How to remove unwanted apps on Xiaomi: 5 working ways (including system)

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a pre-installed set of apps, many of which users never run. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps, Mi Pay and other services take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and can collect data. Unfortunately, standard deletion through the Apps menu is often not available - the Delete button is simply missing or inactive.

The problem is complicated by the fact that MIUI Actively protects system components. Even after manual removal, some applications recover after a firmware update. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove, including hidden settings, ADB-Special attention will be paid to security – incorrect actions can lead to the inoperability of Google services or complete flashing of the device.

It is important to understand the difference between the types of applications:

• 📱 Standard applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery) – their removal may disrupt the system.
• 🌐 Google services (e.g. Duo, Play Movies) – can be deleted, but this will affect the functionality of the account.
• 🔧 Xiaomi system utilities (for example, Security, Cleaner) - removal is fraught with errors in the work MIUI.
• 🎯 Advertising and affiliate applications (e.g. Mi Credit, Mi Game Center) are the safest to remove.

1. Standard removal through settings (for conventional applications)

Let’s start with the simplest method that works for apps installed by the user and some preinstalled (e.g. Facebook or Netflix if added by the manufacturer as “recommended”).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app (e.g. Mi Browser) in the list.
3. Click on it and select "Delete" or "Disable" (if the delete button is inactive).

⚠️

Note: If the "Delete" button is missing, it means that the application is system, and if you try to remove it in the standard way, you will get a message "Delete is impossible."

For some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), MIUI 13/14 has the option “Remove preinstalled apps” in the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap multiple times on the firmware version).

Make a backup copy of important data

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Turn off automatic application updates (Play Market → Settings)

Charge your phone at least 50%

-->

2. disable applications without deletion (safe method)

If removal is impossible or risky, you can disable unnecessary applications, stop them from working, hide them from the menu and prevent background activity, and this method is suitable for system utilities that can not be removed without consequences (for example, Mi Security or Cleaner).

How to turn it off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Select an app (such as Mi Video).
• 🚫 Press "Disable" (if the button is inactive, first click "Stop").
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Applications disabled:

• ✅ They won't be on the menu.
• ✅ They will not consume resources.
• ❌ No updates will be made through the Play Market.
• ❌ Can be restored after resetting settings.

⚠️

Caution: Disabling system services (e.g. Google Play Services) will result in a Google account being disabled, push notifications being missing, and errors in other applications.

💡

To return a disabled application, go to Settings → Apps → Show all apps (three dots at the top) and select Show Disabled.

3. Removal via ADB (no root rights)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root rights. It is an official tool from Google, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

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

"File transfer"

cmd

Windows

Terminal

macOS/Linux

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

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

📌 List of popular removal packages:

⚠️

Note: Deleting the application via ADB does not erase the application completely – it remains in the system partition, but becomes inaccessible to the current user.

4. Removal by Root Rights (for power users)

If your Xiaomi has customized recaps installed (like TWRP) and obtained root rights (via Magisk), you can remove system applications directly from the file system, which provides complete deletion without recovery, but requires caution.

Instructions:

• 📱 Install a file manager with root rights support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/app or /system/priv-app.
• 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
• 🚮 Delete the folder or rename it (for example, add.bak to the beginning of the name).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️

Note: Deleting critical system files (e.g. com.android.settings) will result in a bootloop. Before deleting, back up /system partition via TWRP!

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal without traces.
• ✅ Applications will not recover after the update (unless you flash the system again).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Risk of damaging the system.
• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader and installation TWRP (drop-off).

💡

Root-right removal is the most radical method, and only use it if you are confident in your actions and ready for possible flashing of the device.

5. Use of specialized utilities (for MIUI)

There are applications that automate the process of removing system software on Xiaomi. They work through ADB or root rights, but offer a more user-friendly interface.

Popular utilities:

• 🛠️ MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals hidden settings MIUI, including the ability to disable system applications.
• 🧹 Debloater Tool (for PC) – works through ADB, Supports batch removal.
• 🔍 App Inspector + Titanium Backup (requires root) – allows you to freeze or delete any packets.

Examples of MIUI Hidden Settings:

1. Download APK from the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum.
2. Install and open the application.
3. Go to the "Application Management" section.
4. Select unnecessary programs and click "Disable" or "Delete".

⚠️

Note: Third-party utilities may contain malicious code, and download them only from trusted sources (e.g., official XDA or 4PDA themes).

6.What to do if applications return after the update?

One of the most common problems is recovering remote applications after a MIUI update, which is because the firmware contains a full set of system packages that are overwritten when you update.

How to prevent return:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system. Click on the three dots at the top and select "Settings." Turn off "Automatic Boot".
• 📦 Use Magisk modules: Install Universal Debloater or MIUI Debloater via Magisk, these modules block the recovery of deleted packets.
• 🛡️ Create a backup: After removing applications, make a backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox. If necessary, restore the system from the backup after the update.

If the applications have already returned, repeat their removal through ADB or root rights. For MIUI 14, some users recommend rolling back on MIUI 13 and using older versions of debloater scripts, as new firmware strengthens the protection of system files.

7. Risks and consequences of removing system applications

Removing unnecessary software can improve performance and free up space, but it also carries risks.

🔴 Disruption of Google services:

• Deleting com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) will result in push notifications being stopped, Play Market errors and inability to use Gmail, Maps and other services.
• Deleting com.google.android.gsf will disrupt Google Play Protect.

🔴 Mistakes in MIUI:

• Removing com.miui.securitycenter (Security) may result in loss of security features (virus scanner, application permissions).
• Deleting com.miui.cleanmaster (Cleaner) will disrupt the memory optimizer.

🔴 Problems with updates:

• After you delete the system packages, MIUI Updater may issue an error "Can't check the update".
• In some cases, the phone stops booting if critical files are deleted.

⚠️

Warning: If the phone stopped turning on or got stuck on the MI logo after deleting the apps, try: Load to Fastboot (press Power + Volume Down). Refuse the device via Mi Flash Tool (loss of data!). Restore the backup via TWRP (if installed).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi