What applications on Xiaomi can be removed without harming the system: full guide 2026

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but often users face a problem: a huge number of pre-installed applications take up precious space in memory and slow down the device. Many of them duplicate functions or are not used at all, but it is scary to delete them – what if something breaks?

In this article, we will take a look at which Xiaomi apps can be removed without harming the system and which ones are better left behind, how to distinguish critical services from unnecessary software, what tools to use for safe removal, and what to do if something goes wrong after cleaning, and we will also analyze the features of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Xiaomi models – from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO.

It’s important to understand that not all apps that seem useless can actually be removed, some of which are responsible for key functions, from system updates to communication with Xiaomi servers. We have compiled a unique checklist of applications that can be removed on 90% of Xiaomi models without the risk of bricking the phone, but with reservations for specific versions of the firmware.

Why are there so many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often install app packages on devices for several reasons:

• 💰 Partnerships — many apps (like Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn) are pre-installed with developer money, and they're part of a business model that's driving down the price of devices.
• 🌍 Localization for different markets – depending on the region of sales (China, Europe, India), the software set can vary greatly, for example, in Indian versions, Paytm or Hike are often found.
• 🔧 Integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem – applications like Mi Home or Mi Fit are needed to work with smart devices of the brand (lamps, robot vacuum cleaners, fitness bracelets).
• 📊 Data collection and analytics – some services (e.g, MSA or MiuiDaemon) send anonymous usage statistics, which helps improve firmware.

According to a study by Counterpoint Research (2023), new Xiaomi smartphones have an average of 30–45 apps preinstalled, of which users actively use no more than 15–20. The rest either duplicate functions (for example, two browsers – Mi Browser and Google Chrome), or do not open at all.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of firmware (China) ROM) Many applications (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Video, Xiaomi Community) are critical to the system, and their removal can lead to update errors or loss of functionality. ROM) softer-than-life.

What apps on Xiaomi can be removed without consequences?

We have divided the applications into three categories:

1. Safely removed – do not affect the operation of the system, can be removed without risk.
2. Conditionally safe – you can remove, but with reservations (for example, if you do not use certain functions).
3. Critical – removal will cause failures or complete inoperability of the phone.

Below is a full list of apps that can be removed from most Xiaomi models (relevant to MIUI 12-14):

To remove these applications, root rights are not required – it is enough to use standard settings or ADB. However, before cleaning, we recommend:

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Write down a list of applications to be removed (in case of recovery)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%-->

How to remove unnecessary applications: 3 ways

There are several methods to remove pre-installed software on Xiaomi, and the choice depends on your skills and firmware version.

1. Standard removal through settings

The easiest way, but it doesn’t work for all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unused app (such as Mi Music).
3. Press Remove or Disable (if the Remove button is inactive).

This method is suitable for most “user” applications (e.g. Facebook, Netflix), but will not work for system services.

2. Removal via ADB (no root)

A more advanced way to remove even those apps that are not removed from the menu. USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Remove the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

List of commands for popular applications:

#DeleteMi Music


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.player




Removal of Mi Browser



adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser




Delete Mi Video



adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

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If the application reappears after the MIUI update after uninstalling, use the command adb shell pm hide instead of uninstall – this hides the application, but does not remove it completely.

3. Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have root access, you can uninstall any application, including system ones, but it's risky - an error can lead to a bootloop.

For this:

1. Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiuiVideo) and delete it.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Removing root-righted system applications may disrupt the work OTA-Before such manipulations, it is recommended to create a full backup through the TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

Which apps should not be removed?

Some apps may seem unnecessary, but removing them will cause serious disruptions, from interface errors to the complete inoperability of the phone.

• 🚨 Miui System UI (com.miui.system, which is responsible for the interface, and the deletion will lead to a black screen.
• 🚨 Security (com.miui.securitycenter) – Security Center, manages permissions and antivirus.
• 🚨 MSA (Miui System Ads (com.xiaomi.msa.global) – Although it is an advertising module, its removal may disrupt the operation of other services.
• 🚨 Google Services Framework (com.google.android.gsf) – required for Google Play and sync.
• 🚨 Miui Daemon (com.miui.daemon) – background process responsible for updates and diagnostics.

It is also not recommended to remove:

• 📱 Mi Share (com.xiaomi.mishare.connectivity) – is required for fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices.
• 🔋 Battery and Performance (com.miui.powerkeeper) – manages energy saving.
• 📡 Sim Toolkit (com.android.stk) – Responsible for the job SIM-Cards (especially important for operators with their own services).

If you accidentally deleted one of these apps, the only way to restore your phone is to reset the phone to factory settings or reflash it through Fastboot.

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

Even if you have removed the “safe” app, there may be some problems:

• 🔄 Constant reboots – usually associated with the removal of system services.
• 📵 Network absence – can occur if the module responsible for communication is removed.
• 🔳 Errors in updating MIUI — Some applications are needed for proper installation OTA-update.

Here's what we can do:

1. Restore the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the remote application package).
2. Reset: Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. This will bring back all standard apps, but delete your data.
3. Re-flash the phone: If the reset didn’t help, download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi’s website and run through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stops turning on after you delete the apps (black screen or logo hanging), don't try to solve the problem yourself, contact the service center. In 80% of cases, this requires flashing through the service center. EDL-mode that without experience can finally "brick" the device.

Features of removing applications on different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are the same – the set of pre-installed apps and the ability to remove them depend on:

• 📱 The line of devices - on POCO Often less bloat (unnecessary software) than Redmi.
• 🌐 Regional firmware - in China ROM You can remove less than the Global/EU ROM.
• 🔢 Versions MIUI — into MIUI 14 Some applications have become part of the system and are not deleted.

Examples of differences:

On POCO and some Redmi models with POCO Launcher, more applications can be removed, as these devices are initially positioned as “lightweight” versions with less bloat.

Removal Alternatives: How to Disable or Hide Unnecessary Apps

If you don’t want to take risks but want to get rid of intrusive apps, there are safer ways to do this:

1. Disable via Settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select an app and click Disable. It will disappear from the menu and stop working, but stay on the system.

Hiding with ADB

adb shell pm hide com.miui.bugreport

(The app will disappear, but it can be returned by the unhide command.)

Using a launcher from a third-party developer

Install Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher – these let you hide apps without uninstalling them.

Advantages of disconnecting before removal:

• ✅ There is no risk of disrupting the system.
• ✅ The application can be easily returned.
• ✅ It does not affect updates. MIUI.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The app still takes up space on the disk.
• ❌ Some services may continue to work in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi

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Before uninstalling any application on Xiaomi, always check its package (com.xiaomi...) and look for information about it on profile forums. Even "safe" applications can be critical for a particular model or firmware version.