How to Remove Unnecessary Built-in Apps on Xiaomi: 5 Working Methods

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often face a problem: even after resetting to factory settings, dozens of pre-installed applications remain on the device. Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay and other services take up memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even show ads. But can they be removed without consequences for the system?

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to remove embedded applications on Xiaomi in 2026 – from secure methods without root rights to radical solutions for power users. You will learn which applications can be removed and which cannot be touched categorically, how to restore the system when crashes and what to do if important functions are lost after removal.

Important: the procedure for removing system applications is always associated with risks. Even if you follow the instructions, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the other two models). POCO F5 Pro) removal of key services may result in a reboot cycle or loss of functionality MIUI. Therefore, before any manipulation, make a backup copy of the data.

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

Not all pre-installed applications are equally useful (or useless), and can be divided into three categories according to the risk of removal:

✅ Safely removed (underused services):

• 🌐 Mi Browser – a browser with ads, easily replaced with Chrome or Firefox
• 🎬 Mi Video – video player, duplicates the functions of Google Photos or VLC
• 🛒 GetApps - a branded app store (analogue of Play Market)
• 💳 Mi Pay – payment service (relevant only for China)
• 📱 Mi Remote – remote control (if you do not use the IR port)
• 🎵 Mi Music - Music player (replaced with Spotify or Yandex Music)

⚠️ Remove with caution (can affect stability):

• 📱 Security – responsible for virus scanning and optimization
• 🔄 Cleaner – cleaning garbage (you can turn off, but not remove)
• 📊 Analytics – statistics collection (deletion may disrupt the work) MIUI)
• 🛠️ Mi Drop – File transfer over Wi-Fi (a useful feature for some users)

🚫 You cannot delete critical system services):

• 🤖 Android System WebView – needed to display web content in applications
• 📱 MIUI System Launcher - Main Launcher (deletion will lead to black screen)
• ⚙️ Settings - System settings
• 🔒 MIUI Guard Provider – Responsible for Application Permissions
• 📶 Telephony Provider – mobile network and calls

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI For the global market (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global), some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be removed, resulting in loss of access to Google services (MIUI China) has no restrictions, but there are no Google services out of the box.

2. Method 1: Disabling embedded applications (without deleting)

If you don't want to risk system stability, but you want to get rid of intrusive applications, you can turn them off, and that hides them from the menu, stops background activity, and frees up some of the memory.

How to disable unnecessary applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the desired application (for example, Mi Browser) and tap it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is system and cannot be disabled in the standard way).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

What the blackout does:

• 📱 The app disappears from the menu and search
• 🔋 Stops using the battery in the background
• 📤 Not updated through Play Market
• 🔄 You can turn it on again at any time.

However, this method has disadvantages:

• 🚫 Does not free up space in memory (application files remain on the device)
• 🔄 Some applications (such as Security) may be activated again after an update. MIUI

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If the “Disable” button is inactive, try removing all app updates first (the “Delete Updates” button) and then try to disable again.

3. Method 2: Removal via ADB (no root rights)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an Android debugging tool that allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root rights. POCO s MIUI 12-14, but requires a computer connection.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer: Use USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP). On your computer, open the terminal (command line) in the folder with ADB.

Check the connection:

adb devices

The name of your device with device status should appear.

Get a list of all the apps:

adb shell pm list packages -f

Copy the list into a text file and find the names of unwanted apps (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).

Delete the annex:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

Example of Mi Browser removal:

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

What do flags in a team mean:

• -k - saves cache and application data (in case of recovery)
• --user 0 — delete only for the current user (does not affect the system)

Download ADB and unpack into a folder|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect the phone to the PC in mode MTP|Check the connection of the adb device team|Make a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or POCO X5 Pro) after removing system applications through ADB Google Play Protect or Xiaomi sync services may stop working, in which case only a factory reset will help.

Method 3: Removal with Magisk (for stitched devices)

If your Xiaomi has custom recaps installed (for example, TWRP) and obtained root rights through Magisk, you can delete system applications using modules or manually through the file manager.

Important: This method is only suitable for power users! Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.

Instructions for removal through Magisk:

1. Install Magisk Manager and check root rights status.
2. Download the System App Remover or Debloater module from the Magisk repository.
3. Install the module via Magisk and restart the device.
4. After the reboot, open the System App Remover app (appears in the menu).
5. Select the unnecessary apps and click Uninstall.

Alternative method (manually via Root Explorer):

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Rename the folder by adding.bak at the end (e.g. Browser.bak).
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Complete removal of application files (frees up space)
• 🔧 Ability to restore the application by removing the.bak suffix
• 🛠️ It works with highly integrated services.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later Xiaomi has implemented anti-Rollback protection, which can lock the phone when you change system files. Before removing, check if your model supports unlocking the bootloader on the official Xiaomi website.

5. Method 4: Use of custom firmware (for advanced)

The most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of embedded applications is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Pixel Experience). MIUI This method is suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice some functions. MIUI for pure Android.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🧹 No pre-installed Xiaomi apps
• 🚀 Higher performance and battery life
• 🔄 Regular security updates
• 🎨 Ability to fine-tune the interface

Cons:

• 🚫 Loss of some functions MIUI (Second Space or Game Turbo)
• 🔧 Installation complexity (needs an unlocked loader and custom recavery)
• 📱 Possible bugs with camera, sensors or mobile network

Popular firmware for Xiaomi:

Where to download firmware:

• 🌐 Official website of LineageOS
• 📱 Group MIUI EU Telegram
• 🔧 Forum XDA Developers (Search by Model)

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Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data on the phone, and it can also be insecure (on new Xiaomi models, unlocking the bootloader is officially allowed, but requires a wait of 7-15 days).

6. Method 5: Reset to factory settings with a selection of applications

Little-known fact: on some firmware MIUI (Especially on Chinese versions, when you reset to factory settings, you can selectively restore applications. This does not remove them completely, but allows you to not install unnecessary services after the reset.

How it works:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Remove All Data!).
3. On some firmware, the option of Selective Recovery or Application Configuration will appear.
4. Uncheck any unnecessary apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music).
5. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

Limitations of the method:

• 📱 It does not work on all the firmware (most often on the MIUI China)
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Apps may appear again
• 🚫 Does not free up space in memory (applications stay in the system, just not installed for the user)

If there is no such option, you can try an alternative option:

1. Make a reset to factory settings.
2. When you first set up your phone, don’t connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Skip all the steps related to data recovery and application installation.
4. After manually configuring, disable unnecessary applications (see Method 2).

7 Risks and How to Restore the System After Errors

Removing system applications is always risky, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

How to restore a remote application:

• 🔄 If removed through ADB flag-headed -k, Try the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet
• 📱 If you renamed the folder to /system, Return your old name and reboot.
• 🔧 If nothing helps, run the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic RAM Expansion (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) Deleting system services can lead to incorrect operation of the RAM expansion function, in which case only a complete reset will help.

8.Delete alternatives: How to hide and block unnecessary apps

If the risks of removing system applications scare you, there are safer ways to make them invisible:

1. Hiding from the menu with launcher

• Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
• In the launcher settings, find the option to Hide applications.
• Check out unnecessary apps (such as Mi Browser or GetApps).

2 Freeze via Greenify or App Quarantine

• Install Greenify (requires root or ADB).
• Add unnecessary apps to the list of "frozen."
• They will not run in the background and waste resources.

3.Blocking through Digital Wellbeing

• Open the Settings. → Digital well-being → Toolbars.
• Set a time limit for unnecessary applications (set a limit of 0 minutes).
• It won’t remove them, but it will make them inaccessible.

4. Disable updates via Play Market

• Open the Google Play Market.
• Find an unneeded app (such as Mi Video).
• Press three points. → Remove updates → Turn off auto-update.

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Hiding or freezing applications is the safest way, as it does not affect system files, while freeing up RAM and reducing battery consumption without risking system stability.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing embedded apps on Xiaomi