Xiaomi Redmi 7A: What apps can be removed without harming the system

The Xiaomi Redmi 7A, launched in 2019, is still a popular entry-level device due to its reliability.However, owners often face a shortage of 16 or 32 GB internal memory, which is quickly filled with system debris and pre-installed software.

Cleaning the operating system of excess software is not just a way to free up gigabytes, but also the ability to speed up the device. In the shell of MIUI, many processes work in the background, consuming RAM, which in this model is already scarce. A competent approach to uninstallation will extend the life of the gadget and make it more comfortable to use.

In this article, we will discuss which parts of the MIUI shell can be safely disabled or removed, and which ones are strictly forbidden to touch. You will learn about cleaning methods without obtaining superuser rights, which is especially important for maintaining warranty and stability of operation.

Analysis of pre-installed Xiaomi software

MIUI is famous for its functionality, but also redundancy. On board the Redmi 7A, the default is a whole suite of services that many users call "bloatware," which are programs imposed by the manufacturer or partners, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps, that take up space even if you've never used them.

It is important to understand the difference between Android system components and Xiaomi custom apps: the former provide basic phone, calls and the Internet, while the latter are often just add-ons. Deleting critical system files can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot), while removing entertainment services will pass without a trace.

Analysis shows that a significant portion of the storage is occupied by multimedia services and app stores. For example, GetApps is the equivalent of Xiaomi's Google Play, which duplicates the functions of the main store. If you are used to the Google ecosystem, you do not need this service.

It’s worth noting that some apps, such as the Google Services Framework, cannot be removed, which are the foundation for email, maps, and contact sync, and errors in selecting the packets to be removed can cause key smartphone features to fail.

Safe removal through smartphone settings

The easiest and safest way to free up space on the Redmi 7A is to use the regular system tools. Xiaomi allows you to remove some pre-installed applications directly from the settings menu without connecting to your computer, a method ideal for beginners who are afraid of damaging system files.

To start, you need to go to the settings section and find a list of all the programs installed, and the system will tell you which ones can be uninstalled and which ones can only be disabled, and if the Remove button is active, then the application is not critical to the operation of the kernel.

• 🗑️ Open the Settings. → Annexes → All applications to access the full list.
• 🔍 Find unnecessary programs, such as Mi Pay or Mi Credit.
• ✅ Click on the application icon and select the “Delete” button in the menu that appears.

But not everything can be removed by standard methods, and many system components, like Mi Browser or Mi Video, can only be forcibly stopped or disabled, but not completely removed, and will continue to occupy space in the system partition, even though they will no longer be updated or run.

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Before uninstalling any apps, back up your important data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive to avoid losing contacts and photos.

If the removal button is inactive (gray), it means that the application is system-based. These components will require more advanced methods, as discussed below. Don't try to bypass the restrictions with standard means by installing questionable cleaners from the Play Market.

Using ADB for deep cleaning of the system

Removing really redundant system applications on the Xiaomi Redmi 7A will require the use of the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which is Google’s official utility that allows you to control the device from a computer. It does not require root rights, which makes the method relatively safe when properly approached.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone, and you need to click on the build number several times in the About section. Once activated, a new "Developers" item will appear in the menu, where you should enable debugging over USB. Without this step, the computer will not be able to interact with the phone's file system.

Once you connect your smartphone to your PC and successfully authorize debugging, you can start removing packets. You can type commands into the command line or terminal. You need to know the exact package name, which is often different from the name of the app on the screen. For example, the browser can be called com.android.browser.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.android.globalFilemanager

This command will remove Xiaomi's standard file manager. Key --user 0 means that the application is removed for the current user, but physically remains in the system partition.This allows you to restore remote software at any time by the cmd package install-existing command if something goes wrong.

List of applications for removal and risk table

When working with Redmi 7A system files, it is important to clearly divide them into three categories: secure to delete, conditionally secure and critical. Deleting programs from the first group will not affect the operation of the phone. The second group can disable some of the shell functions, but the phone will remain working.

Below is a table to help you navigate the packet names. Note that the names may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI firmware (Global, China, Russia).

The com.miui.securitycenter is a security center that manages permissions, memory cleansing, and antivirus, and deleting it can disrupt notifications and background processes, and it is better to configure it than completely uninstall it.

Users also often try to remove Google services to save space, and Redmi 7A is not advisable, as many third-party apps (taxis, banks, maps) depend on Google Play Services, and their removal will lead to unstable operation of the entire smartphone.

Cleaning up Chinese software and advertising

Owners of global versions of Xiaomi often complain about pop-up ads in system applications, the source of advertising is MSA (MIUI System Ads), which disabling this component significantly reduces the number of intrusive offers, although it does not remove them completely from some applications.

To disable advertising, you can use both the settings of the phone itself and the ADB commands. In the settings, you need to find the "Receive recommendations" item and turn it off in each system application (Music, Video, Explorer).

• 🚫 Shut down the service. MSA through settings → Annexes → All applications → MSA.
• 🔒 Ban Internet access for system advertising modules.
• 📉 Use it. DNS Ad blocking to filter traffic at the network level.

⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of the package MSA through ADB This can lead to errors in the interface. MIUI. It is safer to simply disable internet access for this app or use a disable command rather than delete.

Chinese software like Mi Store or Mi Home (Chinese version) is often even on global firmware. If you're not using Xiaomi's smart home or buying products from a Chinese marketplace, these apps can be removed. They not only take up space, but they can also collect telemetry data.

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Disabling advertising services (MSA) and removing Chinese apps is the most effective way to improve the speed of the Redmi 7A without losing functionality.

Recovery of Remote System Components

Even with careful removal, there is a risk that a component will be needed to run a specific feature or a new application. Fortunately, the ADB method makes it easy to get it back if you haven’t physically erased the system partition (which is impossible without root and an unlocked bootloader).

To recover, you just need to reconnect the phone to your computer and start the installation command of the existing package, and the system will simply return the shortcut and the ability to run the application, which was previously hidden to the current user.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer

If you have removed the app in the standard way through your settings, you can download it again from the Google Play Store or Mi GetApps. Most remote components, such as Mi Video or Themes, are available for re-download in official stores.

In case the phone stopped booting after your experiments (which is unlikely when using the method). --user 0), The only way out is to flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool utility. So always keep the current version of the firmware for your model on hand.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete packages associated with telephony (com.android.phone), contacts, or system framework (android) and this will cause the device to be completely inoperable as a phone.

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