Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the problem of crowded memory and intrusive advertising, which are the source of preinstalled programs. MIUI interface is rich in functionality, but along with useful tools, the system is built into a variety of services that the average user may not need. The question of which applications can be safely uninstalled, is especially acute for models with a small amount of built-in storage.
Incorrect removal of system components can lead to unstable gadget work, errors in the notifications or even a cyclical reboot. It is critical to understand the difference between user software, system utilities and Google services. In this article, we will discuss the safe list for cleaning and methods that will help make room without risking turning the phone into a brick.
Many users mistakenly believe that the standard Remove button is available for all elements, but the system hides access to the removal processes. ADB-Teams or specialized tools like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Below is a detailed analysis of the components that can be disposed of.
Analysis of standard user software
The first group of programs to be removed is the default default set of applications that the developer installs, which is the browser, music player, gallery, voice recorder and calculator, and if you plan to use alternative solutions from Google or third-party developers, native MIUIs can be eliminated. They don't affect the launch of the operating system.
The GetApps app store is a Google Play analog that is often used to distribute ads and push-intelligence in the interface. If you don't use the Xiaomi ecosystem and download themes from there, disabling or removing this component will significantly reduce visual noise. Deleting GetApps does not disrupt basic system functions, but can disable automatic updates of themes and fonts.
Also worth considering are standard multimedia applications. FM-Radios often duplicate the functionality of the programs you installed, and removing them frees up space and removes unnecessary icons from the menu. However, before uninstalling, make sure you have an alternative, as it can be difficult to restore them through a standard store without a Mi Account.
- 📱 Mi Browser – often contains news feeds and advertisements.
- 🎵 Mi Music is a standard player, replaced by any analogue.
- 📷 Mi Gallery is a gallery that can be replaced by Google Photos.
- 📹 Mi Video - video player with built-in online services.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a standard Gallery or Music Player, make sure your media files are not tied solely to the cache of those apps, otherwise accessing them may become more difficult.
📊 What type of apps you delete first?
Standard (browser, player)
Advertising Services (MSA, Mi Credit)
Google services
Only unused games
System services and advertising modules
The most annoying factor for many users is the ads embedded in the shell, which are responsible for the display of specific system processes that are not visible in the usual application menu, the key element here is the MSA service (MIUI System Ads), which is responsible for displaying banner ads in standard utilities such as Explorer, Cleanup and Security.
Another important component is Mi Credit (or Mi Pay in some regions), which is responsible for the work of the service. NFC-payments through the Xiaomi ecosystem and displaying the corresponding widgets.If you do not use Mi Pay cards and prefer Google Pay or Samsung Pay, this module can be deaktivirovat. its removal does not affect the basic work. NFC-chip for transferring files or pairing with headphones.
Analytics collects data on device usage and sends it to the company's servers to improve products. For users who value privacy, turning it off is a priority, and Feedback, an error reporting app that can consume resources in the background, is also worth looking at.
Access to these services often requires a shift to hidden menus, such as manually disabling ads without deleting them, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Accessing personal data and finding the relevant items, but deleting them completely through ADB gives a more guaranteed result.
List of packages for removing advertising
com.miui.msa.global (Advertising Service)|com.miui.analytics (Analytics)|com.miui.personalassistant (Widget Tape)|com.miui.hybrid (Fast Apps)> Google Services and Cloud Storage Global firmware are actively integrated with Google services. For most users, they are necessary for the Play Market, YouTube, Gmail and contact synchronization. However, there are components that you can do without. For example, Google TV (formerly Play Movies) and Google Music (Play Music) are not already fully connected to the cloud services. Removing the Mi Cloud sync won’t affect your ability to log in to search for a device, but it will remove background activity. Google Go or lightweight versions of maps are often pre-installed on budget models. If you have enough memory and a powerful processor, it’s better to use full versions of apps and lighter ones to remove. They take up space and can update in the background, consuming traffic. Component Security Deletion Function Impact on com.google.android.apps.tachyon Google Duo (video calls) Safe No (if not used) com.google.android.apps.photos Google Photos Safe No (if there is a replacement) com.miui.cloudservice Mi Cloud Safely disables synchronization Mi Cloud com.android.chrome Chrome Browser Safe No (if there is another browser) Tools for secure uninstallation with Standard UI Tools you can not remove system applications. USB The most reliable and popular method is to use a platform. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is Google's official tool that lets you control your device from your PC. You need to activate the developer mode to get started. To enable debugging, go to Settings. → About the phone and press 7 times on the item Version MIUI. After that, the “Additional” menu will appear in the “For developers” section, where you need to activate the “Debugging by” item. USB». And when you connect your smartphone to your computer, you can send commands to delete packets. There are also graphical shells that make it easier. ADB/Fastboot Tools allows you to visually select applications from a list and delete them with one click, which reduces the risk of error in the syntax of commands. ADB on a computer operating system Windows, macOS or Linux. ☑️ Preparation for removal of system applications Enable debugging by USBInstall drivers ADB Make a backup of data Charge the phone to at least 50%Completed: 0 / 4 The command to remove is as follows: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 Where the package name is the technical name of the application (e.g. com.miui.msa.global) It is important not to confuse the packages, as removing the system bootloader or interface (com.miui.home) will cause the menu to fail. Despite the desire to free up space, you should remember the limits of what is allowed. Removing critical system libraries such as SystemUI, Settings, or Package Installer will cause the phone to stop responding to touch or not be able to install new apps. Recovery is possible only through a full Hard Reset, and some remote components may be required when upgrading to a new version. MIUI In rare cases, after a firmware update, remote system applications can return, as the flashing restores the original partition state. /system. ⚠️ Never remove applications that have the words “Security”, “Framework”, “Telephony” or “Input” in their name unless you have a deep technical knowledge of their function. If after removing any component you notice strange behavior (no sound, alarm clock does not work, brightness is reset), the best solution is to immediately reset the settings to the factory. So before starting a mass cleanup, always back up important data to an external medium or to the cloud. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can I delete Google Play Services? No, Google Play Services is absolutely not allowed to be deleted. This service, which provides push notifications, geolocation in third-party applications, authorization in the account and banking applications, its removal will cause 90% of programs on the smartphone to fail. Will remote applications return after updating MIUI? Yes, when updating the firmware "over the air" (OTA), the system partition is often overwritten, and the remote applications can be saved through the ADB, however, the user can not use the standardized ones? Using aggressive cleaners on MIUI is often inefficient and even harmful. The system itself can manage memory. Third-party cleaners can force the process to be restarted, which leads to a re-start and only increases battery consumption. Better use the built-in Security tool. What if the phone went into a cyclical reboot after removal? You need to reset to the factory settings via Recovery Mode. To do this, turn off the phone, press the volume button and power button, wait for the menu to appear, and select Wipe Data. This will delete all data, but restore the system to work.