Android system on Xiaomi: analysis of standard applications, their functions and hidden features

When you buy a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you get not just hardware, but a whole software ecosystem, based on the Android operating system, but with the MIUI (or HyperOS in new models) branded shell, and many users are faced with the question: what are the apps preinstalled on the system, can they be removed and how do they affect the device?

This article will help you understand which Android system apps are installed on Xiaomi by default, what each one is responsible for, and why some of them can not be removed without risking the stability of the phone.We will also look at hidden features that few people know about, and give practical tips for optimizing the system.

We will focus on the differences between pure Android and Xiaomi’s version of it, and explain why some apps duplicate features (e.g., two browsers or two file managers) and how to work with it.

What is the Android system on Xiaomi smartphones?

Android is an open source operating system developed by Google. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is used as a base on top of which the proprietary MIUI shell (or HyperOS in models from 2026 and later) is installed.

• 📱 Android core – the basis of the system with support for all standard functions (calls, messages, installation of applications from Google Play).
• 🎨 Shell MIUI/HyperOS — Xiaomi’s branded interface with unique design, gestures and additional features.
• 🔧 Pre-installed apps – both from Google (e.g. Gmail, YouTube) and Xiaomi (Mi Browser, Security).
• 🔒 Xiaomi services – cloud functions, synchronization with Mi Account, branded optimization tools.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is deeply modifying Android by adding its apps and services. For example, instead of the standard Google Messages, you’ll see Xiaomi’s Messages, and instead of Google Photos, the Gallery app. This isn’t always convenient, but these solutions allow the company to integrate additional features, such as the second space mode or hidden folders in the gallery.

However, not all pre-installed apps are equally useful, with some duplicating features (e.g., two browsers: Chrome and Mi Browser), while others run in the background, consuming battery and memory, and we'll talk more about this in the next section.

List of standard Xiaomi system applications and their purpose

Xiaomi smartphones have over 50 apps and services pre-installed, and we've put the most important apps in a table, specifying their purpose and deletion, and note that some apps can't be removed without root rights, because they're critical to the system.

Many Xiaomi apps duplicate Google’s features, such as Xiaomi’s Contacts instead of Google Contacts and Calendar instead of Google Calendar, which is designed to integrate more deeply with Mi Account services, but often causes confusion among users.

Some apps, such as GetApps (branded app store) or Mi Community (user forum), can be safely removed if you don't use them, but before you delete, we recommend turning off auto-run in the settings so that they don't waste resources in the background.

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To disable auto-run of unnecessary applications, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Auto-run and uncheck unnecessary services.

Can I remove system applications on Xiaomi?

Removing system applications is a risky operation that can lead to unstable phone operation, interface errors, or even a "brick" (complete device failure).

Here are the basic rules:

• ✅ Can be removed: 🌐 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome) 📺 Mi Video (if there is an alternative) 🎵 Music (branded player) 📦 GetApps (Xiaomi app store) 💬 Mi Community (User Forum)
• ❌ You can't remove it: 🔒 Security (responsible for security and permissions) ⚙️ Settings (system settings) 📞 Phone Services (telephony and telephone services) SMS) 📱 MIUI System (shell core) 🔄 Updater (system update)

If you want to uninstall the system application, do it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package).

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI, Especially if you're using features like second space or hidden albums. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

How to distinguish a system application from a user application?

Not all Xiaomi apps are system-based, and to understand which app can be removed and which can’t, follow this instruction:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Take a look at System Applications – here are all the services critical to MIUI.
4. Applications with the Xiaomi icon (e.g. Mi Browser, Security) are usually branded and partially removed.
5. Google apps (such as Gmail, Maps) can be removed or disabled, but this can affect the performance of Google Play services.

Another sign of the system application is that there is no Delete button in its settings, in which case only the option to Disable or Remove Updates is available (if the application has been updated through Google Play).

If you’re in doubt about whether you can uninstall an app, check the name in our tables above or look for information on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers, which often discuss the experience of removing certain services on specific Xiaomi models.

See if there is a "Delete" button

Check out reviews on Google Play (if there is one)

Search for information on forums (4PDA, XDA)

Make a backup copy of the data-->

Hidden features of Xiaomi system applications

Many of Xiaomi’s standard apps have hidden features that users don’t even know they have.

• 🔍 Mi Browser: Built-in Reading Mode (disables ads and formats text for convenience) Night mode with color temperature settings. Quick access to the translator (select text) → Translate).
• 📁 File Manager: Hidden folders -- you can create a password folder (Personal Storage) Storage analysis -- shows which files take up the most space. Remote access -- connect to a PC. FTP (Settings → Remote access).
• 🛡️ Security: Block notifications from specific applications. Traffic control shows which apps are consuming mobile Internet. Gaming acceleration mode optimizes performance for games.
• 📷 Gallery: Hidden albums -- you can hide photos with a password. You can edit videos with templates for editing. You can scan text with photos.

To open some of these features, you may need to activate the developer mode or enable additional settings in the application itself. For example, in Mi Browser, the read mode is turned on via the menu... → Read mode, and in Gallery, hidden albums are created by a long tap on the folder → Block.

If you don’t find the feature you want, try updating the app through Google Play — sometimes new features come up after updates, and some features depend on the phone model and the version of MIUI/HyperOS.

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Xiaomi’s branded apps often have more features than their Google counterparts, such as the MIUI gallery is able to hide albums and edit videos, and the browser is able to block ads without additional extensions.

How to optimize the work of system applications?

Xiaomi system apps can slow down your phone if not configured correctly. Here are some optimization tips:

1. Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Apps → Application Management → Auto-run. Turn off auto-run for Mi Browser, Mi Video, Music and other unnecessary services.
2. Limit background activity: In each application settings (Settings → Apps → [name] → Battery), select Limit background activity.
3. Clean the cache regularly: Use built-in Cleaner (Security → Cleaning) or third-party utilities like SD Maid.
4. Update apps: Even system applications (like Gallery or Security) can be updated through Google Play.This fixes bugs and adds new features.

Use the "Light" mode in MIUI:

• Some versions of MIUI have Lite mode, which simplifies the interface and reduces the load. Included in Settings → Special features → Lite mode.

If your phone is slowing down, try:

• 🔄 Reset the application settings (in its settings) → Warehouse → Reset).
• 🗑️ Remove updates for system applications (if they are unstable).
• 🔋 Enable performance mode in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.

⚠️ Please note: Do not disable system services such as Google Play Services or MIUI System – This can lead to phone errors, including problems connecting to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

Frequent problems with system applications and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face typical system application problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If the problem is not solved by standard methods, try:

1. Clear the cache and data of the problem application (Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Clear cache / data).
2. Update the app via Google Play (if available there).
3. Check for MIUI updates (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
4. In extreme cases, reset settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings).

If the problem remains after the reset, it may be related to the firmware, in which case you should contact the Xiaomi service center or reflash the phone manually (for power users only!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Through flashing:

• Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
• Install it via Fastboot or Recovery (instructions are available on 4PDA).

If the application has been simply disabled (rather than removed), it can be activated again in Settings → Apps → [name] → Enable.