Xiaomi Cleanup: What Apps Can Be Removed or Disabled

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face intrusive pre-installation of a lot of software. Some of these programs are really useful, but a significant percentage takes up memory and wastes battery power. The process of freeing up space becomes critical for budget models with a small amount of built-in storage.

MIUI, or the new HyperOS, is designed to make certain components unstable, but there is a proven list of utility applications that can be safely deactivated or completely removed without losing basic call functionality and the Internet. It is important to understand the difference between user data and system services.

In this detailed guide, we will discuss specific packages that are safe to remove, as well as those that are strictly forbidden to touch. You will learn to distinguish important system processes from advertising debris and optimize the operation of your gadget.

Analysis of pre-installed software and advertising modules

The first step to optimizing is to identify programs that consume resources in the background. Often, manufacturers install affiliate applications that are not part of the Android operating system. Deleting them will not cause a malfunction in the operating system.

Advertising services are often disguised as system processes, such as analytics modules that collect data about your actions for targeted advertising, disabling such components increases privacy, and users immediately notice a decrease in the number of pop-ups in standard utilities.

⚠️ Warning: Before removing any component, make sure it is not used by other critical services. Backing up important data before deep cleaning is a mandatory security rule.

It is worth considering that after a global firmware update, the list of applications available for removal may change. Some services return automatically if you do not turn off their auto-update in the GetApps store or Google Play. Regularly checking the list of installed programs helps to maintain the cleanliness of the system.

Safe to remove system components Xiaomi

There are a list of service packages that can be removed without the risk of turning the phone into a brick, which often duplicate the functionality of third-party applications or serve to promote the company's services in specific regions, and their absence will not affect the ability to make calls or log in.

Special attention should be paid to the app stores from the manufacturer. If you use only proven sources of software, programs like GetApps or Mi Video can be safely removed. They occupy a significant amount of space and are constantly hanging in RAM.

Below is a list of packages that are most often removed by experienced users:

• 📦 com.miui.analytics – an analytics service that collects data about device usage.
• 📦 com.miui.player is a standard video player that can be easily replaced by a video player. VLC or MX Player.
• 📦 com.miui.cleaner is a built-in cleaner, the functionality of which is often duplicated by third-party solutions.
• 📦 com.xiaomi.joyose – a gaming plugin that can limit performance in the background.

⚠️ Note: System components can only be removed with superuser rights (Root) or through ADB-Computer commands, and standard means can only disable them.

Importantly, removing com.android.vending (Google Play Store) will make it impossible to install new applications from official sources, and this component cannot be removed unless you plan to completely reassemble the system.

List of applications that cannot be removed

In the pursuit of free space, users often go too far, removing critical components of the Android Framework, which can lead to an endless reboot of the device or loss of communication. There is a set of packages that are strictly forbidden to touch without a deep knowledge of the OS architecture.

You can't remove the services that run the display, touchscreen, and basic communications, and if you delete the text input packet, you can't enter the unlock password, and you can only restore it through flashing.

Here are the main components that should remain intact:

• 🚫 com.android.phone – provides the job SIM-maps and calls.
• 🚫 com.android.settings – the main settings menu, without it, phone management is impossible.
• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – a security center tied to many system permissions.
• 🚫 com.xiaomi.finddevice is a search service for a device that can be deleted from your Mi Account.

Even if you don’t use the camera, it’s not recommended to remove the corresponding com.android.camera driver, as some apps (like video calls) use its libraries.

Instructions for removal through ADB without Root rights

The safest way to clean up is to use USB debugging and a computer, which doesn't require unlocking the bootloader or getting superuser rights, which keeps the device guaranteed. You'll need a USB cable and an ADB program on your PC.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and press 7 times on the MIUI build number. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging over USB." Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.

Open the command line on your computer in the ADB folder and enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen, click "Allow." Once you've successfully connected, you can start deleting.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

For example, to remove analytics, type adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics. If you are mistaken, the application can always be returned by the adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet command.

Table of comparison of methods of cleaning the system

The choice of cleaning method depends on your goals and level of training. Simply removing icons from your desktop does not free up memory, it only hides access. Complete removal through ADB gives the maximum result, but requires caution.

Let’s compare the main approaches to space optimization on Xiaomi devices:

For most users, the optimal balance is the use of ADB. This method allows you to remove exactly what you need without affecting the integrity of the system. Third-party cleaners are often the source of advertising and unnecessary workload.

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Use the command "adb shell pm list packages" to display a complete list of all installed packages, which will help you find hidden system applications that are not visible in the regular menu.

Optimization of background processes and autoloading

Once you remove the software, you have to set up the autoload of the remaining applications. Many programs prescribe themselves to start-up, slowing down the phone's turn on, and there's a built-in tool in the MIUI shell to manage this setting.

Go to Settings → Applications → Autoboot, where you can turn off all programs that should not start immediately after you turn on the screen, which will significantly speed up the device in the first minutes after waking up.

It's also worth checking application permissions. Often messengers or games request access to contacts and geolocation unnecessarily. Restricting background activity in the Battery and Performance section will help save you charge.

• 🔋 Turn off "Run in the background" for rarely used games.
• 🔋 Limit background activities for news aggregators.
• 🔋 Check which apps have permission to “Display on top of other windows".

Regularly check these settings to ensure that the phone is fast even after a year of active use, the system will not be overloaded with unnecessary tasks that the user does not even see.

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An integrated approach: garbage removal + autoboot ban + limitation of background processes gives a better result than just removing applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)