How to completely remove factory applications on Android Xiaomi: 5 proven methods

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem of embedded apps that take up memory, consume battery power and are not removed by standard means. We are talking about Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, GetApps and dozens of other services that MIUI installs by default. Even after resetting, they return — and this is not an accident, but a feature of the firmware.

Many users try to disable these programs through settings, but this does not solve the problem completely: applications continue to update in the background, take up space in memory and sometimes even run themselves. APK-files, but here lies the main danger: careless actions can lead to system crash or loss of functionality (for example, the disappearance of the settings menu or camera failure).

In this guide, we’ll break down 5 ways to uninstall, from the safest (no superuser rights) to the most radical (using ADB and root), and you’ll learn which apps can be removed without risk, and which ones can’t be touched – even if they seem useless.

1. Which applications on Xiaomi can be removed and which ones can not

Before you start cleaning your system, you need to be clear: not all embedded applications are equally safe to remove, for example, deleting com.android.phone will lead to network loss, and deleting com.miui.home will lead to desktop disappearance, while Mi Browser (com.android.browser) or Mi Music (com.miui.player) can be deleted without consequences.

Here is a list of safe apps to remove (checked at MIUI 12-14):

• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – duplicates Chrome, but consumes more resources.
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) – a player with limited functionality.
• 🎬 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) is a video player that many people don’t use.
• 📱 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks) – a branded app store with questionable content.
• 🧹 Cleaner (com.miui.cleanmaster) – an optimizer that often works idlely.
• 🎨 Themes (com.android.themes) – if you don’t use the theme change.
• 📊 MiuiDaemon (com.miui.daemon) – an analytics service that collects usage data.

But what to delete categorically can not (risk of losing the system):

⚠️ Note: If you delete com.miui.securitycenter, you will lose access to unlock the bootloader and some features. MIUI. It is one of the most dangerous applications for experimentation.

2. Method 1: Disabling applications without removal (without root)

If you don't need radical measures, you can just turn off unnecessary apps, which won't free up memory completely, but stop them from working in the background and stop them from updating, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones without additional rights.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open your card.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is protected by the system).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Once you turn it off, the app will disappear from the menu, stop using the battery and update, but its files will remain in the device's memory, and to return the application back, you just go back to its settings and click On.

Backup of important data

Check the list of safe applications to disable

Close all background processes

Reboot the phone after disconnecting-->

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be disabled in the standard way – the system will simply ignore the command. ADB root.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can completely remove system applications without getting root permissions. The method works on all Xiaomi smartphones, but requires debugging over USB and installing drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB and Fastboot Tools from Google’s official website and unpack the archive.
2. On your smartphone, turn it on: 🔧 Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate the developer mode). 🔧 Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

File transfer

cmd

ADB

adb devices

If the device is displayed in the list, then the connection is successful.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

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

Once the command is executed, the application will be removed for the current user (not completely from the system).

adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

💡

If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers through the official Mi USB Driver tool.

Method 3: Using MIUI Optimizer (requires unlocking the bootloader)

MIUI Optimizer is an informal application that allows you to deeply configure MIUI, including removing system APKs. It requires an unlocked bootloader, but root is not required.

How to use:

1. Unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi through the official Mi Unlock tool (it may take 7-15 days to wait).
2. Download MIUI Optimizer (available on the developer’s Telegram channel).
3. Install the application and grant it permissions via ADB: adb shell pm grant com.quincysx.critics ms
4. In MIUI Optimizer, go to the App Manager section and tick off unnecessary applications.
5. Press Uninstall and confirm the action.

The advantage of this method is that the application allows you to restore deleted APKs directly from the interface, but beware: some features (for example, deleting com.miui.securitycenter) can lead to blocking access to security settings.

5. Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you are willing to take the risk of root rights, you can remove any system applications, including those that are blocked in ADB.

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 📱 Established custom recaveri (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Magisk for getting root.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk via TWRP and restart your phone.
2. Download any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
4. Find a folder with an unnecessary APK (like Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system without backup can lead to a "brick" of the device (complete loss of performance). TWRP before such operations!

💡

Getting root rights voids the warranty on the device and increases the risk of malware infection. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

6. Method 5: Reset to pure Android (custom ROM firmware)

If you're annoyed not only by the presence of embedded apps, but also by the MIUI shell itself, you can install custom firmware based on pure Android (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

• ✅ Remove all Xiaomi system applications.
• ✅ Speed up the phone (due to the absence of background processes) MIUI).
• ✅ Provide up-to-date security updates.
• ❌ It will deprive you of certain functions (for example, IR-blaster).

How to flash custom ROM:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see method 3).
2. Install TWRP for your Xiaomi model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Download the right firmware (e.g. LineageOS for your device).
4. Boot into TWRP, back up the current system and run a new ROM.

The downside of this method is the loss of warranty and possible bugs (for example, a broken NFC or fingerprint sensor), but you will get a clean Android without unnecessary software.

7 How to Return Remote Apps If Something Goes Wrong

If the system APK is removed and the phone is unstable (for example, the notification panel is gone or the camera is not open), don’t panic. There are several ways to get it back:

If you removed the app through root and didn’t backup, try downloading the original APK from APKMirror and installing it manually. However, this won’t work with all system programs — some require a Xiaomi signature.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications