Removing system applications on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: a professional approach

Xiaomi smartphone owners, including the popular Redmi 9T model, often face intrusive software that cannot be removed by standard means.This phenomenon, known as bloatware, not only takes up precious internal memory space, but also consumes RAM, reducing overall device performance. Owners of budget and mid-budget segments are especially acutely feeling a lack of resources when background advertising and analytics processes slow down the interface.

The procedure for getting rid of the built-in software requires the use of a computer and special tools, since the superuser rights (Root) are not required. Standard Android settings allow you to only disable some services, but not remove them physically from the disk. That is why the deep cleaning of the MIUI system uses the method of debugging over USB and the ADB protocol (Android Debug Bridge), which gives administrative access to package management.

Before taking drastic measures, you need to clearly understand the difference between user and system components. Incorrectly deleting critical files can lead to unstable phone performance or even a bootloop (cyclical reboot). This article details a secure algorithm for turning your Redmi 9T into a clean and fast device without unnecessary digital debris.

Preparation of the Redmi 9T smartphone for deep cleaning

The initial phase requires careful preparation of the software environment on both the computer and the mobile device itself. Without activating the hidden functions of the Android operating system, the computer simply will not see the phone in control mode. The first step is to activate the developer mode, which is by default hidden from the eyes of the average user to ensure the security of the system.

To activate the desired functions go to the Settings menu → About the phone and find the line version MIUI. You need to press this line quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until a pop-up notification appears "You became a developer", after which a new section will appear in the main settings menu. → For developers, where are the key switches.

Inside the developer menu, you’re interested in two main options: USB Debugging and USB Debugging (security settings). The first allows data exchange between the PC and the phone, and the second removes restrictions on installing and managing applications through the computer. It’s also recommended to enable the option “Do not turn off the screen when charging” so that the device does not go into sleep mode during the procedure.

• 📱 Press 7 times on the build number MIUI Unlocking the Developer Menu.
• 🔌 Activate the slider "Debugging by" USB» specialty.
• 🔒 Insert “Installation through” USB» and “Debugging by USB (safety settings)».
• 📶 Make sure that SIM-Mobile Internet card is active to confirm actions.

⚠️ Attention: When “Debugging by” is included USB (The system will require you to link your Mi Account and turn on mobile Internet. This is a Xiaomi security mechanism that cannot be avoided without root rights.

Once all the switches are turned on, the phone is ready to pair, and when the cable is first connected to the computer, the smartphone screen will ask for permission to debug from that computer, you must tick "Always allow from this computer" and press "OK", otherwise no further commands will be executed.

Required tools and driver installation

You will need a personal computer or laptop running Windows. Mobile cleaners that do not have root rights do not have sufficient authority to remove system packages, so using a PC is a prerequisite. The main tool will be the Platform Tools suite, officially provided by Google.

Download the current version of ADB and Fastboot from the official Android developer site. After downloading the archive, unpack it into the root folder of the disk, for example, in C:\platform-tools, so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters that can cause errors in the command line. You also need to make sure that the computer has universal Google USB Driver drivers or specific Xiaomi drivers.

You can check if you have a driver and connection installed through the command line. Connect your phone with a cable, open the console in the tool folder, and type in the adb device command. If your Redmi 9T serial number with device status is displayed in the list, the connection is established correctly. Unauthorized status means that you need to confirm permission on the phone screen.

• 💻 Download the official Android package SDK Platform Tools.
• 📂 Unpack the archive in a folder without spaces and Russian letters on the way.
• 🔗 Install the drivers. ADB Interface for correct display of the device.
• ✅ Check the connection with the adb device command in the terminal.

⚠️ Note: Use only original or quality certified USB-Cheap charging-only cables don't transmit data, and the computer won't see the device, making the procedure impossible.

If the command line does not see the device, try changing the device. USB-port on the motherboard (preferably) USB 2.0) or reinstall drivers through Device Manager by manually selecting the model from the Android list ADB Interface.

System Package Analysis: What Can Be Deleted

The most critical step in the process is identifying the applications that are to be removed. In Android, each application has a unique identifier called a package name. Deleting a system component called com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter will result in loss of communication or inability to boot the system.

To make things easier, there are enthusiast-made Safe-to-remove lists, but even with them, you should be careful, for example, Google Play services (com.google.android.gms) cannot be removed if you use an app store, navigation or contact sync.

Below is a table with common MIUI and Android packages that Redmi 9T users often delete to make the system easier.

Special attention should be paid to the service MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is responsible for displaying advertising in system applications, its removal significantly improves the comfort of using a smartphone, and Mi Pay, Mi Credit and other regional services that are not relevant for users from the CIS are also often removed.

• 🔍 Always check the function of the package before being deleted in the search engine.
• 🚫 Do not touch packages containing the words framework, provider, setup.
• 📦 Keep a list of remote applications for possible recovery.
• 🛡️ Use graphical shells to minimize the risk of error.

⚠️ Warning: Removing the com.miui.securitycore component or com.android.providers.downloads may disrupt the update and antivirus bootloader, leaving the phone vulnerable.

If you doubt the purpose of a particular process, it is better to leave it.A clean system is more stable than a system from which "everything that moves" is cut out, but with broken dependencies.

Manual removal method through ADB command line

For those who prefer full control and do not want to install additional software, there is a direct method through the console. This method requires accuracy of command input, since one typo in the name of the package can lead to an error or removal of the wrong application (CMD) PowerShell in the folder where adb.exe is located.

The basic command to remove the system application for the current user (user 0) is as follows:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

Flag. -k means that the cache and application data will be stored (in case of recovery) and --user 0 indicates that the deletion is only for the main user profile, without affecting the system partition completely, which makes the process reversible: when the phone is reset to factory settings, the remote applications will return.

If you want to not delete, but simply disable (disable) the application, leaving it on the disk, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 name packet

Once the command is completed, the system will issue a Success message if the operation is successful. The application will disappear from the menu and no longer consume resources. To check the list of installed packages, you can use the command adb shell pm list packages, and to search for a specific one, you can add a filter, for example, adb shell pm lists | findstrui mi.

• ⌨️ Enter commands carefully by checking each letter in the packet name.
• 📋 Use copying the name of the package from the safe removal lists.
• 🔄 To restore the remote application, use the command cmd package install-existing name packet.
• 📝 Keep a log of the actions performed to know what has been changed.

This method is ideal for point removal of 2-3 specific applications, however, if you plan to massively clean dozens of packages, manually inserting each command becomes tedious and increases the risk of human error.

💡

Use the adb shell pm list packages -3 command to see a list of only third-party (custom) applications installed by you and compare them to system ones.

Automation of the process with graphical utilities

A more convenient and secure way for most users is to use specialized GUI programs that run on top of ADB. The most popular and proven utility is Universal Android Debloater (UAD) or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. These programs automatically scan the device, define the model and offer lists of safe applications to remove.

Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, developed by szaki enthusiast, is tailored specifically for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. It can not only remove system debris, but also clean the Data partition from junk files, change the region and delete ads. After connecting the phone and launching the utility, it will offer you to choose the categories of applications for removal: Remove Mi Services, Remove Google Apps, Remove Bloatware.

The interface of these programs is usually divided into tabs, where you list all the packages installed with status notes (Safe, Unsafe, Expert), you just tick against the unnecessary items and click the "Uninstall" button. ADB-commands to the phone, and also create a report on the actions committed.

• 🖥️ Download the current version of the utility from GitHub (Section Releases).
• 🔍 Give the program time to scan your Redmi package list 9T.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the "Expert" or "Unsafe" mode in graphics utilities unless you know exactly what a particular package is responsible for.

Using software greatly speeds up the process and minimizes the risk of typos, and many utilities have a built-in knowledge base that tells you what will happen when you remove a component.

System Recovery and Possible Risks

Even with all precautions, there is a possibility of failure: if after removing system applications, the phone began to work incorrectly, there were persistent pop-up errors or sound was lost, you need to know how to restore. Since we have removed applications only for the user (--user 0), The files are left in the system partition and can be returned.

The easiest way to return a remote application is to execute an installation command for an existing package:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.example

Replace com.miui.example with the real name of the remote package. If the phone stopped loading (got to bootloop) or the sensor does not work, you will need to reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), this action will completely clear user data and return all system applications to the original state, as in the purchase.

To perform a reset through a computer, if the phone at least somehow responds, you can use the command:

adb reboot recovery




After restarting in Recovery mode, select Wipe Data or Factory Reset, which is guaranteed to eliminate the consequences of the failed deletion of system files.




    
🔄 The install-existing command returns a remote packet without losing data.

    
🔨 Hard Reset is a radical but 100% working method of rolling back change.

    
💾 Always back up important photos and contacts before experimenting.

    
📉 Removing the antivirus may require the manual installation of alternative protection.





It is important to understand that after deep cleaning, air-based firmware updates (OTAs) may not be correct or take longer to verify file integrity. In some cases, after a major MIUI update, remote applications may return and the procedure will have to be repeated.




💡

Deleting system applications via ADB is a reversible action until a full Wipe Data reset is performed, since files remain in the system partition.




Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Is it safe to remove Google Play Services?




What if the sound or vibration is lost after removal?


Will remote applications return after the MIUI update?


Can I remove ads on Xiaomi without removing apps?