Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their performance and rich functionality, but over time, even they begin to get clogged with unnecessary applications. Standard programs from MIUI, duplicate Google services, games that you haven’t run in a long time — all this takes up precious space in memory and can slow down the device. However, deleting applications on Redmi is not always as easy as it seems: some programs are protected by the system, and others leave behind tails in the form of cache and data.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to uninstall applications on Xiaomi Redmi – from basic methods through the settings menu to advanced techniques using the use of the app. ADB You'll learn how to get rid of embedded apps. MIUI, The instructions are valid for all modern Redmi models (from Redmi Note) and what to do if the application suddenly reappears after the system update. 10 redmi 13) version MIUI 12/13/14.
1. Standard removal through the application menu
The easiest way to remove an unnecessary application is to use the built-in MIUI tools. This method is suitable for custom programs installed from Google Play or third-party sources, as well as for some pre-installed applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music or Mi Video).
To remove the app:
- Open the Settings → Applications.
- Select the Application Management tab.
- Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
- Press the Remove button (if it is active).
If the Remove button is inactive or not, the application is protected by the system, in which case alternative methods will be required, which we will discuss below.
Make sure the application is not used by the system | Check if there are any important data in the application (for example, saved passwords in Mi Browser) | Check the consequences of deletion (some applications may be associated with MIUI functionality) | Back up the data (via Mi Cloud or manually)
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⚠️ Note: Deleting some system applications (e.g. Security or Mi Account) may cause the smartphone to run unstable or key features (fingerprint scanner, push notifications, etc.) before removing, check if the application is critical.
2. disabling system applications (without deletion)
If you can't uninstall an application in the standard way, you can turn it off, hide it from the menu, stop it from being active in the background, and free up some of the RAM, and the application that's disabled doesn't update or consume resources, but its data stays on the device.
How to disable the application:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find the app you want in the list (such as Mi Pay or Mi Community).
- 🔘 Click Disable (button will appear if deletion is blocked).
- 🔄 Confirm the action in the dialog window.
You can activate disabled applications again in the same menu, which is safer than deleting them completely because it doesn't affect system files.
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If you disabled the app but it reappeared after the MIUI update, try blocking it through Settings → Special Features → Removing Permissions (for some versions of MIUI).
3. Removal via ADB (for power users)
Removing embedded system applications that are not removed through menus will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – a method that works without root rights, but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB may disrupt MIUI. Only remove applications that you know are intended for, such as deleting com.miui.securitycenter will result in loss of access to your security settings.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
ADB Tools
cmd
Terminal
adb devices(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)
adb shell
pm list packages | grep 'miui'(This command will list all MIUI system packages.)
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.packet name(Replace the com.miui.packet name with the real name of the package, for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser.)
List of safe to remove MIUI packets
After the command is executed, the application will be removed for the current user (flag) --user 0). Next update MIUI It can come back, and then the procedure will have to be repeated.
4. Removal by Root Rights (Magisk)
If your Xiaomi Redmi has root rights installed (via Magisk or other tools), you can remove system applications using a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
Algorithm of action:
- 📁 Open the file manager and go to the folder /system/app or /system/priv-app.
- 🔍 Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, MiBrowser).
- 🗑️ Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system without backup can lead to a device "brick" (unable to download). TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
Standard via menu | Disable, but not delete | Through ADB|C root rights |I don't delete at all-->
5. Cleaning of residual files after deletion
Even after deleting applications on the device may remain:
- 🗃️ Cache and folder data /data/data or /sdcard/Android/data.
- 📁 Configuration files in /data/system/package_cache.
- 🔗 Links in the Android database (e.g. in the packages.xml).
To completely clean the tails:
- Use the SD Maid app (requires root rights) to scan trash.
- Manually check the folders: /sdcard/Android/obb/[name packet] /sdcard/Android/data/[name packet]
- For deep cleaning, use the ADB command: adb shell pm clear (This command will reset all application data, even if it is not deleted.)
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Residual files can take up to 30% of the original application size, for example, after removing a game weighing 1 GB, 200-300 MB of cache may remain in memory.
6. How to return a remote system application
If problems arise after you delete the system application through ADB or root rights (for example, notifications or settings have stopped working), it can be restored.
Recovery methods:
| Method | Instructions | Need a rut? |
|---|---|---|
| Through the MIUI Update | Update your system through Settings → Update the software. Remote system applications will return. | ❌ No. |
| APK manual installation | Download the original APK-Application file (such as with APKMirror) and install it manually. | ❌ No. |
| Recovery through TWRP | Restore the /system partition backup from the backup. | ✅ Yes. |
| ADB Team Team | Use adb shell cmd package install-existing. | ❌ No. |
If an application is critical to MIUI (e.g., Security or Framework) and cannot be restored, you may need to reset your device completely or flash it through Fastboot.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When removing applications on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems:
- 🔄 The app returns after the update: This is because MIUI Restores system applications when you update. Solution: Turn off automatic updates to Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
- 🚫 You can’t remove Google apps: Google apps (e.g. YouTube, Gmail) are protected at the Android level. ADB flag-headed --user 0.
- ⚠️ Smartphone stopped booting: If after deleting the system file the device does not turn on, try to go to Fastboot Mode (click Power) + Volume down) and reflash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool.
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Before mass removal of system applications, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. This will help you quickly recover data when you crash.