Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where embedded software takes up precious space in memory.Many pre-installed services, such as Mi Browser or Mi Video, may not be used by the user, but continue to work in the background. This not only consumes battery life, but also reduces the overall performance of the device.
The process of cleaning the system from excess software can vary depending on the version of the operating shell MIUI or the new HyperOS. Standard methods do not remove all components, as the manufacturer often hides the removal button for their services. However, there are proven ways to circumvent these restrictions, allowing you to free up gigabytes of space.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from simple actions through the menu to advanced techniques using a computer. You will learn which applications can be removed safely, and which are not recommended to touch, so as not to turn a smartphone into a “brick”.
Standard removal through smartphone settings
The easiest and safest way for every user is to use an integrated application manager, which is suitable for programs installed by the user from the Google Play store or GetApps, as well as for some system utilities that the manufacturer has authorized to be uninstalled.
To start, you need to go to your device’s Settings menu, and you should find a section here that is usually called “Applications” or “All Apps.” In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like Settings → Applications → Application Management.
In the list that opens, find the program you want, and if you can uninstall the application in the normal way, you'll see an active "Delete" button on the program information screen, and clicking on it will trigger a complete uninstallation process, cleaning all the associated data.
- 📱 Open the settings and go to the Application Management section.
- 🔍 Find the program you want to eliminate in the list.
- 🗑️ Press the delete button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
It is worth noting that for many standard Xiaomi applications, the delete button may be inactive or absent at all, in which case the system offers only the “Disable” function, which hides the icon and stops processes, but does not delete files from the device.
⚠️ Warning: Disconnect does not free up space in the device's memory, it only stops the application.
Removal through the desktop and application menu
A faster way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use desktop shortcuts, which are ideal for quick cleaning, when you need to remove several programs at once without going into deep system settings.
Find the app icon on the home screen or in the menu of all apps. Press your finger on the icon before the context menu or vibration appears. Depending on the theme, you will be prompted to drag the shortcut to the trash can or click on the garbage can icon that appears.
If the application is system-based and uninstallable, the system will issue a notification that the action cannot be performed or will only suggest that it be disabled.
It is important to distinguish between shortcuts and full-fledged widgets. Weather, watch or news widgets often take up a lot of space on the screen, but removing them does not uninstall the application itself, but only removes its display from the desktop.
Using ADB to Remove System Applications
For advanced users who want to remove Xiaomi’s deeply integrated services, Android Debug Bridge will be an indispensable tool (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-cable and drivers, but it gives maximum control over the system without the need for root rights.
Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the “MIUI version” or “OS version”. After that, the “Developers” option will appear in the advanced settings, where you need to turn on “Debugging by USB”.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetOnce you connect your phone to your PC and start the command line, you can type commands to delete specific packets. It is critical to know the exact name of the packet (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer) that you can find using special analyzer applications.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
Using the command line allows you to remove even those components that are hidden from the user’s eyes in the standard interface, but here lies the main risk: the removal of critical system services can lead to unstable device operation or cyclical restart.
⚠️ Note: Before removing any system package through ADB Make sure it is used.Removing Google Play services or system framework will make the phone inoperable.
Analysis of Removable and Unremovable Applications
Not all apps onboard Xiaomi are the same. Understanding the difference between custom software, system utilities, and critical Android components is essential to securely optimize the device.
Custom applications downloaded from marketplaces can be removed without fear. System utilities such as Calculator, Recorder or Scanner can often be removed through ADB, but their absence can disrupt other functions, such as taking notes from calls.
Here's a chart that helps you classify applications by their risk of being removed, and use it as a reference before you start cleaning.
| Type of application | Examples | Can I remove it? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customized | Instagram, Telegram, Games | Yes, it's safe. | Absent. |
| Xiaomi Services | Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes | Yes (via ADB) | Disruption of ecosystems |
| Android System | Google Play Services, Framework | No, it's dangerous. | Complete incapacity |
| Drivers and services | Print Service, Face Unlock | Carefully. | Refusal of specific functions |
Special attention should be paid to applications related to MIUI advertising services. their removal not only frees up space, but also significantly reduces the number of pop-up ads in the system, which has a positive effect on the user experience.
List of safe packet removal
Cleaning cache and residual files
Even after successful uninstallation of the program, the device may still have tails — temporary files, logs and settings — in memory, and cleaning this data regularly helps keep the smartphone in good shape and prevents debris from accumulating.
The built-in Cleanup tool in the Xiaomi Security app effectively handles surface debris. However, for deep cleaning, it is recommended to use specialized utilities or check folders in the file manager.
Often, after removing games or heavy applications, folders with the names of remote programs remain in the root of internal memory or in the directory. Android/data. By manually removing these directories, you can return several hundred megabytes of free space.
- 🧹 Run the standard Security app and select Cleanup».
- 📂 Manually check the Downloads folder and the memory root for residues.
- ⚙️ Use the Deep Clean feature to find large and forgotten files.
Social networks and instant messengers tend to accumulate gigabytes of temporary data that can be safely deleted through the storage settings of a particular application without losing correspondence or accounts.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may face various difficulties in optimizing the system, most often due to the inability to remove the application due to administrator rights or errors in the operation of the operating system itself.
If the delete button is inactive, check if the application has device administrator rights, which are often required by antivirus or parental controls. You can turn them off in Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Rights → Device administrator applications.
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If the system writes “Application not found” when trying to delete, try restarting the smartphone to Safe Mode, which will disable all third-party programs and may allow you to remove conflicting software.
In rare cases, after removing system components through ADB, interface errors may occur, such as missing the status bar or not working keyboard, in which case, resetting to factory settings will help, which will return all deleted system files to their places.
⚠️ Warning: If after manipulation, the smartphone stopped booting, do not panic. Try to enter Recovery mode and perform a data reset (Wipe Data), this will restore the system to work.