What apps can be safely removed on Xiaomi to free up memory and not break the system

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO out of the box stuffed with dozens of pre-installed applications - from branded services MIUI It's a lot of them that take up precious memory, slow down the system with background processes, drain the battery, but removing some of the system applications can lead to a critical failure. MIUI, loss of functionality or even the “brick” of the device.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 What apps can be removed without risk (including hidden services)
• ⚠️ What not to touch, even if they seem useless
• 🛠️ 3 methods of removal (by hand, through the ADB, via deblotter)
• 📱 Features for different versions MIUI (12/13/14 hyperos)
• ⚡ How to Recover a Remote if Something Has Go Wrong

All instructions are tested on current models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5) with the latest firmware versions. 2020 Check the compatibility of the methods at the end of the article.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi?

The manufacturer installs pre-loaded software (bloatware) for three reasons:

1. Partnerships: Companies like Google, Facebook, or Tencent pay Xiaomi to pre-install their services, like com.facebook.appmanager. ~50MB and works in the background, even if you do not use social network.
2. Functionality MIUI. Some applications (e.g, com.miui.weather2) integrated into the system and are responsible for widgets, notifications or synchronization.
3. Regional features: In India, you'll find Paytm or Hungama Music, in Europe, Netflix and LinkedIn.

According to firmware analysis MIUI 14, before 20-30% The memory is occupied by applications that 90% And some of them can't be removed by standard means, they're just hidden from the menu.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-files without a backup may result in loss of access to settings (e.g., the Battery section disappears) or update errors MIUI. Always create a backup before manipulation!

List of safe apps to remove on Xiaomi

Here are the apps that can be removed without any system impact, and we've divided them into three categories:

Full list of 80+ Safe packages for your model can be obtained through a command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'xiaomi\|miui\|com\.android'

Or use ready-made lists for specific devices:

• 📱 Redmi Note 11/12/13
• 📱 POCO F4/F5/X5
• 📱 Xiaomi 12/13/14 series

⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (2026)+) Some of the packages are renamed, com.miui.weather2 I've become com.xiaomi.weather.>. Check the actual names before removing them via adb shell pm list packages.

Make a backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure the battery is charged >50%

Disable the antivirus (can block ADB)

Download the original firmware for your model-->

What can not be removed (risk of "brika")

Some system applications seem useless, but removing them leads to:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop)
• ⚙️ Loss of access to settings (for example, the "Network" section disappears")
• 📵 Failure of camera, sensors or sound
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (due to power management failure)

Never remove these packages:

If you accidentally delete one of these packages, don't restart the device! immediately go to Remote Applications Recovery.

adb shell dumpsys package <packet> | grep "required"

If the answer is with "required"=“True” means the application is critical to the system.-->

3 Ways to Remove Unnecessary Apps on Xiaomi

Depending on your skills and device model, you can use:

1. Standard removal (without root)

Suitable for user applications (for example, Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Show all applications".
3. Select an unnecessary application → "Delete" (if the button is active).

❌ Most system applications cannot be removed this way – the button will be inactive.

2. Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

Allows you to remove hidden system applications that are not displayed in the menu.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📥 Utilities. ADB and Fastboot

Step-by-step:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times until you say "You're a developer" → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
4. Check the connection: Adb devices should show the serial number of your device.
5. Remove unnecessary package (example for Facebook): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.appmanager Flag --user 0 Delete the application only for the current user (without root).

🔹 How do you know the exact names of the packets:

adb shell pm list packages | findstr "xiaomi\|facebook\|google"

3. Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

It gives you maximum freedom, but it's risky.

• ✅ Any applications, including critical ones, can be removed.
• ❌ The error can lead to a "brick" (inoperability of the device)
• ⚠️ The warranty is lost (if you do not return the stock firmware)

Instructions:

1. Get root through Magisk (instructions for your model look at the XDA Developers).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
4. Delete folders with unnecessary apps (e.g. Facebook, MiVideo).
5. Reset the device.

💡

Use the method ADB (It's safer and allows you to recover remote applications through the adb shell cmd package install-existing command. <packet>.

Features for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

With the release of new firmware, Xiaomi is changing the structure of system applications.

MIUI 12/13 (2020–2022)

• 🔹 Most applications can be removed through ADB without consequence.
• 🔹 These versions also have com.miui.analytics, which can be safely removed.
• 🔹 Dangerous packages: com.miui.systemAdSolution (manages advertising in the Internet) MIUI) — Removal will lead to errors in settings.

MIUI 14 (2023)

• 🔹 New system applications for HyperOS have appeared (e.g. com.xiaomi.hyperos).
• 🔹 Removing com.miui.freeform breaks multitasking.
• 🔹 Safe to delete: com.miui.miservice (Mi Credit), com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop).

HyperOS (2026–)

• 🔹 Many packages have been renamed (e.g, com.miui.weather2 → com.xiaomi.weather).
• 🔹 A new control center (com.xiaomi.controlcenter) has appeared – its removal will break the notification panel.
• 🔹 Before removal, check the dependencies with the adb shell dumpsys package.

For HyperOS devices, we have prepared a separate list of secure packages (see below).

How to Restore Remote Applications

If something goes wrong after removal, use one of the following methods:

1. Recovery through ADB (unless the package is critical)

Follow the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <name packet>

Example of Facebook App Manager recovery:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.facebook.appmanager

2. reset via Fastboot (if the system doesn't boot)

Suitable if the critical package has been removed and the phone is not switched on or is fixated on the logo.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect to your PC and execute: fastboot flash system system.img (substitute system.img to the current firmware file).
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

3. Flashing through TWRP (advanced)

If you have a custom recavator installed TWRP:

1. Download the full firmware for your model (.zip format).
2. Download to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Up).
3. Select "Install" → Please indicate the downloaded file.
4. Wipe the cache. → Dalvik/Cache").
5. Reboot.

⚠️ Note: If it disappears again after the application is restored, it means that its removal is blocked at the firmware level. In this case, only a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

List of secure packages for HyperOS (2026)

In the new HyperOS shell, many packages have been renamed or moved, and here is a current list of apps that can be removed without risk:

🔹 How to check if the package is safe:

adb shell am start -n <package>/.MainActivity

If the application opens without errors, it can be deleted.

Frequent questions