How to safely remove system applications on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: 5 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi 5A

preinstalled system applications

MIUI

disruption of the system

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to remove system applications on Redmi 5A, from the most secure (disable and hide) to radical (deletions via ADB and root rights). You will learn which programs can be removed without risk and which cannot be touched categorically, and how to restore the system if something goes wrong. Important: on Redmi 5A with firmware older than MIUI 12, removing system APKs through ADB can lead to blocking the bootloader, which we will also consider.

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

Not all pre-installed programs on Redmi 5A are equally safe to remove, some are critical to MIUI, some are just junk.

• ✅ You can remove without risk: Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, Mi Community, Mi Pay, Mi Game Center, Cleaner, Security (if you use a third-party antivirus).
• ⚠️ Delete with caution: Mi Account (may disrupt synchronization), Themes (sometimes affecting the design), Backup (if you do not use Xiaomi backup).
• 🚫 You can not delete: Settings, System UI, MiuiHome (launcher), Telephony (calls), Contacts, Camera, Gallery, Google Services Framework.

Redmi 5A is especially dangerous to touch applications related to Updater (OTA) and Security Center updates, which can lead to the inability to install new versions of MIUI or even a “brick” (completely inoperable) device.

⚠️ Note: If you delete MiuiDaemon or MiuiSystemUI, the smartphone will stop booting, and these processes are responsible for the interface and background tasks, and you can only restore them via Fastboot or flashing.

Before you delete, check if the application is a dependency for other services, for example, Mi Account is for cloud storage, and Security is for permission management, and if in doubt, it is better not to take risks.

Method 1: Disabling system applications (without root)

The safest method is to disable, not uninstall. The app stays on the system, but it doesn't work and consumes resources, and this is suitable for most Redmi 5A users, as it doesn't require special knowledge or violates warranty.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is protected).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Disabled programs will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the list of applications marked Disabled. They can be turned on again at any time.

• ✅ Pros: Safe, reversible, does not require root.
• ❌ Cons: The application takes up space in memory (although insignificant).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 5A s MIUI 9 and below, disabling Security may cause notifications to malfunction.

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If the “Disable” button is inactive, try to delete all app updates first (the “Remove Updates” button in the same menu).

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

A more radical method is removing system APKs via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but can lead to unstable MIUI operation if something critical is removed. On Redmi 5A, this method only works on firmware up to MIUI 12, which in newer versions Xiaomi has blocked the ability to remove system applications through ADB.

What you need:

• Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (you can download from the official Android website).
• USB debugging enabled on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 5A to your computer via USB and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command line (or terminal) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear – if not, check the drivers.)

1. Get a list of all the apps:

adb shell pm list packages -f

1. Find the app you want (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser) and delete it:

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

The --user 0 command means that the application is removed only for the current user, not completely from the system, which reduces the risk of critical errors.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 5A s MIUI 11+ The pm uninstall command can return the Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. This means that Xiaomi has blocked the deletion, in which case only root will help.

Debugging is on. USB|Xiaomi drivers installed|ADB added to the environment variables|Smartphone connected in file transfer mode|Backup of important data is made-->

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you can uninstall almost any system application. However, on Redmi 5A, this requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can be insecure. Also, once rooted, some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine L1 for Netflix in HD) will stop working.

How to get root on Redmi 5A:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account tied to the device).
2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.

After receiving root, you can delete applications through:

• 📱 File Manager with root access (e.g. Root Explorer): Find APK into /system/app or /system/priv-app and remove.
• 💻 Terminal Emulator with a team:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm /system/app/Folders/NameFile.apk




mount -o ro,remount /system

Example: To delete Mi Browser, find the Browser folder in /system/app and delete the Browser.apk file.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system Without a backup, it can make your smartphone inoperable. Always copy the ones you delete. APK separate folder in case of recovery.

5. Method 4: Use of custom firmware (alternative to removal)

If you are tired of MIUI system applications, but do not want to risk stability, consider installing custom firmware.

• 🔄 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services Xiaomi.

Advantages:

• ✅ No pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader and root.
• ❌ The camera or fingerprint sensor may not work (depends on the firmware).
• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi.

For the Redmi 5A, there are stable builds LineageOS 16 (Android 9) and Pixel Experience 10 (Android 10), which are installed via TWRP after unlocking the bootloader.

💡

Custom firmware is the best way to get rid of Xiaomi system applications, but it requires technical skills and lacks warranty.

Method 5: Hiding applications without removal (for lazy)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root, but you don't want to see unnecessary apps on the menu either, you can just hide them.

1. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).
2. Press your finger on the desktop → Launcher settings → Hide applications.
3. Check the boxes for unnecessary programs (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).

The apps will stay on the system, but they will disappear from the menu, and this way doesn't save memory, but it removes visual debris.

You can also use the App Hider or Hide App-Hide Application Icon, which create a blacklist of programs that are not displayed in the standard interface.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher may conflict with MIUI on the Redmi 5A, In this case, try Nova Launcher, which is more stable.

7. How to Restore Remote System Applications

If the smartphone starts to glitch after removal or doesn't turn on at all, don't panic. There are several ways to get it back:

• 🔄 Through ADB (if the device is switched on):

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

(Replace com.miui.browser with the name of the remote package.)

• 🔄 Through the backup. TWRP (if):

1. Download to TWRP (Power + Volume Up)
2. Select Restore and restore the System partition backup.

• 🔄 Through the stockware firmware MIUI:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 5A from Xiaomi website.
2. Fastboot it through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

If the smartphone does not turn on even in the Fastboot, you just have to carry it to the service center, in most cases, specialists will be able to reflash the device through EDL-mode (emergency firmware).

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If you have removed a critical application (such as Settings), but your smartphone is still turning on, try downloading it from APKMirror and installing it manually through the file manager.

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)