How to Remove the App on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: From Standard Methods to Hidden MIUI Features

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face the problem of undeleteable system applications. Even after resetting to factory settings, many programs like Mi Video, Mi Music or Cleaner return back. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to remove applications from basic to advanced, including methods for embedded software and bloatvear (preinstalled garbage).

The Redmi 4X is a version of MIUI that can block the removal of even programs that seem unnecessary. For example, Mi Drop or Mi Community cannot be uninstalled in the standard way. We tested all methods on current firmware (including MIUI 12.5 and custom builds) and identified those that work without unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights (root).

1. Standard removal via the MIUI settings menu

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for custom applications (installed from Google Play or APK), but won't work for system programs.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right app in the list (such as Facebook or Facebook). UC Browser).
• 🗑️ Press Remove (if the button is active).
• ⚠️ If the Remove button is inactive, the application is system (go to the following methods).

On Redmi 4X, some apps (like Google Duo or Mi Pay) can be disabled but not removed.

1. Go to the app settings.
2. Select Disable (this hides the program from the menu and stops background processes).
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications (such as Mi Account or Security) may cause unstable operation MIUI or update errors. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

2. Delete via Security App

MIUI Security has a built-in tool for managing programs, including deep cleaning and cache removal, which sometimes works for applications that cannot be uninstalled through settings.

How to delete:

• 🛡️ Launch the Security app (shield icon).
• 🔧 Go to Application Management → Deletion of applications.
• 📌 Check the list for any unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Game Center).
• 🗑️ Tick the boxes and click Delete.

If the app doesn’t appear in the list, try:

1. Return to the main safety menu.
2. Select Cleanup → Deep cleaning.
3. Find the program in the list and click Delete Data (this will not delete the application itself, but will clear its files).

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If Security doesn’t have an uninstall option, try updating the app through Google Play – sometimes this will unlock hidden features.

3. Use ADB to remove system applications (without root)

To remove embedded applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Analytics) on Redmi 4X, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android via a computer. This method does not require root rights, but you need to activate debugging over USB.

Preparation:

• 💻 Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
• 📱 On your smartphone, turn on: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔌 Get Redmi on board. 4X PC-only USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).

List of commands for removal:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer  # Mi Video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player       # Mi Music




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics     # Analytics




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner      # Mi Scanner




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster   # Cleaner

Important: Commands remove applications only for the current user (flag) --user 0), It's safer than a complete deletion, but the application can come back after resetting.

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will cause the system to fail. Before experimenting, check the list of secure packages on forums like 4PDA.

Install ADB on PC| Enable USB debugging on Redmi 4X| Connect phone in file transfer mode | Check the list of packages before deleting-->

4. Disable applications through “For Developers”

If you can't delete it, you can disable unnecessary programs through the developer menu, and that stops them from working and hides them from the menu, but it doesn't free up disk space.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔍 Find Inactive Applications or Background Processes.
• 🚫 Select a program (such as Mi Browser) and click Disable.

Alternatively:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and press Forced Stop.
3. Then click Disable (if the option is available).

Applications disabled:

• ✅ It does not start automatically.
• ✅ Not displayed on the menu.
• ❌ Do not delete your files from the device.
• ❌ They may return after the update. MIUI.

5. Removal with third-party utilities (with root)

If your Redmi 4X has unlocked the bootloader and installed superuser (root) rights, you can use specialized utilities for deep cleaning.

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup – allows you to delete system applications and create backups.
• 🧹 SD Maid – Clears residual files after uninstallation.
• 🔪 Root App Deleter – a simple interface for removing embedded software.

The following is a step-by-step guide for Titanium Backup:

1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
2. Provide root access when requested.
3. Go to the Backup/Restore tab.
4. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Video) and click on it.
5. Choose Delete! and confirm the action.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete deletion (including files in the /system/app).
• ✅ Possibility of recovery from the backup.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Incorrectly deleting system files can make your phone fail.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI Applications may return.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed a critical application (e.g. com.android.phone – telephone services), Redmi 4X It might lose the network or stop turning on.

6. Flashing on custom firmware (for experienced)

A radical way to get rid of the Bloatvear is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS) that will completely replace MIUI with pure Android, but will require:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📥 Custom recaveri installations (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Skills of working with Fastboot and ADB.

Pros:

• ✅ No pre-installed garbage from Xiaomi.
• ✅ More recent version of Android (for example, Android 11 instead of Android 7.1 on stock). MIUI).
• ✅ Better performance and battery life.

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” (turning the phone into a “brick").
• ❌ Certain functions (e.g, IR Blaster or Quick Charge may not work properly.

Instructions for the Redmi 4X (Santoni):

• 📖 Official wiki: LineageOS for Santoni.
• 📖 Forum 4PDA: Firmware discussion.

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Flashing is an extreme method. If you want stability, you'd better use ADB or disable applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 4X