How to Remove Xiaomi Apps From Your Phone: 5 Verified Ways

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which users consider unnecessary. From Mi Browser to Mi Pay, these programs take up memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even send data to China without the explicit consent of the user. But you can’t just delete them: the system blocks the “Delete” button for most embedded services.

In this article, we will look at all the working ways to get rid of unnecessary applications, from safely disabling without superuser rights to completely uninstall using ADB and root. You will learn which programs can be removed without risk to the system and which cannot be touched categorically, and we will analyze the consequences of each method and give recommendations for restoring the components deleted by mistake.

Why you can’t just remove standard apps from the menu

Android will divide apps into three categories:

• 📱 Custom - downloaded from Google Play or third-party sources, removed in the standard way.
• 🔒 Priv-app (system) – built-in firmware MIUI, Removal of the OS can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).
• ⚙️ Apps – pre-installed but less critical (e.g. Mi Music or Mi Video) can be removed, but with caution.

Manufacturers block removal of system applications for several reasons:

1. Communication with MIUI services: for example, com.miui.analytics is responsible for collecting statistics, and its removal may disrupt the operation of updates.
2. License Agreements: Some apps (such as Netflix or Facebook) are pre-installed under a contract with partners.
3. Security: Removing components like com.android.phone will make your phone inoperable.

⚠️ Note: Removing applications like com.miui.home or com.android.settings will cause the device to fail completely.

Even if you see a “Delete” button for some system applications (such as Mi Browser), it is often just disabling updates, not completely deleting.

Method 1: Turning off applications without root (the safest method)

If you don't need radical measures, you just shut down the programs you don't need, it stops them from working, hides them from the menu, and prevents background activity, and the downside is that the apps will stay in memory, taking up to 500 MB on some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Pay or Mi Community) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

List of apps that can be turned off without risk (checked on MIUI 14):

• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser)
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player)
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)
• 💬 Mi Community (com.xiaomi.channel)
• 📊 Mi Analytics (com.miui.analytics) – shutting down will reduce battery consumption 5-10%.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.google.android.gms will disrupt Google Play, Gmail and other Google apps. Instead, it’s best to limit background activity in battery settings.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the list of safe programs to disable|Write down the names of the disabled applications (in case of recovery)|Reboot the phone after disconnecting-->

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can remove system applications without obtaining root rights, but requires the activation of the developer mode and connecting the phone to the PC.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi models, POCO (including the new Xiaomi 13T Redmi Note 12).
• ✅ Ability to restore remote applications.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (you can download from the official Android website).
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear. If not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell


pm list packages | grep 'miui'

(This command will list all MIUI system packages.)

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics

(Replace com.miui.analytics with the name of the package you want to remove.)

List of safe packets to remove via ADB:

⚠️ Note: Delete packages like com.miui.home (launcher) or com.android.phone (phone) via ADB It will make it impossible to boot the system, and you can only restore them through fastboot or flashing it.

Mi Browser|Mi Music and Mi Video|Mi Pay and Mi Credit|Mi Community and Mi Analytics|Others-->

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights

If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights gives you the maximum freedom to remove system applications, but it has serious downsides:

• ❌ Violation of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ❌ The risk of brick (turning the phone into a brick").
• ❌ Security issues (some banking apps refuse to work on rooted devices).
• ❌ Lack of updates MIUI by air (you will have to hand-stitch it).

Instructions for obtaining root on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install a custom recap (TWRP) for your model (you can download it on twrp.me).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove system applications.

List of apps that can be removed from root (but with caution):

• 📱 com.miui.analytics – analytics MIUI.
• 🔍 com.miui.search – search by system.
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm - Game Turbo (if you don't play).
• 📡 com.miui.fm - radio-FM.
• 📦 com.miui.hybrid – Hybrid services (you can delete them if you don’t use features like Quick Apps).

Example of a command to remove via ADB root:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser/MiBrowser.apk




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser/oat




reboot

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (alternative root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root, you can install custom firmware without unnecessary apps.

• 🔄 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary services.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 📱 MIUI EU — modified MIUI Chinese-based apps.
• 🛡️ Havoc-OS - firmware with wide customization possibilities.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No pre-installed garbage.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Opportunity to choose a core for better performance.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires unlocking of the loader.
• ❌ Possible bugs (for example, non-functioning) NFC camera).
• ❌ No official support from Xiaomi.

Instructions for installation of MIUI EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in the root method).
2. Download the firmware from Xiaomi.eu (choose the version for your model!).
3. Install TWRP and run the firmware through the Recovery.
4. Clear the cache (Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache).
5. Reset the device.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check user reviews of your model on the XDA Developers forum. Some firmware may not support dual cameras or navigation gestures.

Method 5: Hiding applications without removal (for beginners)

If you don't need radical measures, you can just hide unnecessary apps from the menu, and it won't free up memory, but it will make the interface cleaner.

Method 1: Through the launcher

• Keep your finger on the unnecessary app.
• Drag it up to the inscription Remove (on some launchers) or Hide.
• In POCO Launcher, you can hide applications through settings: Launcher Settings → Hidden applications.

Method 2: Second Space (only on MIUI)

• Create a second space in Settings → Second space.
• Move unnecessary applications there.
• Turn off notifications for the second space.

Method 3: Use of third-party launchers

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher allow you to:

• Hide apps from the menu.
• Group them into folders.
• Disable notifications for specific programs.

💡

Hiding apps is the safest way to get rid of visual debris, but it doesn’t free up memory or stop background processes.

What Xiaomi apps can not be removed under any circumstances

Some system components are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal will result in:

• 🔄 Loaded loading (bootloop).
• 📵 Loss of network or Wi-Fi.
• ⚡ Quick battery discharge.
• 🔒 Impossibility to unlock the screen.

List of prohibited packets for removal:

If you accidentally delete one of these apps, you can restore it:

• Through ADB (if the phone still turns on):

adb shell


cmd package install-existing com.miui.home

• Through flashing the original MIUI (if the phone is not turned on).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi system applications