Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed system applications, many of which duplicate Google’s features or simply go unused. Users often wonder if they can be removed to free up space in memory and reduce background activity.
In this article, we will analyze which system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without consequences, and which should not be touched, even if they seem useless. You will learn how to correctly identify "extra" programs, what tools to use for this, and what to do if something goes wrong after removal. MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and MIUI 14, as well as nuances for devices with Global, China and EEA firmware.
We warn you right away: uninstalling system applications without backup can cause some functions (such as theme, cloud backup, or gestures) to fail. If you are not ready for experiments, it is better to simply disable auto-run unnecessary programs.
Why are there so many system applications on Xiaomi?
MIUI was originally designed as a deeply customized shell over Android, and Xiaomi is actively integrating its own services into it.
- 📱 Duplication of Google functions: Xiaomi offers alternatives to standard services – its browser (Mi Browser), gallery (Gallery), music player (Music) and even launcher (POCO Launcher on some models).
- 🌍 Regional features: In firmware for China (China) ROM) There are apps like Mi Pay or Mi Video that are useless outside of China, but take up space.
- 💰 Monetization and partnerships: Pre-installed games (Mi Game Center), services (Mi Credit) or partner apps (e.g. Facebook or Netflix on some models).
- 🔧 System dependencies: Some programs (such as Security or Themes) are work-related MIUI and are removed only at risk for stability.
Interestingly, even on the “bare” Android One (as on Xiaomi Mi A3), the number of pre-installed applications is 2-3 times less, due to the fact that Google restricts manufacturers in adding excess software to devices with pure Android.
What system applications can be removed without risk?
We have analyzed hundreds of user reports and tests on Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 12T and POCO F4 devices to make a list of apps that can be uninstalled without critical consequences.
| Title of the annex | Packet name (APK) | What does the removal do? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | com.android.browser or com.mi.globalbrowser | Frees up ~50MB, removes duplicate browser | Links from the system menu will open in Chrome or another browser by default |
| Mi Music | com.miui.player | Frees up ~30MB, removes unnecessary player | System melodies (alarm clock, notifications) will remain |
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer | Frees up ~40MB, removes duplicate video player | Videos will be opened in Google Photos or another player |
| Mi Game Center | com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service | Removes game ads, frees up ~20MB | Games from the Mi Store will not be displayed in a separate section. |
| Facebook Services | com.facebook.system or com.facebook.appmanager | Remove background processes of Facebook, saves charge | Some Facebook/Instagram features may not work well |
You can also safely remove:
- 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm – Game Turbo (unless you play heavy games).
- 📺 com.miui.hybrid – Hybrid Platform (only required for some system widgets).
- 📊 com.miui.analytics – Miui Analytics (Gathering statistics, deleting improves privacy).
- 💳 com.miui.mipay – Mi Pay (only available in China).
Backup data via Settings → About phone → Backup
Make sure you have root rights or unlocked bootloader
Check the app dependency list through App Inspector (from Google Play)
Disable Auto-Run Unnecessary Apps Before Deleting-->
How to remove system applications: step-by-step instructions
There are several ways to remove system applications on Xiaomi, and we’ll look at the two most reliable ones: through ADB (without root) and with Magisk (with root).
Method 1: Removal via ADB (without root)
This method works on all devices with the bootloader unlocked and USB debugging enabled.
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB, and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
- Remove the unnecessary application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player (replace com.miui.player with the desired package).
Method 2: Remove via Magisk (with root)
If you have root rights, the process is simplified:
- Install Magisk Manager and App Systemizer.
- Open App Systemizer, find the unneeded app, and select Uninstall.
- Reset the device.
💡
Before deleting, check if the application is an addiction for other services. For example, com.miui.home cannot be deleted - this will lead to a reboot cycle!
Which system applications should not be removed?
Some programs are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal may result in:
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
- 📵 Loss of communication (calls or mobile internet will not work).
- 🔒 Screen Block (cannot unlock the phone).
Never delete:
| Title of the annex | Packet name | Effects of removal |
|---|---|---|
| System UI | com.android.systemui | Disappear notification panel, the phone will be unusable |
| MIUI Home | com.miui.home | The desktop will disappear, it will be impossible to open applications |
| Security | com.miui.securitycenter | App permissions, antivirus, memory cleaning will stop working |
| Telephony | com.android.phone | Mobile phone will disappear, calls and SMS will not work |
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after removal?
How to disable system applications without removing them?
If you don't want to take risks, but you want to get rid of intrusive programs, you can turn them off, and this will stop background activity and hide apps from the menu, but it doesn't free up space in memory.
This can be done in two ways:
- Using Android Settings: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Select an unnecessary app (like Mi Browser). Click Disable (if the button is active).
- Through ADB (for applications without the "Disable" button): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser
The apps that are disabled won't update, but their data will remain in memory. To get it back, just click Enable in the settings.
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Disabling system applications is the safest way to get rid of unnecessary software. unlike deleting, it can always be canceled without consequences.
What if something breaks after removal?
If you delete a critical app and your phone is not working properly, there are a few ways to get it back:
- Restore via ADB: Use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home (replace com.miui.home with the desired package).
- Reinstall APK manually: Download the original APK of the remote application (e.g., from the APKMirror site) and install it via ADB: adb install com.miui.player.apk
- Reset your phone to factory settings: If nothing helps, reset via Settings → About phone → Reset. Attention: this will delete all your data!
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Before experimenting with system applications, install TWRP and make a full backup through Nandroid Backup, which will save your data if something goes wrong.
Specifics for different versions of MIUI
Depending on the version of MIUI, the list of safe applications to remove may vary.
- 📌 MIUI 12 and older: Can be removed com.miui.weather2 (Weather, com.miui.notes (notes), com.miui.calculator (calculator) – they are easily replaced by analogues from Google Play.
- 📌 MIUI 13/14: New system services like com.miui.accessibility are added, which is not recommended to be touched, but you can delete com.miui.miservice (Mi Account service if you do not use a Xiaomi account).
- 📌 Firmware for China (China) ROM): They contain many unnecessary applications outside of China (com.xiaomi.payment, com.miui.cloudservice), but removing some (for example, com.miui.cloudbackup) can disrupt the cloud backup.
Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X3 pro POCO F4) There are often duplicate launchers com.miui.launcher and com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer (conductor) that can be removed if you use third-party alternatives.