What apps can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi 6A: a safe list + step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi Redmi 6A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its MIUI firmware is often overloaded with unnecessary applications that take up memory, consume battery power and slow down the system. In this article, we will discuss which applications can be removed on Redmi 6A without risking stability, and which should be abandoned, and also tell you how to properly uninstall system programs and what to do if you have problems after removal.

It’s important to understand that not all pre-installed apps are useless. Some are responsible for basic functions such as communication or security updates. On Redmi 6A with MIUI 9-12 firmware, you can safely uninstall up to 15-20 applications, freeing up to 1-1.5 GB of storage. But before you start, back up your data and make sure you have superuser rights (if you plan to remove system APKs).

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Redmi 6A?

Xiaomi's MIUI firmware is known for its "bloatware" -- pre-installed programs that the user didn't install.

• 📱 Partnering Agreements: Xiaomi collaborates with developers (e.g. Facebook, Netflix, WPS Office) to pay for pre-installation.
• 🌍 Localization: Different application sets are installed in different regions (e.g. Mi Pay for India or Mi Video for China).
• 🔄 Services MIUI: Some programs (such as Mi Community or Mi Drop) are needed to run proprietary features, but not all users.
• 📊 Data collection: Applications like Mi Analytics or MSA Send anonymous statistics to Xiaomi (you can disable it).

On the Redmi 6A, the situation is aggravated by the fact that the smartphone is budget — only 16 GB of memory, of which the user has about 10-12 GB. Even after the first setup of free space remains critically small. Removing unnecessary applications is one of the most effective ways to free up space.

What applications can be removed without risk?

We have divided applications into three categories: secure to remove, conditionally secure (can affect some features) and critical (cannot be removed). 6A without any consequences for the basic functions of the phone.

🟢 Completely secure applications (can be removed)

• 📺 Mi Video – Xiaomi video player (can be replaced by a video player) VLC or MX Player).
• 🎵 Mi Music - Standard Music Player (alternatives: Poweramp, AIMP).
• 📖 Mi Reader is a book reader app (few people use it).
• 📁 Mi Drop is a service for transferring files over Wi-Fi (there are more convenient analogues like Send Anywhere).
• 💬 Mi Community – Xiaomi User Forum (only for support).
• 🛒 Mi Store - a branded app store (you can use Google Play).
• 📊 Mi Analytics – collects data about phone usage (can be turned off in settings).
• 🔍 Cleaner – Memory Optimizer (often worse than Android’s built-in tools).
• 🎮 Games – the center of games from Xiaomi (useless if you do not play mobile games).
• 📰 Mi Browser – Xiaomi browser (better to use Chrome or Firefox).

🟡 Conditionally safe (remove with caution)

• 📷 Camera is a standard camera app, and you can uninstall it if you install an alternative (like Google Camera), but without it, the scanner won’t work. QR-codes on some menus.
• 📞 Contacts is a standard phone book, only delete if you use Google Contacts.
• 📅 Calendar - Calendar MIUI. You can replace it with Google Calendar, but some reminders of system applications may be missing.
• 📧 Email is an email client. If you don't use it, you can delete it, but some system notifications may come through it.
• 🔊 Sound Recorder is a recorder. Only delete if you don't use voice recordings.

💡

Before removing any application from the list of "safe" check whether it is used by other programs. For example, Camera can be linked to Mi Account for authorization by face.

🔴 Critical Appendices (cannot be removed!)

• ⚙️ Settings - phone settings.
• 📱 System UI — responsible for the system interface.
• 🔋 Security - Security Center MIUI (removal will cause failure).
• 📶 Phone Services – Responsible for calls and SMS.
• 🔄 Updater – Update Module MIUI.
• 🛡️ Google Play Services – Most applications are required.

💡

Removing critical apps can lead to a “bootloop” or a phone that is completely inoperable. If you’re not sure, don’t touch it!

How to uninstall applications on Redmi 6A: step-by-step instructions

There are three ways to uninstall applications: through standard settings, with ADB (for system programs), and through root rights (the riskiest).

🔹 Method 1: Remove via settings (for conventional applications)

This method is suitable for uninstallation of user programs and some preinstalled programs (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

Open Settings → Applications

Select an application from the list

Click Remove (if the button is active)

Confirm the action.

Restart your phone (recommended)

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If the Remove button is inactive, then the application is system-based – it can only be removed through ADB or with root rights.

🔹 Method 2: Removal through ADB (system-application)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a debugging tool that allows you to remove system applications without rooting permissions. USB-cable.

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version).
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
6. To uninstall the app, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package (e.g. for Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer).

A list of Redmi 6A system application packages can be found online or using the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'

🔹 Method 3: Remove Root Rights (for Power Users)

If you have root rights, you can use a file manager (like Root Explorer) or Titanium Backup app to remove any APKs. However, this method is the riskiest - an error can cause the phone to malfunction.

To get the root rights to the Redmi 6A, you need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install custom Recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Switch Magisk to get root rights.

💡

Before you get the root rights, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool. This will help restore the phone in case of a crash.

What happens if you remove an important application?

If you mistakenly remove a critical app, the consequences can range from minor glitches to a complete phone failure, and consider possible scenarios and ways to fix them.

💡

If the phone stops turning on after you delete the app, try using Recovery Mode (hold Power + Volume Up when you boot) and making Wipe Cache. If that doesn't work, you'll have to refashion the device.

Removal Alternatives: How to Disable Unnecessary Apps

If you're afraid of removing system programs, you can turn them off, which will free up RAM and stop background processes, but the application files will remain on the device.

To disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action.

The apps that are disabled won't update, but they can be activated again at any time, a method that is safer than deleting, but less effective at freeing up memory.

How to Free Up Your Memory on Redmi 6A Without Deleting Applications?

If you don’t want to risk removing system programs, there are other ways to make room for Redmi 6A:

• 📸 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. This can release up to 1-2 GB.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates: Use applications like Files by Google or CCleaner to find unnecessary files.
• ☁️ Transfer files to the cloud: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud and then delete them from your phone.
• 🔄 Factory reset: Completely cleanses the phone, but deletes all data (do backup!).
• 📱 Memory card usage: Move applications to microSD (if supported).

You can also turn off automatic updates to apps in Google Play:

1. Open the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Auto-Update applications.
3. Choose Never.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 6A