How to Remove Embedded Apps on Xiaomi: Expert Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often encounter intrusive pre-installed software that takes up space and consumes resources. MIUI or its modern version of HyperOS is rich in functionality, but with it brings a lot of background processes that the user does not always need. Removing such debris is not just freeing up memory, it is a way to extend the battery life of the device.

With standard Android operating system tools, you can’t remove system components because the Remove button in the settings will be inactive or absent. There are proven methods to solve this problem that do not require obtaining superuser rights root. In this article, we will discuss safe ways to clean the interface from excess software.

It is important to understand that interfering with the system partition requires care. Incorrect removal of critical services can lead to unstable gadget operation or cyclical reboot.However, using the right tools and following the instructions, you can turn your smartphone into a clean and fast platform.

Risks and Preparation Before Interfering with the System

Before you start removing embedded packages, you need to understand the responsibility: System applications are not just shortcuts on the desktop, they are components that provide basic functionality of Android. A mistake in choosing a package can cause the phone book, camera or even lock screen to stop working.

To minimize risks, you need to create a full backup of data. Modern MIUI and HyperOS shells have a built-in backup tool that allows you to save settings and application data to your computer or the cloud, a must-do step before any manipulation of system files.

You also need to activate USB debugging mode, which, without this option, the computer will not be able to send commands to the smartphone to manage packages, which is hidden in the Developer Menu, which is closed by default from the eyes of the average user.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications that have the words “System”, “Framework”, “Security” or «MIUI», If you're not 100% sure about their function, it can cause a software crash, which will require you to flash the device.

Make sure that the device is debugging on USB. To do this, go to the Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». Then in the extended menu, find the “Debugging by” switch. USB» and activate it.

Disconnection method through standard Android settings

The safest, though less efficient, way is to use the operating system’s regular tools: Some Google or Xiaomi preinstalled apps allow you to not delete yourself completely, but allow you to disconnect, in which case the application stops running, updating and consuming resources, remaining in memory as a “frozen” object.

If you use this method, just go to your smartphone settings. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. In the list, look for an unnecessary service, such as Google Movies or Mi Video. If the Remove button is gray, check for the Disable button.

This method is ideal for users who are afraid to use computer utilities, it ensures that the integrity of system files will not be violated, but this method does not free up space in memory, since the installation file will remain on the disk.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find an unnecessary system application in the list.
• 🚫 Click the “Disable” or “Delete Updates” button if available.

It is worth noting that many MIUI services, such as Mi Browser or Mi Music, often do not have a disable button in the standard interface.

Using ADB AppControl for Safe Deletion

The most effective and secure tool for working with system packages on Windows is the program ADB AppControl. It has a convenient graphical interface and automatically determines which applications can be removed and which cannot be touched.

To get started, you need to download and install the utility on your computer. Once you connect your smartphone with a cable and confirm the debugging over USB on your phone screen, the program will scan a list of all installed packages. The interface is divided into tabs, where the system applications are marked with the appropriate color.

The main advantage of this method is the presence of a knowledge base, which tells you what a particular package is responsible for, for example, when choosing com.miui.analytics (Xiaomi analytics system), the software will warn that removing this component is safe and even desirable for increasing privacy.

The deletion process is simple: you select the desired lines in the list and click the “Delete” or “Disable” button. It is recommended to use the “Disable” function first to check the stability of the system for several days.

• 💻 Download and install. ADB AppControl on PC.
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone with a cable and allow debugging.
• 🗑 Select the applications to remove and press the appropriate button.

It is important to use the original cable or quality analogue that supports data transfer. Cheap cables "only for charging" will not allow the computer to see the device, and the program will not start the scanning process.

Removal via ADB Command Line (for Advanced)

For those who prefer full control and don’t want to install additional software beyond drivers, there is a method of working directly through the Windows command line. This requires knowing the exact packet names to be removed. Packet names usually look like com.android.vending or com.xiaomi.mipicks.

First, you need to download the minimum set of Platform Tools from the official Android developer site. Unpack the archive at the root of the C drive for convenience. Then open the command prompt in this folder. Make sure the device is visible on the system.

adb devices

If your device's serial number is displayed in the list, the connection is successfully established. You can now enter commands to delete.

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

For example, to remove the GetApps app store from Xiaomi, the command would look like this: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks. The --user 0 flag means that the app is removed for the current user, but physically remains in the system partition, allowing it to be returned by factory reset.

This method provides flexibility, but it requires caution: one typo in the name of a package can lead to an error, and the removal of the wrong component can lead to a system failure.

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Use the command `adb shell pm list packages` to display a complete list of all installed packages, which will help you find the exact name of the application if you are not sure of its correct spelling.

Cleaning through the hidden MIUI menu

There's a hidden engineering menu in the MIUI shell that allows you to manage some system functions without connecting to a computer, but its ability to remove applications is limited, most often used for testing hardware, but in some versions of firmware, you can find control points for preinstalled software.

To enter this menu, you use a special code in the "caller": dial ##6484### or ##4636##. The interface may vary depending on the Android version and the regional version of the firmware «CIT» (Customer Integration Test: You can check the sensors, but you can’t remove applications from here.

However, there is a Usage Statistics menu available at ##4636##.There you can see a list of apps and, in rare cases, access detailed process information, which helps identify “gluttonous” system services that are worth disabling through ADB.

Don’t rely on third-party apps from the Play Market that promise to remove system software without root rights. 99% of the time, they simply create a deceptive shortcut or require complex manipulation of virtual space, which only slows down the device.

⚠️ Attention: Hidden menus are for engineers, changing the settings in the Network Setting or Radio Info sections without understanding the essence can lead to loss of cellular signal or inoperability of communication modules.

Recovery of Remote System Components

If you delete something that is superfluous during the cleaning process and the system starts to work incorrectly, don't panic. Since ADB deletion is only for the current user, the source files remain in a hidden partition, and you can return them with the reinstal command.

To recover a remote packet, use the following command in the command line:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

This command will return the application to a "post-reset" state, but if you delete a critical component and the phone goes into a bootloop, you will have to do a full reset (Wipe Data) through the Recovery menu, you need to press the volume button "Up" and the power button.

That's why backup and risk assessment before deleting are so important. Don't delete everything in the hope of speeding up your phone. Often the brakes aren't caused by the number of apps, but by overcrowded cache or memory fragmentation.

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Removing system applications via ADB does not physically erase them from the disk, but only hides them from the user, making it easy to restore functionality in the event of an error without flashing them.

After a successful cleanup, it is recommended to restart the device. The first run may take longer than usual, as the system will reassemble the caches and index the changes. After download, check the basic functions: calls, Wi-Fi, camera.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)