How to Remove Apps on Xiaomi That Aren’t Removed in Standard Ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners regularly face a problem: some applications simply cannot be removed through the standard menu, these are pre-installed MIUI services, system utilities and a bloatwer (unnecessary software), which take up space in memory, consume battery power and can monitor user activity. Even after clicking “Delete” or “Disable”, many programs continue to hang in the system, and the uninstallation button remains inactive.

The reasons for this behavior lie in the Android architecture and Xiaomi policy: the manufacturer blocks the removal of critical components to avoid firmware failures. However, there are several legal ways to get rid of unnecessary applications – from simple shutdown tricks to deep manipulations through ADB and hidden MIUI settings. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including those that work on the latest versions of firmware (including HyperOS).

Why Xiaomi apps aren’t deleted and what to do about it

The main reason for the inability to delete is the status of the application in the system, and all programs on Xiaomi are divided into three categories:

• 📱 Custom - downloaded from Google Play or third-party sources, removed in the standard way through the Apps menu».
• 🔒 System (built-in) - pre-installed MIUI, Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security, you can only disable them, but you can't delete them completely without additional tools.
• 🛡️ Protected System Components – Critical Components (MIUI System, Framework, which, if you delete it, will cause the firmware to crash. ADB.

Xiaomi blocks removal of system applications to:

1. Maintain firmware stability (some programs are associated with the Android kernel).
2. Provide functionality of branded services (for example, Mi Account or Find Device).
3. Comply with partners’ agreements (pre-installed games or services from Tencent, Alibaba, etc.).

However, even disabled applications continue to take up disk space and can be updated through Google Play. To completely remove unnecessary software without consequences for the system, you will need tools like ADB, hidden MIUI settings or third-party utilities. Next, we will look at all the available methods, from the most secure to advanced.

Method 1: Disable applications through settings (without root)

If your goal is simply to hide unnecessary software and prevent it from running in the background, a standard shutdown is enough, which does not delete the program files, but stops the program from operating and saves battery life.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, the application is protected).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

After the shutdown:

• 📵 The app will disappear from the menu and stop sending notifications.
• 🔄 It won’t be updated via Google Play (but the files will remain in memory).
• ⚠️ Some system features may not work properly (for example, disabling Mi Security will block scanning for viruses).

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play services (such as Google Play Services) may disrupt Google account, sync and push notifications.

Method 2: Removal through MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Settings)

MIUI contains hidden menus that allow you to uninstall some system applications without ADB or root permissions, a method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO) with MIUI 12-14 firmware and HyperOS.

Steps to remove:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636## (some models may not work, then use the alternative method below).
2. In the menu that appears, select “Phone Information” (or “Usage Statistics”).
3. Click on the three-point icon (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Application Management».
4. In the list, find the desired application (such as Analytics or Msa) and click “Delete”.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

• 🔧 Install the app MIUI Hidden Settings (available on Google Play).
• 📋 From the App Manager menu, select the app and click Uninstall (if the button is active).
• 🔄 After removal, restart the device.

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Before deleting, check if the application is a dependency for other services, for example, deleting Mi Share can disrupt the fast file transfer function.

Method 3: Complete removal via ADB (no root rights)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is Google’s official tool for debugging Android devices, which can remove system applications even if they are blocked in the MIUI. The method works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13) and does not require superuser rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Install ADB on your computer: Download Google's Platform Tools. Unpack the archive into a folder (e.g., C:\adb). Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).

Check the connection:

adb devices

(The name of your device should be displayed).

Delete the annex:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.package.name

(Replace com.package.name with a real package, such as com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).

List of popular removal packages:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser or com.miui.browser
• 🎬 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 🛡️ Security (antivirus): com.miui.securitycenter (remove cautiously!)
• 📦 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📊 Analytics: com.miui.analytics

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.google. or com.android. packets may cause your phone to fail.Always check the packet name before you execute a command.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (with root rights)

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can use powerful tools to manage system applications.This method gives maximum freedom, but requires caution: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

Popular utilities:

• 🔨 Titanium Backup – allows you to freeze, delete and restore any applications, including system ones.
• 🧹 System App Remover is a specialized tool for uninstalling embedded software. It has a base of secure for removing packages.
• 🛠️ SD Maid – cleans residual files after deletion and optimizes the system.

Instructions for Titanium Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play and provide root access.
2. In the “Backups” menu, find an unnecessary application.
3. Click on it and select “Delete!”
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Ability to remove any application, including secure.
• ✅ Backup before deletion (can be restored if you make an error).
• ✅ Cleaning the cache and application data.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system components (MIUI Framework, Google Services, can make your phone inoperable. Create a full backup through your phone before experimenting. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

💡

Root access provides the maximum possible control of the system, but requires technical knowledge. If you are not sure about your actions, use methods without root (ADB or Hidden Settings).

Method 5: Flashing with a clean version of MIUI (for advanced)

If you want to get rid of the entire Bloatwer once and for all, you can install a modified MIUI firmware without any unnecessary applications.

1. Official Bloatware-Free Firmware: Download Fastboot-ROM for your model from Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Select either Stable or Weekly (without labeling "EEA" - the European version often contains more Bloatver). Sweat through Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums).
2. Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS): Requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed. Completely replaces MIUI with pure Android without a bloatver. Xiaomi proprietary features (e.g. IR Blaster or Game Turbo) may not work.

Advantages of flashing:

• 🧹 Complete absence of unnecessary applications.
• 🚀 Increased productivity and autonomous operation time.
• 🔄 The ability to choose a firmware for your needs (for example, MIUI EU without Chinese services).

Risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if bootloader unlocked).
• ⚠️ Possible bugs in custom firmware.
• ⚠️ Difficulty rolling back to standard MIUI.

💡

Before you run your firmware, check the version’s compatibility with your phone model. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 11 won’t work for the POCO X3 Pro, even if they have the same processor.

What to do if the phone is not working properly after removing the application

Sometimes, removing system components causes a failure, such as a loss of function, an error, or a phone that stops turning on.

• 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes it is enough to restart the device so that the system recovers temporary files.
• 📦 Recovery through ADB: If you delete a critical package, return it with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.package.name
• 🔧 Reset to factory settings: The last resort if the system is unstable. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 💾 Recovery from backup: If you made a backup through TWRP Titanium Backup, restore the data.

If the phone is not turned on (bootloop):

1. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
2. Select “Wipe Data” or connect to your PC and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: If Google Services stopped working after deletion (no Play Market access, no contacts are synchronized), chances are you have deleted the com.google.android.gms package. ADB or re-flash the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi