What apps can be safely removed on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: Full Guide 2026

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is still popular due to its reliable hardware and affordable price, but over time, its performance is reduced by clogged memory, due to dozens of pre-installed applications, many of which users never run. However, not all of them can be removed without risk: some system services are critical for the stable operation of MIUI.

In this article, we’ll look at which apps on the Redmi Note 5 can be removed without consequences and which shouldn’t be touched. You’ll learn how to distinguish “junk” from important system components, what tools to use for cleaning, and what to do if something goes wrong after removal.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Redmi Note 5?

The Redmi Note 5 comes with a MIUI shell that includes dozens of services from Xiaomi and partners out of the box, some of which duplicate Google’s features (for example, two browsers or two app stores), and some are only needed for the Chinese market.

• 📱 Demo applications (games, social networks) – they can be removed immediately after the first setup.
• 🌍 Regional services (Mi Video, Mi Music) are only useful in Asia.
• 🔄 Duplicate Utilities (Mi Browser) + Chrome, Mi App Store + Play Market).
• 📊 Hidden system processes – some can be turned off, but not all.

According to an analysis of the Redmi Note 5 firmware (MIUI 12.5), up to 30-40% of pre-installed applications are not used by most users, but deleting some of them (for example, com.miui.analytics) can lead to errors in the MIUI Account or push notifications.

What applications can be removed without risk?

Below is a list of secure applications for removal on Redmi Note 5, which can be uninstalled via Settings → Applications or ADB (which we will discuss later), and which do not affect system stability:

• 🎮 Games (com.xiaomi.glgm) – the center of games from Xiaomi, useless for most.
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) – a video player with ads.
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) – Music player, duplicates Google Play Music.
• 📖 Mi Reader (com.miui.reader) is a book reader app.
• 🛒 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks) – Chinese app store.
• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – a browser with ads (better use Chrome).
• 📱 Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop) – a service for transferring files (there are better analogues).
• 📷 Mi Remote (com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller) – remote control (required only for control of equipment).
• 💬 Mi Community (com.xiaomi.forum) – Xiaomi Forum (rarely used).
• 📦 Cleaner (com.miui.cleanmaster) – an optimizer that consumes resources.

These applications are not involved in critical MIUI processes, so removing them will not cause any problems, but before uninstallation, we recommend:

Backup of important data

Check the free space on the phone (at least 10% of the total volume)

Remember the names of the deleted packets (in case of recovery)

Use it. ADB Only with confidence in the actions-->

Which apps should not be removed?

Some Redmi Note 5 system services are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal may result in:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
• 📵 Network loss (mobile internet will not work).
• 🔕 Lack of sound (speakers or microphones break).
• 🔒 Blocking MIUI Account (you can not log into your Xiaomi account).

Below is a list of apps that are not allowed to be removed (even if they seem unnecessary):

⚠️ Warning: If you delete one of these apps and your phone stops working, don’t try to reset your settings via Recovery! this may make the problem worse. Instead, browse the device via Fastboot (the instructions are on the official Xiaomi forum).

How to remove system applications: 3 ways

There are several ways to remove pre-installed apps on the Redmi Note 5, depending on your experience and goals:

1. Through standard settings (no root)

Some apps (such as Mi Music or Games) can be removed directly from the menu.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded application (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

❌ Limitation: Most system applications cannot be removed as the button will be inactive.

2. with ADB (without root, but with PC)

A more advanced method is using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to remove applications that are not removed through settings, but do not require superuser rights.

✅ Pluses ADB: No root, reversible (applications can be restored using the same command with install instead of uninstall).

❌ Cons: you need to connect to the PC, if you make a mistake in the command, you can remove an important component.

3. With root rights (for experienced)

If you have Magisk or another root manager installed, you can use applications like Titanium Backup or System App Remover, but this method is risky:

• 🔓 Any application can be removed, including critical ones.
• 🛡️ Required to turn off MIUI Optimization in Magisk (otherwise, failures are possible).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Remote applications can be restored.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note 5 with an unlocked bootloader, some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger. Before removing system applications, check if you use such services.

What if something breaks after removal?

If you delete an important app and your phone starts to glittle, there are a few ways to get it back:

1. Recovery via ADB: Use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet For example, to recover Mi Video: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
2. Reset to factory settings: If ADB It didn’t help, make Hard Reset through Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings. ❗ Warning: This will remove all data from your phone!
3. Fastboot Flash: The last method is to completely reinstall MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool. For instructions, look at Xiaomi's official website (Unlock & Download section).

If you’re not sure which app caused the crash, try remembering what was the last one to be removed, or check logs through Logcat (this requires developer skills).

💡

Before mass removal of applications, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will allow you to quickly restore the system if something goes wrong.

How to prevent the reappearance of remote applications?

One of the problems with the Redmi Note 5 is that some system applications are restored after the MIUI update.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and deactivate the Auto Update option.
• 📦 Freeze Unnecessary Applications: With the Help of ADB root managers (e.g. Titanium Backup) can be frozen instead of deleted: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 Packet name This hides them from the system, but makes it easy to return them back.
• 🛡️ Install custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience lacks Blaatware, but requires unlocked bootloader and experience.

If you don’t want to mess with ADB or root, you can simply hide apps from the menu:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen.
2. Choose Remove from Screen or Hide (in some versions of MIUI).

It won't free up memory, but at least it will remove visual debris.

💡

On the Redmi Note. 5 s MIUI 12.5 and newer, some system applications are protected from removal. ADB slip-back DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR, So the application is locked at the firmware level.

Alternative ways to free up memory on the Redmi Note 5

If you don’t risk removing system applications, there are other optimization methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache, it'll free up until 1-3 GB space.
• 📂 Transfer of applications to SD-Map: In Settings → Select the heavy app (such as games) and click Move to SD.
• ☁️ Using Cloud Storage: Upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.
• 🔍 Search for large files: Install Files by Google or SD Maid to find unnecessary files (e.g. old ones) APK duplicate).

It is also worth turning off the autoload of unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook) and turn off AutoRun.

This won’t free up memory, but it will reduce the load on the processor.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi Note 5