How to Remove System Apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 Proven Methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) often face the problem of redundant pre-installed applications that take up memory, consume battery power and interfere with the comfortable use of the smartphone. MIUI, even in lighter versions, contains dozens of system services - from duplicate launchers to unnecessary Chinese social networks that can not be removed by standard means.

But trying to get rid of them without preparation can lead to a critical system failure, a boot cycle, or loss of functionality (such as a camera or mobile network failure). In this article, we will discuss safe and risky removal methods, alternatives like disconnecting or freezing, and recovery methods if something goes wrong.

Important: The Redmi Note 4, based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, has a closed bootloader and a specific partition structure /system. Methods that work on new models (for example, through ADB without root), are often useless here. We will focus on solutions adapted to this model.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Old firmware (below) MIUI (10) require a different approach.
• 🔒 bootloader status: if it is unlocked, advanced methods are available.
• 📦 Free space: after removing system appliances, 1-3 GB will be free, but without a backup it will be difficult to restore them.

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

Not all pre-installed apps are equally secure to remove, for example, deleting com.miui.home will result in a black screen after a reboot, but com.xiaomi.mipicks (theme store) can be safely uninstalled.

We have divided systemic appas into 3 risk categories:

⚠️ Note: Even "safe" applications can be associated with system processes. com.miui.weather2 Sometimes breaks the weather widget on the lock screen. Always back up through TWRP Mi Flash Tool before manipulation.

The full list of system app on Redmi Note 4 can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages -s

Or through the App Inspector app (available on Google Play).

Method 1: Disabling system applications without root

If you don't have root rights or you don't want to take risks, most preset apps can be disabled through settings. This won't free up memory, but it will stop them from working and hide them from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find an unneeded app (such as Mi Music or Mi Video).
4. Click "Disable" → "Disable the application".

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Does not work for mission-critical services (e.g. com.android.phone).
• 📵 Does not free up space in memory - app remains in /system.
• 🔄 After resetting, all applications will be active again.

💡

To hide apps that are disabled from the All Apps list, use launchers like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher, which filter the apps that are disabled automatically.

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

On Redmi Note 4, the standard command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 works partially - it deletes the app only for the current user without affecting system files. This is safer, but less efficient: memory is not released, and after resetting the app will return.

Step-by-step:

Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times)|Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission|Download. ADB Tools and unpack|Check the connection with the adb device command (serial number should be displayed)-->

Now we're removing an unnecessary app, like to delete Mi Music:

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

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 4 This method does not work for applications installed in the section /system/priv-app. Attempt to remove them will result in the error:

Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]

List of applications that can be removed in this way (checked at MIUI 11-12):

• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 📖 com.miui.notes - Notes (if not used)
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.mipicks - Theme Store

💡

ADB-The method is only suitable for removing user appliances and some system installed in the section /data. To completely remove system applications, root or modified firmware is needed.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights

If you're willing to take risks, the most radical way is to root and remove the app by hand. On the Redmi Note 4, you need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (linking to the Mi Account is mandatory!).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Switch Magisk to get root.

After getting root, use Root Explorer or System App Remover (from Google Play).

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Select an unneeded application (e.g., the MiBrowserGlobal folder).
4. Click "Delete" and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system It can lead to bootloop. Always backup through TWRP You can only restore remote appas by flashing the system.

List of safe folders to delete (checked on MIUI 10-12.5):

• 🌐 MiBrowserGlobal - Mi Browser
• 🎬 VideoPlayer - Videoplayer
• 📝 Notes - Notes
• 🛍️ MiuiDaemon – Analytics service (delete ads in the Internet) MIUI)

5. Method 4: Freeze applications via Magisk (alternative to deletion)

If you're afraid of removing apps permanently, you can freeze them with the Magisk app systemizer or Debloater, which blocks them, but allows you to get them back in two clicks.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk Manager and check root status.
2. Download the App Systemizer (.zip) module.
3. Install the module through Magisk Manager (Module section).
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Open App Systemizer, select unnecessary app and click "Freeze".

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No risk of system breakdown – appas are not physically removed.
• ✅ You can defrost at any time.
• ✅ It works even for mission-critical services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter).

Examples of appas that can be frozen without consequences:

• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Statistics collection
• 🔍 com.miui.bugreport - Error Reports
• 📡 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (if not used)

Method 5: Installation of custom firmware without bloat

The most reliable, but also the most time-consuming way, is to flash the Redmi Note 4 to custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or MIUI EU (a version without Chinese services), which are initially devoid of unnecessary software and optimized for performance.

📌 Step-by-step process:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 4).
2. Install TWRP for mido (version 3.5.2 or later).
3. Download the firmware (e.g. MIUI EU).
4. Download to TWRP, make Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Fix the firmware through Install.
6. Install Magisk (optional, for root).

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially in camera or mobile network modules (XDA Developers, 4PDA) For your specific version of the Redmi Note 4 (3/32 GB, 4/64 GB Snapdragon/Helio).

7. How to Restore Remote System Applications

If the phone is unstable after removing the app, there are three ways to get it back:

🔧 Method 1: Recovery through TWRP

• Download to TWRP.
• Select Restore and restore backup (if you have).
• If there is no backup, download the original firmware for Redmi Note 4 from Xiaomi and run through Install.

🔧 Method 2: Re-installation through ADB

If the app was removed by pm uninstall, it can be returned as follows:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <package>

For example, to restore Mi Music:

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

🔧 Method 3: Manual file copying (for experienced users)

If the app has been removed from /system, download the original.apk from the 4PDA forum and place it back through Root Explorer, observing access rights (644 for files, 755 for folders).

⚠️ Note: After the recovery of system appliances, you may need to reset settings (Wipe Data in the system appliances). TWRP), Removing them sometimes breaks the dependencies of other services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications