What apps can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi: a safe list and instructions

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones out of the box come with dozens of pre-installed applications, from useful system utilities to intrusive bloatware that takes up memory and consumes battery power. Many users want to get rid of unnecessary software, but are afraid of disrupting the stability of MIUI or losing functionality. This article will help you understand which applications can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi without risk, and which ones are better to abandon.

We have analyzed the structure of MIUI 12-14 firmware on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11 and other popular devices to create a current list of safe to remove packets, and you will find step-by-step uninstallation instructions – both through standard settings and with ADB for power users, and pay special attention to hidden dependencies between MIUI applications, which are rarely reported in reviews.

Why Xiaomi Redmi has so many pre-installed apps

Xiaomi integrates not only basic Android services into MIUI, but also its own monetization, analytics and ecosystem solutions.

• 💰 Partner agreements: Apps like Facebook, Netflix, or LinkedIn are pre-installed for a fee from developers, and can be removed without consequences.
• 📊 Data collection: Mi Analytics Services, MSA (Mobile Services Framework) and MiuiDaemon monitor device usage, their disabling improves privacy.
• 🔄 Ecosystem MIUI: Mi Home, Mi Community or Mi Video apps link users to Xiaomi services, but not all of them use them.
• 🛠️ Duplicate functionality: For example, Mi Browser and Google Chrome, or Mi Music and YouTube Music.

According to AppCensus (2023), Redmi with MIUI 14 has an average of 42 applications pre-installed, of which only 18 are critical to the system’s operation.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Security or Mi Share) may seem unnecessary, but deleting them will result in loss of fast file transfer or virus scanner features in the gallery.

What applications can be removed without consequences

This list is relevant for MIUI 12-14 on most Redmi models, and we have divided the applications into three risk categories:

To accurately identify unwanted applications, use the free App Inspector app (available on Google Play) that shows the full packet names and their links to other services. For example, deleting Mi Browser will not affect the system, but can break the integration with Mi Account when bookmarks are synchronized.

How to remove applications through settings (without root)

The easiest way is to uninstall via the standard menu, which is suitable for most user applications (not system ones):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find the app you want (like Facebook) and click on it.
4. If the Remove button is active, press it. If it's gray, the app is system.

For system applications (e.g. Mi Browser), the delete button will be inactive.

• 🔹 Click "Disable" - this will freeze the application, but will not delete its files.
• 🔹 Use it. ADB (instruction below) for complete uninstallation.
• 🔹 Install Universal Android Debloater (requires) Windows/Mac) mass-disposal.

⚠️ Note: Disabling applications through settings does not free up disk space - files remain in memory. ADB root-access.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|

Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times tap)|

Download ADB Tools from the official Android| website

Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging|

Check the list of packages with the command adb shell pm list packages-->

Removing System Applications via ADB (Advanced Method)

If the Remove button is inactive and the app takes up space, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require root rights, but caution is needed: the wrong command can break the system.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in Mac/Linux).
2. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
3. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui\|xiaomi' (for filtering only Xiaomi applications)
4. Remove the unnecessary packet by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with the desired package).

The --user 0 key means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files).This is safer than a complete uninstallation.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser

Once removed, restart the device. If errors occur (e.g., stopping the MIUI interface), restore the application via ADB or reset the settings to factory settings.

What applications should not be removed (critical for MIUI)

Some system components seem unnecessary, but removing them will render key functions inoperable.

• 🚫 Security (com.miui.securitycenter) – responsible for application permissions, virus scanner and battery optimization.
• 🚫 Mi Share (com.xiaomi.mishare.connectivity) – manages fast file transfer (similar to AirDrop).
• 🚫 MSA (com.xiaomi.xmsf – framework for push notifications and updates MIUI.
• 🚫 Miui System UI (com.miui.home is the main launcher, and the deletion will lead to a black screen after the reboot.
• 🚫 Settings (com.android.settings) are the settings of the system. Without them, you can't set up Wi-Fi, sound, etc.

Removing any of these packages will require flashing the device through Fastboot. If in doubt, it is better to disable the app through settings or use App Freezer (requires root).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) removal MSA (com.xiaomi.xmsf causes mobile network loss after update MIUI. This is because the service manages the operator’s profiles.

Alternatives to Deletion: Shutdown and Freeze

If you are afraid to take risks, but want to get rid of unnecessary software, use alternative methods:

1. Disconnection through settings: 🔸 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. 🔸 Select an app (such as Mi Browser) and click "Disable". 🔸 Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory.
2. Freezing via App Freezer (requires root): 🔸 Install Titanium Backup or App Freezer from Google Play. 🔸 Select the application and click "Freeze". 🔸 The app will stop working, but it can be defrost at any time.
3. Hiding from the menu with the launcher: 🔸 Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher). 🔸 In the launcher settings, find the option "Hide applications". 🔸 Select unnecessary apps – they will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system.

The advantage of these methods is reversibility. If something stops working after turning it off (such as push notifications or synchronization with Mi Account), you can always return the application to its original state.

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Before you massively delete or disable applications, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will allow you to quickly restore the system if something goes wrong.

What to do if after removing applications, the phone began to glittle

If errors occur after uninstallation (such as persistent process stop notifications or broken Wi-Fi), follow these steps:

1. Check the error logs: 🔹 Install Logcat Extreme from Google Play. 🔹 Launch the application and find the lines with ERROR or CRASH. 🔹 Identify which application caused the crash (usually listed in the log).
2. Restore the Remote Application: 🔹 Connect to the PC and use it ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser (replace the package with the desired one). 🔹 If you don’t know the exact name of the package, restore all system applications: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser && adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser
3. Reset the settings to factory (extreme case): 🔹 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Resetting settings. 🔹 Select “Erase all data” (delete all applications and files!). 🔹 After resetting, the phone will return to the “out of the box” state".

If the failure is serious (for example, the phone does not turn on or hangs on the MIUI logo), you will need to flash it through Fastboot.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol- when the phone is off).
3. Run the firmware script (flash_all.bat Windows).

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If after removing the applications, the phone stopped turning on, do not panic: Xiaomi Redmi can be restored through Fastboot or Recovery modes even without root rights.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi