How to Remove Embedded Apps on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Methods

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the problem of unnecessary pre-installed apps — from Mi Browser to GetApps — that take up memory, consume battery power and show ads. Despite the manufacturer’s promises to reduce the amount of garbage in new versions of MIUI, many users are still looking for ways to get rid of them forever.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods of removing system applications - from safe disabling without superuser rights to radical removal through the system. ADB and TWRP. We will focus on the risks: why some applications can not be touched, how to restore the system after a failure and what to do if the phone stopped turning on. 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

Why you can’t just remove system apps from the menu

Unlike custom programs, pre-installed Xiaomi applications are protected at the firmware level. Attempt to uninstall them through standard Settings → Apps usually ends with the "Uninstallation message not allowed" or a grayed-out button.

• 🔒 Security policy MIUI: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) are critical to the system.
• 📦 Component Interdependence: Deleting Mi Account can disrupt contact synchronization, and deleting Mi Share can disrupt fast file transfer.
• 🛡️ Protection against the “brick”: firmware blocks changes in the system partition /system free-standing.

Even if you managed to uninstall an application through third-party utilities (such as App Inspector), it may return after the MIUI update, so it is important to understand the difference between:

• 🔄 Disconnect (the application remains in memory but does not work).
• 🗑️ Delete to the user (files remain but are hidden from the system).
• ⚡ Complete deletion (files deleted from the device, requires root or ADB).

Method 1: Disconnect via settings (without root and ADB)

The safest way is to disable unnecessary apps through the standard menu, which won't free up memory, but will stop the background and remove the icons from the launcher.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all processes".
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Music or Mi Pay).
4. Click "Disable" (if the button is active) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android., com.miui. (except for obvious garbage like com.miui.bugreport) and com.qualcomm.* – this can lead to loss of mobile network or interface errors.

Unused Services (Mi Roaming, Mi Credit)

Browser (Mi Browser, Mint Browser)

Music and video players (Mi Music, Mi Video)

Gaming services (Game Turbo, Joyose)

-->

List of safe applications to disable (checked on MIUI 14/15):

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

If you don't shut down enough, you can uninstall apps through ADB, the Android debugging tool, which doesn't require root rights, but you need to:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
2. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: Adb devices Should appear with a serial number.
3. Check the list of installed packages: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'
4. Remove unnecessary app (e.g. GetApps): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

🔹 Key point: Flag --user 0 removes the application only for the current user, without affecting the system files, this avoids the "brick", but after resetting the application can return.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the pm uninstall command -k flagless --user 0 — This will result in complete removal and may disrupt the system:

• 🚫 com.miui.home (launcher).
• 🚫 com.android.phone (phone calls).
• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter (security).

Method 3: Delete with Magisk (root rights)

Root rights are required to remove system applications completely, and the most reliable way to get them is to install Magisk via custom recovery (TWRP), a process that is risky but gives you maximum control over the device.

Steps to remove:

1. Install Magisk and get root (see instructions for your model on XDA Developers).
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app or /system/app.
4. Find a folder with the name of an unwanted app (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

🔹 Important: Before removing, make a backup folder /system through TWRP team:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

su -c "dumpsys package com.xiaomi.mipicks"

If the output contains lines with requiredFor or dependentPackages, deletion may disrupt the operation of other components.-->

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-file /system If the phone doesn't turn on after you reboot, try it:

1. Download to TWRP (Press Power + Volume Up)
2. Restore the backup or flash the original firmware through Fastboot.

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (for experienced)

A radical way to get rid of system debris is to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu), which is devoid of most Xiaomi pre-installed apps, but has its own nuances:

• ✅ Pros: clean Android, regular updates, no advertising.
• ❌ Cons: Loss of some functions MIUI (For example, Always-on Display or Dual Apps, the risk of loss of warranty.

Popular firmware for Xiaomi:

🔹 How to choose firmware:

1. Check out your model support on XDA or Xiaomi.eu.
2. Download firmware and TWRP for your model.
3. Backup through TWRP (including EFS and Modem).
4. Flush the firmware through TWRP (the instructions are different for each device!).

💡

Custom firmware requires a fastboot oem unlock, which resets all data and can void the warranty.

Method 5: Hiding applications without deleting (alternative)

If the risks of deletion are too high, you can simply hide unnecessary apps from display. This will not free up memory, but will clear the desktop and menu.

Ways of concealment:

• 📱 Through the launcher: POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher can hide the icons (long press). → "Hide").
• 🔧 Through settings MIUI: Settings → Annexes → Hidden applications (not available on all versions).
• 🛠️ Through ADB: Adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks command hides app without deleting.

⚠️ Attention: Hidden applications continue to work in the background!To stop them completely, combine this method with shutdown (Method 1).

What to do if the phone does not work after removal

If you have removed a critical app and device:

• 🔄 Hangs on the logo: Try booting into Safe Mode (click Power) → long-press on "Switch off").
• 📵 Not included: Download to Fastboot (Power) + Volume Down) and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔧 Works with Errors: Restore the Remote Application through ADB (See spoiler in Method 2).

🔹 Emergency: If there is no backup, download the original firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website and thread it through Fastboot:

fastboot flash all firmware.zip

This will bring the phone back to factory status, but it will delete all the data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications