Xiaomi Redmi 4X, which was released a few years ago, is still a popular device due to its successful combination of price, performance and autonomy. However, over time, the MIUI operating system has become increasingly overgrown with unnecessary software that consumes RAM and charges the battery. Owners often wonder what is vital from preinstalled software, and what can and should be disposed of to speed up the gadget.
The cleaning process is not as simple as it seems at first glance, because MIUI developers often disguise system processes as normal services. Careless removal of critical components can cause the phone to stop loading or lose the ability to make calls.
In this article, we will take a look at safe to remove packages, describe root-free uninstallation methods, and warn against fatal errors. Proper optimization will breathe new life into your device, making the interface more responsive and working in the background more economical.
Risk assessment and preparation for clean-up
Before you start removing applications on Redmi 4X, you need to understand the architecture of the Android operating system. Many processes that seem useless to the user can be associated with other system services. For example, deleting Google Play Services will cause the navigator, app store and contact synchronization to fail.
The safest method is to use a computer and debug over USB, since standard MIUI means you can remove only a small part of the pre-installed software. To work, you will need to install ADB drivers on your PC and turn on the developer mode on the smartphone itself. This is done through the Settings menu → About Phone → Tapaya 7 times according to MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up all important data. Deleting system components can lead to unstable system operation that cannot be fixed by simply resetting your settings.
It is also worth considering that some applications, such as Mi Credit or Mi Pay, may not be relevant for users from CIS countries, but their removal is technically safe. However, services related to cloud storage or device search, it is not recommended to touch if you are actively using the brand ecosystem.
Safe to remove system packages
There is a wide range of packages that will not affect the basic functionality of the phone, primarily services that are targeted at the Chinese market or specific features that you do not use, including various analytical modules and feedback services.
Special attention should be paid to duplicate applications. MIUI firmware often contains two browsers, two antiviruses and several music players. If you are used to using third-party solutions, such as VLC or Chrome, you can safely uninstall standard analogues.
- 📦 Mi Analytics – collects usage statistics, is safe to delete.
- 📦 Mi Cloud – only delete if you don’t use Xiaomi cloud storage.
- 📦 Yellow Pages – a number detector, often irrelevant to other regions.
- 📦 Quick Apps – a service to run lightweight applications without installation.
It is important to distinguish between system libraries and user interfaces, for example, the com.miui.personalassistant package is responsible for the left screen with widgets, and if you do not use this feature, disabling or deleting it will free up the CPU resources.
Hidden Systemic Dependencies
Removal of MSA Advertising and Services
One of the main reasons why users want to clean the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is intrusive advertising, which is responsible for the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which requires neatness, since the first time the system can resist and require a wait of 10 seconds.
The procedure is as follows: go to Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data. Find in the msa list and turn off the slider. If the system asks you to wait, agree and try again in 10 seconds. After a successful shutdown, the service can be deleted via ADB.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalIn addition to MSA, other components such as DAService (ad analytics) and Joyose (a game service that can also load ad modules) generate ads, and removing or freezing them significantly reduces the number of pop-ups in standard applications.
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After removing the MSA, it is recommended to clear the cache of the Security and Downloads apps to get rid of old advertising files that may have been saved in memory.
Optimizing the operation of Google Services
Google services take up a significant portion of RAM on devices with a small amount of RAM, as in the case of Redmi 4X. You can’t completely remove Google Play Services, but you can turn off unnecessary components that you don’t use daily.
For example, if you don't use a voice assistant, you can turn off Google Assistant, if you don't watch videos on TV, you don't need Google Cast, which will reduce the background load on the Snapdragon 435 processor that this smartphone is equipped with.
| Component | Function | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Movies | Watching movies | Yes, it's safe. |
| Google One | Storage management | Yeah, unless you have to. |
| Google TV | Content aggregator | Yes, it's safe. |
| Google Pay | Payment by phone | Yes, if not used. |
It's worth noting that some Google processes are constantly updated in the background: Regularly clearing the cache and limiting background activity through the Settings menu. → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Services → Battery will help to extend the battery life.
Working with duplicate Xiaomi software
MIUI often has duplicate applications that compete with more functional counterparts, such as the standard file manager being replaced by Total Commander or Solid Explorer, and the gallery by Google Photos.
Removing standard Xiaomi apps like Mi Browser, Mi Video and Mi Music not only frees up space, it also removes unnecessary notifications and background processes.These apps often have built-in newsfeed modules that consume traffic.
- 🗑️ Mi Browser – often contains news feed and advertising, it is better to replace.
- 🗑️ GetApps – an alternative app store, often not needed.
- 🗑️ Themes – Theme Store, can be removed if you do not change the design.
- 🗑️ Scanner - scanner QR-codes, can be replaced by a camera or third-party software.
If you don’t use a standard Xiaomi watch or alarm clock, you can also remove it by replacing it with simpler ones, but remember that removing the alarm clock can cause your phone to not wake you up in the morning unless the third-party app has the appropriate permissions.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Instructions for removal through ADB
To remove root-free system applications, you'll need a computer. Download Platform Tools from the official Android website. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC in file transfer mode and enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in the adb device command. The phone screen will see a request for debugging permission — click "Allow." After successful pairing, you can enter commands to delete packets.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packetThe name of the package can be found through analysis apps such as App Inspector. Be careful when you enter the name: one error in the character can lead to the removal of the wrong component. If you delete something extra, you can return the application with the command adb shell cmd package install-existing the name of the package.
⚠️ Note: Pm uninstall command with flag --user 0 It removes the application only for the current user, physically leaving files on the system. This is safe, but the storage space will be slightly freed, since only the user configuration is deleted.
Recovery of Remote Components
If the system is not working properly or important functions are lost, the remote applications can be returned, and since the firmware files are physically left in place, the recovery process takes seconds and does not require reflashing the device.
To do this, reconnect your smartphone to your computer, open the ADB console, and use the installation command of an existing package, which will return the app icon to the menu and restore it to the current user.
If the phone has stopped loading (rarely when only user packets are removed), you may need to log in to Recovery mode. For Redmi 4X, this is done by pressing the volume button up and the power button. In the recovery menu, you can try to reset the settings to factory settings, which will return all system applications to their original state.
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Deleting applications through ADB does not erase them from the firmware partition, but only hides them from the user, making it easy to roll back changes at any time without losing data.