How to Remove Apps from Xiaomi Redmi 9: From “Delete” to ADB

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is over time clogged with unnecessary applications. Unlike flagships, it only has 32/64 GB of memory, and each megabyte counts. The problem is that the manufacturer installs dozens of preloaded programs (called bloatware) that can not be removed in the standard way. In this article, we will analyze all possible methods, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and hidden MIUI functions.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences. Some system services are critical to the phone's operation, and deactivating them can lead to loss of camera functionality, calls, or even complete device failure. We will explain in detail which programs are safe to remove and which are better to simply disable, and we will also consider how to return a remote application if something goes wrong.

1. Standard removal: what can be removed without risk

To start with, the simplest thing is to remove apps that you installed or downloaded from Google Play, which are not system-based, and removing them will not affect the stability of MIUI.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find an unnecessary app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
• 🗑️ At the top of the screen will appear the button “Delete”** (or basket) – click it.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If there is no Delete button, then the application is either system or removed by the manufacturer, in which case move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Facebook or Netflix) may be pre-installed by Xiaomi, but not critically important.

Installed from Google Play games and programs

APK-manually downloaded files

Updates to system applications (e.g. Google Chrome)

Xiaomi apps marked as “can be removed"-->

2. Uninstall via MIUI settings: Hidden options

MIUI offers advanced application management capabilities, but they're hidden in the bottom of the menu, and you can remove even those programs that don't get removed with a long tap on the icon.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select "Show all applications»**.
3. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) and tap it.
4. If the Remove button is active, press it. If not, look for the Disable button (this is a safe alternative).

Some apps (like Google Duo or Mi Pay) may be labeled “System”** but can be deactivated, making space available and stopping background activity, but not deleting files completely.

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If you disabled the system application but it reappeared after the MIUI update, check the automatic recovery settings in Settings → Special Features → System Improvements.

3. Removal via ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system files, will come to the rescue, requiring you to connect your phone to your computer, but also giving you access to uninstall even the most stubborn apps.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.** Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.**

Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.

cmd

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

adb shell pm list packages

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

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

⚠️ Note: Deleting system packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may result in loss of access to security settings or other critical features. → System system → Backup.

4. Use of third-party programs: pros and cons

There are dozens of apps on Google Play that promise to “easy uninstall system programs” without ADB. The most popular are Debloater, System App Remover, NoBloat Free. But should they be trusted?

Pros:

• 🎯 Intuitive interface (no need to remember commands) ADB).
• 🔍 Ability to backup copies before deletion.
• 📊 Visualization of the occupied place by category.

Cons:

• 🚫 Risk of installing malware (especially from unverified sources).
• 💸 Many features are paid (for example, removing more than 3 apps per day).
• 🔧 Not all programs work correctly with MIUI 12/13 on the Redmi 9.

If you do decide to use such an application, follow the rules:

1. Download only from the official Google Play.
2. Before removing, create a backup (in the application itself or through ADB backup).
3. Start with the least critical apps (such as Mi Music or Mi Video).

Standard removal.

Through MIUI settings

With ADB

I use third-party software.

I'm not deleting, I'm just turning it off.-->

5 What to do if the application is not deleted

Sometimes even ADB refuses to delete certain packets, which may be due to:

• 🔒 External protection MIUI (For example, Google or Mi Security).
• 📛 Superuser rights (root) that are not available by default.
• 🔄 Update system that restored deleted files.

Here's what you can try:

Method 1: Reverse updates

If the app has been updated through Google Play, it can be returned to the factory version:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Chrome).
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Delete updates»**.

Method 2: Freeze through ADB

If deletion is not possible, you can freeze the application so that it does not work and does not occupy RAM:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 name.package

To defrost:

adb shell pm enable name.package

Method 3: Getting root rights

This is an extreme measure, because it takes away warranty and increases the risk of hacking your device. If you do decide, use official methods to unlock the bootloader from Xiaomi and utilities like Magisk. Once you get root, you can delete any files, but remember: this can lead to a "brick"** (completely inoperable) of the phone.

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If the application cannot be removed by any means, but it interferes, just turn it off and hide the icon from the menu through the launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or built-in MIUI settings).

6. How to return a remote application

If you've deleted the app, you can restore it, depending on how it was removed:

If removed through settings or long tap:

• 🔄 Just install it again from Google Play.

If removed via ADB:

• 📥 Download. APK-Application file from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
• 📲 Install it manually by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

If the system application is removed and the phone is unstable:

• 🔧 Perform reset to factory settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings).
• 📡 Or run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).

⚠️ Note: If you have removed critical system components (e.g. com.android.phone), resetting may not help.

7.Memory optimization after deleting applications

Removing unnecessary programs is just the first step. To make Redmi 9 work faster, do the following:

Cache cleanup:

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📊 Select an app (like Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache»**.
• 🔄 For mass cleaning, use the settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

Shutdown of autoboot:

• 🚀 Go to Settings. → Battery → Auto-start.
• ❌ Turn off auto-run for unnecessary apps (like Facebook or TikTok).

Transferring data to a memory card:

• 📁 Insert microSD (up to 512GB supported).
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Default storage and select a memory card.
• 📎 Transfer photos, videos and some apps to SD (Not all programs support this functionality).

Use of lightweight versions of applications:

Many popular services have Lite versions that take up less space and consume less resources:

• 📘 Facebook Lite instead of Facebook.
• 🎵 Spotify Lite instead of Spotify.
• 📷 Instagram Lite instead of Instagram.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9