How to Uninstall Unnecessary Apps on Xiaomi Redmi 4A: From Mi Store to Google Duo

Xiaomi Redmi 4A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it suffers from an overabundance of pre-installed apps: Mi Store, Mi Community, Google Duo and other services take up precious space in memory, slow down the system and drain the battery. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove unnecessary applications – from standard methods to advanced techniques using the use of the application. ADB and ROOT-rights.

It's important to understand that not all applications can be removed without consequences. Some system services are critical to the stable operation of MIUI, and their removal can lead to failures. We will explain in detail which applications are safe to remove, and which are better to disable or freeze, and you will learn how to free up additional space if you can not delete.

This article is relevant for Xiaomi Redmi 4A on all MIUI versions (including MIUI 12/13/14), but most methods are suitable for other Redmi and Poco models with similar firmware.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi 4A?

Xiaomi and Google are pre-installing dozens of services on smartphones that most users don’t need.

• 📦 Xiaomi branded services: Mi Store, Mi Community, Mi Video, Mi Music – these applications duplicate the functions of Google Play and standard media players, but consume resources in the background.
• 🤖 Google services: Google Duo, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books – are installed by default, even if you do not use them.
• 🔄 Duplicate applications: for example, on a smartphone there can be a Gallery MIUI, Google Photos that perform the same function.
• 📱 Operator Apps: If You Buy Redmi 4A at a mobile operator (for example, MTS or Beeline), then proprietary utilities for tariff management can be installed on it.

According to the tests, pre-installed applications take up 1.5 to 3 GB of memory on the Redmi 4A, which is critical for a device with only 16 GB of internal memory.

• 🔋 Battery discharge (some services are constantly running in the background).
• 🐢 Slow down the system (especially noticeable on the budget Snapdragon 425 processor).
• 📶 Consume traffic (updates, synchronization, advertising).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (for example, Mi Account or Google Play Services) can not be deleted categorically - this will lead to the inoperability of the smartphone or the inability to log into the account.

Method 1: Standard removal of user applications

If the application was installed by you (not preinstalled), it can be removed in the standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

If the Remove button is inactive, then the application is system-based – it cannot be removed without additional actions (see the following methods).

⚠️ Note: Deleting some carrier applications may result in loss of access to the mobile network if they are responsible for settings APN. Before removing, check if the application is related to work. SIM-map.

Method 2: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

If the application cannot be removed, it can be disabled, which will stop it from working, hide it from the menu and prevent automatic updating, but the files will remain in memory.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Video).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Applications disabled:

• ✅ It won't start automatically.
• ✅ Will not be displayed in the app menu.
• ✅ No updates will be received.
• ❌ There will be no space in the memory (files will remain).

List of apps that can be safely disabled on Redmi 4A:

• 🎬 Mi Video – Xiaomi video player (you can use it) VLC or MX Player).
• 🎵 Mi Music – Music Player (replace with Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 📞 Google Duo – duplicates WhatsApp or Telegram calls.
• 📚 Google Play Books and Google Play Movies – if you don’t use them.
• 🛒 Mi Store – if you install apps only from the Play Market.

Method 3: Remove system applications via ADB (without ROOT)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an Android debugging tool that lets you uninstall system apps without getting a ROOT-Right, it works on Xiaomi Redmi. 4A, But it requires a computer connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB Fastboot Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

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 → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your Redmi 4A.
5. For example, to remove Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video For a list of packages for popular apps, see the table below.

Once the command is executed, the application will be deleted only for your user (files will remain in the system, but will not be available).

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.market

⚠️ Note: Deleting some packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may disrupt the security center and make it impossible to install new applications!

Method 4: Remove applications using ROOT-rights

If you're ready to receive ROOT-It will give you full control of the system. 4A Magisk is the easiest way to use it – it allows you to get superuser rights without unlocking the bootloader (on some versions). MIUI).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal of applications (including system files).
• ✅ The ability to use Titanium Backup for backup.
• ✅ Access to system settings (e.g., change build.prop).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” (turning into a “brick”) when doing the wrong thing.
• ❌ Some banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) may stop working.

How to get a ROOT on Redmi 4A:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (en.miui.com/unlock).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Run Magisk through TWRP.

Once you get a ROOT, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove applications:

1. Open the Root Explorer.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiuiVideo).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add.bak at the end).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

💡

Before deleting system files, back up /system via TWRP to help restore your phone if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the smartphone is heavily cluttered with unnecessary apps, you can do a complete reset, which will delete all user data and return MIUI to its original state.

How to reset Redmi 4A:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• ✅ All user applications will be removed.
• ✅ System applications will return to their original state (but can be removed through the ADB or off).
• ❌ All data will be erased (including photos, videos, messages).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After a reset, some remote applications (such as Mi Store) can automatically recover. To avoid this, turn off automatic recovery in Settings. → Google → Backup.

💡

Factory reset is a last resort, and only use it if other methods have failed or your smartphone is heavily cluttered.

How do I free up space if applications cannot be removed?

If you can’t remove or disable apps, try these methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Apps. Select an app (e.g. Google Play Services). Click Clear cache and Clear data (if possible).

This will free up 500 MB to 2 GB of memory.

Transfer of applications to SD-map

If you have a microSD installed, some applications can be ported:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app.
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.

Limitation: Not all applications support portability.

Use of cloud storage

Move your photos and videos to Google Photos, Yandex Drive, or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies.

Search for large files

Use Files by Google or SD Maid to find and delete unnecessary files (e.g. old APKs, logs, duplicates).

You can also turn off automatic updates of applications:

1. Open the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Auto-Update applications.
3. Choose Not to Update Automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi 4A