What system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without risk to the smartphone

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI We're known for having a lot of pre-installed system applications, many of which duplicate Google's features or simply go unused, but not all of them can be removed without consequences: some are critical to the stable operation of the device, others only take up space in memory. In this article, we will understand which system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without risk, and which should not be touched, even if they seem useless.

It is important to understand that MIUI — It's not just firmware, it's a deeply integrated ecosystem where many services are interconnected, like deleting the Mi Account app can lead to data synchronization issues, and getting rid of Security can lead to security vulnerabilities. MIUI 12-14 on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra and have compiled an up-to-date list of safe to remove apps, as well as those that are best left intact.

Before you start cleaning the system, make sure you have a backup of the data (can be created through Settings). → The phone. → Also check if the bootloader is unlocked, without which some applications will not be deleted even with root permissions. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to disabling unnecessary services through the settings.

Why Xiaomi has so many system applications

Shell MIUI Originally designed as an alternative to Android, it has many of Xiaomi’s own services integrated into it:

• 📱 Duplication of Google features: Xiaomi is creating its own analogues of Google Play Services, Chrome, YouTube and other services to reduce dependence on American companies (relevant to China).
• 🔒 Ecosystem Control: Apps like Mi Account, Mi Cloud or Xiaomi Community link users to a brand and make it easier to collect data for behavior analysis.
• 🛠️ Additional features: Services like Game Turbo or Second Space expand the capabilities of the smartphone, but not all of them use.
• 💰 Monetization: Bloatware applications often contain ads or affiliate integrations (e.g., Mi Browser with promo banners).

According to the study XDA Developers, Xiaomi smartphones have an average of 30 to 50 system applications, of which the user actively uses no more than 10 to 15. The rest either work in the background (consuming resources) or never run at all. Some are critically important:

• 🔄 Update (Updater, System Update).
• 📶 Mobile network and Wi-Fi (TeleService, WifiService).
• 🔋 Power Management (PowerKeeper, BatteryManager).

Before you delete anything, check if the application falls into these categories. In the next section, we will discuss in detail which system applications can be removed without risk, and which can only be disabled.

List of safe for removing system applications

Here is a list of apps that can be removed without any impact on your smartphone, and we have divided them into categories by functionality and indicated which ones can be uninstalled even without root rights (via Settings). → Applications, and which will require additional tools such as ADB magisk.

Attention! Even "safe" apps can be linked to other services. For example, removing Mi Browser won't affect system stability, but it can break integration with Mi Account when bookmarking syncs. If you're not using these features, feel free to delete.

The full list of apps that can be removed depends on the smartphone model and version. MIUI. For example, on POCO F3 Safely remove com.miui.hybrid (hybrid services), and on the Redmi Note 11, this can lead to interface errors. To determine exactly what to touch, use the App Inspector utility (available on Google Play) to analyze dependencies.

⚠️ Attention! If you uninstall an application that is used by another system service (e.g. com.miui.systemAdSolution for ad blocking), this can lead to persistent error notifications or even a bootloop (a looped reboot). ADB team:

adb shell dumpsys package com.name.packet

To simplify the process, we have prepared a checklist with steps to securely remove:

Check out the smartphone model and version MIUI|Create a backup copy of the data|Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if root is needed)|Use it. ADB or Magisk for deletion (not manually via file manager)|After removal, restart the device and check for stability.-->

Applications that cannot be removed under any circumstances

Some system applications are critical to MIUI operation, and their removal may result in:

• 🔄 Unable to boot the system (bootloop).
• 📵 Loss of mobile or Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge due to power management failures.
• 🔒 Security blocks (for example, inability to unlock the screen).

Below is a list of “untouchable” apps that can’t be removed even with root rights:

It is particularly dangerous to remove applications related to authentication and hardware management, such as com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice (on Qualcomm smartphones) which is responsible for the modem, and its removal will result in loss of the modem. IMEI Inability to connect to the mobile network even after flashing.

⚠️ Attention! If you accidentally delete a critical app and your smartphone stops loading, don’t try to restore it through fastboot without experience.In 80% of cases, this leads to complete data loss.

If you are in doubt whether you can delete an application, use the database. XDA or specialized forums such as 4PDA. They often publish up-to-date lists of safe packets for removal for specific models.

💡

Before removing the system application, try to disable it through settings (Settings) → Annexes → Select an application → If the smartphone is stable for 2-3 days, you can delete it.

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

There are several ways to remove system applications on Xiaomi, which differ in complexity and requirements, and we will discuss three main methods: through settings (for regular applications), using the help of the system. ADB (for system without root and through Magisk (for deep cleaning).

Method 1: Remove via settings (without root)

This method is suitable for applications that Xiaomi allows you to uninstall without additional permissions, such as Mi Music, Mi Browser or Mi Video.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search).
3. Click on it and select "Delete" (if the button is active).
4. Confirm action. Some applications can only be "Disabled" -- that will also reduce the load on the system.

If there is no “Delete” button, then the application is protected and one of the following methods will be required.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to remove system applications without obtaining superuser rights, but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.This method works on most Xiaomi devices with an unlocked bootloader.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download from Google website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (CMD) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

1. Enter the command to delete (replace com.name.packet with the desired one):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.name.packet

Example for Mi Browser:

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

If the command is executed without errors, the application will be removed for the current user (without completely erasing from the system).

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.name.packet

Method 3: Removal via Magisk (with root rights)

If you have root access (received through Magisk), you can remove system applications directly from the file system, which is the riskiest, but also the most effective method.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (e.g. MiBrowser) and rename it by adding.bak (e.g. MiBrowser.bak) at the end.
4. Reset the device.

The advantage of this method is that the application is completely removed from the system, freeing up space. The disadvantage is that if you are careless, you can break the firmware. Always back up the folder before you delete it!

💡

If after removing the system application, the smartphone began to brake or overheat, most likely, a critical process was disrupted: Try to return the application back or reset to factory settings.

How to disable system applications without removing

If you don't want to risk the stability of the system, but you want to get rid of unnecessary services, you can turn them off, and it will stop them from working and hide them from the menu, but it won't delete files.

• ✅ No risk of breaking the system.
• ✅ Free RAM (as applications do not run).
• ✅ It's easy to get it back.

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video).
3. Click "Disable" and confirm the action.

Applications disabled:

• 🚫 They won't be on the menu.
• 🚫 They will not consume resources in the background.
• 🚫 No updates will be received.

List of apps that can be safely disabled (even if they can’t be removed):

• 💳 com.miui.mipay (Mi Pay) is a payment service that is only relevant to China.
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm (Game Turbo) – if you don’t play mobile games.
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video) – if you use YouTube or VLC.
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – statistics collection (disabling does not affect the work).

Some applications (for example, com.miui.daemon) can not be turned off – this will lead to malfunctions in the work. MIUI. If the “Disable” button is inactive, the service is critical to the system.

adb shell pm hide com.name.packet

This will hide them from the interface completely, but will not delete the files.-->

What to do if after removing system applications, the smartphone began to work unstable

If you've had a problem after cleaning the system, don't panic. Most of the time, you can fix it without flashing it over. Below is a symptom-based algorithm.

1. The smartphone is not turned on (bootloop)

If the device is stuck on the logo MIUI or Redmi, which means that the critical app has been removed:

• 🔄 Hard reboot: press the power button for 10 to 15 seconds, sometimes it helps if the failure is temporary.
• 📱 Recovery mode: pinch the power + Volume up, select Wipe Data. Attention! This will delete all data from internal memory.
• 💻 Fastboot Flashing: If the reset doesn’t help, swipe the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on the Fastboot Fastboot). 4PDA or XDA).

2. Mobile network or Wi-Fi is missing

Most likely, an application associated with a modem or network services (e.g., com.android.phone or com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice) has been removed.

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes networks recover after a reboot.
• 📶 Check the settings. APN (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)). If the list is empty, you will have to restore the firmware.
• 🛠️ Restore the Remote Application through ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.name.packet

3. Rapid battery discharge or overheating

This may be caused by a failure in power management services (e.g. after deleting com.miui.powerkeeper).

• 🔋 Check the battery consumption statistics in Settings → Battery: If a process consumes more than 20 percent, it's probably not working properly.
• 🧹 Clear the cache with Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
• ⚡ Reverse to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot if the problem has occurred after the update.

If none of the methods worked, contact the Xiaomi service center or the forum. 4PDA — They often help with recovery after unsuccessful manipulation of system files.

⚠️ Attention! If you have removed an application related to DRM-Keys (e.g. com.widevine.software), this may result in loss of Widevine support L1. As a result of Netflix, Disney+ Other services will no longer play content in Full HD. To return L1, You will need a complete reflashing with data formatting.

Alternative ways to free up space without removing system applications

If you don’t want to risk the stability of the system, but you need to make room, there are a few safe alternatives:

• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Cache data and press "Clean." This can free up 1-3 GB of space.
• 📁 Transfer of applications to SD-card: if your smartphone supports Adoptable Storage, you can expand internal memory by means of a memory card.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (if you trust Xiaomi).
• 🔍 Search for large files: use applications like Files by Google or SD Maid to find and delete unnecessary files (e.g. old ones) APK photo-duplicate).

Another effective way is to disable Google's pre-installed services if you're not using them.

• com.google.android.apps.magazines (Google Play Books).
• com.google.android.videos (Google Play Movies)
• com.google.android.music (Google Play Music)

Use the same command for this. ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines

This will free up an additional 100-300MB and reduce background activity.

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Before you delete system applications, check how much space they actually take up. Often, junk like cache or temporary files takes up more space than the preinstalled programs themselves.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi