How to Remove Apps from the Desktop on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Why aren’t apps removed in the standard way?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop is often hijacked by unnecessary shortcuts, both user-installed programs and pre-integrated services from the manufacturer. Unlike “pure” Android, removing icons from the screen does not always mean uninstalling the application itself. This is due to the features of the MIUI launcher, which by default blocks the removal of system components and some stock utilities (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps).

Another common problem is ghost labels that come back after the device is restarted, and this is due to the Auto-Restore Layout feature in the launcher settings, and even if you manually remove the icon, the system can return it to its original location the next time you turn on the smartphone, especially the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4/X5 models, where MIUI aggressively caches the location of the interface elements.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to remove applications from the Xiaomi desktop, including hidden methods for system programs and bypassing the restrictions of MIUI without superuser rights. It’s important to understand that some actions may require additional manipulation of settings or even a rollback to factory settings, which we’ll talk about as well.

Method 1: Standard removal through the application menu

The most obvious method works for most custom programs installed through Google Play or Google Play. APK-But even here, there are nuances about the version. MIUI And the model of the device. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 is different from Redmi. 9A s MIUI 12.5.

Instructions:

• 📱 Press and hold your finger on the icon of the app you want to remove.
• 🗑️ In the context menu that appears, select Delete (or Uninstall).
• ⚠️ If instead of removing the option Remove from the screen, then the application is system – go to method 3 or 4.
• 🔄 In some models (for example, POCO F4) After a long tap, you first need to drag the icon up the screen to open the basket.

Note that even after successful removal, the shortcut may remain in the All Apps folder (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).This is not a mistake - this is how the MIUI launcher works. To completely erase the program trail, clear the launcher's cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher).

Method 2: Disabling auto-recovery layout

If shortcuts come back after a reboot, the AutoRestore Desktop Layout feature is to blame. It is enabled by default on all Xiaomi devices starting with MIUI 11. You can turn it off via the hidden launcher settings, but the path depends on the firmware version.

For MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Scroll down and find the Additional Settings section.
3. Turn off the slider opposite the AutoRestore layout.
4. Restart the device (Power → Reboot).

On older versions (MIUI 10–11) the path is different:

Settings → Desktop → Desktop settings → Restore layout after failure

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If you don’t have the Additional Settings section, try resetting your launcher settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear Data. This will bring back the standard layout, but remove all your folders and widgets!

Once autorestore is disabled, the deleted shortcuts will no longer appear, but this method does not work for system applications – their icons may return due to integration into the shell, and more radical measures will be required (see Method 4).

Method 3: Hide system applications without removing them

Many Xiaomi stockware (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Community, Security) can't be removed without root permissions, but it can be hidden from the desktop and from the app menu, and it won't free up memory, but it will make the interface cleaner.

Coverage options:

• 👁️ Through launcher settings: Long press on the desktop → Desktop settings. Choose Hide applications. Tick boxes for unnecessary programs and click Ready.

1. Create a folder on the desktop (clutch the empty space → Folder).
2. Drag all unnecessary labels into it.
3. Call the folder a symbol (e.g. •) and move it to the last screen.

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks

com.xiaomi.mipicks

Hiding through ADB is reversible – to return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.xiaomi.mipicks

⚠️ Caution: Hiding system applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) can disrupt features like Game Turbo or Lean Mode. K50 And newer, it also blocks access to performance settings.

Method 4: Remove System Applications Without Root (ADB)

If the hiding isn’t enough, you can completely remove unnecessary system programs through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method works on all Xiaomi devices with the bootloader unlocked, but requires caution – wrong actions can lead to a bootloop ( looped boot).

Step-by-step:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) | Install ADB drivers on PC | Download ADB platform tools from Google | Connect your phone to your PC and confirm debugging on your smartphone screen--->

1. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
2. Check the device connection: Adb devices should show your Xiaomi serial number.
3. Remove the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks Replace com.xiaomi.mipicks with the package of the desired application.
4. Reset the device.

Examples of disposal packages:

⚠️ Attention: on Xiaomi models 12T Deleting com.miui.gallery or com.miui.cit packets may cause camera errors. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 5: Resetting launcher settings to factory

If previous methods didn't work, and the desktop is full of unnecessary shortcuts, you can reset the launcher settings, which will bring back the standard MIUI layout, but will delete all your folders, widgets and icon locations, and the method works on all devices, including the POCO M4 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro+.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Louncher (or Lawnchair if you use a custom launcher) on the list.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All labels will return to factory location.
• 📁 Folders and widgets will be deleted.
• 🔍 System applications (such as Mi Home) will appear again on the desktop.
• ⚙️ Theme and wallpaper settings will remain.

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Resetting the launcher is the most radical but effective way to remove ghost labels, and use it if other methods fail, but remember that all your desktop settings will be lost.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be related to:

• 🔒 Blocked bootloader (on the new models Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60).
• 🛡️ Security policy MIUI, which blocks changes to system files.
• 🐛 Firmware error (relevant for betta versions) MIUI).

In such cases, there are three options:

1. Update MIUI to the latest stable version via Settings → System Update.
2. Install a custom launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that allows you to flexibly customize your desktop.
3. Unlock the bootloader and get root rights to take full control of the system, which is an extreme method, because it deprives you of warranty and increases security risk.

To unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi will need:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
2. Apply for unblocking through the official website.
3. Wait 7-15 days (depending on the model).
4. Use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), unlocking the bootloader resets all data, including photos in internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi