How to remove applications in Xiaomi: a complete guide to cleaning memory

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, whether the flagship Mi series or the budget Redmi, often come with crowded internal memory. Users are regularly faced with notifications of space shortages, which inevitably slows down the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. The main source of β€œdigital garbage” are unused programs, cache accumulated over the years, and preinstalled software.

Proper management of installed software is not just about removing shortcuts from the desktop, but about a comprehensive approach to system optimization. Many device owners are unaware that standard deletion often leaves behind hidden configuration files and error logs. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all existing cleaning methods, from simple actions through menus to advanced methods through ADB.

Effective cleaning can extend the life of your gadget and speed up its response, and we'll look at how to safely remove applications without disrupting system services, and how to avoid common errors that can lead to instability of the interface.

Standard removal through the settings menu

The most reliable and safe way to get rid of unnecessary programs is to use the standard tools of the Android operating system, which ensures that you do not remove the critical components necessary for the smartphone to work, and first you need to go to the settings section, where you store information about all the installed software.

Depending on the firmware version, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the partition responsible for managing programs and select a specific application for detailed analysis, and this shows not only the size of the installation package itself, but also the amount of data accumulated.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

  • πŸ“± Open Settings and go to the Application section.
  • πŸ” Select All Apps to view the full list.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Find the program in the list and click on it.
  • ❌ Click the Remove button at the bottom of the screen.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive (grey), it means that it is a system application that cannot be removed in the standard way without superuser rights or use. ADB.

It's important to note that before the final deletion, the system can request confirmation of your actions, which is an Android security mechanism that prevents accidental data loss, and once confirmed, the program will be completely erased from the device along with its data.

Quick cleaning through the desktop

For those who prefer speed and simplicity, there is a faster method available directly from the home screen, ideal for removing custom programs downloaded from the Google Play store or third-party sources, which saves time by allowing you to get rid of garbage in one touch.

Be careful, though: desktops often have widgets and service shortcuts that can knock off the interface settings. Always check what you're going to delete. Visually, system applications are often marked with a gear icon or a manufacturer logo.

Algorithm for rapid cleaning:

  • πŸ–οΈ Press and hold your finger on the app icon.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ In the menu that appears, select the basket icon or the Remove button.
  • βœ… Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If you only click on a long menu with the options β€œInfo about the application” or β€œAdd to the folder”, then the program is system or has device administrator rights, in which case you will have to use the settings menu described in the previous section.

πŸ“Š What method of removal do you use most often?
Using phone settings:On desktop:Through Google Play:I do not remove apps

Remove from Google Play Store

The official Google Play app store provides another convenient channel for managing installed software, which is especially useful if you want to not only uninstall the program, but also leave a review to the developer or view the update history before cleaning.

The store interface allows you to quickly find newly installed or long-unused applications, which helps you to audit the digital space and identify the heavyweights that are wasting their time, and the removal process is as simple and intuitive as possible.

Instructions for removal through the store:

  • πŸͺ Open the Play Store app on your device.
  • πŸ‘€ Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
  • πŸ“‚ Select Application and Device Management, then the Manage tab.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Tick the removal program and click the basket icon.

The advantage of this method is that it can be mass-deleted, so you can pick a dozen unnecessary games or utilities and erase them at a single click, which greatly speeds up the process of cleaning up memory on devices with a small amount of built-in storage.

Working with system applications and hidden garbage

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their extensive list of pre-installed software, often called bloatware. Advertising services, duplicate browsers and unnecessary games take up space and consume battery resources. Standard methods cannot remove them, since they are protected from removal.

For advanced users, there is the possibility of using USB debugging and a computer, which requires connecting a cable and installing special software on a PC, which allows you to remove even those components that are hidden from the eyes of the average user.

Comparison of methods of removing system software:

MethodDifficultyRisk to the systemEfficiency
Standard menuLow.MinimumUser-only apps
ADB CommandsTall.Medium.Complete removal of system-specific
Root rightsVery high.High-pitchedAbsolute control

⚠️ Note: Removal of system components through ADB This can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) of the phone. Always back up your data before you start such operations.

One of the most popular tools for safely removing system debris is the Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility, which automatically determines the model of your device and offers a list of safe packets to remove. Using such tools requires care and understanding what each component is responsible for.

List of safe to remove system packages
com.xiaomi.mipicks (Mi Video), com.miui.browser (Mi Browser), com.android.chrome (if not used), com.google.android.youtube (if there is an alternative)> Even after successful removal of the application, the phone often has "tails" in its memory, which can be error logs, temporary files or saved settings. Over time, these files accumulate hundreds of megabytes, which significantly affects the speed of the file system. MIUI It has a powerful security tool built in, and it allows you to scan the device for debris and clean it automatically. Regular use of this feature helps keep the phone clean without undue effort: 🧹 Launch the Security app (green icon with shield). βš™οΈ Go to the Cleanup section and wait for the scan to end. πŸ—‘οΈ Press the Clean Up button to delete temporary files. πŸ“‚ Check the Deep Clean section to find large files. β˜‘οΈ Daily Memory Hygiene Check Downloads folder: Clean the Recycle Bin in Gallery:Delete messenger cache:Check large video files Completed: 0 / 1 You should also check the Download folder manually and DCIM. Users often forget about the downloaded installers. APK It's safe to delete these files and it won't affect the operating system, and it's often difficult to clean up the files. For example, an application may not be deleted due to active administrator rights or operating in the background, and understanding the causes of errors will help avoid frustration and data loss. Sometimes the system blocks the deletion by claiming that the application is being used right now, in which case you have to force the process to stop before you try to delete, this can be done through the Applications menu or Task Manager: ❌ Failed to delete error: The app most likely has admin rights. Go to Settings β†’ Passwords and security β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Special rights β†’ Administrator applications and disable them. ⏳ Process freezes: Reboot the device and try again.Sometimes background services block access to files. πŸ”’ Password request: If deletion protection is enabled, the system will require a pattern lock or fingerprint to be entered. Don't ignore error messages. If the system is persistently warning about the consequences of deletion, it's best to listen to it. Recovery of the remote system component may require a complete factory reset, resulting in the loss of all personal data. πŸ’‘Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unused applications prolongs the life of the smartphone drive and keeps the interface running at a high speed (FAQ) Can I restore a remote app? Yes, if you've removed a custom app, you can download it again from Google Play or Mi GetApps under Library. System applications removed through ADB, They only recover after they reset to the factory (Hard Reset). Is it safe to delete the Google Play Services app? Absolutely not. Deleting or disabling this component will cause most applications, including maps, mail and the Play Store, to fail. This is a critical system process. Why didn't the game get free of memory? Maybe the game left cache files in the shared memory. Check folders in the file manager with the game name, or use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app to find residual files. How to delete applications that aren't deleted? If standard deletion is not available, it's likely a system application. Deletion will require superuser rights (Root) or the use of a computer with ADB debugging tools. Does the number of installed applications affect the speed of operation? Yes, a large number of background processes and auto-regulating services can be useful for the processor to install the browser.