How to Remove Built-in Apps on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive behavior of the operating system, which is full of preinstalled software. Many of these programs cannot be removed by standard means through the settings menu, since they are part of the system partition of the firmware, which causes frustration for users who want to clean up memory and improve the autonomy of the device.

There are several proven ways to solve this problem without having to obtain root rights, which allows you to keep the warranty on the gadget. In this article, we will discuss the safe methods of uninstallation and disabling system components, ranging from simple settings to the use of advanced debugging tools.

Before you take action, you need to be aware of the risks associated with interfering with the operating system Android with the shell MIUI or the new HyperOS. Incorrect removal of critical services can lead to unstable phone operation or even a “brick”, so every action should be aware. We have prepared detailed instructions that minimize the risks and help you make the system cleaner.

Analysis of preinstalled software and the risks of removal

The first step should always be to carefully analyze what exactly occupies space in your storage. System applications fall into three categories: critical for the OS, functional add-ons of the shell and outright “junk” like browsers or game stores. Removing items from the first group will lead to the failure of the smartphone, while the third group can be safely removed.

Users often confuse system processes with user data, such as deleting Google Play Services or System Framework to make the phone unusable, while components such as Mi Browser, Mi Video or GetApps are imposed services that can be disposed of without fatal consequences for the core of the system.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation, be sure to create a complete backup of data. ADB not always reversible in a simple way, and a factory reset may be required to restore operability.

To understand the structure of applications, it's helpful to know that each one has a unique identifier called a package name, and that's the name we're going to use to search for and remove unnecessary components. You can't remember all the packages, so here's a table below with the most common removal candidates.

Using third-party analytics tools can make it much easier, with apps like App Inspector or Package Name Viewer quickly revealing the exact name of any software package installed, and this knowledge will be the foundation for further cleanup efforts.

Preparing a smartphone to remove system applications

Delete procedures require activation of hidden developer mode. Without this step, USB debugging access will be closed, and the computer will not be able to give commands to the phone. The turn on process is standard for all versions of MIUI and HyperOS, but requires careful execution.

Go to the Settings menu → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». You need to press this paragraph quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until the notification "You became a developer" appears, after which a new section "Additional" or immediately "For developers" will appear in the main settings menu».

Inside the Developer menu, you need to find the USB Debugging option and activate it. When you first connect to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission from that computer on your smartphone screen, and be sure to tick the "Always Allow from this computer" box and confirm the action, otherwise the connection will break.

It is also worth checking the settings. USB-When connecting to a PC, the phone can go to Charge Only, in which case you lower the notification curtain, click on the connection type and select File Transfer or «MTP». Without the correct command data mode ADB will not be carried out.

Using ADB for removal without root rights

The most effective and safe method of removing embedded applications is using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, which is part of Google’s SDK platform and allows you to control your device from a computer at a low level.

First, you need to download the Platform Tools package from the official Android developer site. After unpacking the archive on your computer, open the command prompt (CMD or PowerShell) in the tool folder. Make sure the smartphone is connected and debugging is allowed.

adb devices

Entering this command should display a list of connected devices, if you see your phone's serial number and device status, the connection is successful, and if it's unauthorized, check the phone screen and confirm the debugging request.

To remove a particular application, the pm uninstall command with the --user 0 flag is used. This flag means that the application is only deleted for the current user (owner), but physically remains in the system partition. This makes the process reversible: when reset to factory settings, the application will return.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

Once you have completed the command to delete the browser or other package, you will immediately see the message Success. the application will disappear from the menu and the list of installed programs. It is important not to remove components that you are not 100% sure about the purpose, as recovery without flashing can be difficult.

Alternative methods: GUI-utilities and settings

Not all users feel comfortable in the command line. Fortunately, enthusiasts have created graphical shells for ADB that make it much easier. Programs like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater allow you to remove applications with mouse clicks.

These utilities often have built-in lists of safe packets to remove. They automatically identify your Xiaomi or Redmi model and suggest removing only what won't harm the system, which minimizes the risk of human error and makes the process accessible to beginners.

• 📱 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – a specialized program for Xiaomi owners, able to remove advertising and system debris.
• 🗑️ Universal Android Debloater is an open source cross-platform solution that supports many brands.
• 🛡️ ADB AppControl – a convenient interface for managing applications, allowing you to see the status of system packages.

There is also a method of disabling applications through standard settings if the manufacturer has left it. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select an unnecessary service and click “Disable.” This method does not free up space in memory completely, but stops processes and hides the icon.

Use of the GUI-These tools are particularly useful for mass cleaning, and you can tick a dozen apps and delete them at a click, but even with automated tools, you should be vigilant and read the descriptions of the packages before you delete them.

Recovery of Remote System Components

Since we used the removal method only for the current user (--user 0), Application files are physically left in the section /system. This means that they can be recovered without flashing the device and losing personal data, and it's a great insurance policy.

To restore a remote package, you use the cmd package install-existing command, you will need to connect to the ADB again and enter the name of the package you previously deleted, and the system will re-register the application for your user.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

Once you execute the command, the app will appear on the menu and start working as if nothing had happened, which confirms that the method is safe and allows you to experiment with the configuration of the system, and if you delete a component caused an error, you can always roll back the changes.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed a critical system process (such as Settings or SystemUI) and your phone has gone into a cyclical reboot, restore through the system. ADB It can be impossible. In this case, only a complete reset (Wipe Data) through Recovery Mode will help.

Check the list of installed applications regularly after recovery. Sometimes the system can automatically update the restored components, which will return them to active state.

Ad Blocking and Optimization After Cleaning

Removing embedded applications is only half the job of cleaning MIUI. To keep the system running fast and not annoying with ads, it is recommended to disable the MSA service (MIUI System Ads). Even after removing browsers and stores, this service can display ads in standard applications.

Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Find msa on the list and turn off the switch. The system will insist on waiting 10 seconds before turning off — be patient and wait for the timer to end. Without this step, advertising can continue.

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Also disable Mi Daemon and GetTop services from the same data access menu to completely remove background activity of Xiaomi marketing services.

Once the system is cleaned, it's recommended that you restart the device, so that the cache can clear, and the system can reset the application index, and you'll notice that the smartphone is more responsive and there's a lot more free memory.

Remember to check for system updates periodically. With major Android or HyperOS updates, the list of system applications may change. New firmware versions may return remote components, so the cleaning procedure sometimes has to be repeated.

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The main goal of optimization is not just to remove the excess, but to create a stable environment where only the services you need work, which prolongs the life of the battery and speeds up the interface.