Xiaomi’s current MIUI 12 smartphones offer incredible functionality to users, but often come with excessive pre-installed software. Many device owners are faced with a situation where system memory is occupied with unnecessary services that cannot be removed by standard methods through the settings menu, which creates a feeling of clutter and sometimes even affects the autonomy of the gadget, as background processes consume resources.
In this article, we will go into detail on proven ways to get rid of system debris and unnecessary applications, learn how to safely clean a system without disrupting its stability. It is important to understand that deep modification of firmware requires care, but the result of an accelerated interface is worth it.
We'll look at both computer-based software techniques and simpler root-free options. Removing system components through ADB doesn't require superuser rights, which keeps the device warranty. Prepare for the process to require concentration, but the final performance of your Redmi or Poco smartphone will improve markedly.
Why you should remove MIUI 12 system software
MIUI 12 is famous for its visual component, but the abundance of built-in services often becomes a brake on performance. Many users do not know that programs such as Mi Credit, Mi Pay (for CIS regions) or Yellow Pages can work in the background. They periodically access the network, consuming traffic and battery power, even if you have never used them.
The release of internal storage is another reason to do a clean-up: the system partition is often overcrowded, which prevents installing new games or saving a large number of photos, and removing excess components allows you to return up to several gigabytes of useful space that was previously reserved for unnecessary functionality.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations, be sure to back up your critical data. Error when you delete critical system files can lead to unstable device operation or cyclical restart.
Also, cleaning the interface of advertising modules and intrusive services improves the user experience, you will stop seeing pop-up recommendations and unnecessary notifications, which makes using a smartphone more comfortable and focused on your personal tasks, rather than promoting the services of the ecosystem.
Preparation of the smartphone for the cleaning procedure
Before you start taking active action to uninstall, you need to configure the smartphone correctly. Without taking the preliminary steps, the computer will not be able to access the system files of the device. First of all, you will need to activate the developer mode, which is hidden by default for security purposes.
To do this, go to the Settings → About Phone menu and find the MIUI version line. You need to quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row until the notification that you have become a developer appears on the screen.
☑️ Preparation of the device for debugging
Next, you should turn on the USB debugging directly. Go to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and find the USB debugging switch. When you connect the cable to your computer, a request for confirmation of access will appear on the smartphone screen - be sure to click "Allow", otherwise the connection will not be established.
It is also recommended to disable the MIUI Optimization option if it is available in your area, although it is not always required for basic ADB work.Make sure the cable you are using supports data transfer, not just charging.Cheap cables are often the reason the computer doesn't see the connected device.
Method of removing via ADB on a computer
The most reliable and secure way to remove embedded applications is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool.This method does not require superuser rights and allows you to remove packets that are hidden from the average user.
First, download Platform-tools from the official Android developer site. Unpack the archive into a convenient folder, such as the root of disk C. Then open the command prompt in this folder. To verify the connection, type in the adb device command. If done correctly, you will see the serial number of your device.
adb shell pm list packagesThis command will display a list of all packages installed. To find a specific application, use filtering by name, for example: adb shell pm list packages | findstr miui (for Windows) or adb shell pm list packages | grep miui (for macOS/Linux).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetUsing the --user 0 flag means that the application will only be removed for the current user, but the files will remain in the system in case of recovery. This makes the method reversible: if something goes wrong, just reset the settings to return everything as it was. Don't try to delete system processes that you are not sure about the name of.
Using graphic utilities for uninstallation
For those who don’t want to mess with the command line, there are handy graphical shells that work on the basis of ADB. One of the most popular and proven programs is Universal Android Debloater.This tool automatically identifies the connected device and offers a list of recommended applications for removal with a color labeled security.
The interface is divided into categories: safe to remove, potentially dangerous, and system. You just tick off unwanted components like Mi Browser, Mi Video, or Facebook, and click Uninstall, and the program will generate and send the necessary commands to the smartphone.
- 📱 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools - a specialized utility from enthusiasts, sharpened specifically for Xiaomi devices, can delete even some system partitions and clean cache.
- 💻 ADB AppControl is a powerful program with support for the Russian language, which allows you not only to delete, but also to freeze applications, as well as manage permissions.
- 🔧 Debloat Tool is a minimalist quick cleaning solution, often updated by the community with new package listings for different versions. MIUI.
What if the program doesn’t see the phone?
Always check which package you are going to remove. Some utilities may be labeled as secure components that, in your particular firmware modification, are responsible for running your phone or messages.
Safe table for removing system packets
So you don't have to guess what components you can touch, we've compiled a list of the most frequently deleted packages, which are usually not affecting the basic functionality of calls and SMS, but take up space and resources.
| Packet name | Description of the component | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| com.miui.misys | MIUI System Security Service | Low (antivirus is working) |
| com.miui.player | Standard music player | Safe (there's a replacement) |
| com.miui.videoplayer | Standard video player | Safe (there's a replacement) |
| com.facebook.katana | System Facebook (European versions) | Safe. |
| com.miui.yellowpage | Number Definitive and Yellow Pages | Safe. |
When removing packages related to security or cloud sync, be extremely careful. If you are not using the Xiaomi ecosystem, cloud services can be disabled, but complete removal can cause errors in the gallery or contacts.
Always check the name of the packet twice before entering a command. An error in one character can lead to an attempt to delete a critical system process. If you are in doubt about the purpose of a particular file, you should search the description of the file online before the action.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During the cleaning process, you may encounter a situation where the device starts to behave unstable, such as stopping the settings menu or missing the sound, most of the time by restarting or installing an alternative app from Google Play.
If after removing the system component, the smartphone went into a cyclic bootloop, do not panic (--user 0), You need to boot into Recovery mode and reset your settings (Wipe Data) and that will return all the deleted packets to their places.
A common problem is the inability to install some banking applications after a deep modification of the system, which may require the presence of certain system frameworks Google or Xiaomi, in which case installing the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with data storage (the Clean All option may not help, you need to reflash completely).
⚠️ Note: Do not delete the com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter package unless you have a clear understanding of the consequences.This can lead to complete loss of communication and inability to boot the operating system.
Alternative Optimization Methods Without Removal
If you're not prepared for radical measures, there are softer ways to fight bloating, the first being to freeze applications, and using the same ADB tools or specialized programs, you can turn off the packet instead of deleting it, and then the application stops running and consuming resources, but stays in the system.
The second method is to disable the default settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find an unnecessary service (like Mi Music) and click “Disable.” This will hide the icon and stop the processes, although the disk space will be slightly freed up.
- 🚀 Disabling Advertising: Go to the settings of each system application (Security, Downloads, Explorer) and find the "Get recommendations" item by disabling it.
- 🔋 Background activity restriction: in the Battery and Performance menu, you can prevent unnecessary applications from working in the background, which will save charge.
- 👤 Change of launcher: installing a third-party launcher (Nova, Lawnchair) will hide the standard interface MIUI And make using a smartphone more like a pure Android.
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Use Second Space mode to create a clean environment, create a new user profile where no unnecessary apps will be installed, and use it as the primary one if standard cleaning is not possible.
Combining these techniques can significantly improve the responsiveness of MIUI 12 without the risk of device failure, and regular cache cleaning and autoboot control work wonders even on older smartphone models.
Final service recommendations
Regular maintenance of a smartphone is the key to its long life. After successfully removing excess software, it is recommended to restart the device so that the system rebuilt the indexes and cache. For the first few minutes, the phone can run slower than usual, this is normal.
Try not to install apps from questionable sources, as they often carry ad modules that will clog the system again. Use only trusted stores like the Google Play Store.
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The safest way to remove is to remove only those apps that you are 100% sure of, or to use the freezing method instead of completely uninstalling to be able to roll back changes quickly.
Remember that every Xiaomi model is unique. What runs on the Redmi Note 9 may be different from the Mi 11. Always look for information specifically on your model before deleting system files. Careful system care will allow you to enjoy the speed of the device for many years to come.