What system applications can be removed on Xiaomi: a safe list and instructions

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed apps, many of which users never run. These programs take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even collect data about your activity. However, removing system applications is a risky process: improper actions can lead to phone malfunctions, loss of functionality or even a “brick”.

In this article, we will analyze which system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without consequences, and which should not be touched. You will learn how to distinguish critical services from unnecessary "junk", what tools to use for safe removal, and what to do if after cleaning the phone began to work incorrectly. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, where the system application structure is different from older versions.

Before you start deleting, remember that even "safe" applications can be linked to key MIUI functions through hidden dependencies. For example, deleting com.miui.analytics will disable statistics collection, but can disrupt the theme store. So always back up and be ready to restore the system.

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

MIUI was originally designed as a deeply customized version of Android, where the manufacturer sought to offer the user maximum features out of the box.

• 📦 Duplication of features: Xiaomi installs its own alternatives to standard Android apps (e.g. Gallery instead of Google Photos, Music instead of YouTube Music).
• 🌍 Regional services: Different sets of applications are available on devices for China and global versions (e.g. Mi Pay or Mi Credit are useless outside Asia).
• 📊 Data collection: Applications like MSA (Miui System Ads or Analytics track user activity for targeted advertising.
• 🤝 Partner integrations: Xiaomi collaborates with Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and other services, pre-installing their applications.

According to the study AppCensus (2023), on new smartphones Xiaomi on average preinstalled 40-60 applications, of which the user actively uses no more than 15-20. the rest either duplicate functions or work in the background, consuming up to 5-10% of battery charge per day.

It is important to understand that not all of these applications can be removed by standard means, and many of them are system-based (installed in /system) and require superuser rights (root) or special tools like ADB.

What system applications can be removed without risk?

We have compiled a list of apps that can be removed in most cases without critical consequences for the phone, but before removing it, check if you are using the associated features (for example, if you do not use Mi Pay, you can safely remove it).

The full list of “safe” apps for uninstalling includes more than 30, but we have listed the most common ones. For models on HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), some packages may have different names, and they can be checked through the ADB command:

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

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Before you delete any application, check its name in Settings → Applications → Application Management. Sometimes one application can be responsible for several functions (for example, com.miui.gallery manages not only the gallery, but also the photo editor).

Be especially careful with applications whose name includes:

• 🔧 framework, service, provider are system components that will cause failures to be removed.
• 📱 Launcher, Home – Responsible for the desktop.
• 🔒 Security, guard – related to system protection.

How to remove system applications on Xiaomi

Depending on your technical skills and your phone model, there are a few ways to get rid of unnecessary apps, and we'll go from the simplest to the most complex.

1. Disconnect via settings (without root)

If you don't have superuser rights, you can disable applications, but you can't delete them completely, and that will stop them from working and free up some of the memory.

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.

Make a backup copy of the data

Check if the application is used by other services

Remember the name of the package in case of recovery

Reboot the phone after disconnecting-->

The downside of this method is that the application will remain in memory, will simply stop running, and some system applications (such as com.miui.analytics) cannot be disabled in the standard way.

2. Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

A more radical method is the use of Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root permissions, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mipay.wallet

(Replace com.mipay.wallet with the desired application package)

The advantage of this method: the application is removed only for your user (--user 0), So the system dependencies don't break down.

3. Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can remove applications directly from the system partition.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app or /system/app.
3. Find a folder with the name of the app (such as MiBrowser) and delete it.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system This can make it impossible to load your phone. Always back up the partition. /system before the changes. Recovery may require flashing through Fastboot.

An alternative way for root users to use the System App Remover app (available on the Play Market) is to remove applications that automatically back up.

What applications should not be removed (critical list)

Some system applications cannot be removed, even if they seem unnecessary, and if they are removed, they will cause a phone to malfunction, lose functionality, or be unable to turn on the device.

It is also not recommended to remove:

• 📶 Modem-related applications (com.qualcomm... or com.mediatek...) will cause network loss.
• 🔋 Power management services (com.miui.powerkeeper) – the phone will start to run out quickly.
• 🔄 Update Services (com.miui.updater) – You will not be able to install updates MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Removing some system applications may result in a bootloader lock, due to Xiaomi’s new security policy, where critical components are protected at the kernel level.

If you accidentally delete one of these apps, the only way to restore your phone is to reflash your phone via Fastboot or Recovery. Firmware instructions for your model can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.

How to restore a remote system application?

If the phone doesn't work properly after the app is removed (e.g., notifications are gone or the camera is no longer working), it can be restored. Here are three ways:

1.Recovery through ADB

If you have removed an application via ADB with a --user 0 flag, it can be returned by command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.mipay.wallet

(Replace com.mipay.wallet with your app package)

2. Install APK manually

Some apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) can be downloaded. APK-A file from APKMirror and install it manually, but this only works for custom applications, not system components.

3. Resetting settings or flashing

If a critical application is removed and the phone is not turning on or malfunctioning, you will have to:

• Make a reset to factory settings (if the phone is turned on).
• Flash your phone over Fastboot (if the reset doesn't help).

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Before any manipulation of system applications, be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or using TWRP (if installed).

To stream through Fastboot, you will need:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.
3. Run the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down).
4. Connect to a PC and flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

Alternatives to Deletion: How to Hide or Freeze Apps?

If you don’t want to risk removing system apps, there are safer ways to get rid of them:

1. Hiding through the launcher

Many launchers (such as Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher) allow you to hide applications from the menu.

1. Install an alternative launcher from the Play Market.
2. Press your finger on the desktop → Launcher settings.
3. Find the Hide Apps option and select the unnecessary ones.

2. Freeze through ADB

Instead of deleting the application, you can freeze it so that it does not start, but remains in the system:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mipay.wallet

To defrost:

adb shell pm enable com.mipay.wallet

3. Use of Magisk modules

If you have root, you can install modules for Magisk that block unnecessary apps:

• Universal Debloater – allows you to disable system applications through a graphical interface.
• Xiaomi Debloater is a specialized module for Xiaomi devices.

The advantage of these methods is that if something goes wrong, you can always return the application to working state without flashing it.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete system applications, users often make mistakes that lead to crashes, and here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

• 🔄 Removing applications related to updates (com.miui.updater) will make it impossible to install new versions. MIUI. Solution: Instead of deleting, disable auto updates in settings.
• 📱 Uninstall the launcher (com.miui.home) without it, you won't be able to open apps. Solution: install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) before removing it).
• 🔋 Remove battery services (com.miui.powerkeeper) This will speed up discharge. Solution: instead of deleting, manually disable optimization for individual applications.
• 📶 Deleting modem services (com.qualcomm...) will result in network loss. Solution: Never touch applications with telephony, radio or modem in the name.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi) K70E) Some system applications are protected by the mechanism AVB (Android Verified Boots. their removal can lead to a download lock with an Orange State error, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader and completely flash the download.

If you are not sure whether you can delete a particular application, use the following resources:

• 📌 XDA Developers – here are themes with lists of safe apps to remove for each model.
• 📌 4PDA — Russian-speaking community, where the nuances of working with Xiaomi are discussed.
• 📌 Universal Android Debloater – an open source tool for analyzing system applications.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions