Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, often come with an impressive set of preinstalled software. Users may face a situation where standard methods can not get rid of unnecessary services that take up space and consume the resources of the processor. Cleaning the device from digital debris is not only a way to free gigabytes of memory, but also an important step to improve the autonomy of the gadget.
The uninstallation process can vary depending on the Android operating system version and regional firmware. In some cases, the system blocks the removal of critical components, requiring deeper intervention through USB debugging. Understanding the differences between regular and system applications will help you avoid accidental device disruption.
In this article, we will look at all the cleaning methods available, from simply dragging and dropping icons to using advanced tools like ADB. You will learn which processes can be safely stopped and which are better left alone to keep the phone functioning steadily. We will also look at the nuances of working with Chinese versions of firmware, where the amount of embedded software is especially large.
Basic methods of removal through the desktop
The most obvious and affordable method for any smartphone owner is to use the desktop interface. In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, this process is as simple and intuitive as possible, even for beginners. However, there are subtleties that depend on the type of launcher running and the settings of the display of icons.
To remove a third-party app you downloaded from the Google Play or GetApps store, just press your finger on the icon. The context menu will appear on the screen or edit mode will begin, where the icon will display a basket or cross icon in the corner of the icon.
If you try to uninstall a system application (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video), the system will issue a warning that deletion is impossible, and only suggest hiding the icon or disabling updates.
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If the removal icon does not appear with a long press, check the launcher settings: perhaps the “Blocking the location of the icons” mode is enabled.
Importantly, some global firmware has a wider list of undeleteables than the Chinese versions, which are due to licensing agreements and Google’s requirements for certifying devices for the international market, so having a standard browser or app store is a must for the ecosystem to function smoothly.
Managing applications through system settings
More detailed control over the installed software provides a menu of device settings. Here the user can see a complete list of all installed programs, including those that do not have a graphical interface and work in the background. This section is accessed through the Settings path → Applications → All applications.
Inside the list, you can sort programs by memory size, usage rate, or installation date, and quickly identify the heavyweights that occupy precious space in the internal drive, and if you select an unnecessary application, you'll be taken to the control screen where the "Delete" button is available.
- 📱 For third-party programs, the delete button is active and leads to complete uninstallation.
- 🔒 For system components, the button may be inactive or replaced with “Disable».
- 🗑️ The Clear Data feature removes the cache and settings, but leaves the application file in place.
- ⚙️ In advanced settings, you can manage access rights and autorun.
Disconnect is a safe alternative to uninstall for system components: When you turn off the application stops starting, disappears from the list of working processes and does not consume battery power, but its installation file remains in the system partition, which allows you to return the functionality back at any time without rebooting.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Be careful with apps called Android System, Google Play Services, or MIUI Daemon, and forced removal or disabling of them can cause your phone to run out of steam, crash notifications, or even cyclical reboots. Always check the purpose of the process on the Internet before interfering.
Use of Developer Mode and ADB
For advanced users who want to clear the device of embedded software, there is a method of removing through a computer using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging bridge. This method allows you to remove even those applications that are hidden from the average user, granting root level rights without the need to unlock the bootloader.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version). After the message “You became a developer”, a new section will appear in the settings menu “Additional” or “Extended settings”, where you need to enable “Debugging over USB”.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerThe command syntax is universal: after pm uninstall, the flag --user 0, which means deletion for the current main user, and the batch name of the application are indicated, and you can find the exact name of the package through special analyzer applications or in the application management menu.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
It is important to understand that removing system components via ADB is irreversible without resetting to factory settings. If you uninstall a critical service, the phone may stop booting or enter bootloop mode. Therefore, it is highly recommended to create a full backup of important data before starting the procedure.
Specifics of removal on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s policy on pre-installed software is constantly changing: older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 11 or 12) had a much smaller list of uninstalled applications than modern builds. With the release of HyperOS, the security approach has tightened, and many system components now have protection from removal even through ADB without deep modifications.
Global ROMs often contain bloated software from Google and partners that cannot be removed by standard methods, while Chinese versions (CN ROM) are oversaturated with local services (Baidu, WeChat, Qiannian) that are completely useless outside of China and can be safely removed.
| Type of firmware | Difficulty in removal | Advertising | Regional restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Stable | Medium | Moderate. | No. |
| China (CN) | Tall (lots of trash) | Tall. | Aye (services) |
| EEA (Europe) | Medium | Low (GDPR) | No. |
| Developer (Beta) | Low (flexible settings) | Depends on the version. | No. |
Users who reflash the device from the Chinese version to the global version often encounter residual files. In such cases, a clean installation through Fastboot with an unlocked bootloader is the only way to guarantee that they get rid of traces of the old system and unnecessary applications.
There are also differences in how Google services work, which are not available on Chinese firmware initially and require additional manipulation, while removing Google services on global firmware could render banking and geolocation applications inoperable.
Security and system recovery
Before we start mass removal of applications, we need to be aware of the risks. System integrity is a balance that can lead to a loss of warranty or functionality. Some applications, such as Security or Explorer, are deeply integrated into the shell and their removal can cause errors in the operation of other components.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages that contain the words "System," "Framework," "Telephony" or "Input" in the title unless you are 100% sure of their purpose.This can cause the phone to turn into a "brick».
If after removing a component, the phone starts to behave incorrectly (sound disappears, the network does not work, errors fly out), the most effective treatment is a factory reset, which will return remote system applications to their places, since they are stored in a secure partition that is restored when reset.
To recover applications that are removed from ADB without being completely reset, you can use the reinstal command, which requires a connection to a computer and knowing the exact name of the package.
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayerThis command forces the packet manager to re-activate and install the application from the system image, a useful life hack to avoid a long data reset procedure if you accidentally delete an important component.
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System applications removed through ADB do not disappear without a trace – their installation files remain in the recovery section and can be restored by the reinstal command or reset settings.