What Xiaomi Apps Can Be Removed Without Consequences: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why are there so many unnecessary apps in Xiaomi smartphones?

Every Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO owner sooner or later faces the same problem: after buying a new smartphone, a dozen or more pre-installed apps are found on the menu, which not only take up space, but also consume battery power in the background. Where do they come from?

The fact is that Xiaomi’s MIUI, the company’s shell, was originally designed to be based on the Chinese market, where users are actively using the company’s own services. However, for international versions of firmware, many of these applications remain useless. In addition, Xiaomi works with partners (like Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn) who pay for the pre-installation of their programs, and you get a smartphone with duplicate functionality: two browsers, three galleries, four messengers and a bunch of system utilities that you will never open.

But can you just remove them? That's where the challenges begin. Some applications are system-based and MIUI-related -- removing them can cause crashes, errors, or even build-ups of the device. Others are safely uninstalled without any consequences, and the main challenge is to learn how to distinguish the former from the latter.

How to determine which application can be removed and which can not

Before you start cleaning your smartphone, you need to understand what type of apps you're dealing with. All programs in MIUI fall into three categories:

• 📱 Custom apps are those you installed yourself from Google Play or other sources, and can be removed without any fear.
• 🔧 System applications are pre-installed by Xiaomi, which are responsible for the operation of the shell. Some of them are critical, some of them are not.
• 🛡️ Secure system applications – those that cannot be removed by standard means (root or permissions required) ADB).

To check which category an application belongs to:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want and look at the Remove button: If the button is active, the application is user-generated or securely removed system. If the button is gray or missing, the application is protected.

Showing System Processes

⚠️ Note: If the application description indicates that it is responsible for MIUI System, Security or Framework, you can't delete it, and this can lead to loss of functionality (e.g., gestures, themes, or notifications will stop working).

List of safe to remove Xiaomi apps (2026)

Below is a current list of apps that can be removed on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (MIUI 14/15 firmware based on Android 13/14). Before removing, make sure to check if you are using the functionality of these programs - some of them can be useful in certain scenarios (for example, Mi Video for playing video in high resolution).

Some apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Pay) can only be removed if you’re not using their functionality, for example, if you have a Yeelight smart lamp or a Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner, removing Mi Home will result in loss of control.

Check if the application is used in everyday tasks |

Backup important data (contacts, photos, settings) |

Make sure there is an alternative (e.g. Google Chrome instead of Mi Browser)|

Remember the name of the package (useful for recovery through the ADB)-->

How to remove system applications correctly: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to get rid of unnecessary programs, there are two main ways: through standard settings (for custom and some system applications) and through ADB (for secure system applications).

Method 1: Remove via settings (without root)

This method is suitable for applications where the Remove button is active:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. Press Remove (if the button is inactive, try Disabling – this will stop background activity).
4. Confirm the action.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

If the device appears on the list, go ahead. If not, check the drivers.

1. Enter the command to delete (for example, for Mi Browser):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Where com.android.browser is an application package (see table above).

1. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It doesn't erase the application completely -- it stays on the system, but it becomes inaccessible to the current user, which means that after resetting or updating the settings. MIUI The app can come back. To delete it permanently, root rights are needed, but this is insecure and can lead to problems with O TA-updates.

💡

If the application reappears after the MIUI update after you delete it via ADB, repeat the procedure. To avoid this, turn off automatic updates to system applications in Settings → Applications → Auto Update.

What Xiaomi Apps Should Not Be Removed (Risks and Consequences)

Not all system applications are harmless, some of which are critical to MIUI's stability, and their removal can lead to:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
• 📵 Network loss (mobile internet or Wi-Fi will not work).
• 🔕 Sensor failure (gestures, gyroscope, proximity sensor will not work).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (due to power management failures).

Here is a list of apps that you should not touch:

If you accidentally deleted one of these apps, try restoring it via ADB with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home

(replace com.miui.home with the right package) If that doesn't work, it's just a factory reset or a Fastboot flash.

💡

Even if the app seems unnecessary, check its name in the table above before you delete or look for information about it on forums (like 4PDA or XDA Developers).

What to do if after removing the applications the phone began to glittle?

If you have removed something extra and your smartphone is unstable, there are several ways to get it back:

1.Recovery through ADB

If you have removed the application through ADB, try to return it with the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing [application package]

For example, to restore the Mi Browser:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

2. Reset to factory settings

If the system is severely damaged, only a complete reset will help:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password from your Mi Account if it is linked).

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all your data, including photos, videos and installed apps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

3. Flashing through Fastboot

If the smartphone does not turn on or boots to bootloop, you will have to reflash it manually:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol− when the phone is turned off).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (For Windows, use the Mi Flash Tool.

After flashing, all system applications will return to place, but the data will also be lost.

Removal Alternatives: How to Disable Unnecessary Apps Without Risk

If you’re unsure of your abilities or afraid of breaking your phone, there are safer ways to get rid of unnecessary software:

1. Disabling applications

The disabled application will not appear in the menu and will not consume resources, but will remain in the system.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary app.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).

Limitation of background activity

If the application cannot be disabled, you can prevent it from working in the background:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart.
2. Find the unnecessary app and turn off auto-start.
3. Then go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management and select Restricted mode for it.

3. Hiding applications

If the application does not interfere with the work, but annoys with its presence in the menu, it can be hidden:

1. Press the app icon on your desktop.
2. Choose Hide (if this option is available in your launcher).
3. Or use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) that lets you hide apps.

4. Freeze through ADB (without removal)

If you don’t want to delete the app permanently, but want to stop it working, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 [application package]

To defrost:

adb shell pm enable [application package]

These methods allow you to get rid of intrusive programs without the risk of damaging the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi