If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you've probably encountered an unknown UniPay application on your installed list, which appears without your knowledge, has no desktop shortcut, but takes up space in memory and sometimes sends notifications. What is it? A virus? Spyware? Or part of MIUI's proprietary firmware?
In this article, we will take a closer look at what UniPay is, how it relates to the Xiaomi ecosystem, why it can’t be removed in standard ways, and what happens if you do get rid of it. You’ll also find step-by-step deactivation instructions, alternative deletion methods for advanced users, and answers to frequent questions. If you’re annoyed by unnecessary system apps, read on.
What is UniPay and why is it needed in Xiaomi?
UniPay is a built-in payment service from Xiaomi that is designed to process transactions within the brand ecosystem. MIUI, such:
- 💳 Mi Pay (Contactless Payment Service)
- 🛒 Mi Store (official app and themes store)
- 🎮 Game Center (Shopping in Games)
- 📦 Mi Cloud (payment for additional storage)
In fact, UniPay acts as an intermediary between your bank cards and Xiaomi services, ensuring secure authorization and payment processing. However, most users in Russia and the CIS do not even suspect its existence – until they notice it in the list of applications or receive a notification of a “failed transaction” (which often happens due to the lack of attached cards).
It is important to understand that UniPay ≠ Mi Pay. Mi Pay is the frontend, and UniPay is the backend, the one that's hidden from view, and the other one is removed only with root or through the root. ADB.
Why UniPay is installed on my Xiaomi without my consent
UniPay is available on Xiaomi devices for three main reasons:
- Pre-installation in MIUI. Starting with the version MIUI 10 (2018), the service has become part of the firmware for all regions, including global (Global) ROM) European (EEA ROM) Even if you bought a smartphone from an official store, UniPay will already be on the system.
- Update via Mi App Store. Sometimes the app is installed or updated automatically through the Mi Store if the auto-update option for system components is enabled.
- Synchronization with Mi Account: When you log in to your Xiaomi account, some services (including payment services) are activated in the background.
It is impossible to control the installation of UniPay, as it is part of Xiaomi’s policy to unify the ecosystem, but it can be disabled (see next section) or restricted through Android settings.
⚠️ Note: If you notice UniPay on a smartphone other than Xiaomi (such as Samsung or Realme), this may be a sign of malware.In this case, check the device with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).
How to disable UniPay on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
You can't completely delete UniPay without superuser rights, but it can be deactivated so that it doesn't waste resources or send notifications.
Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
Find UniPay in the list (use search)
Slip it and select to turn it off.
Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application
Reboot your smartphone (optional, but recommended)-->
After the shutdown:
- ✅ The application will stop running in the background.
- ✅ Notifications of “failed payments” will disappear».
- ❌ Mi Pay and other Xiaomi payment services may not work properly (if you use them).
If the Disable button is inactive (grey), then your device has a modified firmware installed (such as Custom ROM) or Xiaomi has blocked the shutdown for your region, in which case only deletion via ADB (see section below) will help.
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To hide UniPay from the application list, use any root file manager (such as Root Explorer) and rename the folder. /system/priv-app/UniPay into /system/priv-app/UniPay_bak. This will not delete the program, but will make it invisible to the system.
Can UniPay be deleted completely and how to do it?
Yes, UniPay can be deleted completely, but it requires superuser rights (root) or access to the ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Method 1: Removal via ADB (without root)
This method works on most Xiaomi devices with the unlocked bootloader.
- A computer with ADB drivers installed.
- USB-cable (preferably original).
- USB Debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on the build number → return to Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices Wait for the serial number of the device to appear.
- Execute the deletion command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.unipay
- Reboot your smartphone.
Method 2: Remove via Root Explorer (with root rights)
If you have root, the process is simplified:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
- Find the UniPay folder (or com.miui.unipay) and delete it.
- Clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI, especially if you use Mi Pay or other payment services.Before deleting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
What happens if you delete UniPay: the possible consequences
In most cases, the removal of UniPay takes place without critical consequences, but there are nuances:
| Action. | Effects of consequences | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnection through settings | Payment notifications stop working, Mi Pay may issue errors | Restore through Settings → Applications → UniPay → Enable |
| Removal via ADB | Mi Store and Game Center will not be able to process purchases | Reinstall via adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.unipay |
| Removal from root | There may be errors when updating MIUI (the system will try to recover the file) | Add a folder to a blacklist in Magisk or roll back the update |
| Custom firmware removal | Normally no consequences. | — |
If you encounter problems after deleting (e.g., Mi Store stopped opening), restore the app via ADB or reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Settings Reset).
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UniPay is not a virus or spyware – it is a legitimate component of MIUI. its removal will not improve the performance of the smartphone, but will eliminate unnecessary notifications.
UniPay alternatives: how to replace payment services with Xiaomi
If you have deleted UniPay and experienced problems with the Mi Pay or Mi Store, consider alternative payment methods:
- 💳 Google Pay – Supports contactless payments through NFC Most Xiaomi devices (except for Chinese models).
- 🛒 Samsung Pay – works on some Xiaomi smartphones with support for Samsung Knox (rare, but found).
- 🌍 Banking applications – many banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) have their own payment systems with the help of the bank. NFC.
- 🎮 Alternative stores – you can use Google Play Games or Amazon Appstore to shop in games.
For purchases in the Mi Store (themes, wallpaper, apps), you can link the card directly to your Xiaomi account through the web version of the store (store.xiaomi.com), which bypasses the need for UniPay, but requires confirmation by SMS.