Xiaomi Redmi 4X: which apps can be removed and which ones can not be removed

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still used by many users. However, over time, its modest 16/32 GB of memory begins to get clogged with unnecessary applications, especially if the device was bought with MIUI firmware preinstalled. In this article, we will analyze which programs can be safely removed to make room without disrupting the stability of the system, and also talk about the risks and alternative optimization methods.

It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi pre-installed apps are junk. Some are critical to MIUI, and removing them can cause interface failures, update issues, or even device breeze. We analyzed the official firmware for Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) and compiled a current list of programs that can be uninstalled without consequences – both manually and through ADB.

If your smartphone runs MIUI 10-12 (the current Redmi 4X versions), most of the instructions will remain relevant. For custom firmware owners (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the rules are different – you can delete almost everything there, but this is already a topic for a separate article.

Why is Xiaomi Redmi 4X so small in memory?

Redmi 4X was released with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, of which the user has access to 3-5 GB less because of the partition for the system.

• 📦 Xiaomi apps preinstalled – Mi-services, games, duplicate functions (for example, two browsers: Mi Browser and Google Chrome).
• 🗑️ Cash and temporary files — MIUI Actively caches data, especially if the Smart Optimization function is enabled.
• 🔄 System updates – firmware files take up to 1-2 GB and often don’t clear automatically.
• 📱 Google’s Duplicate Services – for example, Google Play Music and Mi Music share the same function.

According to our tests, on a pure Redmi 4X with MIUI 11 firmware, pre-installed applications take about 2.8-3.5 GB (depending on the regional version), and up to 1.5 GB of this volume can be freed by removing unnecessary programs.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is working on MIUI 9 or older, some applications (such as Mi Drop or Mi Remote) can be integrated deeper into the system, and their removal will require root rights or lead to errors.

What apps can be removed from Redmi 4X without consequences

We have divided programs into three categories: secure to remove, conditionally safe (can affect individual functions) and critical (cannot be deleted). 4X explainably.

1. Safe to remove (does not affect the system)

• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) is a standard player that can be replaced by Google Play Music or VLC.
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) is a video player with limited codecs: MX Player.
• 🌍 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – Xiaomi’s browser with ads.
• 📖 Mi Reader (com.miui.reader) is a book-reading app that doesn't get much updates.
• 🎮 Mi Game Center (com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service) – a service for games, useless without Chinese accounts.
• 📱 Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop) is a utility for transferring files over Wi-Fi).
• 🔊 Mi Sound Recorder (com.android.soundrecorder) – a voice recorder with basic functionality.
• 📡 Mi Remote (com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller) — a remote control for control equipment.

These applications do not affect the stability of MIUI and can be removed even without root permissions (via ADB).

Conditionally safe (functional damage may be affected)

• 📷 Mi Camera (com.android.camera) is a standard camera app, and deleting it will result in the camera losing its fast start with a double press of the power button.
• 📞 Mi Contacts (com.android.contacts) – if deleted, contacts will remain, but editing them will become less convenient.
• 📅 Mi Calendar (com.android.calendar) – syncs with Google Calendar, but without it, the widget on the desktop will disappear.
• 💬 Mi Messages (com.android.mms) — SMS-After deletion, messages will be opened via Google Messages (if installed).
• 🛒 Mi Pay (com.mipay.wallet) – payment service, does not work in Russia and Europe.

These programs are associated with basic smartphone features, but they can be replaced by third-party counterparts, for example, instead of Mi Camera, many install Google Camera (GCam) with improved photo processing.

3. Critical annexes (cannot be removed!)

• ⚙️ Security (com.miui.securitycenter) – Security Center, responsible for permissions and optimization.
• 🔧 Settings (com.android.settings) - system settings.
• 📱 System UI (com.android.systemui - interface MIUI (Notification panels, curtain, etc.).
• 🔄 Updater (com.android.updater) - Update module. Removal will block firmware installation.
• 📶 TeleService (com.android.phone) – responsible for mobile communications and SMS.

Removing these components will lead to a device blink (non-boot) or critical failures, and even if they take up a lot of space, you can't touch them.

How to Uninstall Apps on Redmi 4X: 3 Ways to Work

Depending on your skills and willingness to take risks, you can choose from three methods: from the simplest (no root) to the most advanced (with full access to the system).

1. Remove via settings (without root)

Some Xiaomi applications can be uninstalled in a standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a program from the list (e.g. Mi Music).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

Unfortunately, this way you can only remove some of the software, and most system applications will be marked as "Can't be removed."

💡

If the Remove button is inactive, try Stop the app first, then Turn it off. This won't free up memory, but it will reduce the system load.

2. Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

A more efficient way is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to remove system applications without superuser rights, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
2. Turn on your smartphone to debug by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. To uninstall the app, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.package For example, for Mi Music: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

For the list of packets to delete, see the section above. Once the command is executed, the application will disappear, but its data will remain in the system (parameter -k). To return the program, you just need to update the MIUI or enter:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

Download ADB Tools from the official website

Enable debugging by USB on a smartphone

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable

Check the visibility of the device by the adb device command

Backup of important data-->

3. Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have root installed (for example, through Magisk), you can delete applications using a file manager (for example, Root Explorer) or commands:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/app/application folder




rm -rf /system/priv-app/application folder

However, this method is extremely risky - error in the path or deletion of the wrong file can lead to a "brick".

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X Unlocked bootloader and root removal of critical applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may block access to banking applications due to SafetyNet.

Table: What happens if you remove popular Xiaomi apps

What to do if after removing applications, the smartphone began to slow down?

In rare cases, removing even "safe" software can lead to slowdowns, because MIUI expects certain packages to be available and spends resources searching for them.

1. Clear the system cache: Go to Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot the device: Sometimes a normal reboot is enough to make the system forget about the removed components.
3. Reset: If the brakes are critical, reset via Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset (save the data in advance!).
4. Return Remote Applications: Use the adb shell cmd package install-existing command name.packet.

If the problem doesn't go away, you may have removed the app from the safe category, and then just flashing it will help.

Alternatives to Deletion: How to Free Your Memory Without Risk

If you do not want to risk the stability of the system, but you need to make room, use these methods:

• 🗃️ Move the applications to SD-Map: In Settings → Select the program and click Transfer to SD (It does not work with all applications).
• 🧹 Clean up the cache and garbage: Use the built-in Cleanup utility MIUI third-party (SD Maid, CCleaner).
• 📁 Remove downloads and duplicate files: Check Download folders, DCIM, Pictures on unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates: Go to Settings on Google Play → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📱 Use Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (with Memory Optimization enabled).

These methods will help to free up 1-3 GB without risk to the system, for example, cleaning the cache of Google Play Services can give up to 500 MB of free space.

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Deleting pre-installed applications isn't the only way to free up memory. Often, it's enough to clear the cache, transfer files to the computer. SD-map or disable auto updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 4X