How to Remove Factory Apps from Xiaomi: 5 Working Methods

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem of pre-installed apps that take up memory, consume battery power and display annoying advertising. Even after resetting, MIUI returns Browser, Music, Mi Video and other services that cannot be removed by standard means. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to uninstall system applications, from secure methods without superuser rights to radical solutions with unlocking the bootloader.

It is important to understand that removing some components can disrupt the work. MIUI. For example, deleting com.miui.systemAdSolution will disable ad blocking in the system, and uninstalling com.xiaomi.finddevice will deprive you of the "Find Device" function. We will explain in detail which applications can be removed without risk and which ones should not be touched. Also consider alternative options - disconnection and freezing through ADB third-party.

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

Unlike custom software, Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps are protected at the firmware level.

• 🔒 Superuser rights: Most of the system APK-files are located in the folder /system/priv-app/, access to which is only possible with root rights or through ADB.
• 🛡️ Protection MIUI: The firmware blocks changes to the system partition even if you get root – some files are restored after a reboot.
• ⚙️ Component dependencies: For example, com.miui.home is associated with com.miui.securitycenter.
• 📱 Xiaomi intentionally restricts removal to preserve the functionality of services such as Mi Account or Game Turbo.

Another trap is firmware updates, and once MIUI is updated via OTA, all remote system applications can come back, even with ADB, unless you use special scripts to block recovery.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi HyperOS models (2026) the standard method of removing through the ADB It may not work because of a modified system partition structure, but new devices will require root or modified firmware.

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

If you don’t need to completely erase apps, but just hide them and stop background activity, use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find the right app (like Browser) and open its page.
4. Click Disable (on some models – Remove Updates → Disable).

This method has limitations:

• 🚫 It does not work for critical services like com.miui.securitycenter.
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI Applications can be activated again.
• 📦 The space occupied on the disk is not freed up - only background activity stops.

💡

To hide disabled apps from the menu, use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) with icon hiding feature.

For deeper root control, MIUI Optimizing (available on Google Play) is a good tool.

• 🧊 Freeze system applications (similar to disabling, but saving after restarting).
• 🔧 Block automatic update of pre-installed APK.
• 📊 View a list of all system components with removal safety notes.

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

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is Google’s official tool that lets you control your device via the command line. For Xiaomi, this method works in part: you can only remove those applications that are not critical to MIUI.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (stamp 7 times)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB Tools from Google| Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging |Check the connection with the adb device command

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1. Open the command line in the adb folder and type: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "miui" This will display a list of all system packages with paths.
2. To remove a specific application, use: pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.xiaomi.browser Replace com.xiaomi.browser with the desired package.

Examples of safe packets to remove (checked for MIUI 14 and HyperOS):

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.miui., com.android. or com.qualcomm. without first checking! For example, deleting com.miui.securityadd will lead to errors in the security settings.

If the application returned after removal, use the command to block its recovery:

pm hide com.xiaomi.browser

This command hides the packet from the system, but does not physically remove it.

Browser and music|Social networks (Facebook, TikTok)|Gaming services (Game Turbo)|Fitness trackers (Mi Fit)|Other-->

Method 3: Debloating with Universal Android Debloater (GUI-interface)

For users who don’t want to work with the command line, there is a graphics utility Universal Android Debloater (UAD).It supports Xiaomi and allows you to massively remove or freeze system applications through ADB.

Advantages of UAD:

• 🖥️ Convenient interface with checkboxes for selecting packages.
• 🔍 Automatically identify safe applications for removal.
• 📤 Ability to create a backup of a packet list before changes.
• 🔄 Recovery of Remote Applications.

Instructions for use:

1. Download UAD from the official GitHub.
2. Connect Xiaomi using ADB (as in Method 2).
3. Open UAD and click Read Device Packages.
4. In the list, tick off unnecessary applications (dangerous packages are highlighted in color).
5. Choose the action: Uninstall (delete) or Disable (disable).
6. Confirm the changes and restart the device.

On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13) UAD may not show part of the system packages due to the changed structure /system. In this case, use manual removal through ADB flag-headed --user 0.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you want to uninstall your system applications completely, free up disk space, you need to unlock the bootloader and get root rights.This method is suitable for Xiaomi models based on MIUI or HyperOS, but has risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔧 Risk of “brick” (turning the phone into a “brick”) when making mistakes.
• 📱 The need for manual firmware updates (OTA stop working).
• 🛡️ Vulnerability to malware (due to open superuser rights).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 7-14 days for new devices).
2. Install custom TWRP recavators for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 12 use the official website).
3. Use Magisk to get root rights: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
4. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
5. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ and delete folders of unnecessary applications.
6. Clear the cache in /data/dalvik-cache/ command: su rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*

You can use scripts like MIUI Debloater Script (available on XDA Developers) to automate the process, and it removes the most common bloatware, but requires a backup!

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (2026), the standard Magisk may not work because of a modified kernel. Use modified versions like Magisk Delta or KernelSU.

💡

Even with root rights, do not delete packets associated with miui or android without checking. For example, deleting com.miui.analytic will disable statistics collection, but may cause errors in MIUI.

Method 5: Use of custom firmware (radical method)

If you don't like even a clean MIUI after debloating, consider installing an alternative firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – “naked” Android without preinstalled applications.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface and minimal bloatware.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized Open Source Firmware.
• 🧩 MIUI EU — modified MIUI without Chinese services.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 4).
2. Install TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
3. Make a full backup of the current firmware (Backup → System + Data).
4. Download the firmware for your model (for example, for Poco X5, look in the raphael section).
5. Fluid the firmware through the recavators (Wipe → Format Data → Install ZIP).
6. Install GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (optional).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🧹 Complete absence of Bloatware (except for GApps if you install them).
• 📈 Better performance through an optimized core.
• 🔄 Regular security updates (unlike older versions) MIUI).

Disadvantages:

• 📸 The camera may not be running at full capacity (portable GCams are required).
• 🔋 There are some problems with autonomy (especially on LineageOS).
• 🛠️ No official Xiaomi support (risk of bugs when updating).

What to do if the phone stops working after removal

If you have removed the critical package and device:

• 🔄 He's fixated on the load. → Come in. TWRP and restore the backup or run the original firmware through fastboot.
• 📵 It doesn't turn on at all. → Try the regimen. EDL (You need an authorized Xiaomi account and firmware box).
• ⚙️ It works, but it's buggy. → Install the remote packet back through ADB: adb install removed_package.apk

To restore system applications without backup:

1. Download the full firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive and find the /system folder.
3. Copy the missing.apk files into the appropriate directories on your phone (via TWRP or ADB).
4. Correct access rights: chmod 644 /system/priv-app/Name/app.apk

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, fastboot recovery may require you to log in to your Xiaomi account. If the phone isn't flashed, use the Mi Flash Pro tool with clean all and lock mode (but this will block the bootloader!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi