How to Remove Embedded Programs on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work (2026)

Why Xiaomi’s built-in apps are bothering users – and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their functionality, but many users face the same problem: dozens of pre-installed apps that cannot be removed by standard methods. This is not only about Google services (YouTube, Chrome, Duo), but also about proprietary MIUI utilities - Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, Mi Browser and even duplicate launchers. These programs take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes send analytical data to Xiaomi servers without explicit consent.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove embedded applications on Xiaomi devices, from secure (disable and hide) to radical (complete removal via ADB or root). It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, and some can lead to system failure or loss of warranty. We will explain in detail the risks of each approach and give recommendations on how to minimize the consequences.

Before you start, answer a key question: do you really need to uninstall these programs? Often, it is enough to disable them or replace them with alternatives from Google Play. For example, instead of Mi Browser you can use Firefox or Brave, and Mi Video easily replaces VLC or MX Player. If you are determined to get rid of unnecessary software, read on.

Method 1: Disabling and Hiding Applications Without Deleting (Safeest Method)

If your goal is to free up RAM and prevent the background activity of unnecessary programs, you just need to turn them off, and this method does not require super-user rights (root) and does not disrupt the system.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
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 in the window that appears.

The application that is disabled will not start, will not receive updates, and will not appear in the menu, but its data will remain in the device's memory, and to free up space completely, you also need to clear the cache and data:

• 📱 In the same app menu, click Storage → Clear cache and Clear data.
• 🔄 Repeat for all unnecessary programs.
• 🔍 To hide icons from the menu, use launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher (setting Hidden Apps").

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system services called com.android., com.miui. or com.google.android.gsf – this may lead to loss of functionality (for example, push notifications or account synchronization will stop working).

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If notifications stop coming after disabling apps (e.g. from Viber or Telegram), check autorun settings in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. You may have disabled the system service responsible for the background work of third-party programs.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (no root, but at risk to the system)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can remove embedded applications without obtaining root rights, but this requires caution: the wrong command can disrupt the system.

Before you start, prepare:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).

Now follow the instructions:

1. Connect the smartphone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the adb folder (e.g., cd C:\platform-tools).
3. Enter the adb device command – if the device is displayed, you can continue.
4. Get a list of all packages by the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui\|google' (this will show all the Xiaomi and Google apps).
5. Remove the unnecessary application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack For example, to remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall commands remove the application only for the current user (--user 0). If you reset, the programs will come back. To completely delete (including system files) you need root, but it is risky - you can get a brick".

Installed ADB| Drivers Enabled USB| Backed up Data | Checked the packet list before deleting | Don't touch system services-->

Method 3: Using MIUI Optimizer (simplified ADB)

If working with the command line seems difficult, you can use the utility MIUI Optimizer - a graphical interface for managing system applications through ADB.

Instructions:

1. Download MIUI Optimizer from the official repository on GitHub (select the latest version).
2. Install and run the utility on the computer.
3. Connect your smartphone via USB with debugging enabled (as in method 2).
4. In MIUI Optimizer, select the App Manager section.
5. Check the unneeded apps and click Uninstall.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Visual interface – no need to remember commands.
• 🔍 Automatic filtering of "safe" packets.
• 📋 Ability to create a backup before removal.

Disadvantages:

• 🖥️ Computer (no mobile version) required).
• 🔄 Not all packages are available for removal (depending on version) MIUI).

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MIUI Optimizer is the best choice for beginners, as it minimizes the risk of removing a critical application. However, before using it, still make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.

Method 4: Delete with root rights (for power users)

Getting root rights gives you maximum control over the system, but also maximum risk, and on Xiaomi devices, this leads to:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty.
• 🔒 Blocking certain features (such as Google Pay or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD).
• 🛡️ Vulnerabilities for malware.

If you are ready for this, follow the steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Sweep through Magisk to get root.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove system applications.

Example of removal through Root Explorer:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (like Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system This can lead to a "bootloop" (a looped reboot). Always back up the system partition through TWRP Please note that after the update MIUI Remote applications can return.

Method 5: Alternative firmware (complete replacement of MIUI)

If you're annoyed not only by the presence of embedded applications, but also by the MIUI shell itself (advertising, restrictions, design), consider installing custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without excess software.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 🛡️ Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions.
• 💡 MIUI EU — modified MIUI without advertising and with the ability to remove system applications.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 4).
2. Install TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
3. Download the firmware for your model from the XDA Developers or MIUI EU forum.
4. Sweep through the firmware through recovery (instructions are usually attached to the file).

Pros:

• ✅ There are no built-in Xiaomi apps (or they can be easily removed).
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ More opportunities to set up.

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of guarantee.
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” in case of error.
• ❌ Certain functions (e.g, IR Blaster or NFC) They may not work properly.

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Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your model on the XDA forum or in telegram chats (e.g. @miuieu for MIUI EU). Version mismatch may result in wifi, camera or sensors not working.

How to restore remote system applications?

If you have problems after deleting (for example, notifications or Google Play stopped working), you can try to restore the applications.

1. Resetting (Settings → About Phone → Resetting) – will return all pre-installed programs, but delete your data.
2. Fastboot: fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash boot.img (images can be downloaded from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
3. Installation via ADB (if you have a backup.apk): adb install name file.apk
4. Use MIUI bootloader – utility for recovering stock applications (available on XDA).

If none of these methods work, you only need to contact the service center, and note that after manually deleting system files, this can be a paid service (even if the warranty is still valid).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing embedded programs on Xiaomi