Remove built-in Xiaomi apps without Root and unlock the bootloader

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter intrusive redundant software known as bloatware.It's system junk that not only takes up precious space in memory, but consumes RAM, slowing down the device. Standard methods of removing through settings are often unavailable for mission-critical system components, creating a sense of hopelessness for the average user.

Fortunately, there is a reliable way to get rid of unnecessary programs without having to get Root rights or unlock Bootloader.The method is based on the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge), Google’s official tool for debugging devices, which allows you to safely remove even those packages that are hidden from the user’s eyes in the standard MIUI or HyperOS interface.

You don't have to be a programmer or an engineer to do this, you just have to connect your smartphone to your computer and you just type simple commands, you have to be careful and follow the instructions so you don't disrupt the operating system. Uninstalling system packages through ADB doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, which keeps you guaranteed and you can get official updates.

Preparation of the working environment and smartphone

The first step is to prepare your computer. You'll need to download the minimum set of Platform Tools from the official Android developer site. This archive contains executable files adb.exe and fastboot.exe, which are necessary to communicate with the device. Unpack the archive in the root folder of the disk, for example, C:\platform-tools, to avoid problems with long paths.

Next, you need to activate the hidden developer menu on the smartphone itself. → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI (or OS). After the notification that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and find the additional section. → For developers, you need to turn on the debugging switch here. USB.

When you connect the cable to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen. Make sure to tick "Always Allow from this computer" and click "OK." Without this confirmation, the computer won't be able to send any commands to the device. Also make sure that the smartphone has USB File Transfer or MTP mode, although this isn't always critical for ADB, but it's useful for accessing the file system.

Installation of drivers and connection verification

Windows often automatically installs the basic drivers, but ADB may require specific Google USB Driver drivers or universal ADB Interface drivers to work smoothly. If an unknown device or device with an exclamation point is displayed in Device Manager when you connect, you will have to manually update the driver by indicating the path to the tool folder.

To check the connection, open the command line (cmd) or PowerShell in the tool folder. Enter the command adb devices. If everything is configured correctly, you will see a list of connected devices with a unique serial number and device status. Unauthorized status means you need to unlock the smartphone screen and confirm the debugging request.

Sometimes antivirus software can block the debugging bridge from functioning, perceiving it as suspicious, so add a tool folder to exceptions or temporarily disable protection, and make sure that the USB cable is working and supports data transfer, not just charging, as cheap cables often do not have the necessary contacts.

adb devices

Analysis of installed packages and search for names

Before you delete anything, you have to make a list of all the packages installed. The standard interface doesn't show the full names of the system applications, so we use the command line. The adb shell pm list packages command will output a complete list of all the packages, but it will be huge and hard to read.

For convenience, it is better to filter the output. For example, to find all applications associated with Xiaomi advertising, you can use the command adb shell pm list packages | findstr miui. Package names usually look like com.android.browser or com.miui.system. It is important not to confuse the system process with the user application, since removing the boot critical component can lead to a cyclic reboot.

It is recommended to check the lists of safe applications for removal in specialized forums or databases, such as Universal Android Debloater. Do not delete packets whose purpose you do not know. It is better to leave an extra application than to disrupt the call system or network.

The process of removing system applications

There are two main ways to remove packets through ADB: We will use the second method, because it cleans the system more efficiently, but it leaves the possibility of recovery. -k --user 0 packet.

The --user 0 flag indicates that the application is deleted for the main user without affecting the system partition /system. This means that the files are physically left in memory, but the system stops using and displaying them. The -k key stores the cache and application data, which can be useful, but it can be omitted to completely clear the space, although in the context of system applications the difference is minimal.

Do the deletion of one packet, checking the stability of the smartphone after each operation. If after removing a component, the phone starts to behave strangely, you can always return everything back, because the original installation file is still there. This is the main advantage of the method before obtaining Root rights, where errors can be fatal.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys

List of safe to remove Xiaomi packages

Below is a table of the most common packages that are often considered junk. However, remember that the firmware composition of Global, China and EEA may vary. Always check the relevance of the information for your particular model and version of MIUI.

Special attention should be paid to MSA-related packages (MIUI System Ads). Deleting com.miui.msa.global often eliminates pop-up ads in standard applications. However, in newer firmware versions, this process can be protected or replaced by other services, so deleting may require additional actions to turn off the Internet during the procedure.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages containing the words framework, provider (especially com.android.providers), settings or systemui in the name unless you are 100% sure of their function.

Recovery of Remote Applications and Troubleshooting

If you find that you have removed something extra after cleaning, or the system has started to work unstable, the package can be easily restored. APK-The file remains in the system partition. To return, just execute the command adb shell cmd package install-existing the name of the package.

In some cases, after a large-scale cleaning, you may need to reset your application settings or even completely reset to factory settings (Wipe Data). This is rare, but if you have removed the components responsible for authorizing your Mi Account or operating a launcher, the system can behave unpredictable.

If the adb command fails or if it fails to execute, [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], This may mean that the application is critical to the current version of the OS, or it is actively used in the background. Try to stop the process through the adb shell am force-stop name packet before retrying to delete the application.

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Before you start a mass cleaning, create a text file with a list of all deleted packets. Copy the deletion commands into a notebook, which will allow you to quickly restore the system in case of an error, simply by running the restore commands in reverse order.

Alternative methods and graphical shells

For those who are afraid to work with the command line, there are graphical interfaces that work on top of the command line. ADB. The most popular tool is Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools from developer Szaki. This program automatically determines the phone model, shows a list of installed apps with descriptions and allows you to delete them in one click.

Using these tools makes it much easier, as they often have built-in databases of secure packages. However, it is worth remembering that third-party software also requires USB connection and debugging. The principle of operation remains the same: the program simply sends the same pm uninstall commands that we discussed above, but in automatic mode.

Don't trust apps in the Play Market that promise to remove system debris without root rights and PCs. In an Android environment without superuser rights, one application can't delete data from another system application. All of these cleaners are either useless or work like normal task managers without deleting the files themselves.

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Using graphical shells based on ADB is safe and convenient for beginners, but understanding the essence of commands allows you to avoid errors when working with non-standard firmware.

⚠️ Note: After the firmware update (OTA) All remote system applications can come back. This is normal behavior because the system partition is updated. You have to repeat the cleaning procedure again after each major system update.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)