How to safely remove system applications on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 3 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi 7A comes with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which cannot be removed by standard means, which take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and can send unnecessary notifications. However, removing them is not an easy task: improper actions can lead to system failures or even “bricking” the device.

In this article, we will discuss three officially supported and semi-official methods of removing system applications on Redmi 7A, from the safest to the radical. You will learn which programs can be removed without risk and which should not be touched, how to roll back changes when errors are made, and what alternatives exist for those who are not ready for experiments. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 for Redmi 7A (codenamed pine).

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

Unlike custom programs, system applications on Xiaomi are protected from accidental removal for several reasons:

• 🔒 Integration with MIUI: Many applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) are responsible for security, updates, or interface performance, and deleting them can lead to errors such as endless downloads or no access to settings.
• 📦 Partitions: Systemic Partitions: APK-files are stored in a protected section /system, which is available only for reading by default.
• 🔄 Service dependencies: Even underutilized programs (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can be linked to other components. MIUI Android Manifest.

The manufacturer blocks the removal of such applications not because of malicious intent, but to prevent the loss of warranty and unstable operation of the device. For example, deleting com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop) can disrupt the fast file transfer function, and deleting com.miui.analytics can lead to errors in usage statistics.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A firmware MIUI Global Stable Removal of System Applications Through ADB Or root automatically resets the Anti-Rollback counter, which means that after such manipulations, you will not be able to roll back to the older version. MIUI without the risk of turning your phone into a brick".

Method 1: Disabling system applications without deleting (the safest)

If your goal is to free up RAM and get rid of intrusive notifications, you just need to disable unnecessary programs without deleting them completely.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser or Mi Pay) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (the button will become active if the application can be deactivated).

After deactivation, the annex:

• ✅ It will stop appearing on the menu and on the desktop.
• ✅ It will not be used up operational memory.
• ✅ No updates will be made through the Play Market.
• ❌ Save your data (cache and settings) on the device.

This method is suitable for 90% of users because it does not require technical skills and does not affect the stability of the system, but it does not free up internal memory - it will require more radical measures.

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

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root rights, but with a number of restrictions.This method works on the Redmi 7A due to the features of the MIUI firmware, where some system APKs have user status (rather than system).

First, prepare:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and established ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Steps to remove:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

1. Get a list of all packages:

adb shell pm list packages -f

1. Find the package you want (e.g. com.miui.browser) and delete it:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

The --user 0 key means that the application is only removed for the current user (without affecting the system partition), which makes the process relatively secure, but has disadvantages:

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A firmware MIUI 12.5+ squander ADB Applications like com.lbe.security.miui or com.xiaomi.upnp (Mi Connect) will cause a Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. This means that the package is protected at the kernel level.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take risks, getting root permissions will give you full access to the system partition. On Redmi 7A, it's possible through unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recap (TWRP), but the process has critical nuances:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader resets all data and requires a Mi Account link (can take up to 720 hours of waiting on new devices).
• 🛠️ Installation TWRP for Redmi 7A It requires a special version of the Recovery (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-pine), As standard assemblies do not support encryption FBE.
• 📛️ Magisk must be installed manually through a patch boot.img, since automatic installation through the Recovery often leads to a looped bootloader.

Once root is obtained, you can remove system applications through:

1. Root Explorer file manager: Go to /system/priv-app or /system/app, find the folder with the name of the application and delete it.
2. Terminal Emulator with the team:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Folder name




mount -o ro,remount /system

1. Applications like Titanium Backup or System App Remover (allow you to create backups before you delete them).

Example of safe removal through Titanium Backup:

1. Launch the application and provide root access.
2. Go to the Frozen tab (if you have previously disabled applications).
3. Select the app, tap it and tap Delete!
4. Confirm the deletion and restart the device.

💡

Before removing any system application through root, make the /system backup command adb backup -f system.ab -system, which will allow you to restore the system if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A Deleting the following packets will cause the device to fail: com.android.phone, com.android.settings, com.miui.home, com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice, and do not delete anything from the folder. /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI — It'll trigger a bootloop.

What to do if the phone stops working after removal

If after manipulating system applications Redmi 7A does not turn on, hovers on the logo or gives errors, use these recovery methods:

• 🔄 Reset via Recovery: Press the Power + Volume Up, select Wipe Data → Factory Reset: This will delete all user data, but restore system files.
• 📥 Fastboot Firmware: Download the official firmware for Redmi 7A (pine code from the site MIUI Downloads and run through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.
• 🛠️ Recovery through ADB Sideload: If the phone is loaded into TWRP, Connect it to the PC and execute it:

adb sideload firmware.zip

For Redmi 7A, it is critical to use firmware with the same region (Global, China, India) as the one originally installed. For example, if you had MIUI Global 12.5.2, don’t flash China Stable, it will cause problems with the modem and IMEI.

💡

If the phone stopped loading after removing system applications, DO NOT try to "fix" it through random firmware from the Internet. Use only official Xiaomi ROMs for the Redmi 7A (pine) model with the same region and MIUI version.

Removal Alternatives: How to Hide or Replace System Applications

If the risks of deleting are scary, consider safer ways to get rid of unnecessary programs:

• 🔍 Hiding icons: Use launchers like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher that allows you to hide system applications from the menu.
• 🔄 Replace with analogues: disable Mi Browser and install Chrome or Firefox; replace Mi Music with a new one VLC poweramp.
• 🚫 Locking through ADB: Instead of removing, block background activity with the team:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

• 📵 Internet restriction: in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Mobile network data) disable background traffic for unnecessary programs.

Redmi 7A is particularly relevant for Magisk debloating, which allows you to disable system applications without physically removing them, which is safer for system stability, and you can install them through Magisk Manager after you get root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Redmi 7A