program is user-generated and can be removed in the standard way. System applications, such as "Security", "Themes" or "Conductor", most often do not have this button or it is locked, this is the protection by the operating system from accidental removal of critical components.
⚠️ Note: If the delete button is inactive, it is a signal that the application is built into the firmware. Attempting to remove it through third-party means without root rights can lead to errors in the interface.
Removing System Applications Through ADB
To remove the built-in software that cannot be erased by standard methods, the Android Debug Bridge tool is used (ADB). This method does not require a superuser (root) license, which retains a warranty on the device, but it does require a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and USB-Before starting work, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone.
To activate, go to Settings → About phone and seven times quickly click on the item "Version" MIUI". Once you have a successful activation message, go back to the settings menu, find the "Additional" section, and open "Developers" section. USB". It is also recommended to include the option "USB-Debugging (security settings)" if available in your firmware version.
Connect your smartphone to your computer and run the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB installed. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. The phone screen will see a request for debugging permission — confirm it. Now you can manage packets. To see a list of all packages installed, use the command:
adb shell pm list packagesFind the name of the packet corresponding to the application being removed (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for video player). To delete, type the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet name. If the process is successful, the system will give the message "Success". The application will disappear from the device for the current user, freeing up space and resources.
How to return a remote application via ADB?
Cleaning cache and residual files
Simply removing an icon or even uninstalling an app doesn’t always mean that all of its data is gone.Residual files, logs and cache can remain in your smartphone’s memory, which take up precious space.
Run the Security app and select Clean up. The system will analyze the storage and suggest that you delete temporary files. However, for a deeper cleanup, use the application management menu. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired program (even if it is already deleted but remains in the list) and click Memory.
There are two important functions available here: Clear and Reset, the first one deletes temporary cache files, the second one erases all user data, including logins, passwords and settings inside the application, and data reset is useful if the program is not working correctly or you want to completely depersonalize the device before selling.
- 🗑️ Cache – temporary files that can be deleted regularly without affecting the program.
- 📂 Data – Personal information, settings and saves, the deletion of which will return the application to the “just installed” state".
- ⚙️ Permissions – Camera, microphone and geolocation access that are also worth checking before deleting.
💡
Before completely clearing the data of an important application (for example, messenger), be sure to back up chats or export important files, as it will be impossible to restore them after resetting.
Managing Autoboot and Background Processes
Even after deleting, many users forget to check if there are any traces of activity in the system, some applications have self-healing mechanisms or run with the system, and MIUI has a powerful autoboot control tool that allows you to prevent programs from running automatically when you turn on your phone.
To manage this, open the Security app, go to Permissions and select AutoRun. This displays a list of all programs that start with the OS. Disabling autoruption for heavy apps (social media, stores) significantly speeds up smartphone loading and saves battery life.
Also, you should pay attention to background activity. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, you can limit the operation of applications in the background. Go to the battery settings, find the desired application and select "No restrictions" mode only for those programs that must be running constantly (for example, an alarm clock or activity tracker).
| Type of restriction | Impact on the battery | Impact on notifications | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| No restrictions. | High-end spending | They come in instant. | Messengers, mail. |
| Battery savings | Moderate expenditure | Possible delay | Social media, news. |
| Strict limitation | Minimum expenditure | They don't come in the background. | Rarely used games |
Hiding apps and parental controls
Sometimes it's not practical to delete an application, for example, if it's used periodically by children or you want to hide certain programs from prying eyes. MIUI has a Hidden Apps feature. To activate it, open the Security app, scroll down to Hide Apps and turn on the switch.
Once activated, a special folder or two-finger swipe access will appear in the gallery or app menu (depending on the launcher version), and you can put any programs in this file and they will disappear from the general list, and you will need to enter a password or fingerprint to access it if this feature is configured.
For parental control, it's better to use the built-in Second Space mode or Child profile, which allows you to create an isolated environment with a limited set of applications, the second space works as a separate user in the system, with its own settings, gallery and installed programs, which is ideal for separating work and rest or transferring the phone to children.
☑️ Check before removing system components
Frequent mistakes and problem solving
Users often face difficulties in cleaning up, and one of the common problems is that you can’t remove antivirus or Google system services, and trying to disable Google Play Services can make most third-party apps that depend on Google services inoperable, so it’s important to be clear about what you’re removing.
Another mistake is to remove standard applications through ADB without first examining their functions, for example, removing the system launcher without installing an alternative could result in a black screen after the reboot, which would require a factory reset that would delete all personal data.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages containing the words "system", "framework", "provider" or "service" unless you are 100% sure of their purpose).
If the phone is unstable after deleting the apps, try resetting the app settings. This will return all system components to their original state, but save your personal files (photos, contacts). Path to function: Settings → Advanced Settings → Reset and Reset → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth (some versions have a separate reset point for app settings).
💡
The safest way to remove is to remove only those applications that you do not use and that can be easily restored through the Play Store or Mi GetApps. System software is better to disable, not remove.