How to remove Xiaomi services from your phone: safe and radical methods

Why users want to get rid of the built-in services Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: even after resetting, dozens of pre-installed apps remain on the device that cannot be removed by standard methods. These services — from MIUI Gallery to Mi Browser — take up memory, consume battery power in the background and collect user data. According to a 2023 study by AppCensus, some Xiaomi system applications send analytics to the company’s servers even when permissions are turned off.

But there is another side to the coin: some services are critical to the stable operation of the firmware, for example, Security is responsible for protecting against viruses, and Mi Share is responsible for fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices. Deleting key components without understanding the consequences can lead to a “brick” (complete failure) of the phone, especially on closed-loop models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), so before any manipulation, you need to clearly understand which applications can be uninstalled and which ones can only be disabled.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 How to safely disable unnecessary services without root rights (even on new models of 2026).
• 🛠️ Step-by-step instructions for removing system applications using ADB through TWRP.
• ⚠️ What services can not be removed categorically (and why it threatens to lose the warranty).
• 📱 Alternative methods for devices with unlocked bootloader.

Method 1: Disable services through MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest way to reduce the impact of system applications is to manually disable them. This will not delete files from memory, but will stop background activity and remove icons from the menu. MIUI 14/15.

To disable unnecessary service:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Music or Mi Video) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).

Some applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Pay) can not only disable, but also remove updates, returning them to the factory version, which will free up to 50-100 MB of memory on each such application.

Unnecessary media players (Mi Music, Mi Video)

Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox)

Mi Community and other social services

Mi Game Center (if you don't play)

Theme Store (if you don’t change theme)-->

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Security, Finder, or Mi Account services may disrupt file search, fingerprint scanner, and data synchronization. POCO F5 This also blocks access to some camera settings.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root, but with a computer)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall system apps using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires a computer and developer mode on the phone, and is suitable for most Xiaomi devices, except for those where the manufacturer has blocked ADB commands (such as some regional versions of the Redmi A2+).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools from Google’s official website and unpack the archive.
2. On the phone, turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in your phone settings) and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb devices

If the device is identified, execute a command to delete (for example, for Mi Browser):

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

Below is a list of commands for popular services:

💡

Before deleting, back up the application list with the adb shell pm list packages -f command. This will help restore remote services if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable: Some packages may have other names (e.g. com.miui.browser.global instead of com.android.browser). | grep "miui".

Method 3: Complete removal via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

Radically removing system applications will require custom TWRP recaps and unlocked bootloaders, a method that is suitable for power users, as improper actions can lead to data loss or device blink. On new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+), unlocking the bootloader can void the warranty.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (only download from trusted sources, such as twrp.me).
3. Load to the Recovery (Power + Vol Up) and connect the phone to your computer.
4. Mount /system partition and remove application folders manually or using a script.

Example of the command to remove Mi Browser via ADB in TWRP:

adb shell


mount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiBrowser




umount /system

What Xiaomi services can not be removed (blacklist)

Some system applications are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal may cause:

• 🔄 Infinite Reboot (Bootloop).
• 📵 Loss of network connection (modem services).
• 🔒 Blocking access to settings or file system.
• 📱 Full "brick" (inability to turn on the device).

Below is a list of forbidden packets (even through ADB or TWRP):

💡

Even if you remove the “safe” app, some MIUI features may stop working, for example, without Mi Share there will be no fast file transfer, and without Theme Store there will be the ability to change wallpaper and icons.

Alternative methods: debloather scripts and custom firmware

For users who don’t want to manually remove each application, there are automated solutions:

1. Debloater scripts (e.g. Universal Android Debloater or MIUI Debloater by simrat39). These tools analyze the packages installed and suggest removing the ones that are not needed. ADB.
2. Custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu) is stripped of most of Xiaomi’s built-in services, but requires an unlocked bootloader and can be unwarranted.
3. Magisk modules (e.g. Xiaomi Debloater Module) are installed via Magisk Manager and block unnecessary services at the kernel level.

Debloater scripts have the advantage of allowing you to back up before you delete them. For example, Universal Android Debloater saves a list of deleted packages and can restore them with one command. However, these tools do not always work correctly with the latest versions of MIUI 15, so check compatibility on forums (for example, XDA Developers) before using them.

💡

If you use custom firmware, look for Project Treble versions (like Havoc-OS) that support modular architecture and allow you to install only the desired components.

Recovery of Remote Services (if something goes wrong)

If the phone starts to work unstable after deleting the apps, there are several ways to get it back:

• 🔄 Recovery through ADB: If you delete applications with pm uninstall --user 0, Executing the Cmd Package Install-Existing <packet>.
• 📦 Flashing through Mi Flash: Download the full image MIUI For your model from the official website and flash it in Clean All mode.
• 🔧 Recovery through TWRP: If you have a backup section /system, Restore it through the rivers.

On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi 12C or POCO M6 Pro), the only reliable way is to run the firmware via Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool.

1. Download the latest stable version of MIUI for your device (file with.tgz extension).
2. Unpack the archive and launch MiFlash.exe.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot (Power + Vol Down) and select the Clean All option.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware completely erases data from internal memory, including photos and contacts. Pre-backup via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi services