How to completely remove embedded applications on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven methods

Embedded apps on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are a headache for many users, taking up space in memory, using battery power in the background and often duplicating the functions of third-party programs. But you can’t just remove them through the standard menu: MIUI blocks the uninstallation of system utilities, even if you never use them.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of removing embedded applications, from secure (without root rights) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader), you will learn which programs can be removed without risk to the system, and which cannot be touched categorically, and we will analyze alternative methods: disabling, freezing and hiding unnecessary utilities.

Important: The procedure differs depending on the MIUI version (12, 13 or 14) and the Redmi model (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi 9A).

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

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, integrate pre-installed software into firmware, which fall into three categories:

• 📱 System Services – Critical to Work MIUI (For example, com.android.phone or com.miui.home, deleting them will cause the phone to fail.
• 🎵 Branded utilities — Mi Music, Mi Video, Themes. They can be removed, but not by all means.
• 📦 Bloatware – advertising and affiliate applications (Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn) that Xiaomi installs under the contract.

The standard Settings menu → Applications only allow you to disable or hide some programs, but not remove them completely.

• 🔒 Security Policy – Deleting System Files May Disrupt Android.
• 📉 Contracts with partners – Xiaomi gets money for pre-installation of some applications.
• 🔄 Recovery option – after resetting all remote programs will return.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications without backup may result in a cyclical restart (bootloop) or loss of functionality (for example, the notification panel will disappear or the camera will stop working!

Method 1: Disabling embedded applications (without root)

The safest method is to disable, not delete, and the application will remain in memory, but will stop working and consume resources.

• 📺 Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser
• 📱 Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok (if preinstalled)
• 🎮 Game Turbo, Mi Pay, Mi Credit

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Click Disable (button can be gray if disconnection is prohibited).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Selected the application that is not necessary for the system

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

The device is charged at least 50%

Developer mode is disabled (if enabled)-->

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the Settings → Apps list. It can be turned on again at any time.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable com.android.vending (Google Play Store) or com.google.android.gsf (Google Services Framework) – this will result in loss of access to Google services!

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

If you don't have enough shutdowns, you can completely remove unnecessary apps using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but you need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB on the Redmi

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on your smartphone Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate the developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect Redmi to your PC and enter: Adb devices Must appear with a serial number.
5. To see a list of all applications, follow: adb shell pm list packages
6. To remove a specific application (e.g. Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video

List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Note: Pm uninstall command with flag --user 0 It removes the app only for the current user. Once you reset, it will come back.

Mi Video and Mi Music

Facebook, TikTok and other social networks

Game utilities (Game Turbo)

Services (Mi Pay, Mi Credit)

Others-->

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you're willing to take risks, you can root and remove system applications permanently, and this is a method that's suitable for users who:

• 🔧 They can unlock the bootloader (bootloader)
• 📱 Ready for possible loss of warranty
• 🔄 Agree to Magisk's regular security updates

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Xiaomi’s official tool (Mi Unlock Tool) and it will take 72 to 168 hours (waiting for confirmation).
2. Install a custom recavator (TWRP) for your Redmi model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
5. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app and delete folders with unnecessary applications.

Examples of paths for popular applications:

• 🎬 Mi Video: /system/priv-app/MiuiVideo
• 🎵 Mi Music: /system/priv-app/MiuiPlayer
• 🌐 Mi Browser: /system/app/Browser

After removal, clean the cache in the recavery (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache to avoid errors.

Method 4: Freeze applications (alternative to deletion)

If you don’t want to take risks, but shutting down isn’t enough, you can freeze apps using:

• 🧊 Titanium Backup (requires root)
• ❄️ App Quarantine (without root, but with limitations)
• 🔄 ADB AppControl (via AppControl) ADB, as in Method 2)

Freezing blocks the application, but it doesn't delete its files.

• ✅ You can quickly defrost if something goes wrong.
• ✅ Does not violate the integrity of the system partition
• ✅ It works even for applications that cannot be disabled by standard means.

Instructions for ADB AppControl:

1. Download the tool with XDA Developers.
2. Connect Redmi to your PC and launch ADB AppControl.exe.
3. Select unnecessary apps and click Freeze.

Method 5: Hiding applications through launcher

If you just don't like the fact that unnecessary apps are cluttering your desktop, you can hide them without removing them.

1. Keep your finger in the free space of the desktop.
2. Select Launcher Settings (or Screen Settings).
3. Find the Hidden Apps option (in some versions of MIUI it is called Hide icons).
4. Check the boxes of the programs you want to hide.

Hidden annexes:

• 🔍 Stay on the Settings menu → Annexes
• 📱 Will not appear on the desktop and in the list of all programs
• 🔄 You can go back at any time.

This method does not save memory or stop background processes, but it does make the interface cleaner.

What applications cannot be removed (blacklist)

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

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop)
• 📵 Network loss (no calls and no internet)
• 🔳 Black screen after switching on

List of prohibited packets for removal:

⚠️ Warning: Even if you find instructions on the Internet to remove one of these packages, don't do it. Restore the phone will require a full flashing through Fastboot or a full flashing. EDL, What can be difficult for beginners.

💡

Before you uninstall any system application, check its packet name from trusted sources (e.g. XDA Developers or 4PDA).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing embedded applications