What applications on Xiaomi can be removed: a complete guide to cleaning the system

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They are known for their rich functionality, but often users face a problem: too many pre-installed applications that take up memory, consume battery power and work in the background without obvious benefit. Many of these programs cannot be removed in standard ways – they are sewn into the firmware. MIUI But some of them can still be uninstalled, some of them can be at least disabled.

In this article, we will look at which applications on Xiaomi can be removed without risking system stability and which should not be touched, you will learn how to distinguish between secure to remove programs from mission-critical, which tools to use to do this (including: ADB), And we've also put together a table that breaks down categories, from completely unnecessary junk utilities to utility utilities that you can turn off when you need them.

We warn you right away: removing system applications without understanding their functions can lead to broken services (for example, no push notifications, problems with connecting to Wi-Fi or errors in the operation of the camera). If you are not sure, it is better to disable unnecessary programs through settings than delete it forever.

Why are there so many pre-installed apps on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi is actively cooperating with Chinese and global partners, which leads to the presence of dozens of pre-installed services in the firmware, here are the main reasons for their presence:

• 📱 Local services for China: Apps like Mi Pay, Mi Credit or Xiaomi Community are targeted at the Chinese market and useless outside of it.
• 🤝 Partnering Agreements: Xiaomi integrates apps from Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and other companies for a cash reward.
• 🔧 System utilities MIUI: Some programs (such as Security or Cleaner) duplicate the functions of Android, but are necessary for the shell to work properly.

According to the study by AppCensus (2023), Xiaomi smartphones are in the top-3 by the number of pre-installed software among Android devices - on average they are installed on 30–40% More apps than pure Android. 60% Users will never run from them.

⚠️ Note: On models for the Chinese market (with firmware China) ROM) The number of unnecessary applications can reach 50-70 pieces. ROM) They usually contain less “junk” but still require cleaning.

What applications can be removed from Xiaomi without consequences

We divided the software into three categories: safe to remove, conditionally safe (removable, but with reservations) and critical (cannot be removed).

1. Completely unnecessary applications (can be removed)

These programs do not affect the operation of the system and are only necessary for marketing or local services:

• 🗑️ Mi Browser is a Xiaomi browser with ads. You can replace it with Chrome or Firefox.
• 💳 Mi Pay – payment system for China (does not work outside of it).
• 📈 Mi Credit – Microloans (for India and China only).
• 🎵 Mi Music is a music player with limited functionality.
• 📺 Mi Video - Video player with advertising (better to use) VLC or MX Player).
• 📱 Mi Community – Xiaomi forum (you can use it through the browser).
• 🎮 Game Center – a game store with aggressive advertising.
• 📊 Analytics – collection of usage statistics (disabled in settings).
• 📢 MSA (Miui System Ads – Advertising Service in the MIUI.
• 📱 Mi Drop is a file transfer utility (there are analogues like ShareIt or Nearby Share).

These applications can be removed even for beginners, they do not affect system processes. → "Delete") or ADB (We'll tell you about it below).

2. Conditionally safe (can be removed, but with caution)

These programs serve support functions, but their absence is not critical:

• 🔒 Security is an antivirus and optimizer from Xiaomi. can be replaced by Google Play Protect.
• 🧹 Cleaner – utility for garbage cleaning (duplicates the functions of Android).
• 📡 Mi Remote - remote control for equipment (useful if you use an IR port).
• 📷 Mi Gallery – Cloud-based Gallery (can be replaced by Google Photos).
• 📞 Mi Contacts – Contacts app (alternatively Google Contacts).
• 📅 Calendar – Standard Calendar (synchronized with Google Calendar).
• 📝 Notes – notebook from Xiaomi (there are analogues in the Play Market).
• 🎧 Mi Sound Recorder (you can use Google Recorder).

Removing these applications may cause minor inconveniences (such as losing a weather widget or quickly accessing a flashlight through a notification curtain), but will not disrupt the system. Before removing it, check if you have alternative replacement software.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) deleting Security may cause the "Security" item to disappear in the settings, in which case the antivirus and cleaning functionality will not be available.

3. Critical annexes (cannot be removed!)

These programs are responsible for stability. MIUI And Android, and if you delete them, you'll crash, you'll make errors, you'll make your phone completely inoperable:

• ⚙️ Settings - System settings.
• 📱 System UI — interface MIUI (notification curtain, navigation panel).
• 🔄 Miui Home - Launcher (Desktop).
• 📶 Telephony Provider - Work SIM-card.
• 📧 Messaging — SMS and MMS (Even if you don’t use it, you can’t remove it).
• 📞 Phone Services – Call Processing.
• 🔋 Battery and Performance Manager – Energy Management.
• 📡 Connectivity Service – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet.

Attempting to remove these applications may result in:

• Constantly restart your phone (bootloop).
• No network (Wi-Fi or mobile internet will not work).
• Black screen after it's turned on.
• Inability to enter the settings.

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Even if the app seems unnecessary, check its name in our list or in reliable sources (for example, on the forum). XDA One wrong move can turn into a flashing phone.

How to Uninstall System Apps on Xiaomi: 3 Ways

Not all programs can be removed through the standard menu. To uninstall system utilities, you need additional tools. Let's look at three methods, from the simplest to the most advanced.

1. Standard removal (for conventional applications)

If the application is not system, it can be removed as usual:

1. Press the program icon on the desktop.
2. Select "Delete" (or drag to the basket).
3. Confirm the action.

This works for Mi Browser, Mi Music, Game Center, and other non-system utilities, and if you don't have a Remove button, it's built into the firmware, and you need to use other methods.

2. Disconnection through settings (without deletion)

If you can not delete the program, it can be disabled so that it does not work in the background:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Click "Disable" (the button will be active if the program is system).
4. Confirm the action.

Application disabled:

• It won't be updated.
• It won't use up the battery.
• It won't show notifications.
• It takes up less memory (but it doesn’t disappear completely).

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Security) can automatically turn on after the phone is restarted after shutdown. ADB.

3. Removal via ADB (for power users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an Android debugging tool that lets you remove system applications without root permissions.

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Install ADB drivers on your computer

Download Platform Tools from Google

Connect your phone to your PC via USB

Allow debugging on the phone (request will appear)

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Instructions for removal:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB and allow debugging.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Find out the full name of the application package (for example, for Mi Browser it is com.android.browser). | grep "miui" or search the name of the package on the Internet (for example, on the AppBrain website).
6. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package Example for Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

After the command is executed, the application will disappear from the system, but its data will remain (parameter) -k If you want to delete everything completely, use the command without cache. -k:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet

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Before mass removal of applications through ADB You can back up your data. If something goes wrong, you can restore your phone through the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot.

Table: What Xiaomi apps can be removed (by model)

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have the same set of preinstalled programs. Below is a table broken down by popular models, green highlighted safe to remove applications, yellow — conditionally safe, red — critical (cannot be removed).

Notes:

• ✅ Safe to remove – the application does not affect the operation of the system.
• ⚠️ Conditionally safe – can be removed, but minor inconveniences are possible.
• ❌ Critical - removal will lead to failures.

To accurately determine the list of applications on your model, use the command adb shell pm list packages or the installed App Inspector application from the Play Market.

What happens if you remove the right application?

If you mistakenly delete a system application, the consequences can range from minor glitches to a complete phone failure.

• 🔄 Remote Miui Home (launcher): Desktop will disappear, phone will load into the "empty" menu without icons. Solution: Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) through ADB or firmware repair.
• 📶 Telephony Provider: network will disappear, the phone will not catch SIM-Solution: Fastboot flashing.
• ⚙️ Remote Settings: It will not be possible to go to the phone settings. Solution: Restore via Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔋 Removed Battery Manager: Fast battery discharge, overheating, improper display of charge. Solution: Install custom core or firmware.
• 📡 Remote Connectivity Service: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile Internet will not work. Solution: Complete flashing only.

In most cases, the error can be corrected by restoring firmware through Fastboot or installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

How to avoid errors when removing applications

To avoid problems after cleaning the system, follow these rules:

Check the name of the package in a reliable source.

Make a backup copy of the data

Remove one app, not all at once

After removal, restart your phone and check for stability.

Do not remove applications with the names "system", "provider", "service"

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Additional advice:

• 🔍 App Inspector: The app shows what permissions the program has and how important it is to the system.
• 🛡️ Do not remove Google services: Apps like Google Play Services or Google Services Framework are critical to many features.

If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better turn off an unnecessary app than delete it, which is a reversible process that won't harm the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi