Mi Drop on Xiaomi: what is the application, is it necessary and how to remove it

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably noticed in the list of applications the strange name Mi Drop. Many users wonder: what kind of program is it, why is it needed and why takes place in the memory of the device? Especially relevant question about deletion — can you get rid of Mi Drop without consequences for the system?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Mi Drop is, how it works on different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), what alternatives exist for transferring files between devices, and most importantly, whether it can be deleted without disrupting the stability of the smartphone, and you’ll find step-by-step uninstallation instructions (including hidden system methods) and answers to frequent questions about the security of this process.

What is Mi Drop and Why is it Used?

Mi Drop is a proprietary application from Xiaomi designed to wirelessly transfer files between MIUI-based devices (as well as some Redmi and POCO models), essentially analogous to Apple’s AirDrop or Google’s Nearby Share, but optimized for the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Mi Drop can be exchanged quickly:

• 📷 Photos and videos (including large files)
• 📄 Documented (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
• 🎵 Music and audio files
• 📁 Folders and archives
• 📱 Contacts and other data

The app uses Wi-Fi Direct for transmission, which provides high speeds (up to 10-15 MB/s in ideal conditions) and does not require an Internet connection.

First, it only works between Xiaomi devices (or MIUI-enabled ones). Second, the latest versions of MIUI 13/14 have Mi Drop functionality partially duplicated by the built-in Quick Share, making it less popular. Finally, many users complain about the unstable operation of the application, especially when transferring large files.

Pros and cons of Mi Drop: whether to use

Before deciding whether to remove Mi Drop or not, let’s weigh its advantages and disadvantages, which will help you understand how useful the application is for you personally.

If you’re actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (e.g., you have multiple brand devices), Mi Drop may be useful, but for most users, it becomes an unnecessary ballast, especially if you prefer alternative ways to transfer files (e.g., Telegram, cloud storage or USB-C cable).

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Mi Drop is only convenient for owners of several Xiaomi devices, and in other cases it can be replaced with more versatile solutions.

Can you delete Mi Drop without system consequences?

This is the most popular question among Xiaomi users, and the answer is yes, but with reservations. Mi Drop is a system application, but it is not critical for MIUI.

• 📵 Loss of the main functions of the smartphone (calls, SMS, web-based)
• 🔄 Failures in other applications
• 🔧 Violation of system updates

But there are nuances:

1. MIUI Version: On MIUI 12 and older, the removal is smooth, and on earlier versions (e.g. MIUI 11), minor interface glitches are possible.
2. Delete method: If you simply “disable” an application through settings, it will remain in memory. To completely remove it, you need root or ADB permissions.
3. Recovery: After resetting or updating MIUI, the application can return.

If you don't plan on using Mi Drop, you can remove it, but first, let's look at the alternatives, and if one of the solutions is more convenient, we can take a look at the alternatives.

Mi Drop Alternatives: What to Replace for File Transfer

If you're going to get rid of Mi Drop, it's logical to pick a replacement.

For most users, the best solution is:

• 🔹 Quick Share – If you only share files between Xiaomi devices.

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If you often transfer files to the PC, set up FTP-server via the MiXplorer or Solid Explorer application, which will allow you to manage your smartphone files both over the local network and over the Internet.

How to remove Mi Drop: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to remove Mi Drop, varying in complexity and requirements. Choose the right one depending on your skills and the version of MIUI.

🔧 Method 1: Uninstall without removal (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to disable the app, but not remove it completely, and this will prevent automatic recovery from updates.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management

Find Mi Drop in the list and open its page

Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active)

Confirm the action and restart the smartphone-->

⚠️ Note: The disabled application will still take up space in memory (about) 30-50 MB), but will not waste resources and appear on the menu.

🔧 Method 2: Removal through ADB (rootless)

For a complete root-free removal, you will need an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method that works on all versions of MIUI and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

command-line

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.midrop

Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The application may come back. In this case, repeat the procedure.

🔧 Method 3: Removal with root rights (for experienced ones)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and root installed (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Mi Drop permanently using a file manager with superuser rights (for example, Root Explorer).

Algorithm:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/MiDrop or /system/app/MiDrop.
2. Delete the MiDrop folder (or rename it to the MiDrop_bak backup).
3. Clear the cache to /data/data/com.miui.midrop.
4. Reset the device.

Problem 3: Quick Share does not work after Mi Drop is removed.

On some firmware, Quick Share depends on Mi Drop components. If this function stops working after deleting, restore the application via ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.midrop

Use alternative methods of transferring files from Section 4.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Drop