How to Remove Xiaomi Programs: From Standard Ways to Hidden MIUI Features

Why Xiaomi’s standard app removal doesn’t always work

Have you ever noticed that after you delete an app on Xiaomi, it suddenly reappears after you update the system? Or that the space on the disk somehow does not correspond to the size of the remote program? It is not a coincidence — a feature of MIUI, the Android shell from Xiaomi, which actively caches data and leaves tails even after uninstallation.

Unlike pure Android, where deleting an app usually means erasing all of its files completely, MIUI 14/15 (as well as earlier versions) often saves:

• 📁 Cash and temporary files in folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/
• 🔗 Application links in the registry (especially for pre-installed programs)
• 📱 Settings and data that can be restored in the next update MIUI
• 🔄 Residual processes that continue to work in the background (relevant to system services)

Moreover, some applications (such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps) do not have a "Delete" button in the standard menu at all. They can only be disabled, but not uninstalled completely. In this article, we will discuss all working methods from basic to advanced, including deletion through ADB and manual cleaning of residues.

Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu

To begin with, the simplest method that is suitable for custom applications (installed from Google Play or APK) is a super-user-free method that works on all Xiaomi devices, including Redmi, POCO and Mi series.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
3. Press the Remove button (if not, see Method 3 or 4).
4. Confirm the action if necessary.

⚠️ Note: After such deletion, files often remain in folders. /Android/data/[name packet] and /Android/obb/[Packet name: These must be manually deleted through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Delete the folder with data in `/Android/data/`| Clear the cache in `/Android/obb/`| Reboot the device | Check the free space in the settings-->

Method 2: Delete via Google Play Store

If the app was installed from Google Play, it can be removed directly from there – this sometimes helps to avoid residual files.The method works even for those programs that do not appear in the Xiaomi settings menu (for example, if they are hidden by the system).

How to do this:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → App and device management.
3. Go to the "Installed" tab.
4. Find the desired application and click on the basket icon (“Delete”).

🔹 The advantage of the method: Google Play often cleans up linked data better than the standard menu MIUI. However, system applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Community) will not be removed through the Market.

💡 Tip: If the app is not deleted (button is inactive), try turning it off in the settings first, then try again via Google Play.

Method 3: Disabling system applications (without root)

Many pre-installed programs on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Roaming, Mi Game Center) cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled, which:

• 🚫 Remove the icon from the app menu
• ⚙️ Stop background work (saves battery)
• 📉 Free up some of the RAM
• 🔄 Will not allow the application to be updated

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → Show all applications (or Show system).
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click "Disable" → Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI. For example, disabling Mi Share will disrupt the fast file transfer function, and disabling Security will weaken the protection against viruses.Do not disable services called com.android., com.miui. or com.xiaomi.* - this can cause a critical system error.

Method 4: Complete removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

If you need to permanently uninstall a system application (including those that don’t have a “Delete” button), the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an official tool from Google that doesn’t require superuser rights, but needs to be connected to a computer.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from Google website)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the trusted device on your phone screen.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Check the connection: Adb devices must show the serial number of your device.
5. Delete the application: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.pack For example, to remove Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

🔹 Where to get the name of the package?

• Use the App Inspector app (available on Google Play).
• Or run the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui" (will show all Xiaomi system packages).

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB may lead to:

• 🔄 Work failures MIUI (For example, the notification bar will disappear if you delete com.android.systemui).
• 🔧 Failure to update the system (if critical services are removed).
• 📱 Loss of functionality (e.g., deleting com.xiaomi.scanner will disable the scanner) QR-code).

💡

Before you massively remove system applications through ADB, back up through Settings → System → Backup. In the event of a failure, you can restore the system without completely reflashing it.

Method 5: Manual cleaning of residues after removal

Even after successfully uninstalling an application through any of the above methods, the device often remains:

• 📂 Folders with data in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/
• 🗃️ Cash and temporary files in /data/local/tmp/
• 🔗 entries in the Android database (for example, in the /data/system/package_cache/)

For complete cleaning:

1. Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or FX File Explorer): Go to /Android/data/ and delete the folder with the name of the application package (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
2. Clear the system cache: Go to Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Use CCleaner or SD Maid for deep cleaning (deletes residual registry files).

📊 Comparison of cleaning methods:

💡

For maximum cleaning, combine methods: first remove the application through ADB or settings, then manually clean the data folders and cache.

Method 6: Remove with root rights (for power users)

If your Xiaomi has customized recaps installed (like TWRP) and superuser rights obtained, you can uninstall any application, including those protected by the system, which gives you complete control, but requires caution.

🛠️ Tools for work:

• Titanium Backup (Paid Version)
• Root Explorer or FX File Explorer (with root support)
• SD Maid (for deep cleaning)

Instructions via Titanium Backup:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to the tab "Reserve copies / Restore".
3. Find the right app and tap it.
4. Select "Delete!" → confirm.
5. For complete cleaning, click "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache".

⚠️ Warning: Removing root-righted system applications can cause irreversible damage MIUI. For example, deleting com.miui.home will make the phone unusable without flashing it. Always back up Nandroid in the phone. TWRP before mass removal of system packets.

🔧 Alternative Method (for Advanced Persons):

With Root Explorer, you can manually remove application folders from:

• /data/app/ (User Applications)
• /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ (system applications)

However, it is risky to use specialized tools like Titanium Backup.

How to return a remote system application

If you have problems with MIUI after removal via ADB or root, you can return the application in several ways:

🔄 Method 1: Recovery through ADB

If you removed the app with pm uninstall, try reinstalling it with the APK:

1. Download the original APK application (for example, from the APKMirror website).
2. Connect to ADB and execute: adb install name file.apk

🔄 Method 2: Resetting settings

If a critical application (such as Settings or Launcher) is removed, only:

• 📱 Hard reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🔧 Fastboot flashing (if reset didn't help).

🔄 Method 3: Recovery from the backup

If you have a backup of Nandroid (made in TWRP), restore it:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Select "Restore" → Put the backup folder in.
3. Check "System" and "Data" → swipe.

⚠️ Note: After restoring system applications through ADB or flashing them can be updated automatically. To avoid this, disable the auto-update in Google Play for a particular app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing programs on Xiaomi