What Xiaomi apps can be removed painlessly: a full MIUI cleanup guide

Why are there so many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are not only famous for their functionality, but also for their abundance of pre-installed software. Some of these apps are really useful: Security, Themes, or Screen Records are integrated into the system and extend the capabilities of the device. However, another category, the so-called bloatware, often goes unclaimed by most users.

The reason for this excess is that Xiaomi has partnered with developers (e.g. Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn) and its strategy to promote its own services (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music), which, even after the first setup, gives you icons of programs you will never use, and worse, many of them run in the background, consuming battery power and RAM.

But the good news is that most of this software can be removed — completely or at least disabled — and the key is to know which apps are critical to MIUI and which are only ballast, and in this article, we'll look at how to safely clean your smartphone without disrupting the stability of the system.

How do I determine which application can be removed?

Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand what category a particular application belongs to. All programs on Xiaomi can be divided into three groups:

• 🔧 System Services – Critical to Work MIUI (For example, com.android.systemui or MiuiSystemUI, and if they are deleted, they will cause the smartphone to fail.
• 📱 Xiaomi’s own apps are developed by the company, but not always necessary (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video). MIUI may not be available.
• 🌐 The app side is pre-installed by partners (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn) and is completely safe to remove if you don't use them.

To check the category of the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Slip on the desired application and look at the Memory section: if it says System, you can not delete it.

Another reliable way is to use third-party utilities like App Inspector (available on Google Play), which show detailed information about each of the apps. APK-file, including the flag system/app (removal is prohibited) or data/app (removeable).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi apps (e.g. com.miui.analytics) are responsible for collecting anonymous statistics. their removal will not disrupt the smartphone, but may lead to loss of warranty — the company considers this to be an interference with the firmware.

List of safe apps to remove on Xiaomi

Below is a list of programs that can be removed from most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi models, POCO, Black Shark) without risk to the system. MIUI 13–14 (Android 12–14).

Removing system applications will require root rights or use ADB-Normal programs can be uninstalled in the standard way: press the icon on the desktop and select Delete.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the name of the application package (APK)

Make sure that the application is not system-based.

Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions.

Reboot the smartphone after removal-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), deleting com.miui.analytics can lead to errors in the theme store. If you are actively using customization of the interface, it is better to disable this application through Settings → Annexes → Shut down.

How to remove system applications without root rights?

If you do not want root access (which cancels the warranty), you can use the ADB-This method allows you to remove even those programs that do not have a button Delete in the menu.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB-drivers and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Remove the unnecessary application by command (replace package.name with real package): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 package.name

Example: To remove Mi Browser, use:

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

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If the application reappears after the MIUI update after uninstalling, use the command adb shell pm hide package.name – this hides it without completely removing it.

List of popular lists ADB-teaming:

• 📌 Deletion: pm uninstall --user 0 [packet]
• 🔄 Disconnection: pm disable-user --user 0 [packet]
• 🔙 Backup: pm enable [package]
• 🔍 View all packages: pm list packages

What apps should you remove (even if they seem unnecessary)?

Some programs, despite their apparent uselessness, perform important functions in the background, and their removal can lead to malfunctions, overheating or rapid battery discharge.

List of "untouchables":

• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – Security, responsible for virus protection, permission management and optimization.
• 🚫 com.miui.cleanmaster - Cleans. Removes cache and debris (you can turn off, but not remove).
• 🚫 com.xiaomi.market - Mi App Store. Even if you don't use it, removing it will disrupt the updates MIUI.
• 🚫 com.miui.gallery – Gallery. Alternative galleries (like Google Photos) don’t always work properly with media files on Xiaomi.
• 🚫 com.android.providers.media — Media storage, deleting it will result in loss of access to photos, videos and music.

It is also not recommended to touch:

• 🔄 Google Play (com.google.android.gms) – without them, many applications, including YouTube and Gmail, will not work.
• 📡 Mi Share (com.miui.mishare.connectivity) – is responsible for fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices.
• 🔋 Battery and Performance (com.miui.powerkeeper) – manages energy saving.

Removal Alternatives: How to Disable or Freeze Applications?

If you're not sure about the safety of the deletion, the other way is to disable or freeze the programs you don't need, which will stop them from running in the background and free up RAM, but it will keep you recoverable.

Methods of shutdown:

1. Standard method: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select the desired application and click Disable. Confirm the action (the system will warn about possible consequences).
2. Through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 package.name For example, for Mi Video: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
3. Using third-party utilities: Apps like App Quarantine or Ice Box allow you to “freeze” programs without root rights, creating an isolated environment.

Advantages of disconnecting before removal:

• ✅ You can return the application in one click.
• ✅ The integrity of system files is not violated.
• ✅ Warranty is maintained (unlike root or deep firmware modifications).

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Disabling apps doesn’t free up the smartphone’s internal memory — it only stops them from working. APK root rights will be required or ADB-team.

What if after removing the applications, the smartphone began to work unstable?

If you delete something that is superfluous and you experience a freeze, an error, or a cyclical reboot, don't panic. In most cases, you can solve the problem without going to the service center.

Recovery methods:

1. Return the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing package.name For example, to recover Mi Gallery: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.gallery
2. Reset to factory settings: Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select Erase all data (important: this will delete all files, photos and apps!). Once the smartphone is restarted, it will return to its original state.
3. Fastboot flashing: If the smartphone doesn’t turn on, you’ll need to flash it with official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Instructions for each model can be found on the 4PDA forum or Xiaomi Community.

⚠️ Warning: If you have removed the system application and the smartphone has stopped loading (hang on the logo) MI), Try to enter the recovery mode (Volume Up). + Power) and run Wipe Data. This will reset the settings, but it will retain the ability to flash back.

To avoid problems in the future:

• 📌 Always back up before modifications (e.g., through Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• 📌 Check the reviews on the forums before removing little-known packages.
• 📌 Use test commands before final deletion: adb shell pm clear package.name This will clear the application data, but will not delete it – so you can assess the consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi