After buying a new Redmi or POCO smartphone, and upgrading an existing device to MIUI 12, many users are faced with the problem of crowded memory. Xiaomi’s shell is famous for its rich functionality, but with it, many pre-installed programs, often called bloatware, are embedded in the system. These components take up space, consume RAM and sometimes even show ads.
Cleaning up the system of excess software is not just a way to free up a few gigabytes, but also a real opportunity to extend the battery life of your Mi 10, Redmi Note 9 or any other device. In this article, we will discuss which applications can be removed on the Xiaomi MIUI 12 without risking disrupting the stability of the gadget.
It's important to understand that the cleaning approach has to be smart. Not everything that's set by default is harmful garbage, but a significant amount can be safely sent to oblivion. We'll look at both standard removal methods and more advanced ADB methods for those components that are hidden from the average user.
Analysis of pre-installed software: what is what
The MIUI 12 shell divides all installed programs into several categories: the first is system components, the removal of which will cause the phone to malfunction (calls, SMS, interface), the second group is Google services, which are vital for the Play Market and navigation.
The third category that we're most interested in is Xiaomi apps and affiliate programs, which include cleaning services, browsers, music players, theme stores, and games, which are the ones that most often annoy users with their notifications and background activity.
Here is a list of categories that you can usually touch:
- 📱 Service utilities (cleaning, antivirus, if you do not use them)
- 🎮 Gaming launchers and pre-installed games
- 🛍️ GetApps and Mi Store app store
- 📺 Widgets and design themes
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations, be sure to back up your data completely. Deleting critical system files can lead to a cyclical reboot).
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Before you delete, try to simply disable the application in the settings, and if the system allows you to do this without root permissions, then it is not critical to running the OS.
Safe removal through smartphone settings
The easiest and safest way to get rid of excess is to use the built-in MIUI functionality. It doesn't require computers or complex commands. Just go to the Settings menu → Applications → All applications.
Here you will see the complete list of installed software, if the application can be removed in the standard way, the Remove button will be active, but if it is gray or absent, then the program is system-status and requires deeper intervention.
Most often, through settings, it is easy to remove:
- 🗑️ Cleaning – if you use third-party solutions
- 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video – Standard players often duplicate functionality
- 📰 Mi News – an aggregator that many people don’t use
- 🌏 Mi Browser – if you prefer Chrome or Yandex
Once you remove these components, you'll notice a decrease in the number of background processes, but to get to the hidden debris, you'll have to use the ADB method.
☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB
Advanced removal via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
Removing system components that are hidden from the user requires a computer and an ADB utility. This is Google’s official tool that allows you to manage the device at a low level.
First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version. Then, in the Additional → For developers menu, turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.
Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable. In the command line of your computer, type a command to check the connection:
adb devicesThe phone will have a debugging permission request on its screen, which you need to confirm, and once you've successfully connected, you can start deleting packets.
List of commands for removal
Top Removal Applications: Detailed List of Packages
Below is a table with the names of packages that can be safely removed on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12. Beware: package name may vary slightly depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EU).
| Annex | Package Name (Package Name) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mi video | com.miui.videoplayer | Standard video player with advertising |
| Mi Music. | com.miui.player | Built-in music player |
| Post | com.android.email | Standard email client |
| Calculator | com.miui.calculator | You can replace the Google Calculator. |
| Scanner. | com.xiaomi.scanner | A utility for QR-codes and documents |
Also worth paying attention to packages related to advertising and analytics: deleting com.miui.miservices (Mi Services) can turn off ads, but you need to do it carefully.
Do not delete packages that contain the words security, framework, or systemui unless you are 100% sure of their purpose.
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Removing system applications through ADB doesn't physically erase them from memory, it only hides them for the current user. You can always return them by resetting them to factory settings.
Risks and possible consequences of cleaning the system
Although MIUI 12 is quite resistant to deletions, interference with system files always carries risks, the most common consequence is the disappearance of icons from the menu or the inability of certain functions, for example, inability to open links from removed specific applications if the default browser is incorrectly.
Sometimes notifications or contact sync may stop working after you delete system components, this happens if a packet that depends on a remote service has been removed, for example, deleting Mi Cloud may disrupt gallery sync if you use Xiaomi cloud.
The main symptoms of problems after cleaning:
- 🔄 Constantly restarting the phone
- ❌ Errors when starting standard functions (camera, calls)
- 📉 A sharp drop in autonomy due to system process errors
- 🚫 Inability to boot to the desktop
⚠️ Note: If after deleting the packets, the phone stopped loading, you will only be able to log in to Recovery mode and perform a full reset (Wipe Data.
Alternatives: Disabling instead of Deleting
If you are in doubt about whether to uninstall a particular application, use the disable function. From the application management menu (Settings → Applications), select the desired component and click Disable.
This method has a number of advantages: the application stops running, disappears from the list of recent tasks and does not consume the battery, but remains in memory. You can turn it back on at any time with one click if you find that it is still necessary for the other program to work.
It is especially useful to disable, rather than remove, the following services:
- 📦 Package Installer – if you do not put APK manually
- 🗣️ Google Assistant – if you don’t use voice control
- 📺 Mi TV (on phones) – a service for TV management
- 📊 Usage statistics – collection of screen time data