What system applications on Xiaomi can be removed without consequences: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their abundance of pre-installed apps — many of which duplicate Google’s features or are useless to most users. However, blindly removing system programs can cause phone malfunctions, loss of functionality, or even a device brik. In this guide, we’ll look at which apps can be safely removed on Xiaomi and which ones should not be touched, even if they take up precious megabytes of memory.

It is important to understand: the list of “extra” applications depends on the version MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the region of the firmware (global, Chinese, European) and even the smartphone model (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ and POCO X5 We will focus on universal solutions, but always back up through Settings before deleting. → The phone. → Backup.

Also remember: some apps can’t be removed by standard methods—they will require root rights or special utilities like ADB. If you’re a beginner, start with the safest removal candidates and monitor your phone’s behavior after each operation.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi preinstalles not only standard Google services on its smartphones, but also its own utilities, which often duplicate features or impose additional services.

• 📱 Regional features: Chinese firmware has applications for local services (e.g. Mi Pay for payment in China) that are useless in Russia or Europe.
• 💰 Partnering Agreements: Xiaomi collaborates with Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and other companies, pre-installing their programs for a fee.
• 🔄 Duplication of features: For example, Xiaomi has both Google Gallery and its own Gallery MIUI, who do the same thing.
• 📊 Data collection: Some system utilities (such as MiuiDaemon or Analytics) send anonymous statistics to Xiaomi.

According to the study, new Xiaomi smartphones on average pre-installed 40-60 applications, of which the user actively uses no more than 15-20. the rest either work in the background or never run, but not all of them can be removed without consequences.

List of safe for removing system applications

These programs can be removed without risking system stability. They either duplicate the functions of other applications, or are designed for specific regions/services that you do not need. MIUI 12-14 on global and European firmware:

• 🚫 App Vault is the left swipe on the home screen with a weather widget and news. ~50 MB and remove unnecessary swipe.
• 🎵 Mi Music is Xiaomi's standard player. If you're using Spotify, VK Music or YouTube Music, please delete it.
• 📺 Mi Video is a video player from Xiaomi: VLC, MX Player or built-in Google player.
• 📖 Mi Browser is a browser from Xiaomi with ads. Better use Chrome, Firefox or Brave.
• 💬 Mi Community is a Xiaomi user forum, only useful if you're actively communicating on it.
• 📊 Security – Remove only if an alternative antivirus is installed, otherwise you will lose the virus scanner and garbage cleaning.
• 🎮 Game Turbo is a gamer utility, and if you don't play hard games, you can delete it.
• 📡 Mi Remote is a remote control for technology. Remove if you don't use your smartphone as a remote control.
• 📱 Second Space is a function of creating a second workspace, and is only useful for separating personal and work data.
• 📈 Analytics – statistics collection for Xiaomi. the removal will not affect the phone, but may limit access to some features MIUI.

On Chinese firmware, you can additionally remove:

• 🇨🇳 Mi Pay is a payment system for China (similar to Apple Pay, but only works with Chinese banks).
• 📰 Xiaomi News – news aggregator for Chinese audience.
• 🎥 Mi Live – a streaming app for China.

How to remove system applications: 3 ways

Depending on the type of application and your technical skills, you can use different removal methods, and let's look at them from the simplest to the most complex.

1. Standard removal through settings

Some pre-installed apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music) can be removed as regular programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

If the Remove button is inactive, the application is protected by the system, and other methods will be required.

2. Disconnection via ADB (no root)

For applications that cannot be removed in the standard way, but which are not critical to the system, disabling through ADB is suitable.

• A computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• USB Debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
• ADB (can be downloaded from the official Google website).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

Replace com.miui.browser with the batch name of the desired application (a list of packages can be found online or through the App Inspector application).

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser

This will work even if the original application files have not been deleted from the phone.-->

3. Complete removal with root rights

The most radical method is to delete system files via Root Explorer or TWRP. It is suitable for power users, as improper actions can lead to loss of phone performance.

Procedure:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Find a folder with the name of the app (such as Browser for Mi Browser) and delete it.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system files can result in a cyclic bootloop or loss of features like a camera, Wi-Fi or mobile network. Always check which files are associated with the application being removed, and back up the partition. /system.

What system applications cannot be removed

Some programs are critical to MIUI, and if they are removed, they will cause a phone to fail, or a loading error, or a loss of basic functions.

It is also not recommended to touch:

• 🔋 BatteryManager – Charging and Battery Management.
• 📶 NetworkStack – working with mobile and Wi-Fi networks.
• 🔒 Keyguard - lock screen.
• 📷 Camera – Even if you don’t use a standard camera, removing it can break access to the camera for other apps.

⚠️ Note: If after removing the application, the phone began to overheat, discharge for 2-3 or spontaneously restart, immediately restore the remote program through ADB Or you can go through the device, and these symptoms indicate a critical malfunction.

How to Restore Remote System Applications

If the phone is unstable after removal, don't panic, in most cases, it can be fixed.

1. via ADB (unless files are deleted completely)

If you have disabled the application via the command pm uninstall -k --user 0, it can be returned:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser

Replace com.miui.browser with the batch name of the desired application.

2. Through a backup of MIUI

If you have done backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup, recover the data:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select the last backup and click Restore.

3. Phone flashing

If the phone doesn’t turn on or is stuck on the logo, you’ll need a full flashing via Fastboot or Recovery:

• Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Download website.
• Use the Mi Flash Tool to Fastboot or install it ZIP-file-through TWRP.

Alternatives to Deletion: How to Hide or Freeze Apps

If you are not sure about the security of the removal, you can hide or freeze unnecessary programs, this will free up RAM and will not interfere with the menu, but the application files will remain on the phone.

1. Hiding through the launcher

In MIUI, you can hide applications from the main screen:

1. Press your finger on your desktop and select Launcher Settings.
2. Go to Hidden Apps.
3. Check the boxes of the programs you want to hide.

2. Freeze through ADB

Freeze command (the application will remain in the system, but will not work):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser

For defrosting:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.browser

3 Use applications such as Titanium Backup or App Quarantine

These tools allow you to isolate unnecessary programs without removing them completely.

• Block the auto-launch of applications.
• Limiting access to the Internet.
• Hide notifications.

💡

Freezing applications via ADB is the safest way to free up memory without the risk of breaking the system. Unlike deleting, a frozen application can always be returned to working condition.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when cleaning system applications, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: Occurs when critical system files are deleted. Solution: Clean all in Mi Flash Tool).
• 📵 Mobile network gone: Telephony or NetworkStack files deleted. Solution: restore via ADB Or reflash the radio module (modem).
• 🔋 Fast battery drain: Often occurs after BatteryManager or DeviceManagement is removed.Solution: return apps or reset battery settings to Recovery.
• 🎯 No gestures or buttons: Broken System UI Or Lawnchair (if custom launcher was used) Solution: stitch the original SystemUI.apk through TWRP.

To minimize the risks:

• Always check the packet name of the application before deleting (you can find out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui").
• Do not remove applications that have a framework, service, or core in their name.
• After deleting, restart your phone and check the basic functions: calls, internet, camera.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on Xiaomi