What apps can be removed on Xiaomi: the full guide to cleaning MIUI

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

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are famous not only for their powerful hardware for adequate money, but also for their abundance of pre-installed software. Some of these applications are really useful — like Security (system protection) or Mi Video (player with support for all formats), but the lion’s share of programs duplicate the functions of Google services, impose advertising or simply never use.

The problem is that even after you completely reset to the factory settings, all of these applications come back — they're sewn into the firmware. However, some of them can be safely removed, freeing up to 1-3 GB of memory and reducing background activity. The main thing is not to overdo it: removing system components can lead to MIUI malfunctions.

In this article, we will examine:

• 🔍 What applications can be removed without risk to the system
• ⚠️ What programs should not be touched (even if they seem unnecessary)
• 🛠️ Removal methods: from manual through ADB automatically MIUI Optimizer
• 📱 Features for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.)

Top.-10 Unnecessary applications on Xiaomi that can be removed

Starting with the safest list, programs that duplicate Google’s features or are rarely used by most users, and removing them will not affect MIUI stability, but will make room and reduce background activity.

• 📺 Mi Video is a branded video player. You can replace it with a video player. VLC or MX Player, if you like them better, non-system, uninstalled without repercussions.
• 🎵 Mi Music is a standard music player. Alternatives: Spotify, YouTube Music, Poweramp.
• 📖 Mi Browser is a browser from Xiaomi with ads. Better use Chrome, Firefox or Brave.
• 📦 GetApps is a branded app store. It's useless if you use Google Play.
• 📡 Mi Remote is a remote control for technology, useful only if you have smart Xiaomi devices.
• 📝 Notes are standard notes. You can replace them with Google Keep or ColorNote.
• 📅 Calendar is Xiaomi's calendar. duplicated by Google Calendar.
• 📷 Mi Community is a support forum for Xiaomi, only if you're actively communicating there.
• 🎮 Games is a center for optimization games. It's useless if you don't play mobile games.
• 📈 Analytics -- collection of usage statistics, you can turn it off without any consequences.

These apps aren’t critical to MIUI work, but some of them (like Mi Video or Mi Music) can be useful if you don’t want to install third-party counterparts.

💡

Before you delete your applications, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. This will help you restore your system if something goes wrong.

Xiaomi System Apps: What Can Be Deleted and What Cannot Be Deleted

Now, let's move to the more risky territory, the system applications that are responsible for MIUI, some of which can be removed, but this can lead to loss of functionality. Others are absolutely not to be touched.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting Security or Mi Account may result in the inability to update the system, reset your password, or lock your device. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to simply disable these applications through the settings.

Be especially careful about apps with names that include com.miui, com.android or com.xiaomi in the package. For example, com.miui.gallery is a standard gallery, and removing it will deprive you of the ability to view photos without third-party software.

How to remove unnecessary applications on Xiaomi: 3 working ways

There are several ways to get rid of unnecessary software on Xiaomi, and the choice of method depends on your level of training and desire to dig into the system settings.

1. Disconnect via settings (the safest way)

If you don't want to take risks, just turn off the apps that you don't need, and that won't free up space on the drive, but it will stop the background activity and remove them from the menu.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action.

2. Removal via ADB (for power users)

This method allows you to completely remove system applications, but requires a computer connection and basic ADB knowledge.

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)

Install ADB drivers on PC

Connect the phone to the computer and allow debugging

Download Platform Tools from Google

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After preparation, execute commands in the terminal:

adb devices


adb shell




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser # Example: deletion of Mi Browser




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop # Deletion of Mi Share

A complete list of removal packages can be found online for your Xiaomi model.Be careful: the wrong command can uninstall a critical app!

3.Using MIUI Optimizer (Automatic Cleaning)

For those who don’t want to mess with ADB, there’s MIUI Optimizer (formerly Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools) utility that lets you remove unnecessary apps in a few clicks, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Download the program from the official website, connect your phone and select the desired applications to remove. The utility will create a list of safe packets for removal.

💡

Delete via ADB or MIUI Optimizer is irreversible! If you uninstall something important, the app can only be restored through a full reset or flashing.

What happens if you remove the system application?

The consequences depend on which app you delete, and here are the most common problems.

• 🔄 System Updates Are Not Working If You Delete Updater or Mi Account.
• 📱 Desktop icons disappear when Launcher is removed.
• 🔒 Facial unlock/print does not work – if you touch Biometrics.
• 📶 Mobile network disappears when TeleService or SimToolkit is deleted.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – if you remove PowerKeeper (power optimizer).

In most cases, the system can be restored by installing the remote application back through ADB or resetting the phone to factory settings. However, some errors (such as removing Settings) can lead to a device “brick”.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro) Deleting com.miui.analytics can lead to persistent errors in Google Play Services. If you notice that after cleaning the application began to fly, try returning the deleted package.

Features for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are the same – on some models, removing certain apps can lead to unexpected consequences.

📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12

On these devices, you can safely remove:

• 🎵 Mi Music (replaced with Spotify)
• 📺 Mi Video (alternative — VLC)
• 📡 Mi Remote (if you do not use an IR port)

But you can't touch:

• ❌ com.miui.voiceassist (voice assistant, responsible for some screen locking functions)
• ❌ com.miui.yellowpage (system component for the operation of services)

📱 POCO X3/X4/X5

POCO often pre-installed partner litter (e.g. Netflix, Facebook, LinkedIn) that can be removed without consequences.

• ❌ com.poco.launcher (standard launcher, deletion will lead to black screen)
• ❌ com.miui.glove (responsible for navigation gestures)

📱 Xiaomi 12/13/14

Flagship models are more protected from "hand curves." Here you can delete:

• 📊 Analytics (collection of statistics)
• 📦 GetApps (Xiaomi store)

But you can't.

• ❌ com.miui.hybrid (hybrid services, responsible for the work) MIUI)
• ❌ com.miui.systemAdSolution (ad blocker, its removal will return banners)

💡

On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14), some system applications are protected from removal even through ADB. In this case, only root or custom firmware will help.

How to avoid returning remote applications after updating?

One of the biggest problems with MIUI is that once you update the system, all the remote applications can come back, and there are a few ways to avoid that:

1. Turn off automatic app updates: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and disable Auto Update. Also disable app-specific updates on Google Play.
2. Use Magisk modules: If you have root rights, install Universal Debloater or MIUI Debloater, which block the recovery of deleted packets.
3. Install custom firmware: Firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS is devoid of pre-installed junk from Xiaomi, but require an unlocked bootloader.
4. Freeze apps with App Quarantine: Programs like Shelter or Island let you isolate unwanted apps without removing them completely.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system updates can deprive you of important security patches.If you decide to go this route, check regularly for critical patches manually.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi