Xiaomi smartphones based on the company shell MIUI They're known not only for their functionality, but also for their abundance of pre-installed system applications, and many users are faced with the question: what can be removed from this and what can not be touched categorically? In this article, we will understand which Xiaomi system applications are responsible for key phone functions, how they affect performance, and whether they can be eliminated without the risk of โbrickingโ the device.
It is important to understand that even โunnecessaryโ at first glance system services MIUI They can be linked to the core modules, from security updates to power management, and we'll analyze each type of application, make clear recommendations for disabling and uninstalling it, and tell you how to restore the system if something goes wrong. What is hidden under the term โsystem applicationsโ in the ecosystem Xiaomi.
What are Xiaomi system applications and why do they need them?
System applications (or system apps) are software that is preinstalled in firmware. MIUI And it's integrated into the Android operating system. They do two key things:
- ๐ง Maintaining basic services from communication management (com.android.phone) to multimedia processing (com.miui.gallery).
- ๐ฑ Implementing branded chips MIUI โ For example, Second Space (second desktop) or Game Turbo (game mode).
- ๐ Security and Updates โ Services like com.miui.securitycenter control application permissions and data protection.
Unlike conventional applications, system:
- โ Installed in section /system They have superuser privileges.
- โ You cannot remove it by standard means (root rights are required or ADB).
- โ Often work in the background, even if you havenโt run them (for example, Mi Account sync services).
According to firmware analysis MIUI 14, on average, on the Xiaomi smartphone, 120-150 system applications are preinstalled, of which the user actively uses no more than 20-30. The rest either duplicate the functions of Google Services, or are needed for rare scenarios (for example, for example, the user is actively using the user, com.miui.weather2 โ Weather widget that many people replace with AccuWeather).
โ ๏ธ Attention: Deleting system applications without understanding their purpose can cause camera, mobile network or even phone failures. For example, removing com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice on devices with Snapdragon chipset will deprive you of communication.
Xiaomi System Application Types: Which Can Be Deleted and Which Cannot Be Deleted
All Xiaomi system applications can be divided into 4 categories by degree of criticality. Below is a table with examples and recommendations:
| Category | Examples of applications | Can I remove it? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical (core of the system) | com.android.phone, com.miui.home, com.qualcomm.qti... | โ No. | Total system failure, brick. |
| Important (core functions) | com.miui.gallery, com.android.contacts, com.miui.securitycenter | โ ๏ธ Partially (can be turned off) | Loss of functionality (such as gallery or calls) |
| Additional (chips) MIUI) | com.miui.weather2, com.miui.notes, com.miui.calculator | โ Yes (there are alternatives) | Minimum if using third-party analogues |
| Bloatware (advertising/double) | com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop, com.miui.player | โ Yes (recommended) | Improved productivity and privacy |
The Mi Account and Xiaomi Cloud apps (e.g., com.xiaomi.account or com.miui.cloudservice) are a stand-alone feature that will result in loss of access to cloud backups, contact synchronization, and the ability to unlock your phone through your Xiaomi account when you lose your password.
Among the "safe to remove" are the following:
- ๐ต com.miui.player is a standard music player (can be replaced by Spotify or Spotify) VLC).
- ๐ com.miui.notes โ Notepad (alternatives: Google Keep, ColorNote).
- ๐ฆ๏ธ com.miui.weather2 โ Weather widget (substitutes: AccuWeather, Yr.no).
- ๐ com.miui.analytics โ statistics collection (improving privacy when deleting).
How to view the list of system applications on your Xiaomi
To see the full list of system applications, you don't need to install third-party utilities. MIUI or ADB (for advanced users).
Method 1: Through phone settings
- Open Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
- Scroll down the list โ apps with icon MIUI Android and are system based.
Method 2: Through ADB (skilled)
Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB Debugging in the developer settings and execute the command:
adb shell pm list packages -sThis will display a list of all system packages with the prefix package:
๐ก
To save the list of system applications for analysis, redirect the output ADB File: adb shell pm list packages -s > system_apps.txt
So for convenience, you can sort apps by size to see which ones take up the most space.
- Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or SD Maid.
- Open the "System Applications" section and sort by the "Size" column.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some system applications may appear on the list as "disabled", but in fact they continue to work in the background. MIUI It has no interface, but forced shutdown can lead to freezes.
How to safely disable or remove system applications
If you want to get rid of unnecessary system applications, follow three rules:
- First, turn off โ check if the system breaks without this application.
- Use reliable methods โ no left-hand scripts to delete.
- Create a backup in case something goes wrong.
Method 1: Disconnect without root rights
The safest way is to disable the application through settings:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Find the application you want (e.g. com.miui.analytics).
- Turn off (if the button is active).
Some applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) cannot be disabled, and the system will block this option.
Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)
This will require:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- ๐ฑ Included Debugging by USB phone-on.
- ๐ Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
Steps:
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
- To remove the application (for example, com.miui.weather2), Enter adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.weather2
- For rollback (if something went wrong): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.weather2
โ๏ธ Preparing for removal of system applications
Method 3: Removal with root rights (for advanced)
If you have root, you can use:
- ๐ฑ Root Explorer โ to manually remove files from the /system/app.
- ๐ ๏ธ Titanium Backup โ for โfreezingโ or deleting packets.
- ๐ป ADB Superuser rights: Adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system rm -rf /system/app/Weather2 mount -o ro,remount /system
โ ๏ธ Note: Deleting system applications from root can lead to bootloop if you delete a critical file. Always check what you delete and have Fastboot recovery firmware on hand.
๐ก
Even if the application is successfully removed, traces of it may remain in the cache or data. Use the command adb shell pm clear com.package.name for complete cleanup.
What Xiaomi System Apps Can Be Removed Without Consequences
Based on firmware analysis MIUI 13-14 and user reviews, we have compiled a list of safe to remove system applications, all of which are either duplicated features of Google, or are advertising / analytical modules:
| Package name | What is it? | Can I remove it? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.miui.analytics | Collecting usage analytics | โ Yes. | โ |
| com.xiaomi.midrop | Mi Drop (file transfer) | โ Yes. | Nearby Share, Send Anywhere |
| com.miui.player | Music player | โ Yes. | Spotify, VLC |
| com.miui.video | Video player | โ Yes. | MX Player, YouTube |
| com.miui.weather2 | Weather widget | โ Yes. | AccuWeather, Yr.no |
| com.miui.notes | Notes | โ Yes. | Google Keep, ColorNote |
| com.miui.calculator | Calculator | โ Yes. | Google Calculator, CalcES |
You can also delete:
- ๐ฎ com.xiaomi.glgm - Game Turbo (if you don't play).
- ๐ com.miui.bugreport โ error reporting tool (only developers need it).
- ๐ com.android.soundrecorder โ voice recorder (alternatives like Easy Voice Recorder).
These applications cannot be removed despite their โunnecessaryโ status:
- โ com.miui.securitycenter โ Security Center (controls permissions).
- โ com.android.providers.media โ Multimedia database.
- โ com.qualcomm.qti... โ drivers for the Snapdragon chipset.
What happens if you delete your Mi Account?
How to Restore Remote System Applications
If the phone starts to glittle after you delete the system app (for example, the camera or mobile network stopped working), don't panic. There are three ways to recover:
Method 1: Through ADB (If the package is not completely removed)
If you use the command pm uninstall --user 0, The app is just hidden to your user. To get it back, do it:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.package.nameReplace com.package.name with the name of the remote package.
Method 2: Through resetting settings
If the removal has caused serious disruption:
- Go to Settings โ About the phone โ Reset settings.
- Select Reset all settings (the data on the memory card will not be affected).
- After the reboot, the system applications will recover.
โ ๏ธ This method will return all system applications, including those you previously deleted.
Method 3: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast
If the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo MIUI:
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volโ when the device is off).
After flashing, all system applications will be restored to their original state.
๐ก
If after resetting or firmware, some applications (such as a gallery) are unstable, clear their cache in the settings: Settings โ Annexes โ [Name of name] โ Clear the cache
Myths and truths about Xiaomi system applications
There are many myths surrounding Xiaomi system applications, and we'll look at the most popular ones.
Myth 1: โDeleting system applications will speed up the phoneโ
โ Truth: Acceleration will only be noticeable if you remove advertising services (e.g. com.miui.analytics) or heavy take (e.g. com.miui.video.
Myth 2: โAll system applications can be returned through the Play Marketโ
โ Truth: Only a few (such as Mi Calculator or Mi Notes) are available on Google Play. Most system packages (such as com.miui.home) are distributed only through firmware.
Myth 3: โSwitched off system applications donโt consume resourcesโ
โ Truth: Some services (e.g. com.miui.daemon) continue to work in the background even after being disabled through settings. ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.package.name
adb shell am force-stop com.package.nameMyth 4: โXiaomi specifically installs unnecessary spying appsโ
โ ๏ธ True in part: Indeed, packages like com.miui.analytics collect data about phone usage, but:
- ๐ This data is anonymized and used to improve MIUI.
- ๐ Your collection can be turned off in Settings โ Memory. โ Auto-start โ Analytics MIUI.
- ๐ In European firmware (MIUI EU) Analytics is disabled by default.
Myth 5: โDeleting system applications voids warrantyโ
โ Xiaomi officially does not cancel the warranty for removing applications, but:
- ๐ ๏ธ If you contact the service with a broken phone, and the reason is a remote system package, repairs can be paid for.
- ๐ The warranty card usually states that "software modifications" are not covered by the warranty.
๐ก
Before removing system applications, always check their purpose on specialized resources such as XDA Developers or forums 4PDA. The same package on different Xiaomi models can perform different functions!