How to Remove Unnecessary Factory Apps on Xiaomi: 4 Proven Methods

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their rich functionality and affordable price, but many users face the same problem: dozens of pre-installed apps that can not be removed by standard methods. These programs, from Mi Browser and Mi Music to obscure services like com.miui.analytics, take up space in memory, consume battery power, and sometimes even transmit data in the background without the owner’s knowledge, POCO and Mi without the risk of "bricking" the phone.

It's important to understand that not all system applications can be removed without consequences. Some of them are critical to the operation of MIUI, the shell that all smartphones of the brand are equipped with. For example, deleting com.android.phone will lead to loss of mobile communication, and getting rid of com.miui.home will make it impossible to use the main screen. So before any manipulations, you should weigh the risks and prepare a backup of data. We will look at methods of varying degrees of complexity, from simple disconnection to complete removal with ADB and root rights.

Why you can’t just remove factory apps from the menu

Unlike the apps installed by the user from Google Play, system programs are protected at the operating system level.

• 🔒 Prevent accidental removal of critical components (e.g., com.android.settings).
• 📱 Ensure stable operation of corporate functions MIUI, Game Turbo and Second Space.
• 💰 Maintain Xiaomi partnership agreements with developers of pre-installed software (for example, Facebook or Netflix).

Even if you see the Remove button in the app menu, it often simply hides the icon from the home screen, but does not uninstall the program. Moreover, some applications (such as com.miui.daemon) are automatically restored after a device is restarted, due to the MIUI Optimization mechanism, which checks the integrity of system files every time you turn on the phone.

Method 1: Disabling applications without deleting (the safest way)

If your goal is simply to free up RAM and prevent the background activity of unnecessary programs, just turn them off. This method requires no special knowledge and works on all Xiaomi devices without root rights.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select "Show all apps."
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).

After deactivation, the annex:

• ✅ It will stop appearing on the menu and on the main screen.
• ✅ It will not be automatically launched and will consume resources.
• ❌ It will remain in the memory of the device (it will borrow). ~10-50 MB depending on the program).
• ❌ It may be activated again after a major update. MIUI.

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To return the disabled application, go to the same settings section and click "Enable".

This is a good way for most users, because it doesn't require technical skills and doesn't pose a risk to system stability, but if you want to make room for the internal drive completely, you'll have to use more radical methods.

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

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, which can remove many system applications without getting root access, and the advantage of the method is that it is reversible: if something goes wrong after deleting, you can restore the application through the same ADB.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Google website).

Instructions for removal:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, the connection is installed correctly.

1. Get a list of all packages installed:

adb shell pm list packages -f

1. Find an unnecessary app (e.g. com.android.browser for Mi Browser) and remove it by command:

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

The --user 0 flag means that the application is only removed for the current user (without affecting system files).This avoids problems with MIUI updates. For a full list of safe packets to remove, see the table below.

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Removing via ADB does not require root rights, but is valid only until the next reset or major MIUI update.

If after deleting you notice malfunctions in the phone, restore the application with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of taking full control of your device, you can remove system applications permanently with root rights. This method gives you maximum freedom, but also maximum risk: improper actions can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the phone. Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked on your device (bootloader).
• 📲 Custom recaveri installed (TWRP).
• 🔄 Backup of all data (including section) /system).
• 🛡️ You understand that the warranty on the device will be cancelled.

The most popular way to get root rights on Xiaomi is to install Magisk. After that, you can use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer) or a terminal to remove applications.

1. Install Magisk Manager from the official repository.
2. Download the Systemless Hosts or App Systemizer module to manage system applications.
3. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Find a folder with an unnecessary app (like Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of the method with root rights:

• 🧹 Apps are deleted forever, even after resetting settings.
• 📉 More space is freed up on the internal storage.
• 🔧 There is a possibility of fine-tuning the system (for example, disabling advertising in the MIUI).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of damaging the system when removing critical components.
• 🔄 Difficulties in obtaining OTA-Updates (you will need to install them manually).
• 🛡️ Loss of warranty and possible problems with banking applications (due to SafetyNet).

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (radical solution)

If you're annoyed not only by the presence of pre-installed apps, but also by the MIUI shell itself, with its advertising and restrictions, you might want to consider installing custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without extra software.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• 🛠️ Havoc-OS or CrDroid – firmware with advanced settings.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Lack of pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
• 🆕 More recent versions of Android (even for older devices).
• 🔧 Ability to fine-tune the interface and performance.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Complex installation process (requires unlocking the bootloader and TWRP).
• 🔋 Possible issues with autonomy (not all firmware is optimized for Xiaomi iron).
• 📱 Some functions may not work, for example, IR-blaster NFC).

Before installing custom firmware:

1. Check your model compatibility on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.
2. Make a full backup through TWRP.
3. Make sure you have the original firmware for the rollback.

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Custom firmware is the most radical way to get rid of embedded apps, but it is only suitable for power users, ready for possible bugs and lack of official support.

What applications should not be removed (list of critical packages)

Some system applications are necessary for MIUI to work smoothly, and their removal may result in:

• 📵 Loss of mobile or Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Located reboot (bootloop).
• 📱 Complete inoperability of the device ("brick").

Never delete the following packages:

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If you’re not sure if you can uninstall a particular app, look for information about it on forums (like the 4PDA in the topic of your Xiaomi model).

Removal Alternatives: How to Hide or Replace Unnecessary Apps

If the risks of removing system applications scare you, there are safer ways to make them less intrusive:

• 🔍 Hiding icons: Use launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher that let you hide apps from the menu.
• 🚫 Limitation of rights: in the application settings (Settings) → Annexes → [title]) disable permissions to access contacts, location, etc.
• 🔄 Replacement of standard apps: Select alternative programs in the default settings (e.g. Google Chrome instead of Mi Browser).
• 🛡️ Background activity blocking: In the Battery and Performance section, limit auto-run of unnecessary programs.

For devices with MIUI 12/13/14, there's another trick: you can turn off ads in system applications, which makes them less annoying.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Cleaning Settings".
3. Turn off the "Recommendations" option (or "Personalized Recommendations").

This won’t remove apps, but it will make them more comfortable to use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi