MIUI 11: What apps can be removed on Xiaomi and whether it is worth it

Upgrading to the MIUI 11 shell often brings not only new visuals and features, but also additional software baggage that many users consider unnecessary. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the issue of space optimization, since preinstalled services can take up a significant amount of internal memory.

In this article, we will discuss in detail which applications can be removed on Xiaomi with the MIUI 11 shell to free up resources without risking disrupting the stability of the gadget. We will divide the system software into security removal categories and provide proven methods of uninstallation that do not require obtaining superuser rights (Root).

It is important to understand that MIUI is a deeply modified version of Android, where many components are interconnected.Removing critical system packages such as Security or Services & Feedback can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device or loss of functionality.

Analysis of pre-installed software in MIUI 11

Xiaomi’s shell is famous for its rich out-of-the-box functionality, but it also brings in a host of services that may not be needed in a particular region, most notably Chinese counterparts to popular Western services, as well as the ad modules built into the system, many of which run in the background, consuming battery power and Internet traffic.

System applications fall into several categories by importance. There are those that make the phone a brick, those that can be turned off, and those that can be safely removed. Users often confuse system processes with user processes, afraid to touch the unnecessary. However, competent cleaning allows you to significantly speed up the smartphone and make the interface cleaner.

MIUI 11 has a similar package structure to previous versions, but new service components have been added. Before deleting, check if you are using Xiaomi ekosistemu. If you are not using the Mi Cloud cloud or the theme, the services can be eliminated.

It is worth noting that some applications labeled as system are actually common. APK-files that are simply embedded in the firmware by the manufacturer, and they are deleted painlessly, unless you touch the framework's underlying libraries.

Secure list of applications for removal

There is a list of packages that have been time-tested and community-tested to be removed in MIUI 11, which do not affect the basic functionality of calls, SMS and mobile Internet, primarily analytics services, ad modules and Google duplicate services.

Special attention should be paid to applications with names that contain the words "Ads", "Analytics" or "Msa"; they are responsible for collecting statistics and displaying ads in the system interfaces, disabling or removing them is the first step to comfortable use of the device, and you can also remove standard tools if you are used to more functional counterparts from the Play Market.

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Before removing system applications through ADB, it is recommended to make a full backup of data, as standard recovery may not return remote system packages.

Below is a list of the safest components to remove, broken down by category:

• 📉 com.miui.analytics is a system analyzer that collects data about device usage.
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer is a standard video player. VLC or MX Player, taking up extra space.
• 🎵 com.miui.player is a standard music player, and can be deleted if you use Yandex.Music or Spotify.
• 🌐 com.android.browser – the standard browser MIUI. Safely removed if you use Chrome or Firefox.
• 📊 com.miui.miservice is a service and feedback app often used for advertising and error reporting.

Removing these packages won’t disrupt the core functionality. However, if you’re actively using thematics or built-in screen recording tools, it’s worth checking for dependencies. In MIUI 11, some system utilities may depend on having the underlying libraries, so delete them one by one and check for stability.

Applications that are not recommended to be removed

Despite the desire to free up space, there is a category of applications that can lead to unstable system operation or complete loss of functionality. In MIUI 11, the integration of Xiaomi services is very deep, and some processes seem useless only at first glance.

It is strongly advised not to remove packets associated with your phone, messages, contacts, and system framework. Even if you plan to use third-party launchers and Dialers, system components should stay in place for the hardware to work properly.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages with names com.android.phone, com.miui.securitycenter, and com.xiaomi.finddevice.Removing Security will deprive you of access to permissions settings and memory cleanup, and removing Device Search will make it impossible to find your phone when you steal.

Also, refrain from removing Google Play (GMS) services if you use them, which are more integrated in global firmware versions than in pure Android, and a deletion error can cause instant messaging notifications and banking apps to stop working.

Be careful about removing MIUI Cloud components, if you store contacts or photos there, deleting sync will result in data loss, and it is better to disable sync in your account settings than to delete the packet itself.

Methods of removing system applications

To remove system applications in MIUI 11 standard tools are not enough. You won't find the "Delete" button in the application management menu for system packages. There are two main ways to do this: using a computer with a computer. ADB-drivers or installation of specialized applications with access rights.

The first is through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is the most reliable and secure method, which does not require Root rights. It allows you to remove applications for the current user, effectively hiding them from the system, but leaving the possibility of recovery when you reset, and you need to include debugging over USB in the "Developers" menu.

The second way is to use uninstaller applications, such as System App Remover or Similar Apps, which require root rights, which is more risky, because an error can lead to the need to flash the device. ADB preferable.

The connection and removal process is as follows:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Go to Settings. → The phone. → 7 times press on "Version" MIUI».
2. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
4. Run the command line on your PC and type the command to delete: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet.

Table of conformity of packets and their functions

To avoid confusion about packet names that often don't match the app names on the screen, use the following table to help identify the component before removing it.

When working with a spreadsheet, always double-check the name of the package. In different versions of MIUI (Global, Chinese, Indian) the names may differ slightly. If you are not sure about the purpose of the package, you should search the description on the Internet before deleting it.

Recovery of Remote System Components

If you delete the extra one during optimization or the system starts to work incorrectly, it is important to know how to get it back, because we removed the applications for the current user (ADB method), the data about them remained in the system partition and they can be reactivated without losing data.

To restore, you just need to run a reverse command through ADB. This will return the application to the installed list and restore its icon on the desktop. If you removed the application with Root rights completely, only resetting to factory settings or flashing it will help.

The recovery team looks like this:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

This command forces the Android package manager to re-register the application for the current user.This works for most MIUI 11 system components that have been removed by pm uninstall.

⚠️ Warning: If after removing any component, the phone starts to go into an endless restart (bootloop), boot into Safe Mode (usually by pressing the volume button when turned on) and restore the deleted packet, or perform a data reset (Wipe Data) via the Recovery menu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The optimal strategy for MIUI 11 is to remove only explicitly advertising and duplicate services, leaving the system security and communications components intact.