Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their value for money, but many users are faced with the problem of overloaded pre-installed applications memory. Even after buying a new device, some of the firmware is unnecessary, taking up precious gigabytes and background resources. However, not all applications can be removed without risk — some are critical to the stable operation of MIUI.
In this article, we will discuss which applications on Xiaomi Redmi can be safely removed and which should not be touched, you will learn how to distinguish system services from junk software, what tools to use for uninstallation, and what to do if problems arise after removal. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other popular lines, where the set of pre-installed applications may differ.
Why Xiaomi Redmi has so many unnecessary apps
Smartphone makers, including Xiaomi, often partner with software developers, which allows them to monetize devices with pre-installed services even if you don't use them.
- 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video are proprietary players that duplicate Google Play Music or VLC;
- 📱 Du Apps (Cleaner, Browser) – third-party utilities from Baidu, often considered potentially unwanted software;
- 🎮 Game Center and Mi Game - gaming hubs, useful only to gamers;
- 📊 Analytics and MSA — Statistics collection services that can be turned off without losing functionality.
MIUI also includes duplicate system tools, such as the Mi Browser, which is pre-installed alongside Google Chrome, and the Xiaomi Gallery, which is replaced by Google Photos, and not only takes up space, but also increases battery consumption due to background activity.
What Xiaomi Redmi apps can be removed without risk
Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand that not all “unnecessary” applications are equally safe to remove. Below is a list of software that can be uninstalled on most Redmi models (including the Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9T, POCO X3, etc.) without critical consequences.
| Category | Title of the annex | Can I remove it? | Effects of removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| browsers | Mi Browser, Du Browser | ✅ Yes. | You can lose your browser, but you can use Chrome or Firefox. |
| Music/Video | Mi Music, Mi Video, Mi TV | ✅ Yes. | Media Player Apps. Alternatives: VLC, Google Play Music |
| Games | Game Center, Mi Game, Quick Games | ✅ Yes. | Gaming hubs will disappear, but Google Play games will remain |
| Utilities. | Cleaner, Security (if not used) | ⚠️ Partially. | You can disable, but complete removal can disrupt the optimizer. |
| Social | Mi Community, Facebook (pre-installed) | ✅ Yes. | Lose access to Xiaomi forum and social networks through embedded software |
⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), the Security app is associated with system permissions. Deleting it may result in loss of access to privacy settings.
Check the list of safe applications to remove
Create a backup copy of important data
Disable automatic update of system applications
Use it. ADB Only if you are confident in your actions.-->
How to remove applications correctly: step-by-step instructions
There are three main ways to remove applications on Xiaomi Redmi:
- Standard uninstallation (for user applications);
- Disconnection (for system applications without root rights);
- Removal via ADB (for deep cleaning).
Let us consider each method in detail.
1. Standard disposal
Suitable for applications installed by the user or pre-installed, but not system.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want (such as Mi Browser).
- Click Remove (if the button is active).
2. Disabling system applications
If the Remove button is inactive but there is an option to Disable, use it, which will stop background activity and hide the app from the menu, but will not free up the memory completely.
Example: Mi Pay or Mi Roaming can be turned off if you don’t use them.
3. Removal via ADB (for power users)
Removing root-free system applications will require USB debugging and ADB command. This method is risky – incorrect removal can cause failures!
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.package.name🔹 List of packages for ADB:
- com.miui.browser — Mi Browser;
- com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video;
- com.xiaomi.gamecenter — Game Center;
- com.miui.cleanmaster — Cleaner.
How to find out the name of the application package?
⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB If you delete com.miui.securitycenter (Security) and stop working notifications or settings, you will have to restore the firmware.
What applications should not be removed (risky packages)
Some MIUI system services are critical to the smartphone, and their removal can lead to:
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop);
- 📵 Loss of mobile or Wi-Fi;
- ⚙️ Failing settings (for example, the "Battery" or "Sound" section").
| Application/service name | Packet name | What happens when you remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| System launcher | com.miui.home | The desktop will disappear, the phone will become unusable. |
| Telephone and contacts | com.android.contacts, com.miui.yellowpage | You will lose access to phone and phone books. |
| MIUI settings | com.android.settings | It will not be possible to enter the settings menu. |
| Google Play Services | com.google.android.gms | All apps that depend on Google (including the Play Market) will stop working. |
🔹 Features for Redmi with NFC: Deleting com.android.nfc will disable contactless payments and tags. If you use Google Pay or Mi Pay, this service can not be touched.
💡
Before you uninstall system applications, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. In case of a crash, you can restore the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
What to do if after removing the applications the phone has become worse
If you notice after cleaning:
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge;
- 📶 Network problems (does not catch Wi-Fi or mobile Internet);
- ⚙️ Failures in settings;
So, if you've removed or disabled a critical application, here's how to fix it.
- Restore the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.package.name
- Reset settings: Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset (does not delete data, but restores system applications).
- Download the official firmware for your Redmi model from Xiaomi’s website and install it through the Mi Flash Tool.
⚠️ Note: If security notifications (such as malicious file alerts) are no longer working after com.miui.securitycenter is deleted, the functionality can only be returned by flashing. MIUI.
Alternative ways to free up memory without removing applications
If you are unsure of your actions or are afraid of damaging the system, use safer methods:
- 🗃️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Apps, select the app and click Clear Cache.This will free up from 100MB to severalGB.
- 📁 Transfer of data to SD-Map: In the same application settings, select Storage → Change. → SD-Map (not working for all applications).
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Use Google Photos to Automatically Upload Photos/Video or Mi Cloud (5GB Free).
- 🔄 Disabling Autoboot: In Settings → Battery → App Launch Management Disable AutoRun for Unnecessary Programs.
🔹 For models with little memory (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8A): Install easy alternatives to standard applications:
- Instead of Mi Browser, Brave or Firefox Lite
- Xiaomi Gallery is a Simple Gallery.
- Mi Musicolet (no Internet requirement)
💡
If your goal is to just free up space, start by clearing the cache and turning off auto-start.