You just unpacked a new Xiaomi smartphone and found an unknown application in the list of installed programs WPS Office? Or you noticed it suddenly came up after another update. MIUI? Don't be too quick to remove it, it's one of the key pre-installed software packages that can be useful in document management, but is it really necessary if you're used to Google Docs or Microsoft Office?
In this article, we will discuss in detail what it is. WPS Office on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices POCO, Why Xiaomi is integrating it into firmware, and whether it should be kept on your phone, you will learn about all the features of the program, its pros and cons, and how to safely remove or replace it with alternative solutions. Particular attention will be paid to privacy issues β because preinstalled Chinese applications often cause suspicion among users.
What is it? WPS Office and why it is installed on Xiaomi
WPS Office (formerly known as Kingsoft Office) is a cross-platform office suite developed by Chinese company Kingsoft (WPS Writer), table processor (WPS Spreadsheets) and a presentation program (WPS Presentation.The application is positioned as a lightweight and fast alternative to Microsoft Office, compatible with.docx,.xlsx,.pptx and other formats.
On Xiaomi smartphones WPS Office is installed by default because:
- π€ Partner Agreement: Xiaomi Partners with Kingsoft to Integrate Their Software into Firmware MIUI, What generates revenue from advertising and premium subscriptions.
- π Localization for Asia: China and Southeast Asia WPS Office is more popular than Microsoft Office, so Xiaomi includes it in the basic configuration.
- π± Out of the box functionality: The company aims to provide users with ready-made tools for working with documents without having to download anything additional.
It is important to understand that WPS Office is not a virus or spyware, it's a legal application with millions of installations on Google Play, but it's not necessarily on your phone: if you don't work with office documents, you can safely delete it.
Main functions WPS Office on a smartphone
WPS Office on Xiaomi offers a wide range of tools to work with documents directly from the screen of the smartphone:
| Function | Description | Analogue in Microsoft Office |
|---|---|---|
| WPS Writer | Text editor with formatting, tables, images and comments, and you can open and save files in.doc,.docx,.txt. | Microsoft Word |
| WPS Spreadsheets | Table editor with formulas, diagrams and conditional formatting. Supports.xls,.xlsx,.csv. | Microsoft Excel |
| WPS Presentation | A presentation tool with animations, transitions and templates. Works with.ppt,.pptx. | Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Cloud storage | Integration with WPS Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox and other services for synchronizing files. | OneDrive |
| PDF-editor | Viewing, annotating and converting PDF-files (in the premium version - text editing). | Adobe Acrobat |
Feature WPS Office on Xiaomi β Optimization for MIUI. For example, an app can automatically open attachments from Mi Mail or files from Mi File Manager:
- π± Phone mode: a simplified interface for small screens with large buttons.
- π Document Protection: The ability to set a password for individual files.
- π Instant translation: built-in text translator for 50+ Languages (requires Internet connection).
π‘
If you need to edit a Word or Excel document quickly on Xiaomi, but donβt have time to install heavy apps, WPS Office will be a great temporary solution β it weighs everything. ~50MB vs. ~200 MB Microsoft Office.
Pros and cons WPS Office on Xiaomi
Like any pre-installed software, WPS Office has its strengths and weaknesses, and let's look at them in detail so you can make an informed decision whether to leave the application or uninstall it.
Advantages:
- β Free: basic features are available without a subscription (unlike Microsoft Office, where many tools require payment).
- β‘ Speed: Starts up and runs faster than Google Docs or Microsoft Word on weak smartphones (e.g. Redmi) 9A).
- π² Offline mode: you can edit documents without the Internet (in Google Docs this is possible only with pre-configuration).
- π Compatibility: Supports Microsoft Office formats without distortion (unlike some alternatives).
Disadvantages:
- β Advertising: in the free version, banners and pop-ups periodically appear with an offer to buy a premium.
- π Limited Features: Some tools (such as complex formulas in Excel) donβt work as well as the original Microsoft Office.
- π Privacy Issues: How Chinese Software Is, WPS Office collects user data (more on this in the next section).
- π± Unnecessary integration: If youβre not working with documents, the app will simply take up space in memory (about 100β150MB with cache).
π‘
WPS Office compares favorably with the speed and support of offline mode, but it loses in functionality and security. If you only need basic features (view and easy editing), it will be perfect.
Security and privacy: whether to trust WPS Office
One of the most common questions Xiaomi users ask is: βIs it spying?β WPS Office behind me? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer, but there are facts worth considering.
In 2020, researchers at Citizen Lab found that WPS Office (along with other Chinese applications) transfers data to servers in China, including the Internet:
- π Device information: smartphone model, OS version, unique identifiers.
- π Usage metrics: what documents were opened, how long they were edited.
- π IP-address and geolocation (if permissions are given).
But an important nuance: WPS Office does not transfer the contents of your documents to servers without your consent, all files are stored locally, and cloud sync is enabled only manually. However, if you are working with sensitive data (such as financial reports or legal documents), it is best to use alternatives like OnlyOffice or Collabora Office, which are considered more secure.
β οΈ Note: If you decide to leave WPS Office, be sure to check the privacy settings in the app:
- π Automatically send error reports (Settings) β About the programme β Send a report).
- π Access to geolocation (Android settings) β Annexes β WPS Office β Permits).
- π Sync with the cloud if you donβt use it.
What to do if WPS Office has already collected data?
How to remove WPS Office with Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
If you decide that WPS You don't need Office, you can delete it, but on Xiaomi it's not always easy. MIUI They block the removal of pre-installed applications. Let's look at all the ways that we can do this.
Method 1: Standard removal (if permitted)
- Open the Settings β Applications.
- Find it. WPS Office is on the list and tap it.
- Click Remove (if the button is active).
Method 2: Disconnect (if deletion is blocked)
- In the app menu (Settings) β Annexes β WPS Office) press Disconnect.
- Confirm action. The app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system (it will not update and consume resources).
Method 3: Remove via ADB (for advanced users)
If the first two methods fail, you can remove them. WPS Office with Android Debug Bridge (ADB):
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 cn.wps.moffice_engFor this:
Put the debugging on. USB In Settings β The phone. β Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times on the build number, then return to Settings β Additionally. β For developers β Debugging by USB)
Install. ADB-PC drivers
Connect the phone to your computer and execute the command above in the terminal.
Reset the device-->
β οΈ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI. Before the procedure, make a backup of the data in Settings β Additionally. β Backup and reset.
Alternatives WPS Office for Xiaomi: What to install instead
If you deleted WPS Office, or just looking for a better solution, consider these alternatives. We've compared them by key parameters:
| Annex | Free of charge. | Offline mode. | Compatibility with MS Office | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs/Sheets/Slides | Yes. | Partially (to be adjusted) | Good. | βββββ |
| Microsoft Office | Conventional (basic functions) | Yes. | Perfect. | ββββ |
| OnlyOffice | Yes. | Yes. | Great. | βββββ |
| Collabora Office | Yes (open code) | Yes. | Good. | βββββ |
| Polaris Office | Conditional (advertising) | Yes. | Good. | βββ |
Our choice:
- π For most users: Google Docs + Microsoft Office: The first is easy to work together, the second is for full compatibility with the Internet.docx/.xlsx.
- π For privacy: OnlyOffice or Collabora Office (open source, no data collection).
- β‘ For weak smartphones: Polaris Office (lighter than Microsoft Office, but with advertising).
π‘
If you often work with PDF, Pay attention to Xodo PDF Foxit PDF β They are better at annotating and editing than the built-in module in the WPS Office.
How to transfer documents from WPS Office to another application
If you've decided to change WPS Office alternatively, it's important to transfer all files correctly so you don't lose data:
Step 1: Export of documents from WPS Office
- Open up. WPS Office and go to My Documents section.
- Select the necessary files (long press β ticks).
- Press More (three dots) β Exports.
- Select the format (e.g..docx for text or.xlsx for tables).
- Specify a folder to save (such as Downloads or Google Drive).
Step 2: Import to a new application
For Google Docs:
- Open Google Drive and download the exported files.
- Tap the file. β Open with help β Google Docs/Sheets.
For Microsoft Office:
- Install Microsoft. Word/Excel Google Play.
- Open the app and log in to your Microsoft account.
- Press Open Open. β Review and select exported files.
β οΈ Note: When transferring complex documents (with macros, non-standard fonts or formulas), check the correctness of the display in the new application!