Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed applications, from useful system utilities to advertising services. Many users seek to free up memory by removing everything, but this can lead to critical system failures, update failures, or even a device “brick.” In this article, we will examine in detail which applications on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) can not be removed under any circumstances – and why.
It’s important to understand that even if an application seems useless (like com.miui.analytics), removing it can disrupt MIUI Optimization, the mechanism responsible for smooth interfaces. We analyzed Xiaomi’s official documentation, reviews of custom firmware developers and tests on devices with MIUI 14/15 to make an up-to-date list of “untouchable” applications.
Why you can’t remove system applications on Xiaomi
MIUI firmware is built on a modified Android, where system applications are closely integrated with the OS kernel.
- 🔄 Cyclical Bootloop – The device gets stuck on the Mi logo or POCO.
- 📱 Loss of functionality: gestures, theme, or camera stop working.
- 🔒 Blocking Updates: The System Refuses to Install OTA-Packages due to lack of critical components.
- 🚨 Security failures: Google Play Protect is affected or MIUI Security.
Example: Delete com.miui.home (launcher) MIUI) And it will cause you to see, after you reboot, a black screen that says, "UI system stopped." You can only restore it through fastboot or flashing it back.
⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, remove system applications via ADB Root access can lead to the inability to unlock without an official service center Xiaomi.
List of applications that cannot be removed under any circumstances
These applications are part of the MIUI Framework, which means that removing at least one of them will make the device inoperable.This list is relevant for MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS for new models):
| Package name | Displayed name | Effects of removal |
|---|---|---|
| com.android.settings | Settings | It is impossible to open the settings menu, reset to factory settings becomes unavailable. |
| com.miui.home | MIUI launcher | Black screen after reboot, there is no desktop and application menu. |
| com.android.phone | Phone. | The ability to call, send, and call disappears. SMS, work SIM-map. |
| com.miui.securitycenter | Security | All protection functions are turned off: virus scanner, application permissions, screen lock. |
| com.miui.systemAdSolution | Systemic advertising | Notifications are broken, and MIUI Optimization may fail. |
It is particularly dangerous to remove packets prefixed with com.qualcomm... (on Snapdragon processors) or com.mediatek... (for MediaTek chips), which are responsible for modems, graphics drivers and energy saving.
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Before any manipulation of system files, back up via Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi PC Suite tool.
Apps that can be disabled but cannot be removed
These services are not critical to the system, but their removal can lead to loss of functionality or conflicts with updates.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want and click Disable (not “Delete!”).
- Confirm the action – the application will be “frozen” until the next MIUI update.
- 📊 com.miui.analytics – collection of usage statistics. Disconnection is safe, but may affect personalized recommendations in the MIUI.
- 🎵 com.miui.player is a Mi Music player, and you can turn it off if you use Spotify or YouTube Music.
- 📦 com.xiaomi.midrop – Mi Drop service for file transfer. the shutdown will not affect the operation of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct.
- 📡 com.miui.bugreport is a tool for sending error reports.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.google.android.gms will render Play Market, Gmail and other apps inoperable. GMS) This package is missing.
Find the application in Settings → Applications
Check if it is system-based (no button to delete)
Press "Disable" instead of "Delete"
Reset the device to apply changes-->
How to Restore a Remote System Application
If you have already removed a critical app, there are several ways to get it back up:
- Through Mi PC Suite: Connect your phone to your PC, launch Mi PC Suite, and select System Restore.
- Through ADB (for advanced users): adb shell cmd package install-existing <packet> Launcher example: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home.
- Fastboot Firmware: Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com and stream it through the Mi Flash Tool.
On devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights, you can restore the application via TWRP by copying the corresponding.apk file to /system/priv-app/ and setting the correct resolutions (chmod 644).
What if the phone does not turn on after removing the system application?
Xiaomi models with features in system applications
Some devices have unique system components, the removal of which leads to specific failures:
- 📱 POCO F5 / Redmi K60: com.poco.launcher – Deletion will result in loss of navigation gestures POCO Launcher.
- 🎮 Black Shark 5/6: com.blackshark.gamemode — responsible for Shark Space's performance mode. Removal will disable turbo mode in games.
- 📺 Xiaomi Pad 6: com.miui.notes – integrated with the split screen function.
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+: com.xiaomi.camera – Deleting will block the main camera, but leave the workers with an ultra-wide module (due to duplicate drivers).
On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), you can’t delete packets prefixed com.xiaomi.hyper – they are responsible for the new architecture of interaction between applications and the kernel of the system.
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On HyperOS devices, even disabling some system applications can cause crashes due to the tight integration with the system. AI-functions (e.g. com.xiaomi.ai.asst for voice assistant).
What happens if you remove Google apps on Xiaomi?
Global versions of Xiaomi pre-installed Google services (GMS), their removal has different consequences:
| Package | What happens after removal? | Can we restore it? |
|---|---|---|
| com.google.android.gms | Play Market, Gmail, YouTube, and push notifications will stop working. | Yes, through flashing or installing GApps. |
| com.google.android.gsf | You can’t add a Google account, your contacts sync will go off. | Yeah, but you're gonna need a reset. |
| com.google.android.tts | Voice input and voiceover in MIUI will disappear. | Yeah, through APKMirror. |
On Chinese versions (China) ROM) These packages are not available initially, but can be installed manually through Google Installer (available on APKMirror). MIUI They might disappear again.
Alternatives to Deletion: How to Free Your Memory Without Risk
Instead of removing system applications, use these methods:
- Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache Data and click Clear. This will free up to 1-3 GB without consequences.
- Transfer of applications to SD-Map: In Settings → Apps select the application and click Transfer to SD (not available for all applications).
- Use Lite versions: Replace heavy apps (like Facebook) with Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite.
- Disable autoboot: In Settings → Battery → Autoboot, disable unnecessary applications from starting when the system starts.
For advanced users: ADB can reduce the size of system applications by removing unnecessary resources (e.g. language packs).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <pack>The --user 0 flag removes the application only for the current user without affecting the system.
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On HyperOS devices, MIUI Security’s Deep Clean feature automatically finds and prompts you to delete unused system application files (e.g., Mi Video or Mi Browser cache).