What apps can and should be removed on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: a complete guide to cleaning the system

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9A is slowing down and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget phones on the market, but over time even it begins to slow down. The main reason for the slowdown is a clogged system with unnecessary applications that run in the background, consume RAM and battery power. The manufacturer installs on the device a lot of preloaded programs (so-called bloatware), which are rarely used but are constantly updated and take up space.

The Redmi 9A features modest specifications: the MediaTek Helio G25 processor, 2-3 GB of RAM and 32-64 GB of internal memory. In such conditions, each extra application takes away the resources necessary for smooth operation. Removing unnecessary software will not only free up space, but also prolong battery life, reduce device heating and speed up the launch of frequently used programs.

However, not all applications can be removed without consequences. Some system services are critical to the stable operation of MIUI, the branded shell of Xiaomi. In this article, we will discuss which programs are safe to remove, and which are better to disable or freeze, so as not to disrupt the functionality of the smartphone.

What applications can be removed without risk to the system

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a lot of apps out of the box that duplicate the features of standard Android services or are not used at all by most users. Deleting them will not affect the phoneโ€™s operation, but will significantly unload the system.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Mi Browser is a branded Xiaomi browser that duplicates Google Chrome. Deletion will free up to 150 MB and eliminate annoying advertising in the search bar.
  • ๐ŸŽต Mi Music is a standard music player, if you use Spotify, Yandex Music or VK Music, this player can be safely removed.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Mi Video is a video player from Xiaomi, replaced by any other player (for example, the video player, VLC or MX Player).
  • ๐Ÿ“– Mi Reader is a book reader app, only useful if you are actively using Xiaomiโ€™s built-in library.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Game Turbo is a game optimization utility. 9A With its modest iron, it is practically useless and only takes up space.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Analytics is a service for collecting usage statistics, sends data to Xiaomi, but does not affect the user experience.
  • ๐Ÿ›’ Mi Pay is Xiaomiโ€™s payment app, which doesnโ€™t work in Russia, so it can be removed without consequences.
  • ๐Ÿ“ข Mi Community is a Xiaomi user forum. If you don't communicate on the official forum, the app is useless.

These programs are not system-based, they are not critical, and if you delete them, they won't crash, but they will save you 300 MB to 1 GB of memory depending on the number of updates. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Manage applications, select the desired and click "Deleteยป.

๐Ÿ“Š You have removed pre-installed apps on your Xiaomi?
Yeah, deleted almost everything.
I just removed the most unnecessary.
No, I'm afraid to break my phone.
I don't know what to remove.

System applications that are better not to be removed (but can be disabled)

Some programs in MIUI seem unnecessary, but they are actually related to key functions of the system, and removing them completely can lead to interface errors, network connectivity problems, or even โ€œperpetual loadโ€ of the phone, but most can be turned off so that they donโ€™t waste resources.

Here is a list of apps that are strongly discouraged from being removed, but can be deactivated:

AnnexWhat is responsible for?What happens when you remove it?Safe action
Security (Security)Antivirus, memory cleaning, protection from fraudstersLack of protection against malware, inability to clean the cacheDisable autostart
Mi AccountSynchronization of data with Xiaomi accountLoss of access to cloud storage, inability to unlock the phone when resetDisable notifications
System LauncherMain screen and application menuThe phone will not boot or will show a black screen.Don't touch it.
Settings (Settings)Managing all phone parametersInability to change system settingsDon't touch it.
Google Play ServicesGoogle Apps (YouTube, Gmail, Maps)Mistakes in most programsUpdate to the latest version

To disable an unnecessary system application, go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management, select the program and click โ€œDisable.โ€ This will stop it from working, but will not delete files. If necessary, the application can be activated again.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If the phone starts to work unstable after the system application is turned off (for example, the Internet is lost or settings stop opening), immediately return it to active state. MIUI They are dependent on each other, and their disconnection can cause a chain reaction of failures.

How to remove applications that are not removed in the standard way

Some pre-installed programs on Xiaomi Redmi 9A are protected from removal through the settings menu, but can be uninstalled using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but allows you to get rid of even the most persistent applications.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

  1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

Download and install ADB

Platform Tools by Google

Open the command line.

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

To find out the name of the package of the desired application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, to remove Mi Browser, type:

adb shell pm list packages | grep browser

The system will show something like com.android.browser โ€“ thatโ€™s the name of the package.

Download Platform Tools on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Connect the phone to the computer

Check the connection of the team `adb devices`

Find the name of the application package

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โš ๏ธ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can cause your phone to be unstable if you delete something critical. Before the procedure, back up your data and make sure you know which packet you're deleting. You can only restore the remote application through a full reset.

What applications can be frozen instead of deleting

If you're not sure if an application can be safely removed, or if you want to keep it recoverable, use freezing. This method disables the program, but doesn't erase its files. At any time, you can unfreeze the application and return it to working condition.

To freeze, you'll need a super-user app (root) or a special utility like App Quarantine (no root required). 9A:

  • โš™๏ธ Mi Drop is a file transfer service between Xiaomi devices, and if you donโ€™t use this feature, you can freeze it.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Mi Remote is a remote control. Useless if you don't have Xiaomi's smart appliances.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Cleaner is a built-in cleaning utility that often works aggressively and removes useful data.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Updater - Update Service MIUI. If you donโ€™t want to receive automatic updates, you can freeze it (but remember, this increases the risk of security vulnerabilities).
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Quick Apps is a fast app service that takes up resources but is rarely used.

App Quarantine (available on Google Play) is a root-free app that creates a quarantine zone where you can send unnecessary programs, and the main advantage of this method is that it can quickly return the application to operation if you need it.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before freezing your system application, check its description in Google Play or in Xiaomi forums. Some services (such as Google Play Services) may seem unnecessary, but disabling them will disrupt other programs.

How to Free Up Additional Space After Deleting Applications

Removing unnecessary programs is only the first step to optimizing the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. To minimize the system, do a few more steps:

  1. Clear the app cache: Go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ App management. Select any app and click Clear the cache. Use the built-in Cleaner (unless you have previously frozen it) for mass cleaning.
  2. Delete Unnecessary Files: Open the Files app and go to Download folders, DCIM, Pictures.Delete old photos, videos, APK-Files and documents that are no longer needed.
  3. Move applications to a memory card: If you have a microSD installed, move some programs to it through Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Storage. Note that not all applications support card porting.
  4. Turn off autoboot of unnecessary programs: Go to Settings โ†’ Battery and Performance โ†’ Autostart Management. Turn off autorun for social networks, instant messengers and other programs that shouldnโ€™t work in the background.

After this manipulation, you will notice that the phone is faster and the battery lasts longer, and cache cleaning is especially effective โ€” it can free up from 500 MB to 2 GB of memory, depending on the intensity of the smartphone use.

What if the phone is still slowing down after cleaning?
If removing applications and clearing the cache didnโ€™t help, try the following steps: 1. Factory reset (pre-back up data). 2. Updating MIUI to the latest version โ€“ sometimes the lags are caused by software bugs that are fixed in new firmware. 3. Disabling animations through developer mode (in Settings โ†’ For developers, set all animation settings on โ€œOffโ€). 4. Using lightweight alternatives to standard applications (for example, Nova Launcher instead of the standard launcher).

What not to do when cleaning Xiaomi Redmi 9A

In the pursuit of memory freedom, some users make mistakes that lead to irreversible malfunctions in the phone. Here's what you absolutely can't do on the Redmi 9A:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Delete system applications without backing up, and even if you're sure you don't need it, deleting it can disrupt your work. MIUI. Always do a backup before experimenting.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Use third-party cleaners. Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner often delete useful data and may contain advertising software.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Disable Google Play Services, which will cause errors in most applications, including the Google Play Market.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Delete files manually through the file manager if you don't know what they're supposed to do, for example, deleting the Android folder in the root directory will cause the system to crash.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Resetting settings via Fastboot without understanding the process.It can turn a phone into a brickยป.

If you accidentally deleted a critical app and your phone stopped working correctly, try:

  1. Restore it via adb shell pm install-existing title.package (if the packet has not been completely erased).
  2. Perform reset to factory settings via Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Recovery and Reset.
  3. Flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

โš ๏ธ Note: If after manipulation of Redmi system files 9A stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, Do not try to solve the problem yourself. Contact the Xiaomi service center - unqualified actions can lead to complete data loss.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before any manipulation of system files, back up your system files via Settings โ†’ System & Device โ†’ Backup, which will allow you to recover your data even after you reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9A

Can I delete Google Chrome if I use a different browser?
Yes, Google Chrome can be removed if it is not the default system browser. However, some apps can open web pages through Chrome, so after deleting, assign another browser as standard in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Default Apps.
What happens if you delete your Mi Account?
Deleting Mi Account will result in loss of access to Xiaomiโ€™s cloud storage, synchronization of contacts, and the ability to unlock your phone after a reset, and if you donโ€™t use these features, you can disable the app, but you canโ€™t delete it.
How to return a remote system application?
If you have removed a system application through ADB, you can only restore it by resetting to factory settings or flashing it back up via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
Why does the phone stop after removing the apps?
Possible reasons: Not enough RAM (on Redmi 9A with 2GB of RAM lags are inevitable when multitasking); Social media background (Facebook, Instagram) - disable autostart in battery settings. Obsolete version of MIUI - check for updates in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update.
Can I remove the MIUI Launcher and install another?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. MIUI Launcher is tightly integrated with the shell, and its removal can lead to graphical glitches.It's better to install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) on top of the standard one without removing the original one.