What apps can be removed from Xiaomi Redmi: a safe list to clean up memory

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones out of the box come with a pre-installed set of applications, many of which users never run. These programs take up precious memory, consume battery resources in the background and can slow down the device. However, not all of them can be removed without consequences: some system services are critical to the stable operation of MIUI.

In this article, we will discuss which programs can be safely removed from Xiaomi Redmi (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5, etc.) and which should not be touched. You will learn how to distinguish system applications from unnecessary software, what tools to use for uninstallation, and what to do if problems arise after removal.

It is important to understand that even β€œsafe” to remove programs can affect individual functions – for example, disabling Mi Video will deprive you of a standard video player, and removing Mi Browser can disrupt the web preview in some menus.

Why Xiaomi Redmi has so many pre-installed programs

Xiaomi completes its smartphones with a large number of proprietary software for several reasons:

  • πŸ“± Ecosystem MIUI: Apps like Mi Home, Mi Fit or Xiaomi Cloud sync with other devices of the brand (smart watches, lamps, robot vacuum cleaners".
  • πŸ’° Partner agreements: Some programs (e.g. Facebook, Netflix, or regional services) are contracted to partners, and they generate additional revenue for Xiaomi.
  • πŸ› οΈ Functional redundancy: MIUI It duplicates many Android features – for example, there is Google Chrome, Mi Browser, and Quick Ball for quick access.
  • 🌍 Regional features: Local services are pre-installed in firmware for different countries (for example, Mi Pay for India or Mi Credit for some Asian regions).

According to MIUI 14 firmware analysis, up to 30-40 apps can be removed from the box without critical consequences, but about 10-15 of them are system-based and can cause failures, from the inability to update the OS to the complete failure of the smartphone.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi Redmi model do you use?
Redmi Note 12/13
Redmi 10/11
POCO X5/F5
Redmi 9/9A
Another model

What applications can be removed without risk

Below is a list of programs that most users delete without consequences, and we have divided them into categories by purpose:

CategoryTitle of the annexPackage name (package name)What happens after removal?
Social mediaFacebookcom.facebook.katanaThe icon will disappear, but the functionality remains through the browser
Music and videoMi Musiccom.miui.playerThere won’t be a standard player, but you can use Google Play Music or Spotify.
browsersMi Browsercom.android.browserThe browser selection window will open when clicking on links
Utilities.Cleaner (Purifier)com.miui.cleanmasterThe built-in cache cleaner will disappear (can be replaced with CCleaner)
GamesGame Centercom.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.serviceGame notifications and optimizations will stop working

The complete list of packages for your model can be obtained through the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep 'xiaomi\|miui'

How to check if an application is system? Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management and notice the icon next to the name: if it is gray and it says "System", you can not delete it without root rights.

Check the smartphone model and version MIUI|Make a backup copy of important data|Write down the names of the deleted packets|Make sure the application is not system-based|Prepare alternative software (e.g., another browser)-->

Ways to remove unnecessary programs

There are several methods to uninstall pre-installed software on Xiaomi Redmi, depending on your technical skills and willingness to risk the stability of the system.

1. Standard removal through settings

The safest way, but only works for custom apps (e.g. Facebook, Netflix):

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
  3. Press "Delete" (if the button is active).

2. Disconnection via ADB (no root)

For system applications that cannot be removed in the standard way, the ADB disablement method is suitable. This does not delete the program completely, but makes it inactive:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster

Where com.miui.cleanmaster is the application package (see table above).

How to enable USB debugging for ADB
1. Go to Settings. β†’ About the phone and 7 times click on "Version" MIUI". 2. Return to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers. 3. Activate "Debugging by" USB" and confirm the PC's approval.

3. Complete removal with root rights

⚠️ Warning: This method requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, which cancels the warranty and can lead to a "brick" of the device (completely inoperable!

To remove system applications from root, Root Explorer or the command:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Applications




mount -o ro,remount /system

What programs should not be removed (critical list)

Some system services are necessary for MIUI to work, and their removal may result in:

  • πŸ”„ Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
  • πŸ“΅ Network loss (mobile internet or Wi-Fi will not work).
  • πŸ”‹ Fast battery discharge (due to power management failures).
  • πŸ”’ Impossibility of updating firmware.

Below is a list of forbidden packets (even from root):

Name of servicePackage name (package name)Effects of removal
Miui System UIcom.android.systemuiDisappear notification panel, lock screen, launcher
Settings (Settings)com.android.settingsIt will be impossible to go to the device settings menu
Security (Security)com.miui.securitycenterApp permissions, antivirus will stop working
Frameworkcom.miui.frameworkSystem crash at boot (bootloop)

πŸ’‘

Before removing any system package, check it out on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums, which often publish up-to-date lists of safe-to-uninstall applications for specific Redmi models.

What to do if there are problems after removal

If after cleaning the smartphone began to work unstable, follow this instruction:

  1. Restart the device – sometimes the failures are temporary and disappear after the reboot.
  2. Check the error log in Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Book of errors MIUI.
  3. Restore the Remote Application with ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.cleanmaster
  4. Reset settings (if crashes are critical) through Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Restore and Reset.
  5. Fly the device through the Mi Flash Tool (last option if nothing helps).

⚠️ Note: If after removing the system package, the smartphone stopped turning on (bootloop), the only way out is through Fastboot or EDL-It's going to require a PC, the original one. USB-cable and firmware for your model.

πŸ’‘

Always back up your data before you delete your applications, and use Mi Cloud or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root).

Alternatives to Deletion: How to Hide or Freeze Unnecessary Programs

If you don’t want to risk system stability but want to get rid of intrusive applications, consider these methods:

  • ❄️ Freeze through ADB (App stays but doesn't work: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster To defrost: adb shell pm enable com.miui.cleanmaster
  • πŸ‘οΈ Hiding from the menu with a launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher).
  • πŸ”• Limiting background activity in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Permits β†’ Auto-start.
  • πŸ“΅ Block notifications in each application settings.

These methods allow you to β€œdisable” unnecessary software without physically removing it, which is safer for the system, for example, freezing the Mi Browser will not disrupt MIUI, but will free up RAM.

Xiaomi Redmi models with the most junk apps

Firmware analysis shows that some Redmi models are equipped with particularly large amounts of pre-installed software, with the following leading β€œclutter” models:

  • πŸ“± Redmi Note 12 Pro+ β€” Up to 45 unnecessary packages (including regional services for India and China).
  • πŸ“± Redmi 10C/10A β€” Many duplicate applications (for example, two browsers, two music players).
  • πŸ“± POCO X5 Pro – preinstalled games and affiliate applications (e.g. LinkedIn, Agoda).
  • πŸ“± Redmi 9 Activ – Older versions MIUI with reduced ability to remove system packets.

These models are particularly relevant to clean, as they often have limited storage (32-64 GB).For example, on Redmi 10A with 32 GB, users report that after removing 10-15 applications, up to 1.5-2 GB of space is freed up.

πŸ’‘

For models with low memory (32 GB), it is recommended not only to remove unnecessary programs, but also to transfer applications to the Internet. SD-card (if supported) or use cloud storage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing programs on Xiaomi Redmi

Can I remove Miui Daemon (com.miui.daemon)?
No, it's a system process that handles MIUI background tasks, and if it's deleted, it'll cause notifications, synchronizations, and other services to crash.
How to return a remote system application without firmware?
If the application has been removed through ADB (command pm uninstall, it can be restored by the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet If the deletion was through root, you will need flashing or manual copying APK-file /system/priv-app/.
Why does the battery quickly go down after removing the applications?
This can be due to: Removal of power optimization services (e.g. com.miui.powerkeeper); failure of Doze Mode; activity of remaining system processes that try to access remote packets; solution: check the list of remote packets and restore critical ones for power management.
Can I remove Google Services (GMS) from Xiaomi Redmi?
Technically, yes, but it's highly discouraged. Deleting Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) will lead to: Play Market, Gmail, YouTube, push notification problems (no messaging from instant messengers), many apps (banks, maps, taxis) that you can't use, if you're going to get rid of Google, consider a GMS-free MIUI firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), but note that this will require unlocking the bootloader.
How do I know which app takes up the most memory?
Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Storage. This shows a list of programs sorted by place you occupy. Alternatively, you can use Files by Google or SD Maid for detailed analysis.