The standard Gallery app on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Mi series) often causes users to dissatisfaction: it takes up space in memory, duplicates the functions of Google Photos, and its updates lead to bugs or advertising. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide for the regular removal of system applications through the settings menu, but there are workarounds – from simple disabling to complete uninstallation through ADB or MIUI Hidden Settings.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove a gallery on Xiaomi in 2026, including the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models. Particular attention will be paid to security: improper actions can lead to malfunctions in the camera or other system functions. If you use the gallery as the main storage of photos, first transfer media files to another application (for example, Google Photos or Simple Gallery).
Why you can’t just delete the gallery through settings
The Gallery app (com.miui.gallery) in MIUI is a system service, which means that it:
- 🔗 Integrated with other OS components: camera, photo editor, cloud storage Mi Cloud.
- 🔒 Protected from removal by standard Android tools (the “Delete” button in the application menu is not available).
- 🔄 Automatically recovers after resetting or updating MIUI.
Even if you can remove it. APK-If you manually file a gallery file (e.g., through Root Explorer), the system can return it the next time you update it, so it's important not only to delete the application, but also to disable its updates or block it from working through the app. ADB.
Some of the scalings (especially on the POCO and global versions MIUI) The gallery may be called Mi Gallery or Photos, but the package remains the same, com.miui.gallery. ADB Search for Titanium Backup.
Method 1: Disable the gallery without removing (no root)
The safest method is to disable the application so that it does not start or take up RAM, which is suitable for users without root rights and does not require a connection to a PC.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search box, type "Gallery" (or "Gallery" for English firmware).
- Click on the app, then select Disable (or Disable).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
After the shutdown:
- ✅ Gallery icon will disappear from the app menu.
- ✅ The app will stop consuming resources and display notifications.
- ⚠️ The camera functions will remain operational, but the preview of the photos taken will be opened in another application (for example, in Google Photos, if it is installed).
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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first to clear the cache and gallery data in the same menu.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) Disabling the gallery can cause a failure in the system editor of the photo. ADB (see below) to remove only unnecessary components.
Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root permissions.This method works on all versions of MIUI, but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.
Enable debugging on USB developer-setting|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the platform ADB from the official Google website|Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode|Check the connection with the adb device command-->
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.gallery
- Reset the device.
If the command didn’t work, try the alternative (remove the updates but leave the base version):
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.gallery| ADB Team Team | The result | Reverse process |
|---|---|---|
| uninstall --user 0 | Complete removal for the current user | adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.gallery |
| uninstall -k --user 0 | Remove only updates, leave the basic version | Install the update manually via APKMirror |
| pm hide | Hiding the app (requires MIUI 12+) | pm unhide com.miui.gallery |
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The --user 0 command removes the app only for the current user, without affecting system files, which is safer than completely uninstalling through root.
If after deleting you notice problems with the camera (for example, no photos are saved), return the gallery with the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.galleryMethod 3: Use MIUI Hidden Settings (for advanced)
The MIUI Hidden Settings app (available on Google Play) allows you to manage system components without ADB or root.It is suitable for users who do not want to connect to a PC.
Instructions:
- Install. MIUI Hidden Settings from Google Play.
- Open the app and go to the App Manager section.
- Find the gallery (com.miui.gallery) in the list.
- Press Uninstall or Disable (depending on the firmware version).
Advantages of the method:
- 📱 It does not require a PC connection.
- 🔧 It allows you to roll back changes if something goes wrong.
- 🛡️ More secure than manual editing of system files.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13) Hidden Settings may not show system applications. ADB or get root rights.
Method 4: Complete removal with root rights
If you have root access (like through Magisk), you can completely delete the gallery, including its system files, which is the most radical method, but also the most effective one - the application will not recover after the updates.
Instructions for Root Explorer or Titanium Backup:
- Open a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiGallery or /system/app/Gallery2 (the path may vary depending on the model).
- Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiuiGallery_bak).
- Clear the cache and data through Settings → Apps → Gallery.
- Reset the device.
What happens if you remove the system gallery from root?
For security, back up the folder via Titanium Backup or copy it to your PC before you delete it, and if you have a camera problem after you delete it, return the files and use less radical methods (such as ADB).
Method 5: Replace the standard gallery with a third-party
If your goal is not to delete the gallery, but to stop using it, you just need to install an alternative application and make it the main one, which is the safest option, since it does not affect system files.
The best alternatives to the standard Xiaomi gallery:
- 📸 Google Photos – Cloud storage with automatic backup and photo search.
- 🖼️ Simple Gallery Pro – a lightweight open source application (no advertising and surveillance).
- 🎨 A+ Gallery – Supports themes, hidden folders and editing.
- 🔒 F-Stop Gallery for Professionals (Support) RAW, tags, filters).
To make the third-party gallery the main one:
- Install the selected application from Google Play.
- Open any photo through the file manager and select the new gallery as the default app.
- Disable notifications from the standard gallery in Settings → Notifications.
The advantage of this method is to retain all the features (including viewing photos from the camera), but with a more convenient interface, for example, Simple Gallery allows you to hide folders, sort photos by date of shooting, and does not show ads.
What to do if the gallery is restored after the update
One of the most unpleasant consequences of removing system applications is their automatic return after an update. MIUI. This is because the slate contains original APK-files that are restored when installing updates.
How to prevent recovery:
- 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and uncheck the box from Automatic boot.
- 📥 Remove gallery updates through ADB After each update, adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.gallery
- 🔒 Block installation via Magisk: If you have root, use the App Systemizer module to move the gallery to the user section.
If the gallery has already rebuilt:
- Repeat the removal process in the selected way (ADB, Hidden Settings or root).
- Clear the cache and application data in the settings.
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13 Pro) updates are installed in the background, even if the automatic download is disabled. → Annexes → gallery → Three points. → Remove updates.