What system applications can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi 9 without risking the smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its MIUI firmware is known for its abundance of pre-installed apps. Many of them duplicate Google features or are simply useless for most users. However, not all programs can be removed without consequences: some are critical to the stable operation of the system.

In this article, we will look at which applications on Redmi 9 can be safely removed and which should not be touched, how to distinguish system services from unnecessary software, what tools to use to uninstall, and what to do if something goes wrong after deleting, and we will also look at alternative ways to free up space on the device without risk.

Important: all manipulations you perform at your own risk. Even "safe" applications in rare cases can affect the operation of individual functions. On Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5 firmware and the new removal of system APKs through ADB can lead to disruptions in Google Pay and some banking applications due to changes in the security policy of Xiaomi.

Why Redmi 9 has so many unnecessary apps

Xiaomi’s MIUI firmware was originally developed for the Chinese market, where the company’s own services are popular. When adapting for global versions (such as Redmi 9 Global), many applications remain, even if they duplicate the features of Google Mobile Services (GMS) or are simply useless outside of China.

The main reasons for the excess software:

• 🔄 Duplication of features: for example, Redmi 9 has Google Chrome, Mi Browser, and Mi Video with YouTube.
• 💰 Partner Agreements: Xiaomi preinstalles third-party apps (e.g. Facebook, Netflix) for a cash reward.
• 🌍 Localization: Some services (such as Mi Community or Mi Store) are needed to support the Xiaomi ecosystem, but not all users.
• 📱 Technical limitations: some applications are tied to system services and cannot be removed without root rights.

According to an analysis of the Redmi 9 firmware (model M2003J15SC), about 30% of preinstalled applications can be removed without damage to the system, but among them there are those that take up minimal space (for example, Mi Drop weighs only ~ 5 MB) and those that eat up hundreds of megabytes (for example, Mi Browser with cache).

What apps can be removed from Redmi 9 without risk

Below is a list of apps that can be safely removed on Xiaomi Redmi 9 (relevant to MIUI 12-14 firmware).All of them do not affect the basic functionality of the phone, but it is recommended to back up data before deleting.

You can also delete:

• 🎵 Mi Sound Recorder (com.android.soundrecorder) – if you don’t use a recorder.
• 📖 Mi Notes (com.miui.notes) – if you use Google Keep or other notes.
• 📦 Mi File Manager (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer) – if you prefer Files by Google or Solid Explorer.
• 🎮 Game Turbo (com.xiaomi.glgm) – if you don’t play mobile games.

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Before deleting, check if the application is being used by default. For example, if Mi Browser is designated by the default browser, deleting it may cause errors when opening links from other applications.

How to remove system applications: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to remove unwanted apps on Redmi 9, the most secure ones are through system settings or with the help of ADB (Android Debug Bridge), and the root-right method provides more options, but it is more risky.

Method 1: Remove via settings (for normal applications)

This method is suitable for applications that are not system-based, but pre-installed by Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (like Facebook or Netflix).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for system applications)

To remove system APKs, you will need a computer and enabled USB debugging:

1. Activate Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.forum (replace com.xiaomi.forum with the desired application package).

Method 3: Use of third-party utilities (requires root)

If you have root access, you can use apps like Titanium Backup or System App Remover, but it's risky: Incorrectly deleting system files can lead to a phone blink.

⚠️ Note: Removing applications through ADB It doesn't remove them completely from the device, it only hides them for the current user. MIUI They can come back. You need root rights to remove them completely.

What applications cannot be removed (critical system services)

Some applications on Redmi 9 may seem unnecessary, but removing them will cause system failures, network connectivity problems, or even the inability to boot your phone. APK:

Also, you cannot remove:

• 📡 Miui System UI (com.miui.systemui – responsible for the system interface.
• 🔋 Battery and Performance (com.miui.powerkeeper) – manages energy consumption.
• 📶 Sim Toolkit (com.android.stk) – needed for work SIM-map.
• 🔑 Google Services Framework (com.google.android.gsf) – critical for updates and syncs.

⚠️ Warning: If after removing the application, the phone began to overheat, discharge quickly or reboot - immediately reset to factory settings via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset.In some cases, you may need to flash through Fastboot.

What to do if the phone is unstable after removing applications

If after uninstallation of the system APK on Redmi 9 problems appeared, use these tips:

1. Recovery of Remote Applications

If you delete something important through ADB, you can return the application with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.forum

(Replace com.xiaomi.forum with the desired application package).

2. Cache dumping

Sometimes it helps to clean the cache of system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select Show all apps (three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Find a problem app (like Security) and click Clear Cache.

3.Retracting MIUI updates

If the failures started after the system update, try to roll back:

1. Download the old firmware version for Redmi 9 from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on three dots → Select a firmware file and specify the downloaded file.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after you delete your system files, try recovery (press Power + Volume Up) and run Wipe Cache Partition.This won't delete your data, but it can restore your work.

Alternative ways to free up space on Redmi 9 without removing apps

If you are afraid to remove system APKs, but want to make room, use these methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Storage and click Clear next to unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Removing duplicates: Use Files by Google to find repetitive photos and videos.
• ☁️ Transfer files to the cloud: Upload photos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud and delete local copies.
• 📱 Disabling unnecessary applications: C Settings → Select the program and click Disable (it will stop working, but will not be deleted).
• 🔄 Use Lite Versions: Replace heavy social media (such as Facebook) with Facebook Lite.

Another effective way is to transfer applications to SD-card (if supported):

1. Insert the memory card in Redmi 9.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → Internal Memory.
3. Select the application and click Transfer to SD-map.

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To reduce memory consumption, turn off automatic app updates in Google Play. Open Play Store → Settings → Auto Update apps → Select Never.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9