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

Removing unnecessary apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user sooner or later faces. Even after buying a new Redmi or POCO, dozens of programs are already pre-installed in the device’s memory, many of which duplicate functions or are not used at all. But not everyone knows that removing applications on Xiaomi has its nuances: some programs can be uninstalled in a standard way, others require superuser rights, and others are completely soldered into MIUI firmware and are deleted only through hidden settings.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove applications - from basic to advanced, including working with the Internet. ADB and hidden menus MIUI. You will learn how to get rid of malware, clean up memory from “garbage”, and which programs should never be deleted so as not to break the system. POCO base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest way is to uninstall Settings, which is suitable for most user applications (such as games, instant messengers, social networks), as well as for some preinstalled software that Xiaomi allows to uninstall.

To remove the app:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the desired program in the list (you can use the search by name).
• 🗑️ Press Remove (if the button is active).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the Remove button is inactive (lit in gray), the application is system-based and requires alternative methods. In some cases, only Disable is available instead of deleting - this blocks the program, but does not free up memory.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications called com.android., miui. or xiaomi.* from the standard menu unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to unstable system operation or complete loss of functionality (for example, access to the camera or mobile network will disappear).

2. Removal through launcher (desktop)

A quick way for those who don’t want to dig into the settings. Suitable for custom apps (installed from Google Play or Google Play). APK-Files but does not work with system programs.

Instructions:

1. Find the application icon on the desktop that you want to remove.
2. Hold your finger for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
3. Drag the icon to the top of the screen where the Remove (or basket) sign appears.
4. Release your finger and confirm the action.

If only Application Information appears instead of Delete, then the program is protected from removal and requires administrator rights or ADB.

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To speed up the process, turn on Desktop Editing (click on the blank space on the screen → Screen settings → Edit) In this mode, application icons can be removed in bundles.

3. disabling system applications (without deletion)

Many pre-installed programs on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled.This will free up RAM and stop background activity, although the application itself will remain on the system.

How to turn it off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📌 Select the application you want (e.g. Mi Pay or Mi Community).
• 🚫 Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is blocked).
• 🔄 If necessary, return the program to the order, click Enable.

The apps that are disabled don't update, consume traffic, or display notifications, and their data stays in memory, but you can manually clear the cache through the same menu.

4. Removal of system applications via ADB (for experienced)

If you need to completely uninstall a system application that defies standard methods, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC|

Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → Developers)|

Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer mode |

Run the command line in the ADB folder and enter adb devices to check the connection

-->

When you're done, follow the commands:

adb shell


pm list packages | grep 'name packet' # For example: pm list packages | grep 'miui.browser'




pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package # For example: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

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

pm uninstall --user 0 name.package

⚠️ Note: Removing system packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone) can bring your phone down.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Removal via TWRP (for embroidered phones)

If your Xiaomi has custom TWRP recovery installed, you can remove system applications directly through the file manager, which is the most radical method, and allows you to get rid of even those programs that ADB does not remove.

Instructions:

• 🔄 Reset the phone to mode TWRP (clamp down on power. + Loudness up).
• 📁 Choose Advanced → File Manager.
• 🗃️ Go to the folder. /system/app or /system/priv-app (This is where system applications are stored).
• 🗑️ Find the folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, Browser) and delete it (swipe to the right).
• 🔧 Reboot the phone.

After this cleaning, the application will be removed without recovery (unless you back up).

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TWRP removal is the only way to get rid of embedded viruses or a bloatwer that is not removed by other methods, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed.

6. How to return a remote application

If you mistakenly removed an important application (such as Google Play Services or Mi Security), you can restore it in several ways:

1. Through Google Play: Find the app in the store and install it again (works only for custom programs).
2. Through Setting Reset: If the system is unstable, perform Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Resetting (data will be erased!).

For Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Account or Security), the only reliable way to restore is to flash backlinks. Backups via TWRP or Mi Cloud may not contain critical packages.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi