How to remove applications in Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: Instructions

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphones are still popular due to their balance between performance and cost, but over time, the device’s internal memory can become overflowing. One of the main reasons for the lack of free space is often pre-installed programs that can not be removed by standard methods through the settings menu. Owners of gadgets based on the MIUI shell face the need to free up gigabytes to install new utilities or store photos, and the solution lies in competent software management.

The cleaning process isn’t always obvious to beginners, as the company hides some system tools or requires additional steps to gain permission to change system partitions. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available methods, from simple uninstalling through settings to advanced methods using a computer, learn what risks exist when removing system components and how to safely optimize the operation of your Redmi Note 5.

Before taking drastic measures, it is important to understand the difference between user data and system files. Incorrectly removing critical services can lead to unstable Android operating system, so every step should be considered. We have prepared a detailed guide to help you avoid errors and effectively clean your device of unnecessary software "junk".

Standard removal of user applications

The easiest and safest way to free up space on your Redmi Note 5 is to uninstall programs you installed yourself from the Google Play store or downloaded from other sources.This method does not require root rights or a computer connection and is available to anyone immediately after you purchase the device. First, unlock your smartphone screen and find the app icon you want to remove on your desktop or in the menu of all programs.

Click on the icon and hold your finger for one to two seconds until the context menu appears or the desktop editing mode begins. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, you will need to drag the icon to the top of the screen where the basket will appear that says "Delete", or select the appropriate item in the pop-up window. Once confirmed, the program will be completely erased from the device along with its cache and user data.

An alternative path is through system settings, which is especially convenient if the app icon is hidden or removed from the desktop. Go to the Settings menu → Apps → All apps, find the desired object in the list and click on it. In the information window that opens, select the “Delete” button located at the bottom of the screen and confirm your decision in the pop-up dialog.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting instant messengers or banking applications without first saving important data (correspondences, access tokens) will lead to their irretrievable loss.

If standard deletion is not available (gray or no button), this means that the application is a system component of the operating system. In such cases, you need to use other methods described below, since it is impossible to remove them with conventional Android tools without violating the integrity of the system.

Disabling embedded system applications

Many users want to get rid of Xiaomi’s pre-installed services, such as Music, Video, Mi Browser or Mi Credit, which take up space and can run in the background. While you can’t completely remove them without root rights, the MIUI shell allows you to disable most embedded components, which effectively equates to deleting for the average user.

To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find an unnecessary system service like Mi Video and open its properties. If the Remove button is not available, look at the Disable or Turn off button. When you click on it, you will be warned that other applications may not work properly, but for most media services, this is not critical.

Once disabled, the app icon will disappear from the desktop and menu, and its processes will be frozen by the system. This is a great way to combat bloatware without resorting to complex technical manipulations. However, it is worth remembering that the memory space occupied by the installation file (APK), this method is not completely freed, since the file itself remains in the system partition.

• 📱 Disconnection reduces the load on RAM RAM processor.
• 🔋 Frozen apps don’t consume battery power in the background.
• 🚫 You will not be able to receive notifications from disabled services until they are reactivated.

In some cases, the system can block the shutdown of critical components such as Security, Framework Services, or System UI. Attempting to force such services to shut down can result in a cyclical smartphone bootloop, so be extremely careful when choosing objects to deactivate.

Using USB and ADB debugging to remove

The most effective method of removing system applications on Redmi Note 5 without obtaining root rights is using the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to send commands directly to the operating system, bypassing the interface limitations. MIUI. You will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) to work), USB-cable.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your device. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times in a row on the MIUI Version until the message “You’ve become a developer” appears. Then go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For Developers and activate the USB Debugging switch.

Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. On the phone screen, you'll see a request for debugging permission from that computer -- make sure you tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." On your computer, you'll download and unpack ADB platform tools from the official developer site. Open the command prompt (cmd) or terminal in the ADB folder and type in the command to check the connection:

adb devices

If a device with a serial number appears on the list, it means that the connection is established successfully. Now you can proceed to delete. package_name — This is the name of the removed application:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package_name

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall removes the application only for the current user (user) 0), It's safe and allows you to restore the application by resetting the settings, but it doesn't free up space in the partition. /system.

To find out the exact package name, which often differs from the application name (e.g. com.miui.player instead of Music), use the adb shell pm list packages or specialized analysis apps. Be careful: removing the system packages responsible for the phone or interface can make the smartphone unusable.

List of safe to remove system packages

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 owners often wonder which system applications can be removed without risking device stability. Below is a table with the most common MIUI packages that are subject to secure removal or disabling via ADB. These components are mostly duplicates of the functionality of standard Google applications or are marketing services.

In addition to the above, you can also remove packages related to themes (com.miui.theme) if you do not use the theme store, and advertising services (com.miui.misys), although the latter may require a deeper analysis of dependencies. Always check if the application has an analogue before deleting, so as not to be left without the necessary functionality, for example, without the ability to view the gallery or make calls.

There are also packages that are strongly discouraged from being removed unless you are an experienced user, including com.android.settings, com.android.phone, com.miui.securitycenter, and various framework services, which will make it impossible to boot the operating system.

Removal of applications with Root rights

For users willing to take the riskier steps to gain full control of the Redmi Note 5, there is a method for obtaining superuser rights (Root). Having root access allows you to remove applications physically from the system partition, which frees up more space and gives you full control of the device. However, this process requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially only possible through waiting for 7-15 days after submitting an application to Mi Unlock.

After unlocking the loader and installing the custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) You can get root rights by installing the Magisk backbone. With superuser rights, you can use specialized managers like System App Remover or Titanium Backup to remove system software. These utilities have access to the root file system and can erase any and all files. APK-files, including critical.

• 🔓 Full access to all files and folders of the operating system.
• 🗑️ The ability to physically delete, not just disable applications.
• ⚠️ High risk of turning the device into a brick in case of error.

Root rights also provide access to deep customization and installation of modified versions of MIUI or other operating systems, but some of Google Pay’s banking applications and services (now Google Wallet) will no longer work once root rights are granted, as they require certified and unmodified software.

If you decide to unlock the bootloader, remember that this action automatically performs a full reset (Wipe Data) on the device for security purposes. So before starting the procedure, be sure to create a full backup of all important contacts, photos and documents on an external medium or in the cloud.

Cleaning cache and residual files

Even after deleting applications, the device may still have tails — residual files, logs and cache that take up precious space. MIUI has a powerful garbage cleanup tool built in, which can be found in the Security app (the shield icon), run a scan, and the system will prompt you to delete temporary files, uninstall residues and ad cache.

To clean up the files, you can use a manual method through the file manager. Go to the root folder of internal memory and look at the directories with the names of remote applications. Often, there are heavy cache files of games and programs in the Android/data or Android/obb folder that can be safely deleted if the applications themselves are already erased.

It's also worth checking the folder. MIUI/debug_log, where error reports can accumulate, taking hundreds of megabytes, and cleaning up that data regularly helps keep the Redmi Note running. 5 at a high level and prevents slowing down of the interface.

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Use the Cleanup feature in the Security app once a week to maintain the optimal speed of your smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The safest and most effective way to clean Redmi Note 5 for the average user is to disable unnecessary applications through settings or remove them through ADB without obtaining Root-rights.