How to remove unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi 4A: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is still a popular budget smartphone, but its main problem is the pre-installed software that takes up precious memory and slows down the system. Even after resetting to factory settings, many applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or Cleaner) come back. In this article, we will discuss how to remove or disable unnecessary programs on Redmi 4A without risk to the system – with root rights and without them.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be removed completely. Some are system components. MIUI And they're responsible for keeping the phone running smoothly, and removing them can cause things like interface errors to the total failure of the device. 4A firmware MIUI 8/9/10, We'll also look at alternative methods, from manually cleaning the cache to using it. ADB-team.

Why is Redmi 4A so full of software?

Xiaomi has traditionally installed a suite of pre-installed apps on its smartphones, both native (Mi Browser, Mi Community) and third-party (Facebook, Netflix in some regions). On the Redmi 4A, this is especially noticeable because of the modest 16 GB of storage, where every megabyte counts.

💰 Partner Agreements: Xiaomi receives money from developers for pre-installation of their software (for example, the company is not a member of the company, WPS Office or LinkedIn).
🌍 Regional Features: Firmware for India, China or Europe may have different application sets.
🔄 Updates MIUI: After upgrading the system often appear new "built-in" programs.
📱 Functionality MIUI: Some applications (e.g., Security) are integrated into the shell and are not removed by standard methods.

In practice, the user is available only about 10-12 GB of 16 GB on Redmi 4A. At the same time, many preinstalled applications can not even be turned off through the menu – they simply hide, but continue to take up space and consume resources in the background.

📊 What apps are available on Redmi 4A You're the one who's bothering you the most?

Mi Browser

Mi Music/Mi Video

Cleaner/Security

Facebook/Instagram

Others

Method 1: Disable applications through settings (without root)

The safest method is to disable unnecessary programs through the standard menu, which will not delete them completely, but will stop background activity and free up some of the RAM.

Open Settings → All applications.
Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Video) and open the page.
Click Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates (for some system applications).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android., com.miui. or com.qualcomm.* are critical system components. Also avoid disabling Google Play Services, or many features, including push notifications, will stop working.

Annex	Can I turn it off?	Effects of consequences
Mi Video	Yes.	The built-in video player won’t work, but you can use VLC or MX Player.
Mi Music	Yes.	The standard music player will disappear, but the files will remain accessible through the file manager.
Mi Browser	Yes.	The built-in browser won’t work, but you can install Chrome or Firefox.
Cleaner	Partially.	Automatic cache cleaning will be disabled, but manual cleaning will remain available.
Security	No.	Responsible for system protection – disabling will lead to MIUI errors.

Check the name of the package (should not contain com.android or com.miui.core)

Backup of important data

Disable only those programs that are not used

Do not disable Google Play Services and MIUI Security-->

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

If the shutdown is not enough, you can remove the applications completely using ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but you need a computer and a computer. USB-Advantage: Apps are permanently deleted, even after resetting.

Steps:

Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
Connect Redmi 4A to your PC and install drivers (download Mi PC Suite if necessary).
Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
Open the command line in this folder and type in: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
To uninstall the application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack For example, to delete Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

🔹 How to find out the name of the package? Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

(Show all the packages with miui in the title).

💡

Before mass deletion, back up your adb backup or manually copy important data to your PC. Some apps (such as Mi Account) may block access to your Xiaomi account when deleted.

Method 3: Manual removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you're willing to take risks, getting root permissions will give you access to completely uninstalling any application, including system ones. On Redmi 4A, you can do this through:

🔓 Magisk (recommended) – allows you to hide root from certain applications (e.g. banking).
🛠️ TWRP + SuperSU is a classic method, but can cause problems with the system. OTA-update.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A firmware MIUI 10 or later, you might get Anti-Rollback, which is a firmware rollback protection. MIUI To get root, the phone can lock! Before you start, check the bootloader version with the command:

fastboot getvar anti

If the anti value is 3 or higher, the risk of blocking is high.

Once root is obtained, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove packets.

🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
🎬 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
🌐 com.android.browser — Mi Browser
📊 com.miui.cleanmaster — Cleaner

What if after removing the system application, the phone does not turn on?

If Redmi 4A I’ve been stuck on the logo or left for bootloop, try it: 1. Log in Recovery Mode (Power buttons) + Loudness+). 2. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache. 3. If it doesn't work, run the firmware through Fastboot (instructions in the "Restore System" section").

Method 4: Cleaning the cache and application data

If you don't want to delete anything, but your memory is running out, clear the cache and the data of the programs you don't need, and that will make room for the system without risk.

Go to Settings. → All applications.
Select an app (like Facebook) and click Storage.
Tap Clear the cache and Clear the data.

For mass cleaning, use:

🧹 Built-in Cleaner: Security → Cleaning (removes the cache of all applications).
🗑️ Files by Google: Shows Large Cache Files and Suggests Deletion.

🔹 How much space can I get out of here? 4A After cleaning the cache of all applications, 500 MB-1.5 GB is usually released, depending on the user’s activity. Application data (for example, uploaded to Facebook videos) can take up even more – up to 2-3 GB.

💡

Cache cleaning doesn’t remove apps, but it can speed up your phone by freeing up RAM, and do it regularly (every 1-2 months).

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware (for advanced)

The radical method is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that will remove all of Xiaomi’s built-in apps, but require:

🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
🛠️ Established custom recovery (TWRP).
📥 Compatible firmware for Redmi 4A (codename).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A s MIUI 11/12 Unlocking the loader may take up to 720 hours (30 days) because of Xiaomi's policy, also after flashing:

🚫 Mi Account, Find Device and other Xiaomi services will stop working.
🔋 Battiness may deteriorate (castomy firmware is not always optimized for the Snapdragon 425).
📱 It won't. OTA-Updates – You will need to install new versions manually.

🔹 Where to download firmware? Official builds for Redmi 4A search the forums:

XDA Developers (Redmi 4A)
Xiaomi.EU (unofficial MIUI without Bloatware)

Restore the system after a failed removal

If after manipulation with the software Redmi 4A stopped turning on or is unstable, use one of the recovery methods:

Problem.	Decision	Instructions
Bootloop (Cyclical Reboot)	Clearing the cache	Squeeze the power. + Loudness+, Choose the Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache.
It doesn't turn on at all.	Firmware through Fastboot	Download the official firmware and run through the Mi Flash Tool.
Errors of system applications	Recovery through TWRP	Install System and Boot backup from backup.
Loss of IMEI	Recovery through EFS	Use QCN Rebuilder or contact the service center.

🔹 Where to download the official firmware?

🌐 Official website: MIUI Downloads (select the Redmi model) 4A).
📥 Alternative: Xiaomi Firmware Updater (firmware archive).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing software on Redmi 4A

Can I remove Google Play Services?

No, it will make most apps, including Google Play, Gmail and Push notifications, inoperable, and you can turn off auto-update in its settings.

Why does an application come back after the MIUI update after it is deleted via ADB?

When you update the system, some system applications are restored. To avoid this, after the update, re-run the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet.

How to return a remote application?

If you delete it through ADB without the -k flag, you can only restore it by flashing it. If you use -k (Save Data), do: adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

Can I remove MIUI Security?

No, it will lead to critical system errors, and at the most, disable unnecessary functions in its settings (e.g., Battery Optimization or Virus Scanner).

How much memory will be freed up after removing all unnecessary applications?

On Redmi 4A, after removing Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser, Cleaner and the like, 1.5-2.5 GB is released. In addition, cleaning the cache of all applications will give another 500 MB-1 GB.