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

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They're known for their performance and their rich functionality, but many users have one problem: an overabundance of pre-installed applications. MIUI They take up precious space in memory, they consume battery life, and sometimes they even collect data without explicit consent. But can they be deleted? And if they are, which ones won't harm the system?

In this article, we will understand which applications on Xiaomi can be safely uninstalled and which are better left (or at least disable).

• 🔍 How to distinguish system applications from unnecessary ones – Risk Assessment Criteria.
• ⚡ Top.-15 Xiaomi apps that can be removed without consequences for the phone.
• ⚠️ What happens if you remove critical services – real cases and symptoms.
• 🛠️ Step-by-step removal instructions (including: ADB for advanced users).

Important: Not all methods are suitable for all models. for example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the MIUI 14 list of safe apps to remove differs from Redmi Note 10 MIUI 12.5 We'll take these nuances into account.

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

Xiaomi has partnered with dozens of partners, from Google to local developers like Alibaba or Tencent, to:

• 💰 Monetize the ecosystem – many apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) show ads.
• 🌍 Adapt to regions – in China, India and Europe, the set of pre-installed programs is different.
• 🔄 Integrate services – for example, Mi Cloud for backup or Mi Home for smart home.

But for the average user, most of these apps are never used, and according to a Counterpoint Research (2023) study, up to 60 percent of pre-installed programs on Xiaomi smartphones remain intact throughout the life of the device.

• 📉 Take up to 3-5 GB of memory (on some models – up to 8 GB!).
• 🔋 Increase battery consumption by 5-15% due to background activity.
• 🛡️ They can collect location, phone usage, and even contacts (especially Chinese versions of apps).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with global firmware (for example, MIUI Global) some applications are already optimized for the European market and do not contain aggressive data collection, but even then many of them remain unnecessary.

What apps on Xiaomi can be removed without harm?

We divided the applications into three categories according to the level of risk:

1. Safely remove – does not affect the operation of the system.
2. You can delete, but with reservations, some functions may disappear.
3. You can’t remove it – a critical dependence on the system.

Below is a list of applications that can be removed without consequences (relevant to the MIUI 12.5–14):

Complete list of 15+ For more detailed applications, see the next section, but for now, what can not be removed under any circumstances:

• 🚫 com.miui.home – Launcher (main interface) MIUI).
• 🚫 com.android.settings - Settings.
• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (responsible for permissions and updates).
• 🚫 com.google.android.gsf – Google Services (without them, the Play Market will not work).

💡

Removing system applications through standard settings MIUI It's not possible. ADB root.

Step-by-step: how to remove unnecessary applications

There are three ways to get rid of pre-installed programs on Xiaomi:

1. Disconnection (without removal) – suitable for beginners.
2. Removal through ADB — requires a computer but does not violate the warranty.
3. Removing root rights is risky, but it gives you complete control.

Let us consider each method in detail.

Method 1: Disabling applications (without deleting)

If you don't want to take risks, just turn off the programs that you don't need. They won't work, but they'll stay in your memory.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Select an unnecessary app (e.g. Mi Browser)

Click Disable (if the button is active)

Confirm the action.

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⚠️ Limitations:

• Not all system applications can be disabled (e.g., Mi Security).
• Disabled programs still take up space on the disk.
• Some apps (such as Mi Video) may be enabled on their own after the update. MIUI.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

This is the safest way to completely remove the bootloader without having to unlock it.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 📥 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the platform-tools in any folder.
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (click 7 times)
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute: Adb devices (the device should appear).
5. Remove the unnecessary application by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

Example of commands for popular applications:

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


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




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.forum      # Mi Community

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It does not require root rights, but some apps (such as Mi Pay) may return after resetting or updating. MIUI. To avoid this, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mipay.wallet (flag) -k retains cache but prevents automatic recovery).

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, or TWRP, You can delete any application, including system applications:

• 🔓 Violates the warranty (if you do not hide the root).
• 💥 It can cause a “brick” (inoperability) of the phone.
• 🔄 Requires regular updates to Magisk for compatibility with MIUI.

Use:

• 📱 Root Explorer (manually delete files in the /system/app).
• 🤖 Titanium Backup (freeze or complete removal).
• 💻 ADB with root rights: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system rm -rf /system/app/MiBrowser

What happens if you remove critical applications?

Some users, in pursuit of a free space, delete everything without understanding the consequences.

Deleting com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice (a Snapdragon-powered smartphone) results in total network loss (no ringing, no internet) – a case most common among users. POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T after the failed experiments with the deblot.

If you delete something critical, but the phone still turns on, try:

1. Restore the application through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home
2. Install APK manually (for example, download) com.android.settings.apk for your version MIUI).
3. Make a reset to factory settings (but this will return all preinstalled applications).

adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab

This file can be restored by Later.-->

What Xiaomi applications can be replaced with analogues?

Many pre-installed programs from Xiaomi are inferior to third-party counterparts in functionality and speed.

Some apps (such as Mi Home for smart homes) are harder to replace because they are closely integrated with Xiaomi’s ecosystem.

• 🏠 Home Assistant (full control of devices).
• 📷 For cameras: TinyCam Pro (support for Xiaomi Mi Home Camera).

If you use POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher, many system applications (such as Mi Weather) can be simply hidden from the menu without removing them.

How to Free up Space on Xiaomi Without Deleting Applications?

If you don’t want to risk removing system programs, there are alternative ways to free up memory:

• 🗑️ Cache cleaning: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (can release up to 1-3 GB).
• 📁 Transfer of applications to SD-map (if supported): Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change.
• ☁️ Use of cloud storage: 📎 Google Photos (Automatically uploading photos). 📎 Mi Cloud (5GB) is free for Xiaomi users).
• 🔍 Search and removal of duplicates: 📱 Appendices: Files by Google, CCleaner. 🖥️ On PC: Duplicate Cleaner (for deep cleaning).

Another effective method is to disable automatic download of updates for unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Remove Updates (if the button is active).
4. Turn off Auto Update in the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro), disabling updates for system applications can lead to errors in the work MIUI. In this case, it is better to use ADB complete removal.

💡

If you need to free up less than 1GB of storage, it is better to use cache cleaning and transfer files to the cloud. Deletion of applications is justified if less than 3-5GB is free.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi