How to completely remove applications on Xiaomi Mi 10: from standard to system

Removing unnecessary apps on the Xiaomi Mi 10 is a task that seems trivial at first glance. Owners of MIUI smartphones regularly face problems: some programs are not removed in the standard way, system utilities return after a reboot, and free disk space melts before our eyes. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods from basic to advanced, including working with ADB, hidden MIUI functions and bypassing manufacturer restrictions.

The Xiaomi Mi 10 (M2001J2E, M2001J2G, etc.) is that even after “deleting” many applications remain in memory as deactivated packets, due to Xiaomi’s policy of optimizing resources and integrating Google and Mi Account services, and we will show how to completely erase applications with their cache and data without resorting to root rights (though this option will be considered).

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

Let’s start with the simplest method that is suitable for most user applications (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, games), and it is important to understand that this method does not work for pre-installed system utilities (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps, etc.).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right app in the list (use the search at the top if the list is long).
• 🗑️ Click Delete (if the button is active) If it appears instead to Disable or Remove Updates, the system application is available.
• 🧹 Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once removed, it is recommended to clear the cache and data through the same Application Management section, even if the application itself is already missing from the list, which will help free up an additional 100-500 MB of memory.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Play Services) cannot be removed without consequences, and deactivation may cause disruptions to the Google Play Market and other services.

2. Uninstall system applications without root (via ADB)

If the standard method didn’t work and you don’t want root rights (which makes it unwarranted and increases security risk), ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will come to the rescue, which allows you to remove even programs that MIUI blocks by default.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools (you can download from the official Google website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi Mi 10 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should be displayed as a confirmation of the connection.)

1. Find out the exact name of the application package you want to remove.

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Mi Browser, it would be com.android.browser.

1. Remove the package by command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in memory (the flag -k saves the cache).

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet

⚠️ Note: Removal of system applications (e.g, com.miui.weather2 or com.xiaomi.scanner may disrupt the work MIUI. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download ADB Tools (Last Version)

Check the connection of the team `adb devices`

Create a backup copy of the data-->

3.Using MIUI Optimizer (Hidden Function)

MIUI has a hidden MIUI Optimizer tool that allows you to deactivate or remove system applications without ADB. This method does not work on all firmware versions, but for the Xiaomi Mi 10 (especially on MIUI 12-14), it is often effective.

How to open MIUI Optimizer:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code:

##4636##

1. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
2. Press and hold the Software Information for 5-7 seconds until a pop-up appears.
3. Select MIUI Optimizer (if you don’t have an option, it’s not supported by your version of MIUI).

In MIUI Optimizer, you'll see a list of all installed applications, including system ones.

• 🚫 Disable the application (will remain in memory, but will not work).
• 🗑️ Delete (complete removal of the package).
• 🔄 Reset (return to factory settings).

The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require a PC connection and works even on locked downloaders, but after the MIUI update, some remote applications can return.

4. Safe Mode Removal (for "non-removable" applications)

Some apps (such as viruses or aggressive carrier bloatware) block standard removal, and in such cases, a safe mode that loads Android without third-party services will help.

How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi Mi 10:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the option to turn off for 3-5 seconds.
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode in the window that appears.

In safe mode:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Find the problem app (it will be marked as “Disabled” or “Inactive").
• 🗑️ Try to remove it in the standard way.

If the deletion is successful, restart the phone as normal, a technique that is particularly useful for combating adware that masquerades as system utilities.

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If the application is still not deleted in Safe Mode, check it for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. Some Trojans block their own deletion by changing access rights.

5. Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is root rights, which gives you complete control of the system, but has serious disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" the device in case of error.
• ❌ Vulnerability to malware.

For Xiaomi Mi 10, the root process includes:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Installation of custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Magisk firmware for root rights management.

After obtaining root, you can use:

• 📌 Root Explorer – for manual removal of application files from the /system/app.
• 📌 Titanium Backup – for deep data cleanup.
• 📌 Su-in teams ADB forced-out.

Example of commands for complete removal of system application from root:

su


rm -rf /system/app/Name Apps




rm -rf /data/app/Name Apps




reboot

⚠️ Note: Delete critical system files (e.g, /system/priv-app/SecurityCenter) It can lead to bootloop. Always check what you delete and have a firmware on hand to restore.

6.Alternative methods: disabling and hiding applications

If deletion is impossible or risky, you can disable or hide unnecessary applications, and this will not free up memory, but will eliminate their display in the menu and background.

Methods of shutdown:

• 🔕 Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Shut down.
• 🔕 Through MIUI Optimizer (see section 3).
• 🔕 With the Package Disabler (requires) ADB root).

To hide applications from the menu:

• 📂 Use launchers like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher that supports hiding icons.
• 📂 In the standard launcher. MIUI pinch the app icon → Take it off the screen. → Hide.

Disabled applications do not update or consume resources, but take up space on the disk. Their data can be manually cleared through Settings → Storage → Clear cache.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you remove applications on Xiaomi Mi 10, users face typical problems.

1. The "Delete" button is inactive (grey).

Reason: Application is system or protected by MIUI. Solution:

• Use ADB (Section 2).
• Try MIUI Optimizer (Section 3).

2.After deleting, the application appears again.

Reason: MIUI restores system applications after the update.

• Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
• Use Magisk to block recovery (Universal SafetyNet Fix module).

3. the error "Cannot be deleted" or "Appendix not installed".

Reason: damaged packet data or conflict of rights.

• Clear the cache and app data before deleting.
• Reboot your phone and try again.
• In ADB, use the pm clear name of the packet before deleting it.

4 After the removal of the system application, Google services stopped working.

Reason: Critical package (e.g. com.google.android.gms) deleted.

• Restore the application through ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

• Or do a reset to factory settings.

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Before removing system applications, always check their dependence on other services. For example, deleting Mi Account can block access to the Xiaomi cloud and sync functions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions