List of apps that can be removed on Xiaomi MIUI 12: a safe guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 operating system is known for its rich functionality and beautiful visual design, but many users face the problem of bloated software. The standard firmware build contains many pre-installed programs that the owner of the device does not always need, but continue to consume RAM and battery power. Which packages can be safely uninstalled remains one of the most popular on profile forums such as 4PDA.

The cleaning process requires caution, as removing critical components can lead to unstable smartphone operation or even cyclical reboot. Secure removal involves the use of special tools such as ADB (Android Debug Bridge), since the standard system means do not remove hidden service applications.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail the list of packages that are allowed to be removed without harming the basic functionality of the phone. You will learn how to prepare the device for the procedure, what tools you will need and what system processes you should pay special attention to. Competent optimization will significantly speed up the interface and extend the battery life of your Xiaomi.

Preparation for removal of system components

Before you start the active phase of deletion, you need to perform a number of preparatory actions that will ensure the security of the data and access to hidden functions of the system. The first step is to create a full backup of all important data, since interference in the system partition always carries minimal but existing risks of loss of information. Backup can be done through the built-in cloud Mi Cloud or using a computer.

Then you need to activate the developer mode on your device. To do this, go to the Settings menu → About your phone and quickly click 7 times in a row on the MIUI Version field. After you see a message about a successful activation, go back to the main settings menu, select “Additional” and find the “Developers” section. Here you need to turn on the USB debugging option, which will allow the computer to interact with the phone’s operating system at a deep level.

• 📱 Install the drivers. ADB on a personal computer or laptop.
• 🔌 Use an original or quality cable USB stable-connection.
• 💻 Download the Platform-tools platform from the official Android website.
• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 50% to avoid a sudden shutdown.

⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove packets whose purpose you do not know, especially if they contain the words "System", "Framework" or "Config" in the title.

Once you connect your smartphone to your computer in debugging mode, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your screen, you'll need to tick "Always Allow from this computer" and confirm the action, and only after you've successfully established the connection, you can run commands to analyze the list of installed applications.

Tools for Safe Deinstallation

For package management in MIUI 12, the most efficient and secure method is to use the command line through ADB. There are many graphical shells that simplify this process, such as the popular Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools utility or Universal Android Debloater. These tools automatically scan the device and suggest removing only those components that are labeled as safe in community databases.

Using graphical interfaces significantly reduces the risk of error, since the program itself filters system processes and warns the user before removing critical elements. However, for advanced users, a manual method is available through the console, which gives more flexible control.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

Here, the name.packet is replaced by the exact name of the component, which can be found by displaying a list of all installed applications by the adb shell pm list packages command. --user 0 does not remove the application physically from the recovery section, but only hides it for the current user, which allows you to restore functionality at any time by simply resetting the settings to the factory.

Categories of applications for removal in MIUI 12

All pre-installed applications in Xiaomi can be divided into several categories according to their importance to the system, the first group is advertising and analytics services that collect user data and display ads in the system interfaces, removing these components is a priority for improving privacy and speed.

The second group includes duplicate apps, such as browsers, email clients or app stores from Google and Microsoft, if you prefer to use alternatives. The third category is specific Mi services, which may not be needed by users outside China or those who do not use the smart home ecosystem from the manufacturer.

It’s worth noting that some apps, such as Mi Video or Mi Music, have deep integrations into the system, but removing them won’t affect the basic functionality of calls or messages. However, if you use third-party players, removing standard counterparts will help clear the default app list and free up space.

List of safe packet removal

Below is a detailed list of packet identifiers that can be removed on most global versions of MIUI 12 firmware. These components are not critical for operating system load and core communication modules. By removing them, you get rid of unnecessary traffic and background load on the processor.

• 📢 com.miui.msa.global – the main advertising service in the system (MSA).
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – collection of usage statistics and diagnostic data.
• 🎮 com.miui.gamecenter – a gaming center if you do not use its optimization features.
• 📰 com.miui.next – News Feed service (often used in widgets).
• 🛍️ com.miui.hybrid – a platform for fast applications (Mini Apps).

Special attention should be paid to the package com.miui.misys, which is responsible for Mi Account and synchronization, but also contains advertising modules. its removal can be risky if you actively use the cloud, so to start with, it is recommended to simply disable advertising in the settings of the account.

Users are also often interested in the possibility of removing the standard Mi Browser browser and email client, their identifiers com.mi.global.browser and com.android.email respectively.

Risks and recovery from mistakes

Despite the relative safety of the procedure, there is always the risk of removing an important component, which can lead to a “black screen”, permanent reboots or a broken touchscreen. In MIUI 12, the security architecture is quite robust, and most errors can be fixed without flashing the device.

If the smartphone starts to behave incorrectly after removing the packets, the first thing you should do is reset the settings to the factory via the Recovery menu. To do this, turn off the device and press the combination of the Volume Up + Power buttons. From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. This will return the remote system applications to their places, since they are stored in a secure partition.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped turning on and is not in Recovery mode, the critical system framework may have been removed, in which case only flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with complete data erasure will help.

To recover a specific remote packet without a complete reset, you can use the reinstall command via ADB, If you have any saved APK-It is easier and more reliable to keep a list of deleted packets in advance, so that in case of problems, you know what exactly you need to restore.

Optimization after cleaning the system

After successfully removing the excess software, a number of steps are recommended to be taken to fix the result. First, restart the device so that the system re-caches and re-indexes the remaining applications. You may notice that the initial download process took a little longer than usual, which is normal.

Second, check the basic functions of calling, internet, Bluetooth, and GPS. Make sure notifications are correct, as removing some service shells can sometimes affect push notifications. If you delete Google Play Services (which is highly discouraged for beginners), most third-party apps will be disrupted.

• 🚀 Check the speed of opening applications – it should grow.
• 🔋 Analyze your battery consumption during the day – it should decrease.
• 💾 Evaluate the vacant place in the section "Memory».

For maximum efficiency, it is also worth turning off animations in the developer menu, setting the scale of window animation to 0.5x. In conjunction with the garbage-free MIUI 12 system, this will give a noticeable increase in the responsiveness of the interface, making the use of the smartphone more enjoyable.

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After removing advertising services, go to the password and security settings and turn off “Getting Recommendations” so that the system does not try to restore advertising modules when updating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main goal of removing system applications is not only to free up space, but also to increase the autonomy and privacy of the device by disabling background data collection processes.