Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their availability and functionality, but MIUI firmware often comes with excessive amounts of pre-installed software. Owners of the Redmi 9 model regularly face a situation where embedded programs take up valuable space and waste CPU resources.
The Android operating system in the MIUI shell has a complex permission structure that by default prevents the user from removing system packages. Standard removal is only available for user programs downloaded from the store. To get to the deep system files, a more advanced approach will be required.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to clean your gadget’s memory safely, which components can be removed without risking stability, and which are better left behind, and we will look at a method that does not require root rights, which preserves the device’s warranty.
Why you should clean up your system junk on Redmi 9
Pre-installed apps, often called bloatware, don't just take up space. They can run background processes, consume RAM, and even send advertising data. On a budget device like the Redmi 9, every megabyte of RAM and every percent of battery life is in the account.
Cleaning up the system allows you to free up internal storage, which is often limited to 32 or 64 gigabytes. Removing unnecessary services from Google or Xiaomi reduces the load on the MediaTek Helio G80 processor. This can lead to a noticeable increase in performance in the interface.
⚠️ Note: Removing critical system components (e.g., Security or Settings) can result in a cyclic bootloop. Always check the purpose of a packet before removing it.
Also, getting rid of the excess software increases privacy, many embedded utilities have broad permissions to access geolocation and contacts, and minimizing the number of installed programs reduces the surface for potential attacks.
- 🚀 Speeding up the operation of the interface by freeing up RAM.
- 💾 Freeing up useful space in internal storage.
- 🔋 Reduced energy consumption by stopping background processes.
- 🛡️ Improving data privacy by disabling telemetry.
It's important to understand the difference between user and system applications, the first ones are removed by dragging and dropping into the cart, the second requires special tools, and we'll use a USB-based debugging method.
Preparation of the smartphone for the cleaning procedure
Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to activate the developer mode, which is a hidden menu that gives you access to advanced Android settings, without which the computer will not be able to access the phone's file system.
To activate, go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI Version string and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row. The system will notify you with an audible signal and a message that you have become a developer.
Then you need to turn on the debugging itself. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer. Find the Debugging USB and activate the switch. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
☑️ Readiness check for Redmi 9
It is also recommended to back up important data, and while the method described is considered safe, accidentally removing the desired component may require resetting your settings, saving contacts and photos to the Google cloud or computer.
Required tools and drivers
You'll need a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux to work, and your PC will need to have ADB drivers installed, which is Google's standard toolkit for interacting with Android devices.
There are several ways to do this: you can use the command line by typing complex commands manually, or you can use graphics utilities, and the most popular and convenient solution is ADB AppControl or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.
We'll look at using a universal tool that automatically identifies connected devices: download the latest version of the SDK Platform-Tools platform from the official developer website. Unpack the archive into the root folder of the disk for convenience, for example, in C:\adb.
adb devices
adb shell pm list packagesIf you use a graphics shell, the process is simplified. The program will request the installation of drivers when you first connect. Make sure that the cable you use to connect Redmi 9 to your PC supports data transfer, not just charging.
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Use the original cable or high-quality, thick-wire counterpart. Cheap cables often cause connection breaks while working with ADB.
Instructions for removal through ADB
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. You'll see a request on your phone for debugging permission from that computer. You'll check "Always Allow" and press OK. In the PC command line, type in the adb device command. If you see the device serial number and device status, you've got a link.
Now you have to get a list of all the packages installed, and the adb shell pm list packages will display the full list, but it's not easy to read, so you'd better use a visualization tool, and you'll see a list of applications in the interface that can be removed or frozen.
Select the application you want to remove. Press Uninstall. The system will request confirmation. Once the command is successfully executed, the application will disappear from the menu and stop taking up space.
| Packet name | Description | Recommendation | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.android.bips | Press service | Delete if you're not typing. | Low. |
| com.google.android.videos | Google Movies | Remove if not used | Low. |
| com.miui.weather2 | Xiaomi Weather | Leave or replace | Medium. |
| com.android.stk | Menus. SIM-map | Leave it. | High-pitched |
It is important not to delete packets that you do not know what they are intended for. For some system components, there is a safe alternative, Freeze, in which case the application remains in the system, but completely shuts down and does not start.
What if your computer doesn’t see Redmi 9?
List of safe applications to remove
Redmi 9 owners can easily remove a number of standard applications if they do not use their functionality, including Google services that duplicate the system’s functions, and Xiaomi proprietary software.
For example, if you don’t use Dropbox cloud storage or Netflix streaming (which is often preinstalled), they can be removed.
- 📉 com.facebook.katana – Facebook (often built-in).
- 🛒 com.miui.shopping - Mi Store (app store).
- 🎵 com.miui.player - Standard Music Player.
- 📹 com.miui.videoplayer - Standard Video Player.
Be careful with the com.miui.securitycenter package.This is a security center that manages permissions, memory cleanups and antivirus. its removal can disrupt notifications and background processes of other applications.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the System UI (com.android.systemui and Settings (com.android.settings) will cause the interface to fail, and the system can only be restored by flashing it.
If you delete the extra, you can always go back. For packages that have just been frozen, just select the defrosting function. For fully remote system applications, you will need a restore command or reset to factory settings.
Alternative methods and recovery
There are computer-free removal methods that require unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom TWRP recavator. This method gives full access to the file system, but it is more complicated and voids the warranty. For most users, the ADB method is the optimal balance of security and efficiency.
If you have problems, for example, if the phone is unstable, you can reset your settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select “Erase all data.” This will return Redmi 9 to its original state.
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The ADB method allows you to delete applications for the current user without affecting the system partition, which means that after resetting the remote applications can return, but the system will remain intact.
Cleaning your smartphone regularly from unused software is a good habit, and not only frees up space, it disciplines the user by keeping only the tools they really need in the device.