How to completely remove applications on Xiaomi smartphones: from standard to system

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces. Even after buying a new device under the MIUI shell, you find dozens of pre-installed programs, many of which duplicate functions or are not used at all. But not all of them are so simple: some applications can not be removed in the standard way, and others return after uninstallation after updating the system.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible removal methods, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB, hidden MIUI settings, and even manual editing of system files. We’ll focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and smartphone models where the manufacturer restricts user rights, and you’ll learn how to get rid of built-in Google services, system utilities and even Xiaomi’s Bloatware from carriers without breaking the stability of the device.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest and safest way to remove is through the MIUI interface, which is suitable for most user applications installed from Google Play or third-party sources, but there are limitations: system programs and some pre-installed services (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) are not removed in this way.

To remove the app:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
• 🗑️ Press the Remove button (if it is active).
• 🔄 Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), then the application is system, in which case you can try to disable it, which hides the icon from the menu and stops the background processes, but does not free up space on the disk.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro after updating to MIUI 13/14 To avoid this, before uninstallation, disable automatic updates of system applications in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update of applications.

2. Delete via Google Play (for custom applications)

If the app was installed from the Google Play Market, it can be removed through the store, which is convenient when you need to massively clear the device of unnecessary programs or when the standard MIUI menu does not display all installed applications (for example, due to a cache failure).

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Application and Device Management → Management.
4. In the list, check the boxes for unnecessary programs.
5. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-panel.

The advantage of this method is that you can sort by installation date or size, which makes it easier to find rarely used applications, but system programs will also not show up. ADB orthologies.

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If the app reappears after uninstalling, check the sync settings in your Mi Account. Sometimes Xiaomi restores pre-installed programs when you restart or update the system.

3. disabling system applications (without root rights)

When standard deletion is not available and the application interferes with work (for example, Mi Security constantly shows ads or Cleaner clears the cache of important programs), it can be disabled. This will not free up space on the disk, but will stop background processes and hide the icon from the menu.

How to disable the system application:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the app you want (e.g. Mi Music or Mi Pay).
• 🚫 Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is not available).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the warning window.

List of applications that can be safely disabled without risk to the system:

⚠️ Note: Do not disable applications called com.android.*, com.xiaomi.finddevice or com.miui.securitycenter – this can lead to unstable system operation, update errors or even a “brick” of the device. A complete list of safe to disable programs can be found in official documentation MIUI developer.

4. Removal of system applications via ADB (without root)

For experienced users willing to work with the command line, there is a method to remove system applications through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but allows you to remove even those programs that are not MIUI Important: misuse. ADB It may disrupt the system!

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB-driver

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

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

List of popular removal packages:

• 🌐 com.android.browser — Mi Browser
• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 🧹 com.miui.cleanmaster — Cleaner
• 💳 com.miui.mipay — Mi Pay

After the command is executed, the application will be removed for the current user (flag) --user 0). To return it, you will need to reset or reinstall it manually.To completely remove it from the system (including all users), you need root rights.

5. Removal using third-party utilities (with root rights)

If you have root rights on your Xiaomi, you have additional options for managing applications, and the most popular tools for this task are Titanium Backup, SD Maid, and Root App Deleter, which allow you not only to delete, but also to freeze system programs, create backups, and restore deleted data.

Example of Root App Deleter:

1. Install the utility from Google Play (root required).
2. Grant the rights of the superuser when requested.
3. In the list, tick off unnecessary applications.
4. Click Remove or Freeze (if you want to keep the recovery option open).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Ability to remove any system applications, including Google Play Services (but this may disrupt Google’s services).
• ✅ Packet removal of several programs at the same time.
• ✅ Create backup copies before deletion.

⚠️ Note: Removing critical system components (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) will cause the device to fail and require flashing through Fastboot. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

6. Manual deletion through file manager (for advanced)

For users with root access and experience with system files, there is a method of manual deletion through a file manager (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer), which allows you to remove even those applications that do not appear in the standard menu.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open a file manager with root support.
2. Go to /system/app/ (for system applications) or /data/app/ (for user applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the package (for example, com.android.browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (for example, by adding.bak at the end).
5. Reset the device.

Example of folder structure:

/system/app/


├── MiBrowser/




│ ├── MiBrowser.apk




│ ├── oat/




│ └── lib/




├── MiMusic/




└──...





/data/app/




├── com.whatsapp-1/




├── com.facebook.katana-2/




└──...

This method requires caution: deleting the wrong files can lead to a cyclical reboot or loss of functionality. For example, deleting the com.miui.home folder will make it impossible to access the desktop.

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Manually deleting system files is the riskiest method, only if you know exactly what each package is responsible for, and if you want to restore it, you need to flash it or restore it from the backup.

7 Recovery of Remote Applications

If you realize that the application was necessary after deleting it, or if the system is unstable, you can restore it, depending on the method by which the program was removed:

To restore Xiaomi system applications, you can use official firmware. Download Fastboot-ROM for your model from the site MIUI Download, unpack the archive and find the right one APK-file /system/app/. Then install it through ADB:

adb install path/to/file.apk

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi