How to completely remove all applications on Xiaomi: system and user

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed apps, both useful and unnecessary. Over time, the device gets clogged with programs you haven’t used in a long time, but they continue to take up memory, use up battery power, and even collect data in the background. Complete removal of all applications may be required before selling the phone, to free up space, or after buying a used device with a bunch of garbage.

However, simply clicking “Delete” in the app menu does not always work. MIUI system utilities (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) are often blocked from removal by standard means. Moreover, careless actions can lead to a shell failure or even “bricking” of the device. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, from safe to advanced, and also tell you which applications can not be removed under any circumstances.

If your goal is not just to free up memory, but to get your phone back to a clean state, you might want to consider a full reset, but if you want to get rid of apps alone, read on.

1. Standard removal of user applications

To start with, we'll start with the simplest of things: uninstall programs you installed yourself through Google Play or.apk files, which doesn't require super-user rights (root) and is suitable for 99% of users.

How to delete:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the Download tab (only user programs are displayed here).
3. Slip on the desired application and click Remove.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Facebook or Netflix) may be pre-installed by the manufacturer, in which case the Remove button will be inactive – you will need to disable or delete via the manufacturer. ADB.

If the application is not removed in the standard way, check if it is system. To do this, go to the All Apps tab in the same menu. System programs are usually marked with a MIUI icon or the inscription "System".

2. disabling (not removing) system applications

Many Xiaomi system programs can't be removed without root rights, but they can be disabled, which will stop background work, hide the icon from the menu and free up some of the RAM, but the application files will remain in the device's memory.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
2. Select a system app (such as Mi Music or Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Note: Disable certain services (e.g. Google Play Services or Miui System) UI) It can cause unstable phone performance, sync errors, or even the inability to call. Never disable apps with names that contain "android," "google," "miui.system," or "telephony" -- these are critical components of the system.

3. Removing system applications without root via ADB

If you don’t have enough shutdowns and you don’t have root rights (or don’t want to), you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), a method that allows you to uninstall most system applications, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🔧 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times to tap) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command: adb devices Make sure the device appears in the list (confirmation on the phone may be required).
4. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages
5. Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
6. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet Example for Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

⚠️ Note: Deleting some packages (e.g. com.android.cts.ctsshim or com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice) may result in lost communication, camera errors, or complete phone failure. XDA Developers).

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Before mass deletion, back up the packet list with the adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt command. This will help restore remote applications if something goes wrong.

4. Complete removal of root-right applications

If you have root access (like through Magisk), you can remove system applications directly from the file system, which is the most radical method, giving you complete control, but also the most risky.

How to delete:

• 📁 Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/app (system applications) or /system/priv-app (Privileged System Applications).
• 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiBrowser) and delete it.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system This can make it impossible to boot your phone. Always back up the folder before you delete it. For example, you can copy it to your computer with a command:

adb pull /system/app/MiTsel /backup/

Alternatively, use applications like Titanium Backup to selectively remove, which allows you to create a backup before you delete and restore the application if necessary.

5. Resetting the phone to factory settings

If the goal is not just to remove apps, but to return the phone to a “clean” state (for example, before selling), the easiest way to do a complete reset is to delete all user data, including installed programs, accounts and settings, but save the system applications MIUI.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, the phone will require resetting, including linking your Google and Mi Account. If you forget your Mi Account password, the reset may lock the device (activation lock).

What will be removed:

• 📱 All user applications and their data
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if not saved) SD-map)
• 📞 Call history and messages
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and network settings

What's left:

• 📱 System applications MIUI (For example, the camera, the telephone)
• 🔄 Firmware updates
• 📋 Region and language settings by default

6.Alternative methods: MIUI Optimization and DeBloater

If manual removal seems complicated, you can use specialized tools to automate the process and reduce the risk of errors.

1. MIUI Optimization (requires an unlocked bootloader):

• 🔧 Utility for deep customization MIUI, including removal of system applications.
• 📥 You can download it. XDA Developers.
• ⚙️ It works through fastboot or TWRP.

2. Universal Android DeBloater (without root):

• 🖥️ A PC program that works through ADB.
• 🗑️ Allows you to massively remove or disable system applications by category (for example, “Bloatware”, “Google», «MIUI»).
• 🔍 Has a secure base for removing packages.

⚠️ Note: Even with these tools, do not delete packets that you do not know the purpose of. For example, deleting com.xiaomi.finddevice will turn off the Find Device feature, and deleting com.android.providers.telephony may deprive you of mobile communication.

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Use tools like Universal Android DeBloater only after you have created a full backup, which simplify the process, but do not guarantee 100% security.

7 What to do if the phone does not work after removal

If after removing the system applications, the phone starts to freeze, reboot or not turn on at all, do not panic. In most cases, the situation can be corrected.

Recovery methods:

1. Recovery via ADB: If the phone is turned on but not all features are working, try returning the remote application with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet
2. Fastboot flashing: If the phone doesn't turn on, you'll need to flash the original MIUI firmware through fastboot mode. Instructions and firmware can be found on Xiaomi's official website.
3. Reset via Recovery: If the phone turns on but is unstable, try resetting via Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume up when turned on).

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted critical packets (e.g. com.android.phone), fastboot recovery may be the only solution.

Where to find help:

• 📖 Official documentation of Xiaomi: mi.com/support
• 💬 Forum XDA Developers (part of your model): forum.xda-developers.com
• 📱 Telegram groups (e.g., “Xiaomi Russia «MIUI Pro»)

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi