Why Standard Removal Doesn't Work and What to Do About It
Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO And they're constantly facing a problem: many of the pre-installed apps can't be removed in the standard way, and even after you click "Delete" in the app menu, they stay in the system, taking up memory and consuming resources. MIUI — a proprietary shell that blocks the complete removal of system utilities such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps.
But the good news is that these apps can be disabled, hidden, or permanently removed, depending on your technical skills and willingness to take risks. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current methods for MIUI 14/13 (including HyperOS), from the simplest to the most advanced, taking into account the features of different models — from the Redmi Note 12 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Before you start, remember: uninstalling system applications without backup can cause phone malfunctions, including update issues and loss of functionality (such as a camera or NFC).If you are not sure, start with secure methods (sections 2–3) and then move on to radical ones (sections 4–5).
Method 1: Disable applications through settings (without root)
The safest method is not to delete, but to disable unnecessary applications. This will free up RAM and stop background activity, but the application files will remain in the system (though they will not take up space in the user section). MIUI 12 and newer.
How to do this:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find the app you want (such as Mi Video or Mi Pay) and tap it.
- ⚙️ Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.
Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu and stop updating through the Play Market. However, some system utilities (for example, Security or Theme Manager) will not be able to disable – Xiaomi blocks this ability for key services.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling Mi Share or Quick Apps can disrupt features like fast file transfers or widgets on the home screen. Check if you are using the features before you turn them off.
Unnecessary browsers (Mi Browser, Mint Browser)
Musical players (Mi Music, Mi Video)
Branded Launchers (POCO Launcher)
Game Accelerators (Game Turbo)
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Method 2: Hiding applications through the launcher (visual removal)
If you can't turn off an app, but it's in the menu, you can hide it. It doesn't free up memory, it removes icons from the home screen and the app list. It works on all MIUI launchers, including the POCO Launcher.
Instructions:
- Press the app icon on the home screen.
- In the menu that appears, select Hide (or Remove from the screen if there is no Hide option).
- For complete hiding from the application menu, go to Launcher Settings → Hidden Applications and add unnecessary programs there.
Hidden applications will remain in the system, but will not appear when searching through Search by phone, and to return them back, just go to the launcher settings and remove them from the hidden list.
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If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), you can configure the application hiding in its settings — usually under the “App Settings” or “Hidden Programs” section.
Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)
For those who are willing to connect the phone to a computer, there is a more radical method, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to completely remove many system applications, but requires activation of the developer mode and basic command line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Tap the version number 7 times until the “You’ve become a developer” notification appears.
USB debugging
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
ADB Tools
Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb devices(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)
adb shell
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.browser.global(Replace com.mi.browser.global with the batch name of the desired application.)
List of package names of popular Xiaomi applications:
| Annex | Package name | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | com.android.browser or com.mi.browser.global | ✅ Yes. |
| Mi Music | com.miui.player | ✅ Yes. |
| GetApps (Mi App Store) | com.xiaomi.mipicks | ⚠️ Partially (may disrupt updates) |
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer | ✅ Yes. |
| Security (Security) | com.miui.securitycenter | ❌ No (critically for the system) |
⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will cause your phone to fail.Always check the batch name before deleting it!
Mi Browser
Mi Music
GetApps (Mi App Store)
Mi Video
Other (I will write in the comments)-->
Method 4: Removal with Magisk (root required)
If you're ready to get root rights, the ability to remove system applications is expanded many times over, and one of the most reliable methods is using the Magisk + System App Remover module.
What you need:
- 📱 Phone with unlocked bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi here).
- 🔧 Installed Magisk (instructions for installation here).
- 📦 System App Remover Module (SAR) Magisk.
Process:
- Install Magisk and check root status in the Magisk Manager app.
- Download the System App Remover module from the Magisk repository.
- Restart your phone and open the SAR app.
- Select the unnecessary apps and click on Uninstall.
The advantage of this method is the ability to restore remote applications through a backup in SAR. However, the risks remain: unsuccessful removal can lead to a bootloop ( looped boot).
What if the phone does not turn on after removing the system application?
Method 5: Custom MIUI firmware (for power users)
The most radical, but also the most effective way is to install modified firmware without unnecessary applications, such as firmware from Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS has already been cleared of most of the Blaatware (preinstalled software).
Pros of the method:
- 🧹 Complete absence of unnecessary apps out of the box».
- 🔄 Regular updates from the community.
- 🛡️ Less risk than manual removal (firmware tested).
Cons:
- ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
- 🔧 Difficulty of installation for beginners.
- 📱 Possible bugs (e.g., non-functioning) NFC or camera on some models).
Where to download firmware:
- Xiaomi.eu (weekly builds without bloatware)
- LineageOS (pure Android, but without branded MIUI features).
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Custom MIUI firmware is the best option for those who want to get rid of bloatware forever and are willing to take the time to set up. However, make sure to back up via TWRP or Mi Backup before installing it!
What to do if the app returns after the update
One of the most common problems is that remote applications come back after the MIUI update, which is because the system restores the standard set of programs.
1. Turn off automatic MIUI update:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
- Turn off “Automatic booting over Wi-Fi” and “Automatic Update Installation”.
2. Use scripts to block recovery:
With ADB, you can block the installation of unnecessary applications after an update, such as:
adb shell cmd package install-existing --user 0 com.mi.browser.globalIt allows you to freeze the application so that it doesn't recover, but it requires you to re-execute after every major update.
3. Install an alternative launcher:
If apps come back but don’t interfere, just hide them through a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that won’t solve the problem completely, but the phone will be visually cleaner.