How to remove standard applications on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones out of the box come with dozens of pre-installed apps, from useful Mi Account and Mi Video services to intrusive advertising in Browser or duplicate launchers. Many users want to get rid of this “garbage” but are afraid to disrupt the stability of the system. In this article, we will analyze which applications can be removed without risk and which should not be touched, even if they take up space.

It's important to understand that not all system applications are equally useless. For example, com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for security, and com.android.providers.media is responsible for multimedia. Removing such components can lead to critical failures, up to bootloop. We have collected current methods for Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11 and other models on MIUI 13/14, including rootless and with them.

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

Unlike custom programs, standard Xiaomi applications are protected at the firmware level. Even if you see the "Delete" button in the app menu, it often just disables updates, but does not erase files.

• 🔒 Protection MIUI: The system blocks the removal of critical components to prevent failures.
• 📦 Built-in dependencies: Many apps are linked to Google or Miui services (e.g. com.miui.gallery is needed to run the camera).
• 🔄 Auto-Recovery: After a Reboot or Update MIUI Some applications may return.

In addition, new models of Redmi (for example, Note) 12 Pro+) Xiaomi is actively using the Android Dynamic System Updates (DSU) — This means that some system applications load dynamically and are not stored in a standard folder. /system/app. Removing them requires other approaches.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global removal of Google apps (such as com.google.android.gms) may disrupt Google Play services, including payment and push notifications. MIUI China is less risky, but functional GMS will be limited.

List of safe and dangerous applications for removal

Before you start cleaning, check out the table below, and we've divided the apps into three categories:

Uniquely for Redmi, com.miui.hybrid is responsible for integrating MIUI and Google, and its removal on global firmware will lead to the disappearance of fast settings panels and weather widgets.

Method 1: Disable applications without removal (without root)

If you don't need radical measures, you just have to turn off the apps that you don't need, and it stops them from working and hides them from the menu, but it doesn't free up disk space.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unused app (such as Mi Music).
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

For mass shutdown, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Connect your phone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then execute the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser

Replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package. The list of packages can be obtained by the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (Mi PC Suite)

Download ADB Tools from Google's official website

Connect the phone to the PC in the mode "File Transfer"

Check the connection with the team `adb devices`-->

⚠️ Note: Disabling com.miui.analytics (statistics collection) may cause Mi Account errors when you try to log in. If you use cloud backups, it is best to keep this package active.

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

This method allows you to completely remove applications, but it requires caution. It is suitable for Redmi on MIUI 12-14 (on MIUI 15 there may be restrictions).

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone and check the connection: Adb devices
3. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f
4. Remove the unnecessary app (e.g. Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

The --user 0 key means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files). This reduces the risk of bootloop, but does not guarantee 100% security. After a reboot, some applications can recover - this is normal for MIUI.

Important: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.systemAdSolution) are responsible for blocking ads in MIUI, and their removal may result in more ads on the system menus.

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk or TWRP installed, you can remove system applications directly, which gives you maximum freedom, but also maximum risk.

• 🔓 Unlocked loader (instructions for [miui.com/unlock](https://miui.com/unlock)).
• 📱 Installed by Magisk (to mask root from apps).
• 🛠️ File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Steps:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
2. Find a folder with the name of the app (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
3. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
4. Reboot the phone.

For reliability, back up /system folder via TWRP before deleting:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

💡

Before removing system applications, check their dependencies with the team `adb shell dumpsys package PACKAGE_NAME`. This will show you which services are using this package.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice on Redmi with Snapdragon processor will cause network loss! com.mediatek.telephony plays a similar role on MediaTek devices.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized software, and we tested three tools:

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Download APK with XDA Developers.
2. Open the app and give access to ADB.
3. Select the Systems tab and mark unnecessary applications.
4. Click on “Disable Selected” or “Delete”.

Warning: Utilities like Debloater Tool often contain pre-marked packages, which can include critical packages (e.g. com.miui.home). Always check the list manually!

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If you need to get rid of Bloatware completely, consider installing custom firmware, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without Xiaomi apps.
• 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• ⚡ MIUI EU — modified MIUI Advertising-free and Chinese-based.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader (revival 7-14 days for new Mi accounts).
2. Install TWRP via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Make a backup in TWRP (Backup section).
4. Sweep through firmware (such as LineageOS) and GApps (if you need Google services).

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on firmware).
• ❌ No automatic updates MIUI.

💡

Custom firmware solves the problem of bloatware radically, but it requires technical skills, and for most users, it is enough to disable applications through ADB.

What to do if the phone does not turn on after removal

If you have removed a critical app and the phone is stuck on the logo or going to bootloop, try the following steps:

1. Hard reset: Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds. If the phone vibrates and reboots, repeat 2-3 times.
2. Recovery via TWRP: Load to TWRP (Power + Volume Up). Select Advanced → File Manager. Go to /system/app and restore the deleted folder from the backup (if any).
3. Fastboot Firmware: Download the official firmware for your model with [miui.com](https://miui.com/). Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (Power) + Volume down. Follow the command: fastboot flash all PROSHIVKA.zip

If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomi Service Center and indicate that the phone was not leaked (even if it wasn’t) and will increase the chances of free repairs under warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi