What apps can be safely removed on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (and how to do it correctly)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even years after its release, its owners are facing a memory shortage. Not only user files, but dozens of pre-installed applications, many of which duplicate functions or are not used at all, are also to blame. MIUI — Xiaomi-branded.

In this article, we will look at which apps can be removed on the Redmi Note 4 without risk and which should not be touched, learn how to distinguish system services from unnecessary “junk”, what tools to use for uninstallation, and what to do if something goes wrong after deleting. We will pay special attention to the unique features of this model, for example, why some versions of the model are not so important. MIUI You can not delete Mi Video without consequences for the gallery.

Why is Redmi Note 4 so small in memory?

The reason is the eMMC 5.0 architecture, the type of flash memory used in this model, and even in the 64GB version, there are actually about 53-55GB available to the user, and the system and pre-installed applications take up to 10-12GB. While MIUI aggressively caches data, and over time, free space melts before our eyes.

The main memory eaters on Redmi Note 4:

📱 Duplicate applications: for example, Mi Browser + Google Chrome, Mi Music + Google Play Music.
🌍 Regional services: Mi Pay (not working in Russia), Mi Credit (credit service for India).
🔄 Updates MIUI: The system retains older firmware versions that can weigh 1-1.5 GB.
📦 Cache and data: for example, Mi Video downloads movie previews, and Cleaner stores cleanup logs.

According to our tests, after removing unnecessary applications and cleaning the cache on Redmi Note 4, you can free up from 2 to 5 GB of memory - without root rights and risk to the system.

📊 Have you ever removed pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

Yeah, I've deleted it many times.

I tried it, but it was scary.

No, I'm afraid to break my phone.

I didn't know it was possible.

What apps can be removed without root rights?

The Redmi Note 4 (as well as other Xiaomi) has two types of pre-installed apps:

Custom – they can be removed by standard means (Settings → Applications).
System – require ADB or root rights to uninstall.

List of safe applications to remove (no root rights):

🌐 Mi Browser – Xiaomi browser (can be replaced with Chrome or Firefox).
🎵 Mi Music – Music Player (duplicates Google Play Music or Music) VLC).
📺 Mi Video - Video player (beware: on some firmware, its removal breaks the gallery!).
💳 Mi Pay – payment service (not available in Russia/Europe).
📊 Mi Community – Xiaomi forum (useful only for feedback).
🛒 Mi Store – a branded app store (useless if you use Google Play).
🎮 Games – Xiaomi Games Center (advertising platform).
📡 Mi Remote – remote control (can be removed if you do not use the IR port).

⚠️ Attention: On versions MIUI Below 10, removing Mi Video may lead to gallery errors. Before uninstall, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Annex	Can I remove it?	Effects of consequences	The alternative
Mi Browser	✅ Yes.	No.	Chrome, Firefox
Mi Music	✅ Yes.	No.	VLC, Poweramp
Mi Video	⚠️ Conditionally.	Can break the gallery on MIUI <10	MX Player, VLC
Mi Pay	✅ Yes.	No.	Google Pay, SberPay
Cleaner	❌ No.	It'll disrupt the optimizer.	SD Maid (from the root)

How to remove system applications without root rights (via ADB)

Removing system applications that are not removed in the standard way will require USB debugging and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) utility, which works on all versions of the Redmi Note 4, including the Note 4X (codename mido).

Step-by-step:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer

Download ADB Tools from Google

Open the command line in the folder with ADB (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here)

-->

List of commands to remove popular system applications:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser  # Mi Browser


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video     # Mi Video




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player    # Mi Music




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.payment # Mi Pay




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics # MIUI Analytics (safe)

⚠️ Attention: Team --user 0 It removes the application only for the current user, without affecting the system files, and it allows you to restore the application through resetting if something goes wrong.

If the application reappears after the reboot, it is protected by MIUI Optimizations, in which case only obtaining root rights or using Debloater tools like Universal Android Debloater will help.

💡

Before mass deletion, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will allow you to restore the system if the deletion leads to failures.

What applications cannot be removed (system risk)

Some system services are critical to MIUI, and their removal may result in:

🔄 Infinite Boot (Bootloop).
📵 Loss of the network or mobile Internet.
🔕 Sensor failure (gyroscope, accelerometer).
🔋 Quick battery discharge.

List of “untouchable” annexes:

⚠️ com.android.phone – telephone services.
⚠️ com.android.providers.telephony - network databases.
⚠️ com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (deletion will disable unlocking with fingerprint!).
⚠️ com.miui.home - launcher MIUI (Deleting will result in a black screen).
⚠️ com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice – Qualcomm modules (critical for communication).

What to do if you delete a critical application?

If the phone stopped loading or lost key features, try: 1. Restore the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.name.packet 2. Reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Reset). 3. Refuse the phone via Fastboot (instructions for mido are on xiaomi.eu).

How to free up memory without removing applications?

If you are afraid to remove system programs, there are alternative ways to:

Clearing the cache and data:

🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
📉 Select an app (such as Facebook or Mi Video) → Warehouse → Clear cache and Clear data.
🔄 Use Cleaner for mass cleaning (but don’t remove it yourself!).

2. disabling unnecessary applications:

⚙️ In the same Application menu, click Disable (the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system).
📴 It works for Mi Browser, Mi Music, Games and more.

3. Transfer of applications to SD-map:

📁 Insert a memory card (class 10 is recommended or UHS-I).
🔗 B Settings → Select Memory by Default → Memory map.
📱 Move supported applications through Settings → Annexes → Move it to SD.

💡

Disabling apps is safer than uninstalling them, but it doesn’t free up as much memory. For maximum effect, combine cleaning the cache, disabling and removing unnecessary programs.

What if after removing the applications, the phone began to slow down?

Sometimes, after the mass removal of system applications, the Redmi Note 4 begins to slow down, because MIUI tries to restore remote services or conflicts with the remaining components.

1. Restart the phone in Safe Mode:

🔄 Press the power button. → long-tail → Safe regime.
🛠️ Only system applications are running in this mode – check if lags are saved.

2. Reset the cache of the section:

⚙️ Turn off the phone. → clamp down on power. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo.
📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Wipe Cache.
🔄 Reset the device.

3. Restore Remote Applications:

🔧 If the lags appeared after removing a particular application, restore it through ADB:

4.Return to the previous version of MIUI:

📉 If the problems started after the update, download the old firmware from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
📱 Fastboot or Recovery.

Redmi Note 4: What makes it different from other Xiaomis?

Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) has a few unique features that are important to consider when uninstalling apps:

Firmware versions:

📱 Global Stable is the most stable, but with the maximum amount of bloatware.
🌍 China Stable – Less garbage, but no Google services (requires manual installation).
🛠️ Xiaomi.EU – custom firmware without unnecessary applications, but unofficial.

MIUI dependencies:

🔗 Some apps (like Mi Video and Gallery) are linked.
📁 On the Note 4, Mi Video is responsible for playing video in the gallery, so deleting it sometimes breaks the preview.

3. Snapdragon 625 limitations:

🔋 Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor sensitive to removal of system services related to energy saving.
⚡ Removing com.miui.powerkeeper can increase charge consumption by 15-20%.

IR port and Mi Remote:

📡 Redmi Note 4 is equipped with an IR transmitter that is controlled via Mi Remote.
🎮 If you do not use the remote, the application can be removed, but it will be difficult to restore it without flashing it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi Note 4

Can I remove Google apps (Play Market, Chrome, YouTube)?

❌ No, it's going to cause synchronization errors and loss of functionality, because Google services are deeply integrated into Android, and at most, you can turn off their updates in Settings. → Annexes.

How do I know which app takes up the most memory?

📊 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Apps. This shows you a list of programs sorted by place you're in. Pay special attention to: Facebook (can weigh up to 1 GB with cache), Mi Video (stores downloaded previews). Cleaner (accumulates cleanup logs).

What happens if you remove security (security center)?

⚠️ This will lead to: Disabling the fingerprint scanner; Losing the application lock function; Unable to update. MIUI through settings. 🔧 It can only be restored through ADB or-reset.

How to remove MIUI completely and install a pure Android?

🛠️ To do this, you need: Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool. Install custom recovery (TWRP). Switch LineageOS or Pixel Experience to Mido. ⚠️ Risks: loss of warranty, possible camera or network bugs (Qualcomm drivers are not always compatible).

Why do they reappear after removing the apps?

🔄 This is due to: Updates MIUI — It restores remote system applications. MIUI Optimization – It automatically checks system integrity. 🔧 Solution: Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system or use it ADB For permanent removal (pm uninstall) -k --user 0 fails 100%).