How to completely remove unnecessary regular applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users never run. Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay and other services not only take up space in memory, but also consume battery power in the background. Unfortunately, standard removal methods through the Settings menu are often blocked by the manufacturer.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to remove regular apps on Xiaomi devices, from secure deactivation to complete removal with ADB and root rights. You’ll learn which apps can be removed without risk to the system and which shouldn’t be touched.

Why you can’t just remove regular apps through settings

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, protect system applications from removal for several reasons:

• 🔄 Stability of work MIUI. Some applications are integrated into the shell and are responsible for basic functions (for example, Security manages permission, and Mi Share handles file transfer).
• 📦 License agreements: Pre-installed services (e.g. Facebook, Netflix) are often contracted with partners.
• 🔒 Security: Deleting critical components (e.g. Google Play Services) can cause errors in other software.
• 📱 Regional restrictions: firmware for different countries can have unique applications (for example, Mi Roaming for India or Mi Credit for China).

If you try to remove such an application through the standard Settings → Apps menu, the system either hides the “Delete” button or only suggests “Disable”; however, even the programs that are disabled continue to take up disk space and can be updated via Google Play.

Method 1: Disabling unnecessary applications (without root rights)

The safest method is to deactivate applications through settings, which won't free up memory, but will stop background activity and remove icons from the menu.

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android., com.miui. or com.google. – This can cause malfunctions in the smartphone. For example, disabling Mi Account (com.xiaomi.account) will disrupt data synchronization.

Mi Browser (com.android.browser)

Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)

Mi Music (com.miui.player)

GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks)

Mi Pay (com.mipay.wallet.in)

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Method 2: Remove via ADB (no root rights but with PC)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can completely remove applications using ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but you'll need a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, execute the delete command (example for Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

🔹 List of commands for popular applications:

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It only works for the current user (--user 0). After resetting settings or updating MIUI The apps can come back. To delete them forever, you'll need root rights.

💡

Before deleting through ADB, back up the application list with the adb shell pm list packages > apps.txt command. This will help restore remote programs if necessary.

Method 3: Remove Root Rights (for Power Users)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed or another rooting method, you can remove system applications directly through a file manager with superuser rights (such as Root Explorer or FX File Manager).

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root rights support (e.g. MiXplorer).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it by adding.bak (e.g. Browser.bak) at the end.
5. Reset the device.

Removal of systemic APK-files can lead to a bootloop if you remove the critical component.Always check the name of the package before you delete it and backup through TWRP.

🔹 Examples of safe folders for deleting:

• 🌐 Browser — Mi Browser
• 🎵 Music — Mi Music
• 📺 VideoPlayer — Mi Video
• 🛒 MiPick — GetApps

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root rights)

If ADB commands seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities to remove system applications. One of the most popular is Universal Android Debloater (UAD).

How to use:

1. Download Universal Android Debloater on PC.
2. Connect the phone to the computer with USB debugging enabled.
3. Launch the utility and wait for the list of applications to load.
4. Check the boxes unnecessary programs (the utility highlights dangerous to remove red).
5. Click on “Uninstall selected” and confirm the action.

🔹 Advantages UAD:

• 🔍 Automatically determines safe to remove applications.
• 📋 Allows you to create backups before removal.
• 🔄 Supports Recovery of Remote Packets.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. Windows Defender) may block startup UAD Add the utility to the exceptions or temporarily disable the protection.

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (radical method)

If you need to get rid of all Xiaomi’s regular apps once and for all, the most reliable way is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc OS).

🔹 The benefits of custom firmware:

• ⚡ Absence of unnecessary applications and background processes.
• 🆕 Regular security updates.
• 🎛️ Flexible interface settings.

🔹 Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔧 Difficulty of installation for beginners.
• 📱 Possible problems with the camera or sensors (depending on the model).

📌 Popular firmware for Xiaomi:

🔹 Important: Before installing custom firmware, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool and make a data backup. XDA Developers for your model.

💡

Custom firmware is the only way to get rid of Bloatware forever, but it requires technical skills and can take away warranties.

What Xiaomi apps can’t be removed (risks and consequences)

Not all system applications are safe to remove, and here is a list of components that will cause your smartphone to be unstable or inoperable:

• 🚨 com.android.settings – Settings (without them you can not configure the phone).
• 🚨 com.miui.securitycenter – Security (responsible for permissions and security).
• 🚨 com.google.android.gsf – Google Services Framework (required for Google services).
• 🚨 com.miui.home – Launcher (remove – you will be left without a desktop).
• 🚨 com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – Communication module (without it there will be no network).

🔹 Symptoms after removing critical applications:

• 🔄 Infinite Reboot (bootloop).
• 📵 Lack of mobile network or Wi-Fi.
• 🔳 Hanging on the Xiaomi logo.
• 🔊 Failing sensors (gyroscope, compass).

⚠️ Note: If after removing the application, the phone stopped working normally, try to restore it through the app. ADB team:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <application package>

For example, to restore settings:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.settings

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi's full-time apps