How to remove the program from your Xiaomi phone: from standard methods to hidden MIUI features

Why Xiaomi’s standard app removal doesn’t always work

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones regularly face a problem: after removing the program through the menu, it continues to take up space in memory, leaves cache or does not disappear from the installed list, the reason lies in the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively caches data and sometimes blocks the complete removal of system components.

Another common situation is when the application is not deleted at all, giving an error "Delete is impossible" or "Application is protected by the administrator." This is typical for pre-installed Xiaomi services (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps), which the manufacturer associates with system processes. Even after resetting, such programs return - they need to be removed by special methods.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB, cleaning residues through File Manager and bypassing the limitations of MIUI. Also, we’ll find out why some applications can’t be removed without root rights, even if they’re not system-based (for example, duplicate versions of Google Play Services after an update).

Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu

Let’s start with the simplest method that works for most custom apps (downloaded from Google Play or Mi App Store), which requires no additional tools and is suitable for beginners.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enter the program name in the search bar or find it manually in the list.
• 🗑️ Click Remove (if the button is active) and confirm the action.
• 🧹 After deleting, go back to the app menu and select Clear cache (if the option is available).

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive (grey), the application is system or protected.

Standard deletion does not always clean up residual files (folders in /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/) to free up space completely, once deleted:

1. Open Files (standard Xiaomi app).
2. Go to Internal Memory → Android → Data (or Obb).
3. Find the folder with the name of the remote application and manually delete it.

Method 2: Remove via Google Play (for downloaded apps)

If the program was installed from the Google Play Market, it can be removed through the store, which is useful when the application does not appear in the Xiaomi settings menu (for example, after an update crash).

Step-by-step:

• 🛒 Open Google Play and click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• 📋 Select Application and Device Management → Management.
• ✅ Tick the unnecessary application and click Remove (basket icon).
• 🔄 If the app is not removed, try Cancel Updates first (if the button is active).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Chrome or YouTube) cannot be removed completely, they are part of Google services and can only be disabled. → Annexes → Hide applications.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically cleans the cache and data, but it doesn't work for:

• 📦 Xiaomi System Applications (e.g. Mi Community, Mi Pay).
• 🔧 Annexes installed through APK (off-site).
• 🔒 Secure Services (e.g. Google Play Services).

Method 3: Disabling system applications (without root rights)

If the application cannot be removed (button is inactive), it can be disabled, which will stop all the processes of the program, hide it from the menu and free some of the RAM, the method works without root rights and is suitable for most preinstalled Xiaomi services.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → select the right one.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.
4. For full cover, go back to the app menu and click Hide (three dots in the corner → Hide apps).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services (e.g. Mi Account, Security) can cause the phone to malfunction:

• 🔐 Google Services Framework (Crossing Google Account).
• 📡 Mi Share or Nearby Share (responsible for file transfer).
• 🛡️ Device Management (Control of Security).

To restore the disabled application:

1. Go back to Settings → Apps → All applications.
2. Turn on the display of disabled (filter at the top of the screen).
3. Select the application and click Enable.

Method 4: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can uninstall the app via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the phone to a computer, but allows you to remove even protected programs without root rights. 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 others.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.
2. Turn on USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate the USB Debugging Switch.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer (a pop-up on your smartphone screen).

CMD

adb devices

Make sure the device is displayed in the list.

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Mi Browser:

adb shell pm list packages | grep"browser"

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet

Example for Mi Browser:

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

⚠️ Note: Some packages (e.g., com.google.android.gms for Google Play Services) cannot be removed, which will cause a critical system failure:

💡

Before deleting via ADB, back up your important data. If after you delete the system package, the phone stopped working steadily, return it with a command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

Method 5: Removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you get root access on your Xiaomi, you can remove any application, including deeply integrated system services, which is risky – doing the wrong thing can lead to a device being “bricked”.

Instructions for rooted devices:

• 📲 Install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ (This is where system applications are stored).
• 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of an unwanted app (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
• 🧹 Clear the residual data in /data/data/ and /data/app/.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system files without a backup can make the phone unusable:

1. Create a full backup with TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
2. Make sure you know the exact folder name (e.g., MiuiGallery for gallery).
3. Do not delete files with the.odex or.apk extension in /system/framework/ folders.

For safe removal, use specialized tools:

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup (allows you to freeze or delete any application).
• 🧹 SD Maid (clears residual files after deletion).
• 🔧 Root App Deleter (Intuitive Interface for Removing System Packets).

How to Clean Residual Files After Deletion

Even after successful removal of the application, Xiaomi often has tails — cache, settings, temporary files — that take up space in memory and can cause errors when you re-install the program, and let's figure out how to find and delete them.

Where to look for remnants:

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Open Files → Internal Memory → Android
2. Go to the data and obb folders, and find folders with the name of the remote application (e.g. com.whatsapp).
3. Remove them by holding your finger on the folder → Delete.
4. To clear the cache of system applications, use the command: adb shell pm clear name packet

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Even after you delete completely, some apps (such as games) leave files in /sdcard/. Always check the Download, Pictures, and Movies folders for unnecessary data.

To automate the process, use:

• 🧹 Files by Google (scans and suggests removing unnecessary files).
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer (shows which folders take up the most space).
• 📊 DiskUsage (visualizes memory usage).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete applications on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

Error 1: “Delete is impossible” or the button is inactive.

• 🔹 Reason: Application is system or administrator protected.
• 🔧 Solution: Try to disable it (method 3). ADB (Method 4. Check if it is the device administrator (Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators).

Error 2: The app has been deleted but reappeared after the reboot.

• 🔹 Reason: MIUI Restores system applications when restarting.
• 🔧 Solution: Remove through ADB flag-headed --user 0. Turn off automatic updates of system applications (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Turn off Auto Update").

Error 3: After deleting, other functions (such as the camera or NFC) have stopped working.

• 🔹 Reason: Removed system component that other services depended on.
• 🔧 Solution: Restore the application through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet Make reset settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

Error 4: Not enough permissions to delete via ADB.

• 🔹 Reason: not included debugging by USB or drivers not installed.
• 🔧 Solution: Check that the Developer Settings include Debugging by USB. Install Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Try another one. USB-cable.

💡

If after removing the application, the phone began to slow down, clear the system cache: go to Settings → About Phone → Press 5 times on the MIUI Version → Select Clear the cache (will appear after clicking).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions