15 Xiaomi apps I turn off on every smartphone (and why it’s safe)

You just unpacked the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6, They turned it on, and they found that out of 256 GB of memory, only 220 are available, and in the background, dozens of processes with Chinese names are running. Familiar situation? The manufacturer installs a lot of utility utilities on smartphones that most users simply do not need. But which ones can be turned off without risk to the system, and which ones should not be touched?

I'm testing Xiaomi smartphones with 2016 During the year, I created a checklist of apps that I delete or freeze in the first hours after purchase. This article will take a detailed look at each of them, explaining what they are responsible for, how they affect autonomy and performance, and provide a step-by-step guide to safely shutting down. MIUI 14/15 without loss of functionality, and which are better to leave (and why).

Important: All recommendations are based on firmware analysis for the global version MIUI (EEA/Global). If you have a Chinese version (China) ROM), Some applications may behave differently, as I will mention in the relevant sections.

Why Xiaomi’s pre-installed apps are eating up resources

The average Xiaomi smartphone out of the box contains 30-50 pre-installed applications, of which the user really needs from 10-15.

• 🔧 System Services – Critical to Work MIUI (For example, com.miui.home for launcher. They can't be removed without root rights.
• 📱 Branded utilities – duplicate Android features (for example, Mi Browser instead of Chrome) or unnecessary to most (for example, Mi Pay for India).
• 💰 Affiliate apps – pre-installed services from Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and other companies, for which Xiaomi gets money.

The problem is that even sleeper apps:

• 🔋 Battery discharge – background processes check for updates, send analytics, synchronize data.
• 🐢 Brake the system – occupy RAM, which leads to a reboot of active applications.
• 📁 Memory Occupy – cache and data of pre-installed applications can weigh 1-3 GB (for example, Mi Video downloads preview videos).

In my tests, disabling unnecessary apps on the Redmi Note 12 Pro gives:

But there's a caveat: not all applications can be turned off without consequences, like deleting Mi Share will disrupt fast file transfer, and deactivating Security will turn off the virus scanner, so I'll take each application apart next, and I'll show you the risks.

Top.-5 Xiaomi apps that can be turned off without risk

To start with, the safest utility is one that doesn't affect system stability or critical functions, and can be deactivated even on newer models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the other. POCO X6 Pro.

1. Mi Browser (com.android.browser)

🔹 What is responsible for: Xiaomi’s branded browser with pre-installed bookmarks on Chinese services (for example, Baidu).

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🌍 Duplicates Chrome or Firefox features (which most users install separately).
• 📊 Collects analytics about the sites visited (even if you don’t use them).
• 🔋 Consumes up to 150 MB of RAM in the background due to background synchronization.

🔹 How to turn off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Browser (or just the Browser).
3. Click Disable → Disable the application.

💡

If after disabling the browser, links from messages stopped opening, install any other browser and select it as the default application in Settings. → Annexes → By default.

2. Mi Music (com.miui.player)

🔹 What he is responsible for: Music player with Mi Account integration and Chinese streaming services.

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🎵 90% of users use Spotify, YouTube Music or YouTube VK Music.
• 📥 Automatically downloads album covers and caches tracks (can take up to 500MB).
• 🔊 Conflicts with other players - can "intercept" audio control.

🔹 Feature: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) This app is responsible for keeping the volume even, and if you want to use this feature, don't turn it off.

3. Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)

🔹 Video player with support for Chinese streaming platforms (iQiyi, Tencent Video).

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🎬 Dubbed by Google Photos, VLC or MX Player.
• 📺 Automatically downloads preview of videos (can take up to 1 GB of cache).
• 🔍 Tracks browsing history (even local files).

🔹 Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11) this app is associated with the gallery. If the gallery video stops opening after the shutdown, return it back.

4. Mi Pay (com.mipay.wallet.in)

🔹 Wallet for payment services in India (similar to Google Pay, but with the support of local banks).

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 💳 Useless outside India (not working with Russian/European banks).
• 🔄 Constantly checks geolocation and updates (discharges the battery).
• 📱 Occupying. ~200MB and has a background process com.mipay.wallet.in.service.

🔹 Exception: If you live in India or visit frequently, leave it - it supports you. UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

5. Joyose (com.xiaomi.joyose)

🔹 What he's in charge of: A social content sharing platform (similar to TikTok, but from Xiaomi) popular only in China.

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 📱 It has never been used outside of China.
• 📡 Constantly synchronizes data in the background (traffic) + battery).
• 🔒 Collects information about your contacts and location.

🔹 How to remove it completely if there is root):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.joyose

💡

These 5 apps can be turned off on any Xiaomi model (including the one that is not available). POCO and Black Shark, no risk to the system. MIUI They do not affect the main functions.

Apps that can be turned off with caution

This category includes utilities that may affect some features, but shutting them down will not cause critical failures. Before deactivating, check if you are using these features.

1. Security (com.miui.securitycenter)

🔹 What is responsible for: Antivirus, network scanner, garbage cleaning, spam blocking.

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🛡️ Built-in antivirus is useless (viruses for Android almost no, and real threats it does not catch).
• 🧹 Cleaning up garbage is a marketing chip (Android manages the cache itself).
• 📡 Network scanner inhibits connection to Wi-Fi.

🔹 Risks of disconnection:

• ❌ Stop blocking spam calls will stop working.
• ❌ The security tab in the settings will disappear.
• ❌ There will be no notifications of "overheating" or "battery discharge".

2. Mi Share (com.miui.mishare.connectivity)

🔹 What is responsible for: Fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices (similar to Google’s Nearby Share).

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 📲 Duplicate Nearby Share (built into Android 10)+).
• 🔋 Constantly scans nearby devices (battery discharge) ~5% for the day).
• 📶 Uses Wi-Fi Direct, which can conflict with other services.

🔹 Risks:

• ❌ You will not be able to send files to other Xiaomi smartphones through Quick Transfer in the gallery.

3. Game Turbo (com.miui.phrase)

🔹 What is responsible for: Optimizer for games (blocks notifications, speeds up) FPS, gameplay).

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🎮 Useful only for heavy games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile).
• 🔋 Works in the background even if you don't play (checks driver updates).
• 📱 On weak smartphones (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) may slow down the system.

🔹 Exception: If you play actively, leave it alone - it really improves performance in the game. 3D-play-off.

4. Themes (com.android.themes)

🔹 What is responsible for: Store themes, wallpaper and fonts for MIUI.

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🎨 99% of users install themes once and forget about the app.
• 📥 Downloads previews to the cache (~300MB).
• 🔄 Updates the theme catalog every day (traffic) + battery).

🔹 Risks:

• ❌ You can’t change theme through the settings. → Screen. → Topics.
• ❌ The built-in wallpaper will disappear (only standard wallpapers will remain).

5. Cleaner (com.miui.cleanmaster)

🔹 What he is responsible for: Clearing cache, removing duplicate files, optimizing memory.

🔹 Why can we turn it off:

• 🧹 Android manages the cache itself – manual cleaning only hurts.
• 📊 Deletes useful data (for example, cache maps in Google Maps).
• 🔋 Works in the background, scanning files (discharge) ~3% for the day).

🔹 Alternative: Use the built-in Storage feature in Android settings.

Apps that are better not to touch (and why)

Some system utilities seem useless, but turning them off can lead to critical crashes, loss of functionality or even a “brick” smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: If you see something on the app list called com.qualcomm... or com.mediatek... don't touch it. These packets are responsible for running the processor, modem, and other hardware components, and if you delete them, you can lose your network, your camera, or even your smartphone.

Also avoid turning off:

• 📡 Apps with the "radio" in the title (e.g. com.android.phone) - responsible for mobile communications.
• 🔋 Battery services (e.g. com.miui.powerkeeper) – manage energy consumption.
• 📷 Camera modules (e.g. com.android.camera) – even if you don’t use a standard app, other programs may depend on its libraries.

If you accidentally turn off something on this list, don't panic. You can return the app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Show all applications.
3. Find the disabled application and click Enable.

How to turn off applications on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Disabling apps on Xiaomi is different from other brands (such as Samsung or Huawei), and there are nuances here, especially if you want to not just deactivate, but completely remove unnecessary utilities.

Method 1: Standard shutdown (without root)

It's good for 90 percent of users. It stays on the system, but it doesn't work, it doesn't consume resources.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip three dots in the upper right corner. → Show all applications.
3. Find the right application (you can use the search).
4. Click Disconnect → Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Security) do not have a Disable button:

1. Go to the app settings.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache.
3. Go back and select Stop (this will temporarily suspend it until reboot).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

This method allows you to completely remove applications, but requires a connection to a computer, suitable for advanced users.

🔹 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

🔹 Instructions:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (go to Settings) → About the phone and 7 times tap on the version MIUI).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the drivers.)

1. To remove the application (such as Mi Browser), type:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

🔹 List of packets to delete (copy one at a time):

com.android.browser          # Mi Browser


com.miui.videoplayer         # Mi Video




com.miui.player              # Mi Music




com.mipay.wallet.in          # Mi Pay




com.xiaomi.joyose            # Joyose

💡

If after the command adb devices your smartphone is not displayed, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers from the official website or using the program Mi. PC Suite.

Method 3: Freeze through third-party utilities (with root)

If you have root rights, you can use apps like Titanium Backup or the likes of the root. SD Maid to freeze unnecessary utilities:

• ✅ The application is not deleted, but simply “falls asleep” (you can return in one click).
• ✅ It does not break dependencies (unlike complete removal through the ADB).
• ✅ It works even for system applications (e.g., Security).

🔹 Recommended Utilities:

• 📱 Titanium Backup (paid version) – allows you to freeze and defrost applications.
• 🧹 SD Maid – Clears the cache and deletes unnecessary files.
• 🛡️ App Quarantine – creates “quarantine” for applications (not removes, but isolates).

⚠️ Warning: If you freeze a critical application (e.g. com.android.phone), the phone may stop catching the network:

1. Load to Safe Mode (press the power button) → Hold "Switch off" → Choose Safe Mode).
2. Unfreeze the application through the same utility.
3. Reboot the phone.

What to do if after disabling applications, the smartphone began to slow down

In rare cases after mass shutdown of utilities MIUI It can start to behave in an unstable way, like lags, sudden reboots, loss of function:

1. Check the error log:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → If there's a record from java.lang.RuntimeException or android.app.Service, you've probably disabled a critical service.

1. Restore the last app that was disabled:

Return the most suspicious app (such as Security or Mi Share) and check if the problem has gone away.

1. Reset the system cache:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → three-point → Reboot to Recovery. From the Recovery Menu, select Wipe Cache Partition.

1. Check out the conflicts with Magisk (if there is root):

Some Magisk modules (e.g, ViPER4Android) They're in conflict with the system applications that are disabled.

🔹 Typical symptoms and their causes:

If none of these methods work, the last thing you can do is reset to factory settings.