How to Remove Apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Standard Ways to Hidden MIUI Features

The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is still a popular device even after years due to its balanced characteristics and flexible MIUI firmware. However, many users face a problem: over time, many unnecessary applications accumulate in memory - both manually installed and preloaded by the manufacturer. Unlike "pure" Android, you can not just click "Delete" on any icon: the system protects some software from accidental removal, and some applications do not have a deinstall button at all.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove applications on Redmi 9 – from basic methods through settings to advanced techniques using ADB and hidden MIUI functions. Special attention will be paid to the safe removal of system applications so as not to disrupt the stability of the smartphone.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences. For example, MIUI service components (like com.miui.analytics) are responsible for the operation of the system, and their removal can lead to failures. We will explain in detail which programs are safe to remove and which are better to simply disable or freeze. If you are ready to optimize your Redmi 9, let's go!

1. Standard removal of user applications

To start with, we'll start with the simplest of things: uninstall programs you installed on your own through Google Play or.apk files, which requires no additional tools and is suitable for 90% of the time.

To remove such an application:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
• 🗑️ Press the "Delete" button (if it is active).
• 🔄 Confirm the action in the window that appears.

If the Remove button is inactive or not, the application is either system or installed as a device administrator. → Passwords and security → Device administrators.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g., banking or enterprise) may block deletion through settings. In this case, try uninstalling them via Google Play: open the program page → Delete.

Check the administrator's rights|Try to remove it through Google Play|Use the Disconnection Method (Section 2)|Try it. ADB (section)-->

2. disabling system applications without deleting

Many pre-installed programs on Redmi 9 (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) can’t be removed in the standard way, but they can be disabled, which hides them from the menu, stops background processes and frees up some RAM.

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (such as Mi Video).
3. Click "Disable" (the button will appear if the deletion is blocked).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

The programs that are disabled will not be updated, but their data will remain in the device's memory, to completely clear the cache and data:

• 🧹 In the app menu, click Storage → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• 🔄 Then turn off the application – so you free up the maximum possible amount of memory.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications like com.miui.home or com.android.phone will cause your smartphone to fail. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

3. Removal via ADB: for power users

If the shutdown is not enough and the application is disruptive (for example, Mi Advertising shows ads), you can delete it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but allows you to remove even protected system programs.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC: Use the original USB-Type C cable. On your smartphone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode. On your computer, confirm your debugging permission.

Install ADB

• Download the Google Platform Tools.
• Unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
• Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
• Check the connection: Adb devices should show the serial number of your Redmi 9.
• Delete the application: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.pack For example, to remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

List of packages of popular MIUI applications:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 📺 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 🛒 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📊 Mi Analytics: com.miui.analytics

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Before mass deletion, back up the application list with the adb shell pm list packages > apps.txt command. This will help you recover the deleted software by mistake.

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It doesn't remove the application completely from the device -- it stays in the system partition, but it becomes inaccessible to the current user.

Standard Deletion through Settings |Disable System Applications |Through ADB|Use root rights |I Do not delete-->

4. Hiding icons without removal

If an app can’t be removed or disabled (like Google Play Services), but its icon gets in the way of the home screen, you can simply hide it. It won’t free up memory, but it will make the interface cleaner.

Ways of concealment:

• 📂 Through Launcher: Press your finger on the app icon. From the menu that appears, select Remove from the screen or Hide (depending on version). MIUI). The icon will disappear, but the app will remain on the menu.
• 🔍 Through Launcher Settings: Open Settings → Home screen. Choose Hide applications. Tick boxes for unnecessary programs.

Through the folder:

1. Drag the icon to another icon to create a folder.
2. Name the folder (e.g., "Reserve") and move it to the second screen.

The applications hidden in this way will still be in the background and updated. To completely stop their activity, combine this method with shutdown (section 2) or freezing through ADB:

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

5.Cache and data cleanup: an alternative to deletion

If an application needs to be left (like the Google Play Store) but it takes up too much space, you can clear its cache and data.This will not delete the program, but will free up storage and can eliminate errors.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (e.g. YouTube).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. Tap "Clear Cache" (Secure for all data).
5. If necessary, click "Clear Data" (this will reset the program settings to factory ones).

The difference between cache and data:

• 🗃️ Cache - temporary files (images, videos) that the application saves for quick operation.
• 📊 Data -- settings, accounts, downloads -- cleaning it up is like reinstalling the program.

Example: Clearing the Google Chrome cache will delete the saved thumbnails of sites, but will not affect bookmarks. Clearing the data will reset all browser settings, including history and passwords.

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Regularly cleaning the cache (every 1-2 months) helps maintain smartphone performance, especially if the internal memory is less than 64 GB.

Removal via TWRP: for root users

If your Redmi 9 has custom TWRP recovery installed and root rights, you can remove system applications directly through the file manager, which gives you complete control over the device, but you need to be careful.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
4. Find a folder with the name of the application you are removing (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
5. Select the folder and select Delete (delete).
6. Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal of the application (including updates).
• ✅ Ability to remove even protected system components.
• ✅ Freed up space in the system section.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Improper removal can lead to bootloop (locked boot).
• ⚠️ Some applications (e.g. com.qualcomm.qti) are critical to the modem.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI Remote programs can return.

⚠️ Attention: Before working with TWRP Make sure to back up the section /system backup → This will allow you to restore the phone in case of an error.

7. How to prevent re-installation of unnecessary applications

Even after you delete some programs (such as Facebook or Netflix) may reappear after you update MIUI.

Turn off auto-update system applications:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the Google Play Store and open its settings.
• 🔄 Tap Auto-Update Apps and select “Never".
• 📴 Turn off the option Auto Update over Wi-Fi.

Block the installation via GetApps:

• 📱 Open the GetApps app.
• 👤 Go to profile (icon in the upper right corner).
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Auto-update.
• 🔕 Turn off all auto-update options.

Use the firewall to block background activity:

• 🛡️ Install an app like NetGuard (no root required).
• 🔒 Block Internet access for GetApps, Mi Browser and other unnecessary programs.
• 📵 This will prevent downloading of updates and promotional modules.

Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware has a hidden function to block preinstalled applications: enter the ##284### code in the dialer to open the testing menu where you can disable the auto-installation of system software.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 9