How to safely remove embedded apps on Xiaomi: 5 proven methods

Embedded apps on Xiaomi smartphones are a headache for many users, taking up space in memory, consuming battery life and often not being removed in standard ways, especially for MIUI-branded services like Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps or Mi Video, which many consider unnecessary.

But before you get into radical methods, it’s important to understand that not all system applications can be removed without consequences. Some are critical to MIUI, and removing them can lead to system failures, update errors, or even a device bribing. In this article, we’ll look at safe ways to clean a smartphone from unnecessary software, from simple (disable and hide) to advanced (use of ADB and root rights).

We will also answer key questions: what applications can be removed without risk, how to restore the system after unsuccessful manipulations, and what to do if important functions stop working after removal (for example, a camera or a camera). NFC). Instructions will be suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models based on the MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Which built-in applications on Xiaomi can be removed and which can not

Before you start removing, you need to be clear about which applications are critical to the system and which are just junk. MIUI has three categories of embedded software:

✅ Safely removed (does not affect system stability):

• 🌐 Mi Browser is a proprietary browser that duplicates Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎵 Mi Music is a music player that most users replace with Spotify or YouTube Music.
• 📺 Mi Video - video player with limited functions.
• 🛒 GetApps – a proprietary app store (similar to Google Play, but with less choice).
• 📱 Mi Community is a Xiaomi support forum that is rarely used.
• 🎮 Game Turbo – utility for gamers (you can delete if you do not play).

⚠️ Removed with caution (may affect individual functions):

• 📸 Mi Camera – if removed, the main camera will stop working (but you can replace it with Google Camera).
• 🔊 Mi Sound Recorder is a recorder, but some system features can use it.
• 📡 Mi Remote – remote control (if you do not use the IR port, you can remove it).

🚫 Prohibited removal (will cause system failures):

• ⚙️ Settings (com.android.settings) - system settings.
• 📱 System UI (com.android.systemui - interface MIUI.
• 🔄 MIUI Daemon (com.miui.daemon) - background processes of the system.
• 🔒 Security (com.miui.securitycenter.
• 📶 Telephony (com.android.phone) - phone features.

⚠️ Note: Removing applications from the latter category may result in system inability to boot, update errors MIUI or loss of functionality (for example, the notification panel will disappear or the mobile network will stop working).

If you are in doubt whether you can remove a particular application, check its name in the list below or use the disable method (we will talk about it in the next section).

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

The safest method is not to delete, but to disable unnecessary applications, which will free up RAM, stop background activity and hide icons from the menu, but the application files will remain in the system, the advantage of the method is that you can easily return everything back.

How to disable the application on Xiaomi:

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

After the shutdown:

• 📱 The icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 The application will not start automatically.
• 📉 Stop using battery and traffic.
• 🔙 If necessary, you can turn it back on in the same settings.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g., Mi Security) cannot be disabled in the standard way. ADB (described below).

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If the app reappears after the reboot after the shutdown, try to further clear its cache and data in the settings (Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Clear Data).

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

If the shutdown is not enough, you can uninstall embedded apps using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method does not require root rights, but will require connecting the smartphone to the computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔓 Included Debugging by USB smartphone.

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.

File transfer

cmd

Terminal

ADB

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

Mi Browser

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

com.android.browser

List of packages of popular built-in applications Xiaomi:

After the command is executed, the application will be removed for the current user (flag) --user 0). To get it back, use it:

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

Install ADB on your computer | Enabled USB debugging on Xiaomi | Checked connection with adb devices | Downloaded list of packets to delete | Made backup of important data-->

Method 3: Root-rights removal (for power users)

If you have root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can remove embedded applications directly from the system, which gives you more freedom, but also higher risks: careless removal can lead to system failure.

How to remove the system application with root rights:

1. Install a file manager with root support, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application you are removing (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (e.g. add at the end of.bak).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

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

• 📋 Create a backup of the application before deleting.
• 🗑️ Select the unnecessary app and tap Delete.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications with root rights can lead to loss OTA-Updates before the next update MIUI You may need to restore deleted files.

5. Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized utilities to remove embedded applications.

• 🛠️ Debloater Tool (for PC) – allows you to remove applications through ADB graphically.
• 📱 App Inspector (for Android) – helps you find application packages for later removal through the app ADB.
• 🔍 Package Name Viewer – Shows the packet names of all installed applications.

Examples of Debloater Tool:

1. Download and install the utility on the computer.
2. Connect your smartphone via USB with debugging enabled.
3. Launch the Debloater Tool and wait for the list of applications to load.
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary apps (such as Mi Browser or GetApps).
5. Press Uninstall Selected.

Advantages of the method:

• 🖥️ Convenient graphical interface (no need to remember commands) ADB).
• 🔍 Automatically identify safe applications for removal.
• 🔙 Ability to restore remote applications.

Disadvantages:

• 💻 Computer required.
• 🔌 Not all utilities support the latest versions. MIUI.

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The side of utilities like Debloater Tool makes it easier to work with ADB, but they don’t provide more features than manual commands. Always check which apps you remove, even if the program labels them as “safe.”

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

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root rights, you can use factory resets to disable unnecessary applications, a method that works for new devices or before selling.

How it works:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (do not delete all data!).
3. After the reboot, the system will offer to configure the smartphone as new.
4. At the stage of selecting applications, uncheck the unneeded boxes (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require technical skills.
• 📱 Stores user data (photos, contacts, etc.).
• 🔒 Safe for the system.

Disadvantages:

• ⚙️ Not all built-in applications can be disabled at this stage.
• 🔄 Requires re-configuring the smartphone.

7 What to do if something breaks after removal

Even if you have removed the “safe” app, there may be some problems:

• 📱 Don’t turn on your smartphone – try to go to Recovery Mode and make a reset.
• 🔄 Persistent system errors – Restore the remote application through ADB:
• 📲 Some functions are not working (e.g., the camera or NFC) — Check if you have removed the associated system application.
• 🔄 They don't come. OTA-It's normal to uninstall system applications, so you have to manually flash the device through Fastboot to update.

If your smartphone stops loading, try the following steps:

1. Press Power + Volume Up to enter Recovery Mode.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
3. If this doesn’t help, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed the root-right system app and the smartphone is not turned on and the reset is not helping, you may need to flash through EDL-It's a complicated procedure that's best left to the experts.

8.Other Removal Alternatives: How to Hide or Replace Embedded Apps

If deleting seems risky, there are alternative ways to get rid of unnecessary software:

🔹 Hiding icons

• Use launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which let you hide your app icons.
• In the standard MIUI launcher, you can drag an unnecessary application into the Hidden folder (long press → Hide).

🔹 Replacement by analogues

• 🌐 Instead of Mi Browser, use Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎵 Instead of Mi Music, Spotify or VLC.
• 📸 Instead of a standard camera, Google Camera (if supported by your model).

🔹 Limitation of activity

• In the application settings (Settings → Applications → [name]), turn off auto-start, notifications, and background activity.
• Limit Internet access for unnecessary applications (Settings → Mobile Network → Traffic Use).

🔹 Using "Light" versions of firmware

Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) lack built-in Xiaomi applications, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

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If you don’t want to remove apps but they’re in the way, try disabling their updates. Go to Google Play → Settings → Auto-Update apps → Don’t update automatically and manually undo updates for unnecessary programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing embedded apps on Xiaomi