How to remove system applications on Xiaomi: 4 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their rich functionality, but many users face the problem of unnecessary system applications that take up memory, consume battery power and interfere with comfortable work. Unlike conventional programs, embedded software cannot be removed by standard methods - this requires special tools and knowledge. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove system applications on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including methods without root rights and using ADB.

It is important to understand that removing some system components can lead to unstable phone operation or even a “brick” (complete failure). Therefore, before starting the procedure, we recommend you to study the list of safe applications for removing it for your Xiaomi model - it may vary depending on the version of MIUI and regional firmware. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to disabling unnecessary services through the settings.

This article will be suitable for owners of devices based on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, as well as those who want to optimize the operation of a smartphone without installing custom firmware, we will look at methods of varying complexity, from simple disabling to complete removal using ADB and TWRP.

1. Which system applications can be removed and which cannot be removed

Before you start deleting, you need to be clear about which components are critical to the system and which can be safely uninstalled. MIUI and HyperOS have three categories of embedded software:

• 🔴 Critical system services – deleting will result in download errors or a “brick” (e.g. com.android.phone, com.miui.home).
• 🟡 Conditionally secure applications – can be removed, but this may affect individual functions (e.g, com.miui.weather2 — weather, com.xiaomi.scanner - scanner QR-code).
• 🟢 Safe to remove – duplicate services, advertising modules, underused utilities (for example, com.miui.bugreport, com.xiaomi.midrop).

Below is a list of the most frequently removed apps on Xiaomi smartphones (relevant to MIUI 14 and HyperOS):

⚠️ Note: Never remove apps with com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home packages, which will make it impossible to boot your system. Also avoid removing Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) if you use Google services.

Method 1: Disabling system applications without deleting

If you don’t want to risk system stability but want to get rid of intrusive notifications and process backgrounds, you can simply disable unnecessary apps.This method does not require root rights and is suitable for all Xiaomi models.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser or Mi Pay) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

🔹 What's the blackout doing:

• 📵 The app stops sending notifications.
• 🔄 Not updated through Play Market.
• 📥 Some RAM (but not internal) is released).
• ⚠️ No application files are deleted – it will remain in memory.

💡 Tip: To hide disabled applications from the menu, use launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher – they allow you to filter the list of programs.

Backup of important data

Check the list of safe applications to disable

Close all background processes

Reboot the phone after disconnecting-->

3. Method 2: Removal via ADB (no root rights)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to completely remove system applications without obtaining root rights.This is an official tool from Google, but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.

Connect your phone to your PC:

• Download and unpack the platform-tools (includes adb.exe).
• Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with adb:
• Enter a command to check the connection:
• On the phone, confirm the debugging permission.
• Remove the unnecessary application: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.pack Example for removing Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

⚠️ Attention: Command pm uninstall --user 0 deletes the application only for the current user (without affecting the system). If you want to delete the entire application, use pm uninstall -k --user 0, This can lead to errors when updating. MIUI.

💡

Before deleting via ADB, back up the list of installed packages with the adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt command. This will help restore remote applications if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Removal using TWRP (root rights required)

If your Xiaomi has a custom TWRP recap on it, you can remove system applications directly through the file manager, which gives you maximum control, but requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights.

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🗑️ Complete removal of application files (including cache and data).
• 🔄 Ability to restore remote through backup TWRP.
• 🛠️ It works even with protected system packages.

📌 Instructions:

1. Upload the phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open /system/app or /system/priv-app (depending on the location of the application).
4. Find a folder with the name of the package (for example, Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders from /system This can cause a cyclical reboot if you delete a critical component.Always backup the system partition before making changes:

adb backup -f system_backup.ab -system

5. Method 4: Use of removal applications (with root rights)

If you have root rights, the process of removing system applications is greatly simplified. There are specialized utilities that allow you to manage packages in a few clicks.

🔹 Top.-3 system-based application:

📌 How to Use System App Remover:

1. Install the app and provide root access.
2. In the main menu, select the System Apps tab.
3. Check the unneeded applications (you can use the search by the name of the package).
4. Press Uninstall and confirm the action.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Titanium Backup) require you to disable signature verification MIUI In the developer settings, activate the option to disable signature verification. MIUI In Settings → For developers.

💡

Even with root rights, do not remove Google services (com.google.) or MIUI components (com.miui.) unless you are sure about their purpose, which can lead to loss of functionality (for example, push notifications disappear or the theme of the registration stops working).

6. How to Restore a Remote System Application

If you have problems after deleting (for example, Google Play Services stopped working or the notification panel disappeared), do not panic - you can restore the remote software in several ways.

🔹 Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Through ADB: If the command is removed pm uninstall --user 0, You can return the application so:
• 📦 Through the backup. TWRP: Restore the system partition from backup.
• 🔧 Flip-flashing MIUI: Install the firmware again via Fastboot or Recovery (no data affected if you select Save user data).
• 📱 Factory Reset: The last method – returns all system applications but deletes user data.

💡 Tip: If you do not remember the name of the remote package, download the firmware for your Xiaomi model and extract the system.new.dat.br file from it using the tool MIUI Dat Extractor will have all the original system applications.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you delete system applications, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to solve them.

🔹 Error 1: The phone will not turn on after deleting

⚠️ Note: If after deleting the com.miui.home or com.android.systemui package, the phone goes to bootloop (cyclic reboot), the only way out is to reflash. MIUI It's on Fastboot:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (for Windows, or use the command:

🔹 Mistake 2: Google Services Are Not Working

If after deleting com.google.android.gms, notifications stop coming or the Play Market does not work, restore the package via ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

🔹 Mistake 3: The design topic has disappeared

Removing com.android.themes or com.miui.theme.editor results in a reset of the theme to standard. To return custom themes, reinstall the package from the firmware or download the theme from the Mi Theme Store again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions