How to completely remove the program from the phone Xiaomi: all the ways

Why Standard Removal Doesn't Always Work

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI often put users at a loss: it seems to have deleted the application through the menu, and it appears again in the list every day. Or worse, it takes up space in memory, but does not appear in the settings. It is all about the features of the firmware: some programs (system services, preinstalled utilities) are protected from removal, and some are simply hidden from the user’s eyes.

Another problem is zombie apps that remain in the background after uninstallation, which continue to consume battery, send notifications and even collect data, such as Mi Browser or Mi Video can "resurrection" after a MIUI update, if not removed correctly, and in this article we will discuss all working methods, including hidden features and tools for power users.

Important: Before removing the program, check whether the program is critical to the system. For example, removing Security can disrupt the fingerprint scanner, and deleting Mi Share can disable fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices.

Method 1: Standard removal via MIUI settings

The easiest method that works for most custom apps (downloaded from Google Play or Mi App Store) is suitable for Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others with MIUI 14+.

Algorithm:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the program (for example, Facebook or TikTok)
• 🗑️ Click on the app. → Delete (if the button is active)
• ⚠️ Confirm the action if a warning about system files appears

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), it means the application is system or protected. In this case, go to methods 2-5. Also note the Disable button - it hides the program from the menu and stops it from working, but does not free up memory.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications called com.android., miui. or xiaomi.* from the standard menu, this can cause system failure).

Method 2: Hidden MIUI settings (for system applications)

MIUI hides some of the features from ordinary users, but they can be activated through developer menus or special combinations, which allows you to remove some system utilities (for example, Mi Music, Mi Calendar), which are not usually removed.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Install the MIUI Hidden Settings app (available on Google Play or on miui.huji.net).
4. In the application, find the App Manager section → select the desired application → Uninstall.

List of applications that can be removed in this way (without risk to the system):

Important: After you uninstall your system applications via MIUI Hidden Settings, they can return after you update MIUI again. To avoid this, disable automatic firmware updates or use method 5 (ADB).

Method 3: Remove in Safe Mode (for "unremovable" programs)

Some applications (especially viruses or aggressive software) block their uninstallation by masquerading as system processes, in which case a safe mode that downloads only basic Android services will help.

How to get into Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Turn off the phone.
• 🔘 Press the power button before the logo appears MI.
• 👆 Once the logo appears, hold the Volume button down until you see the Safe Mode label at the bottom of the screen.

In safe mode:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the problem app (it will be marked as Disabled or Stopped).
3. Click Remove – In Safe Mode, the uninstallation lock is usually removed.

⚠️ Attention: Fingerprint and Face Unlock are not working in Safe Mode. PIN-It's also impossible to uninstall applications that are part of the unlock code or pattern lock. MIUI (For example, Security or Theme Manager).

Method 4: Remove with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of taking full control of the system, you can uninstall any application, including those that are protected.

• 📲 Unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Installed by Magisk or other root manager.
• 🛠️ Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Root Explorer from Google Play.
2. Give the application root rights (the first start will be a request from Magisk).
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
4. Find a folder with the name of the program you are removing (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
5. Reboot the phone.

List of apps that are not recommended to be removed even from root:

• 🚫 com.android.settings (Settings)
• 🚫 com.miui.home (Luncher) MIUI)
• 🚫 com.qualcomm.qti* (CPU drivers)
• 🚫 com.google.android.gsf (Google Services)

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Before you delete your system files from root, back up your /system folder via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery to help restore your phone in case of a brick.

Method 5: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

The method is for those who don't want to root, but need to uninstall system applications, and it requires a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on the phone.

Instructions:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB, select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter: adb devices (should appear the name of your device).
4. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages
5. Remove the unnecessary app (e.g. Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Teams for popular Xiaomi apps:

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Delete applications only for the current user (--user 0). After resetting settings or updating MIUI They can come back. To remove them completely, you need to add a flag. --user All, but it is risky - it can disrupt the system.

💡

ADB is the safest way to remove system applications without root, but requires a PC connection.Suitable for Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader.

What to do if the application is not removed

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

• 🔒 The application can be protected by the administrator of the device. → Passwords and security → Device administrators and uncheck the problem program.
• 🔄 Maybe it's an update to the system app. Try to roll back to the factory version first: adb shell pm uninstall. -k --user 0 com.example.app then remove the update in Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Remove updates.
• 📦 The application can be part of the firmware (for example, Google Play Services), in which case only the flashing to custom will help. MIUI (For example, xiaomi.eu).
• 🦠 If it is a virus, use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light in Safe Mode.

If the phone after removal began to brake, overheat or give out errors, try:

1. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Reset the device.
3. Restore a remote application via MIUI Hidden Settings or ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing programs on Xiaomi