How to Remove System Apps on Xiaomi: 3 Proven Methods + Risks

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a problem: dozens of pre-installed apps that cannot be removed in standard ways, which take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background, and can send data to China — even if you don't use them. But is there a way to get rid of them forever?

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for removing system applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from simple (no root rights) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader), you will learn which programs can be safely uninstalled and which should not be touched, how to restore the system in the event of a crash, and what alternatives exist for those who are not willing to risk the stability of the smartphone.

Warning: Removing Systemic Systems APK-Files can cause some functions to fail (e.g., cameras, NFC Or gestures, or at worst, the device's brik, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you might want to use the techniques to disable or hide applications, which we're going to talk about, too.

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

Unlike custom software, Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps are firmware-protected, which is why standard methods don’t work:

• 🔒 Protection MIUI: System blocks removal APK-file /system/priv-app/ and /system/app/, Even if you have super-user rights.
• 🔄 Reboot recovery: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.analytics) are automatically restored when rebooted.
• ⚙️ Component dependencies: Removal of one APK For example, uninstallation of com.xiaomi.scanner will disable the scanner. QR-cell-code.

Xiaomi also uses a mechanism to link services to its Mi Account. Some system applications (e.g., com.xiaomi.account) are responsible for authenticating the brand ecosystem, and deleting them can block access to the cloud, themes, or even the device itself after a reset.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European/Indian firmware) some of the system applications can be disabled through settings, but their files will remain in memory. MIUI China or through ADB/root.

Method 1: Disabling system applications without root (the safest)

If you just need to free up RAM and stop the background activity of unnecessary programs, you just need to turn them off, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and does not affect the stability of the system.

Instructions for MIUI 14/13/12:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip three dots in the top right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay, Mi Video, or Browser).
4. Click Disable → Disable the application (confirm the action).

List of apps that can be safely disabled on most Xiaomi devices:

• 🎬 com.miui.video - Mi Video (video player)
• 📰 com.miui.browser - Mi Browser (browser)
• 💳 com.xiaomi.payment – Mi Pay (payment system)
• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Analytics (collection of statistics)
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (music player)

Make a backup copy of important data

Check if the application is used by other services

Write down the name of the package (in case of recovery)

Reboot your phone after disconnecting-->

Disabled programs will disappear from the menu, stop updating and will not consume battery. Their files will remain in memory, but will take up less space than active APKs. To return the application, go to the same settings and click Enable.

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

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall system apps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader, but requires a PC connection and command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and Google's Fastboot
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB smartphone

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
6. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f
7. Remove an unnecessary application (e.g. Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.miui.browser Flag --user 0 removes the application only for the current user, without affecting system files.

List of safe packets to remove (checked on MIUI 14):

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui.home, this will cause the system to fail. Also avoid removing com.xiaomi.finddevice (search for the device) and com.miui.securitycenter (security).

Disconnection through settings

Removal via ADB

Removal with root rights

I wouldn't delete it.-->

Method 3: Complete removal with unlocking the bootloader and root (for experienced)

This is the most radical way, which gives full control over the system, but requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (for example, TWRP), suitable only for users who are ready for the possible loss of warranty and the risk of “bricking” the device.

What you'll need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official Xiaomi website)
• 🛠️ Established recaveri TWRP for your model
• 📱 Root rights (via Magisk)
• 💾 Backup copy of firmware (required!)

Instructions for removal:

1. Download and install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root support).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find it. APK-file and folder with the name of an unnecessary application (for example, MiBrowser).
4. Remove both items (APK + folder with cache).
5. Reset the device.

An alternative way to use Titanium Backup is to use the following:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to the backup tab.
3. Find the system application and tap it.
4. Choose Delete! → Yes.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Android 12+ Xiaomi has implemented anti-Rollback protection, and if you sew through the old firmware after the modifications, the phone can lock forever.

Which system applications can be removed and which can not

Not all pre-installed programs are equally useful (or harmful), and the following is a risk classification.

✅ Safely removed (low risk)

• 🌐 com.miui.browser – Mi Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎥 com.miui.video - Mi Video (use) VLC or MX Player)
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (alternative: Spotify, YouTube Music)
• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Analytics (collection of statistics)
• 📰 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (replace with Nearby Share)

⚠️ Remove with caution (medium risk)

• 💳 com.xiaomi.payment - Mi Pay (may break) NFC-payment)
• 📷 com.xiaomi.scanner - Scanner (responsible for QR-cell-code)
• 🔍 com.miui.search – Quick Search)
• 📱 com.xiaomi.micloud.sync – Mi Cloud Sync (Sync with the Cloud)

❌ Cannot be removed (high risk)

• 🏠 com.miui.home - Launcher (desktop)
• ⚙️ com.miui.securitycenter - Security)
• 🔑 com.xiaomi.account - Mi Account (authorization)
• 📡 com.android.phone - Telephony (calls and calls) SMS)
• 🔋 com.android.settings - Settings (system settings)

adb shell dumpsys package com.name.packet

This team will show you which services are using the selected APK. If the output has lines with depends on, it is better not to delete it.-->

Removal Alternatives: How to Hide or Replace System Applications

If the risks of removal scare you, consider safer ways to:

1. Hiding through the launcher

Many shells (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to hide unwanted apps from the menu without physically removing them.

1. Install an alternative launcher from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on the desktop → Launcher settings.
3. Find the Hidden Applications section and mark the unnecessary ones.

2. Replacement of standard applications

MIUI allows you to assign third-party programs by default:

• 🌐 Replace Mi Browser with Chrome: Settings → Annexes → By default. → browser.
• 📷 Replace the camera with Google Camera (manual installation required) APK).
• 🎵 Replace Mi Music with Spotify or VLC.

3. Restriction of background activity

To ensure that system applications do not consume the battery:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unnecessary application → Battery.
3. Activate limiting background activity.
4. Turn off AutoRun.

4. Use of Debloater scripts

There are ready-made scripts for ADB that automatically delete or disable the list of unnecessary applications.

• 📜 XiaomiADBFastbootTools (for Windows)
• 🐧 Universal Xiaomi Debloater (for the first time) Linux/macOS)

💡

Even if you don’t uninstall system applications, disabling or replacing them with alternatives can increase battery life by 10-15% by reducing background activity.

How to Restore Remote System Applications

If you have problems after removal (for example, gestures or NFC stopped working), you can return applications in several ways:

1. via ADB (if removed by pm uninstall)

Enter the command to re-install:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.name.packet

Example for Mi Browser:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser

2.Through Titanium Backup or Swift Backup backup

If you have done a backup before removing:

1. Open the Titanium Backup.
2. Go to the backup tab.
3. Find the remote application and tap Restore.

3. Flashing through Fastboot

If the system has become unstable:

1. Download the original firmware for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack. ZIP-archived in a folder with Mi Flash Tool.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: After flashing all data will be erased. If you don't have touchscreen, use the Power combination. + Volume up for Recovery login and reset via Wipe Data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi