Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often comes with tradeoffs: you get powerful hardware at an affordable price, but put up with intrusive advertising and excessive pre-installed software. Many users face a situation where half of the internal memory is occupied by programs that cannot be used and can not be removed by standard means. This is not just an annoyance, but also a real threat to performance, as background processes consume RAM and battery power.
But there is a proven way to fix this once and for all: Removing system applications (or debloating) makes your gadget a pure tool that works just for your needs, a process that requires care, but when you follow the instructions, it's safe even for inexperienced users who want to expand the capabilities of their operating system.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available methods, from simply turning off unnecessary services in settings to using advanced debugging tools. You’ll learn to distinguish between critical Android components and harmless marketing junk that can be safely removed. Deleting the Services & Feedback system package can lead to MIUI instability, so it should be left on the system.
Analysis of built-in software: what can be touched and what can not be touched
Before taking decisive action, you need to clearly understand the structure of the installed operating system MIUI or HyperOS. Not all icons on the desktop are equally important. System components fall into three main categories: critical services, functional modules and user applications. A classification error can lead to a cyclical restart of the device or loss of basic functionality, such as calls or the Internet.
You can safely remove anything that is classified as “Bloatware” – pre-installed games, app stores like Amazon or Booking, and duplicate services (such as a second browser or video player). You can also often remove analytical modules that collect usage statistics. The packages that are responsible for the operation of the phone, SMS, contacts and system interface are critical. If you are not sure about the purpose of a particular file called com.android.systemui, you better leave it alone.
For navigation in the world of packages, it is convenient to use the following table, which will help you navigate the main components:
| Package name | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| com.miui.analytics | Collection of analytics and usage statistics | Delete safely |
| com.android.phone | Telephone call system | Don't touch (critically) |
| com.miui.securitycenter | Security Center and Antivirus | You can delete it, but you need an alternative antivirus. |
| com.google.android.apps.maps | Google Maps | Can be removed if not used |
So it's recommended that you clean up after every major firmware update. If you accidentally delete an important component, don't panic: it can be restored by resetting your settings to factory, although it will delete all your personal data.
Preparing the smartphone for deep cleaning
Any interference with system files requires preparation. The first step should always be to create a complete backup of important data. Even if you plan to remove only junk applications, human error or failure in the process can lead to unintended consequences.
The second critical step is activating developer mode, and without this step, the computer won't be able to access the phone's system commands, so you go to Settings → About the phone and press MIUI build number seven times, and then you'll have a new "Developers" item on the menu, where you'll need to enable USB debugging.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Also make sure your computer has the necessary Android drivers installed. In most modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, they are installed automatically when you connect the cable, but for stable operation. ADB-Tools better to download the Android platform SDK Platform Tools from Google's official website, which ensures that the connection between the PC and the smartphone is stable throughout the procedure.
⚠️ Note: Do not use public charging stations or unreliable ones USB-A connection break at the time of execution of commands can lead to a script execution error, although it rarely causes serious damage to the file system.
Disconnection method through MIUI settings
The safest, though not the most radical, way to deal with redundant applications is to disable them through the standard interface, which doesn't physically delete files, but completely stops them from working, hides icons, and prevents the running of background processes. For most users who just want to remove annoying elements, this is enough.
To use this method, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find an unnecessary service like Mi Video or Mi Music. Click on it and select the "Disable" button. The system will warn you that the application will stop working. The good thing about this approach is that you can click "On" at any time and return it as it was.
However, there is a significant disadvantage to this method: the memory of the device is not freed up. the application files remain dead weight in the system partition. In addition, some Xiaomi system services do not allow themselves to be disabled through the standard menu, requiring deeper intervention. If your goal is to free up gigabytes of space, you will have to move to more complex methods.
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If the "Disable" button is inactive (gray), this means that the application is system-based and protected from modification by standard Android tools. ADB.
Removal via ADB: step-by-step instructions for PC
The most efficient way to clean up is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to send commands directly to the operating system without the user interface restrictions, and you don’t need a superuser right (Root), which saves you the warranty on the device and the ability to receive official updates.
First, connect your phone to your computer with a cable. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the folder with ADB installed. Make sure the device is visible by entering the adb device command. The smartphone screen will request debugging permission — be sure to tick the "Always Allow" box and click "OK." If a device with device status appears on the list, you can start working.
To remove a specific packet, you use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet. For example, to remove the advertising service, type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys. Key --user 0 means that the application is only removed for the current user, formally remaining in the system, but becoming inaccessible. This is the most secure debloating option.
How to return a remote application via ADB?
There are automated scripts and graphical interface programs, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater. They simplify the process by showing a list of description packages and allowing them to be removed with a mouse click. However, using such tools requires caution: make sure that the program is updated and supports your version of Android.
Automated tools and scripts
For those who don't want to manually enter commands into the console, developers have created handy utilities. One of the most popular is the Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools from jasmine developer. This program automatically identifies the connected device, shows a list of installed applications and flags safe to remove. The interface of the program is intuitive: on the left a list of packages, on the right a description and an uninstall button.
Another powerful tool is Universal Android Debloater (UAD), an open-source cross-platform application that contains secure package databases for hundreds of phone models, which can create restore points and has a Recommended mode that tells you what can be removed without risk to the system, and using such programs significantly reduces the likelihood of error.
But you can't rely on automation blindly. Databases can be buggy or not locally specific. Always check what you're going to delete. If a program offers to delete a packet called com.android.providers.downloads, you'd better double-check its purpose at Google, because it's responsible for downloading files from the Internet.
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Automatic tools save time, but manually checking every packet you delete through a search engine is the only way to guarantee 100% system security.
Possible risks and system recovery
Even with secure methods, there is a risk of system disruption, most often problems with removing interface or network components, and symptoms can be persistent pop-ups with a "Program Stopped" error, no sound, wifi or inability to unlock the screen.
If the phone is not behaving properly after deleting the application, the first thing you should do is try to restart the device. In some cases, the system detects the absence of a critical file and tries to restore its basic functionality. If this does not help, you can use the ADB recovery command mentioned in the spoiler above.
In the extreme case, when the device goes into an endless restart (bootloop), only a full reset through Recovery mode will help. To do this, you need to pinch the button combination (usually Volume Up + Power) and select the Wipe Data item, which will delete all user data and return the phone to a factory state, including all system applications.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages with the words "framework", "provider" or "service" in their name unless you know exactly what they are intended for.