Removing system applications on Xiaomi without computer and root rights: the full guide 2026

Why are Xiaomi’s built-in apps bothering users and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners regularly face the problem of pre-installed system applications that take up memory, consume battery power and display intrusive advertising, especially services like Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps or Mi Pay that cannot be removed by standard means. But is there a way to get rid of them without using a computer and obtaining root rights?

In this article, we will discuss current methods of removing system applications on MIUI 12-14 without rooting and PC, evaluate their effectiveness and risks, and propose alternative solutions to optimize the operation of a smartphone. It is important to understand that even without root access, there are tools that allow you to disable or freeze unnecessary programs, but complete removal is not possible for all components.

Before you start, consider that some system applications are critical to the stable operation of MIUI. Deleting them can lead to interface failures, loss of functionality (such as gestures or design themes), or even to the "brick" of the device.

What system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without consequences?

Not all pre-installed programs are equally useful, some of which duplicate the features of Google or third-party services, and some are not used at all by most users. Below is a list of applications that can be safely disabled or removed (unless they are part of critical MIUI services):

• 🌐 Mi Browser – a browser with ads, replaced by Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎬 Mi Video – video player, duplicate YouTube features or VLC.
• 📱 GetApps – Xiaomi’s branded app store, an alternative to Google Play.
• 💳 Mi Pay is a payment service that is only relevant for China.
• 📊 Mi Community – a support forum, rarely used in Russia.
• 🎵 Mi Music – Music Player, replaced by Spotify or Yandex Music.
• 📡 Mi Remote – remote control, useful only for controlling Xiaomi equipment.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove applications with names that contain miui, system, framework or android, which are components of the operating system. Also avoid interfering with com.xiaomi. services with non-obvious features (for example, com.xiaomi.mipicks is responsible for the themes of the design).

To check if a particular application can be removed, use the table below, which lists the programs that most often cause questions from users and the risk of their removal:

Method 1: Disabling system applications through MIUI settings

The safest way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to disable them, not delete them completely. This will not free up memory on the device, but will stop background activity, remove icons from the menu and prevent auto-start. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find the right app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is active) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g., Security or Mi Account) cannot be disabled, the button will be inactive. MIUI It may work incorrectly (for example, the settings of the themes or gestures will disappear).

If the Disconnect button is not available, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Turn off sync for unnecessary services (such as Mi Cloud or Mi Video).
3. Go back to Application Management and check if you can disable the program.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play

Make sure the battery is over 50 times charged%-->

Method 2: Using ADB to remove system applications without root rights

A more radical way is to uninstall via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but requires a computer to set up the initial setup, but once ADB is activated, some commands can be executed directly from your smartphone via apps like ADB AppControl (available on Google Play).

Here's how it works:

1. Download and install the ADB AppControl app (Rikka developer) on your smartphone.
2. Connect your phone to your computer and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times according to version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. On your computer, run the command: Adb devices to make sure the device is recognized.
4. In the ADB AppControl app, select the unnecessary system app and tap Uninstall.

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB If you delete it, you have problems (such as themes or settings that stop working), you can only return the application through a complete reset of the device or through flashing. Also, some applications (such as com.miui.securitycenter) can not be removed, this will lead to a cycle of reboots.

List of commands for manual removal via ADB (executed in the PC command line):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser  # Mi Browser


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video        # Mi Video




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop #Mi Drop (file transfer)

💡

Before deleting, back up the installed application list with the adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' command. This will help restore remote programs if necessary.

Method 3: Freeze applications with Shizuku and App Manager

If you don't have a setup that helps, and ADB seems complicated, you can use a combination of Shizuku and App Manager, which allows you to freeze system applications, effectively stopping them without completely removing them, and the advantage is that you can quickly get everything back.

Instructions:

1. Download and install: Shizuku (from Google Play or from the official website). App Manager (Developer Muntashir).

Shizuku

ADB

App Manager

Disable

Freeze

✅ Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Doesn't require root rights.
• 🔄 It's easy to undo changes.
• 🛡️ Less risk than complete removal.

❌ Deficiencies:

• 📱 Applications remain in device memory.
• 🔌 It is necessary to periodically check whether the programs have not "unfreezed" after the updates. MIUI.

Alternative ways: hiding icons and limiting activity

If deleting or disabling seems risky, the other way to do this is to hide icons and limit the background activity of system applications, which won’t free up memory, but will make your smartphone more comfortable.

Hiding icons:

1. Hold your finger on the app icon (such as Mi Browser) on the home screen.
2. Choose Remove or Hide (depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear, but the app will remain in the system.

Restriction of activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary application and open the permissions.
3. Turn off all permissions (camera, microphone, location, etc.).
4. Go back and press the Battery → Limit background activity.

You can also use the built-in autostart function:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Autorun.
2. Turn off autoplay for unnecessary system applications (such as Mi Video or GetApps).

💡

Hiding icons and limiting activity is the safest way to remove system applications, but it doesn’t free up the device’s memory (ADB root-right).

Risks and consequences of removing system applications on Xiaomi

Even if you manage to remove an unnecessary app, it can lead to unpredictable consequences, and here are the most common problems that users face:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: Removing critical services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) can cause the phone to reboot constantly.
• 🎨 Loss of functionality of themes: Without the application com.android.themes will cease to work custom themes design.
• 📶 Network problems: Removal com.miui.weather2 or com.miui.yellowpage can disrupt weather widgets and quick settings.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: If you remove optimization services (e.g. com.miui.powerkeeper), the system can start consuming more power.
• 🔒 Block Updates: Without com.xiaomi.market (GetApps), updates for some system components may stop being installed.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone stopped working normally after removing apps, try the following steps:

1. Boot in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Reboot in Safe Mode).
2. If the device is booted, remove newly installed or modified applications.
3. If Safe Mode doesn’t help, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset).

In extreme cases, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool, but it already requires a computer and knowledge of the specifics of Xiaomi firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi