Mi Daemon on Xiaomi: What is this process and can it be removed?

If you've ever looked into the Task Manager on a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed a process called Mi Daemon (or com.xiaomi.midrop) that is constantly hanging in the background, consuming RAM, and sometimes even appearing on the list of active applications. What is it - a virus, a system component or unnecessary "junk"? And most importantly: can it be removed to free up the resources of the phone?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what Mi Daemon is responsible for, how it is connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem, and the risks of shutting it down. You will also learn how to check if this process caused brakes on your device, and what to do if it behaves suspiciously.

What is Mi Daemon on Xiaomi?

Mi Daemon is the system service that runs the Mi Drop function (formerly known as Mi Share), a proprietary Xiaomi technology for fast file sharing between brand devices over a local area network (Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth).

• 📱 Send photos from your phone to your Xiaomi laptop without the Internet;
• 🎵 Transfer music or documents to another smartphone Redmi/POCO;
• 🖥️ Sync data with Mi Band smartwatch or Mi TV TV.

Technically, com.xiaomi.midrop is a background daemon that constantly “listens” to the network in anticipation of file requests, it starts automatically when the device is turned on and operates in hidden mode, even if you have never used Mi Drop.

It’s important to understand that it’s not a virus or spyware, but it can be questionable, especially if you’re not using file sharing, and on some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), it consumes up to 50 to 80 MB of RAM in the background.

Why does Xiaomi need this service?

Xiaomi is actively developing its own ecosystem of devices, and Mi Daemon is one of the key elements of this infrastructure.

1. Competing with AirDrop.Apple has long offered iPhone users a convenient file sharing experience through AirDrop.Xiaomi has created a similar tool for its devices to keep audiences in its ecosystem.
2. Simplify synchronization: Mi Drop allows you to quickly transfer data between your smartphone, tablet, laptop or Xiaomi TV without using cloud services or cables.
3. Smart Home Support: The service is used to configure and update Mi Home devices (such as light bulbs, robot vacuum cleaners or cameras).
4. Marketing: The more users use branded services, the harder it is for them to switch to devices from other brands.

But there’s a downside: not all Xiaomi owners need this feature, for example, if you only have one gadget brand or prefer cloud services (Google Drive, Telegram), then Mi Daemon becomes useless ballast.

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If you often transfer files between Xiaomi devices, try an alternative, the LocalSend app (available on Google Play), which works on the same principle but without background processes and supports cross-platform sharing (including iPhones and PCs).

Can you remove Mi Daemon from Xiaomi?

Technically, removing this process is possible, but on devices with a locked bootloader, it will lead to critical system failures, because com.xiaomi.midrop is part of MIUI firmware, and forced removal of it violates the integrity of the OS. The consequences may be as follows:

• ⚠️ Cyclical Bootloop – The phone will be constantly switched on and off;
• ⚠️ Loss of functionality – Mi Drop, Mi Home, and some system settings will stop working;
• ⚠️ Blocking Updates – the device may stop receiving OTA-updates.

There are only two safe ways to get rid of Mi Daemon:

1. Disable auto-start (without root) – the process will not start automatically, but will remain in the system;
2. Delete using Magisk (requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights) – suitable for advanced users.

If you're not willing to risk the stability of the phone, you might want to limit yourself to the first option, and we'll go into detail on both.

How to turn off Mi Daemon without root (Step-by-step)

If you're not using Mi Drop, you can stop the process from running in the background. It won't remove it completely, but it will reduce the system load. Here's how to do this:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management | Find Mi Drop (or Mi Share) in the list |Tap on Battery → Select Limit Background Activity |Go back and click Prohibit Autostart |Reboot phone-->

After this, Mi Daemon will not start automatically when you turn on your phone, but it can be activated when you:

• Attempt to transfer the file via Mi Drop;
• Connect to a Mi Home device (e.g., a smart light bulb)
• Update the firmware (sometimes the system resets the restrictions).

To check if the process is disabled, use the Task Manager (for example, built-in MIUI or a third-party application like Simple Task Manager). If com.xiaomi.midrop does not appear in the list of active processes, everything is done correctly.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) After disabling Mi Drop, you can stop working the functions of fast synchronization with Mi Band or Mi True Wireless Earbuds. If you use these gadgets, it is better not to limit the background activity of the service.

Removing Mi Daemon with root rights (for advanced ones)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can completely remove Mi Daemon without risk to the system.

1. Install the App Systemizer module for Magisk (available in the module repository).
2. In the module settings, find com.xiaomi.midrop and select Uninstall.
3. Reboot the phone.

Alternatively, use ADB with superuser rights:

adb shell


su




pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

After deleting, check the system's health. If errors occur (for example, Mi Home settings do not open), restore the deleted package through a backup or re-flash the phone.

What to do if Mi Daemon loads the processor or battery?

Sometimes Mi Daemon starts consuming abnormally high resources, such as 20 to 30 percent of the CPU, or quickly drains the battery.

• 🔄 looping the process – for example, if the phone is constantly trying to connect to a non-existent device;
• 📡 Problems with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth — The service actively scans the network in search of other gadgets;
• 🐞 Firmware bug – especially relevant for bets MIUI.

Here's how to solve the problem:

1. Clear the cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Drop → Storage and click Clear Cache.
2. Reset network settings: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
3. Update the firmware: Check for updates in Settings → About phone → System update.
4. Reverse to the stable version of MIUI (if you use beta firmware).

If the problem persists, try temporarily disabling Mi Drop and watching your phone's behavior throughout the day.

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Mi Drop.
2. Turn off the slider Enable Mi Drop.

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If after the Mi Drop was turned off, the battery was held longer and the phone was running smoother, then this service was the problem, in which case it can be safely limited or removed (if there is root).

Mi Drop Alternatives: What to Replace?

If you’ve decided to get rid of Mi Daemon, but still need a convenient file sharing between devices, consider these alternatives:

If you care about speed and simplicity, LocalSend is the best choice, and it works on the same principle as Mi Drop, but without being tied to the Xiaomi ecosystem and without background processes.

⚠️ Note: When using alternative file transfer services, disable Mi Drop in settings. Multiple applications can cause conflicts and increase battery consumption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Daemon