How to remove built-in apps on Android Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with dozens of pre-installed apps, from useful MIUI services to intrusive advertising and duplicate programs. Many users want to get rid of this “junk”, but standard removal methods are often blocked by the system. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, from safe to radical, and also tell you what applications can be removed without risking Android stability.

It's important to understand that not all built-in apps are useless. Some are responsible for MIUI, security updates, or hardware interactions. Removing critical components (such as com.miui.home or com.android.phone) will lead to a "brick" of the device - the smartphone will stop booting. So before any manipulations, back up the data and familiarize yourself with the risks.

We tested all the methods on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS (2026), but most of the instructions are relevant for older versions of the firmware. If your smartphone runs Android 13/14, some limitations may differ, as we mention in the relevant sections.

1.What embedded applications can be removed without consequences

Before you take down the program, identify which programs are really intruding. In MIUI, pre-installed applications fall into three categories:

• 🔧 System Critical – the core of Android and MIUI (com.miui.securitycenter, com.android.settings.Deleting will render your smartphone inoperable.
• 📱 Xiaomi’s service utilities (Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser) can be removed, but some features (such as watching video in the gallery) may be lost.
• 🗑️ Advertising/Duplicate – Facebook App Installer, Netflix (if you don’t use it), LinkedIn, Mi Pay (outside India.

Here is a list of apps that can be removed by most users (checked for MIUI 14 and HyperOS):

How do you check what you can delete? Use the App Inspector app (available on Google Play) to see the dependencies of each packet. If the Addictions column is blank or only non-critical services are listed, the app can be removed.

⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (2026)+) part of the applications (Mi) AI, Xiaomi Cloud is now linked to the core system, and deleting it could lead to Mi Account account synchronization errors.

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

The safest method is not to delete, but to disable unnecessary programs, which hides them from the menu, stops background activity and frees up some of the RAM, minus: applications remain in the device's memory and take up space.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the right app (like Mi Browser) and tap on it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

To return the application back, repeat the steps and click Enable.

Backup of important data

Check the list of dependencies in the App Inspector

Disable 1-2 apps at a time (to track problems)

Do not disable system services with the gear icon

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What applications can be turned off without risk? Almost everything except:

• 🔄 com.miui.home - launcher MIUI (desktop).
• 📞 com.android.phone – phone calls.
• ⚙️ com.android.settings – System settings.
• 🔒 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (responsible for unlocking and updating).

💡

If your weather widgets or watch stop working after the app is turned off, turn on Mi Weather (com.miui.weather2).

3. Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

For power users, there is a method to remove embedded apps without obtaining root permissions, through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an official tool of Google, but using it requires a connection to a PC and the activation of the developer mode.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📥 Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. To remove the application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet For example, to delete Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Applications are only deleted for the current user (can be restored).
• ✅ Less risk than complete removal.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and HyperOS some packages are protected by Xiaomi's new security policy. DELETE_FAILED_DEVICE_POLICY_MANAGER, removal blocked at firmware level.

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you're willing to risk system stability, you can get root rights and remove applications permanently, a method that requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk or SuperSU.

What you need to know before you start:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the device.
• 🛡️ Xiaomi may cancel warranty after unlocking.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI through OTA They will be inaccessible (you will have to install them manually).
• 🚨 Some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) will stop working.

Instructions for removal:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi utility).
2. Install Custom Recavers (TWRP) and get root through Magisk.
3. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
4. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
5. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (like Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
6. Reset the device.

Alternative method (via Terminal with root):

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/NameFolds




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Names




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders from /system without backup can lead to bootloop ( looped download).Always do backup through TWRP before manipulation!

💡

Root rights give you complete control of the system, but they take away security and security, and use this method only if you really understand the risks.

5. Method 4: Use of custom firmware (radical method)

If you’re tired of not only the built-in apps but also the MIUI shell itself, you can install custom Android-based firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS), which lacks Xiaomi’s proprietary software and offers “clean” Android.

Pros:

• ✅ No pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Quick security updates.
• ✅ More opportunities for customization.

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of function MIUI (Second Space, Game Turbo, and the Game Turbo).
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on the model).
• ❌ No official support for Xiaomi.

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in the root method).
2. Download the firmware for your model from the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.
3. Install it via TWRP (or other Recovery).
4. Please use GApps (if you need Google services).
5. Do a data reset (Wipe Dalvik/Cache).

Before installing, check firmware reviews for your model. For example, the Pixel Experience works well on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, and ArrowOS on the POCO F5.

Method 5: Hiding applications without removal (for beginners)

If you don't need radical measures, you can just hide unnecessary apps from the menu, and it won't free up memory, but it will make the interface cleaner.

How to hide applications in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want to hide.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top corner and select Hide.
4. Confirm the action.

To return the application back:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on three dots and select Show Hidden Apps.
3. Find the right app and tap Show.

This method doesn't physically remove apps, but it makes them invisible in menus and search, and is suitable for those who are afraid of the consequences of deleting them.

7 Risks and how to avoid them

Removing embedded applications can lead to serious problems if done wrong, and here are the main risks and ways to minimize them:

What to do if the smartphone stops working?

• 🔄 If the device is booting but is glitching, try returning the remote application via ADB (install-existing team).
• 🛠️ If the smartphone does not turn on – flash the original firmware through Fastboot (instructions for the device) 4PDA).
• 📱 If you are stuck on the logo, go to Recovery (press Power). + Volume Up and make a Wipe Cache.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with HyperOS (2026+) Xiaomi has introduced a new protection system MIUI Optimization. Even after root removal, they can recover from the update. To avoid this, disable the optimization by command: su settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1 reboot

8.Other Removal Alternatives: How to Reduce the Impact of Unnecessary Apps

If you are afraid of taking risks, but want to reduce the load of embedded programs, use these tips:

• 🛡️ Limit background activity: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select an unnecessary app (like Mi Browser). → Limit background activity.
• 🚫 Disable AutoRun: In the same app settings, select AutoRun. Disable all permissions.
• 📵 Turn off notifications: In the app settings, go to Notifications. Turn off all switches.
• 🗃️ Use Second Space: Create a second profile in Settings → Second Space, it's going to have a clean system with no unnecessary applications.

Applications for auto-start control:

• 📌 Greenify – suspends background processes.
• 📌 Battery Guru – shows which apps are using up charge.
• 📌 AppOps – Manages permissions at a low level (requires) ADB).