How to Remove Unnecessary System Apps on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work (2026)

Why Xiaomi users want to get rid of system applications

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all known for their functionality, but many owners face the same problem: dozens of pre-installed apps that cannot be removed by standard methods. These programs take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even collect user data without explicit consent. According to a 2023 study by AppCensus, new Xiaomi devices have an average of 27 to 42 system applications installed, of which only 12 to 15 are really necessary for stable system operation.

Owners often try to remove programs like Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps or Mi Pay, but face the limitations of MIUI. The system simply prevents you from clicking the Remove button, offering only Disable or Remove Updates. However, even disabled applications continue to take up space on the disk and can be activated after updates. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove system applications on Xiaomi, from the simplest to advanced root rights.

Before we get started, it’s important to understand that removing system components is always risky. Some applications are critical to MIUI, and removing them can lead to unstable interfaces, settings errors, or even a device blink (completely inoperable).

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

If your goal is simply to free up RAM and prevent the background activity of unnecessary programs, just turn them off. This method does not require root rights, does not affect the warranty and is reversible at any time.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show all processes (or Show system based on MIUI version).
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, stop updating through the Play Market, and not automatically start up, but its files will remain in the device's memory, and more radical methods will be needed to completely remove them.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android., miui. or google. in the package (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home.

• ✅ Pros of the method: Safe, does not require technical skills, reversible.
• ❌ Cons: Does not free up disk space, the application can be activated again after the update MIUI.

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Disabling system applications is the best option for most users, as it does not pose a risk to the stability of the system.

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

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall system apps using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices that doesn’t require root rights, but requires a computer and a little preparation, and is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

First, turn on Developer Mode and USB Debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the debugging switch over USB and confirm the resolution.

Now connect your phone to your PC and execute the following commands in the terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows):

adb devices


adb shell




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser # Replace with the package of the desired application

List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall removes the application only for the current user (--user 0). When you reset your phone or create a new profile, it can reappear.

• 🔧 What you'll need: Cable USB, PC fitted ADB (Download here, 5-10 minutes of time.
• 📱 Compatibility: Works for all Xiaomi MIUI 10 and newer, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13.
• ⚠️ Risks: When you delete critical packets (e.g. com.miui.home), the launcher may stop working.

Install ADB on PC|Enable USB debugging on phone |Connect phone to PC and confirm trusted device |Download list of system application packages |Making backup of data-->

Method 3: Using Magisk (for root-right devices)

If your Xiaomi already has root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can uninstall system applications using modules or manually through the file manager. This method gives the most freedom, but also the greatest risks. TWRP Or OrangeFox.

The easiest way to do this is to use the System App Remover module for Magisk:

1. Download the System App Remover module (check compatibility with your version of MIUI).
2. Install it through Magisk Manager (Modules → Install from storage).
3. Reboot the phone.
4. After the reboot, open the System App Remover app from the menu.
5. Select unnecessary apps and click Remove.

For manual deletion via file manager (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer):

1. Open the manager and go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
2. Find a folder with the name of the application you are removing (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
3. Delete the folder or rename it by adding.bak (e.g. Browser.bak) at the end.
4. Reset the device.

The advantage of this method is the complete removal of the application, including its updates and cache. However, there is a downside: if you carelessly remove critical components (for example, com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice), the phone can lose the network or stop loading.

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Before removing any system application through the root, check its name on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Often there are lists of safe to remove packages for specific Xiaomi models.

Method 4: Debloating through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

If you're willing to go beyond just removing individual applications, you can do a full debloating -- clearing MIUI of all unnecessary components -- you'll need custom recaps (TWRP or OrangeFox) and a special script.

The most popular debloating tool is MIUI Mix Explorer or scripts from the XDA community. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Install TWRP for your model (instructions are available on the official website).
2. Download a debloating script, for example, MIUI Debloater.
3. Place the script on a memory card or in internal memory.
4. Boot to TWRP (usually by squeezing Power + Vol Up).
5. Select Install → Select Script → Swipe to Confirm.
6. Once completed, run Wipe Dalvik/Cache and restart.

Scripts are usually removed:

• 🌐 All browsers (Mi Browser, Chrome)
• 🎵 Music and video players (Mi Music, Mi Video)
• 🛒 Markets (GetApps, Google Play Games)
• 📱 Duplicate system utilities (e.g., second file manager)

⚠️ Attention: Debloating through TWRP It can cause data loss if the script contains errors. Always check the reviews on the forums before using. MIUI, For example, topics or cloud backup.

Method 5: Uninstall via Fastboot (advanced method)

For power users who want to completely clear the /system partition from unnecessary applications, Fastboot editing requires command line skills and an understanding of Android structure is a good way to do it.

Here's a brief instruction:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and remove unnecessary.apk files from the system/priv-app/ and system/app/ folders.
3. Reassemble the firmware with the tool miui_rom_mod (available on GitHub).
4. Fastboot: fastboot flash system.img fastboot reboot

This method eliminates unnecessary applications forever, because they simply won't be installed when you run the firmware.

• 🖥️ Confident command line ownership.
• 🔌 Unlocked bootloader (all data is reset when unlocked!).
• 📦 Backup of data (firmware via Fastboot formats the data section).

If you’ve never flashed Xiaomi through Fastboot, it’s best to start with simpler methods (ADB or Magisk).A mistake when modifying the firmware can result in a complete loss of device performance.

How to Restore Remote System Applications

If you have problems after you delete the system application (for example, Google Services stopped working or the notification bar disappeared), it can be restored.

• 🔄 Through ADB: If the command is removed pm uninstall --user 0, The application can be returned as follows: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser
• 📦 Through the backup. TWRP: Restore a backup copy of the System partition (if you made it before debloating).
• 🔧 Through the firmware: Refresh MIUI via Fastboot or Recovery (no data is lost if you select Save user data).
• 📱 If you used the System App Remover module, simply deactivate it in Magisk Manager.

If none of these methods work, all that remains is a complete flashing of the device.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack it and launch the script. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

After flashing all system applications will be restored, but user data (photos, messages, applications) can be lost if a backup was not made.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi