PartnerBookmarks on Xiaomi: why you need, is it safe to delete and how to do it

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably encountered a mysterious PartnerBookmarks app on your installed list, which doesn't have a desktop shortcut, doesn't show up in the app menu, but it sticks in your memory and sometimes appears on the active process list. What is it? Why is it installed on your device without your knowledge? And most importantly, can it be removed without disrupting the system?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what PartnerBookmarks is, how it relates to the Xiaomi and MIUI ecosystem, what functions it performs (or if it does at all), and provide unique ways to remove it, including manual methods for power users, and learn how to uninstall this component and minimize the possible consequences.

What is PartnerBookmarks and why does Xiaomi need it?

PartnerBookmarks is a system application that Xiaomi integrates into the MIUI firmware for most of its devices, and official documentation from the manufacturer about its purpose is extremely scant, which has given rise to many myths.

The main functions of PartnerBookmarks are:

• 📌 Advertising integration: The app is responsible for displaying affiliate bookmarks in the Mi Browser browser and other system components. For example, when you see offers from AliExpress, Amazon or local services in the Recommended section, that's its job.
• 🔗 Anonymous statistics: captures which affiliate links users open more often to optimize their display.
• 📱 Interaction with MIUI: Provides some ecosystem functions, such as quick access to promotions in Settings → Additionally.

It is important to understand that PartnerBookmarks is not critical for the smartphone. its absence will not lead to OS failures, but may limit access to some “bonus” features from Xiaomi partners, for example, without it, you can stop showing promotions in the branded browser or offers to connect additional services.

Can I delete PartnerBookmarks without consequences?

Technically, removal is possible, but there are a few nuances: Because the app is system-based, standard methods (through Settings → Apps) will not work, and Xiaomi does not provide an official way to uninstall it, which suggests potential risks.

What happens when you delete PartnerBookmarks:

The most dangerous scenario is loss of MIUI functionality, but it is unlikely. 95% of the time, deletion is without critical consequences, especially if you do not use Xiaomi’s branded services (for example, prefer Google Chrome over Mi Browser), but it is recommended to back up the data before the procedure.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with a blocked bootloader, removing system applications can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the phone. Check the lock status through the command fastboot oem device-info.

Removing PartnerBookmarks: From Simple to Complex

There are several ways to get rid of PartnerBookmarks, varying in difficulty and rights required, and we'll look at them in order, from the safest to the riskiest.

Method 1: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

If you don't have a superuser (root) license, but you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can turn off the app without completely uninstalling it.

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press)

Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging

Download ADB Tools

Open the command line in the folder with ADB-->

1. Connect the phone to your computer and execute the command: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified.
2. Enter the command to disable: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.partnerbookmarks
3. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, PartnerBookmarks will stop working, but will remain in memory. To return it, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.partnerbookmarks

Method 2: Removal by root rights

If you have Magisk or another root access manager installed on your device, you can uninstall the app completely:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/PartnerBookmarks or /system/app/PartnerBookmarks.
3. Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the PartnerBookmarks_bak).
4. Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Cash.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 Pro) the folder may be in /product/priv-app/. Before deleting, check its presence through a search in the file manager.

Method 3: Use of custom firmware

If you're ready for radical measures, you can reflash the device to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where PartnerBookmarks is not available by default.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 Compatible firmware for your model.
• 🔧 Knowledge of fastboot and TWRP.

Detailed firmware instructions can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. remember that this voids the warranty and may result in data loss.

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Before you run the firmware, save a list of installed applications using the adb shell pm list packages -f command. This will help restore them after you install the new OS.

What to do if there are problems after removal

In rare cases, deleting PartnerBookmarks may cause problems, such as:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
• 📱 System applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Security).
• 🔌 Loss of connection to Xiaomi servers (synchronization errors).

If you are experiencing these problems, try the following steps:

Step 1: Recovery through ADB

If the phone is turned on but not all features work, return PartnerBookmarks with the command:

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

This command will restore the application from the backup in the firmware.

Step 2: Resetting settings

If the failures are critical (for example, constant reboots), reset to factory settings:

1. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe Data → Factory Reset.
3. Confirm the action.

This will delete all user data, but return the system to working condition.

Step 3: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot

If the reset does not help, you will have to reinstall the official firmware:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone in fastboot mode.
3. Run the command: fastboot flash all name file.img

⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, flashing through fastboot may require authorization of your Mi Account.

Alternative Ways: How to Hide PartnerBookmarks Without Deleting

If the risks of deleting you are frightening, but the app is annoying, you can compromise:

Method 1: Freeze with Titanium Backup

The Titanium Backup app (requires root) allows PartnerBookmarks to be “freezed” so that it doesn’t start, but stays in the system:

1. Open Titanium Backup and find PartnerBookmarks in the list.
2. Click on it and select Freeze.
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: Limiting activity through settings

Without root, you can limit the activity of the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find PartnerBookmarks (could be called com.miui.partnerbookmarks).
3. Select Limit Background Activity and Disable Notifications.

Method 3: Use of an alternative launcher

If you're annoyed by affiliate bookmarks in Mi Browser, install a different browser (like Google Chrome or Firefox) and make it your primary browser. This won't remove PartnerBookmarks, but it will reduce its impact to zero.

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Even if you don’t delete PartnerBookmarks, limiting your activity through your Android settings reduces battery load and traffic by 5 to 10%.

Myths and Truths About PartnerBookmarks

There's a lot of rumors going around this app, and we're going to look at the most popular ones.

Myth 1: PartnerBookmarks spy on users

🔍 Truth: The app does collect data, but only anonymous statistics about the use of affiliate links; it does not have access to personal data (photos, messages, contacts) and does not transfer information to third parties without your consent. All data collections are governed by Xiaomi’s privacy policy.

Myth 2: Deleting PartnerBookmarks will speed up your smartphone

⚡ Truth: The app only takes 5 to 15 MB of memory and consumes minimal resources, and removing it will not give a noticeable increase in performance, but it can free up several megabytes of storage. MIUI These are usually associated with MiuiDaemon and SecurityCenter background processes, not PartnerBookmarks.

Myth 3: PartnerBookmarks can be removed without root

🛠️ Technically yes, but only through ADB (Complete deletion of application files without superuser rights is impossible, as they are in a secure system folder. /system/priv-app/.

Myth 4: After removal, all MIUI functions will stop working

📱 Truth: This is an exaggeration. The absence of PartnerBookmarks can only disrupt functions that are directly related to affiliate services (e.g., promotions in the browser). MIUI (Themes, gestures, settings will remain intact.

FAQ: Frequent questions about PartnerBookmarks