How to remove Whetstone from Xiaomi completely: 5 proven ways

Whetstone utility (also known as com.miui.benchtest) is a built-in performance benchmark that Xiaomi integrates into firmware. MIUI However, many users are faced with a situation where this application begins to interfere: it can independently start in the background, consume battery power or even block access to some functions of the system. This is especially true for owners of devices with HyperOS or MIUI 14/15, Whetstone is sometimes activated after updates.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to delete Whetstone, from simply disabling to completely deleting system files (including methods for devices with an unlocked bootloader). If you just need to stop background activity, standard settings will suffice, but a superuser (root) rights will be required to completely delete it. ADB-We will also look at the risks of each method and give recommendations for system recovery in the event of a failure.

What is Whetstone and why should it be removed?

Whetstone is Xiaomi’s internal tool for testing processor performance, memory and graphics, and is used in the manufacturing phase and by service centers, but has no practical use for the user in everyday use of the smartphone.

• 🔋 Battery discharge – background testing processes are consumed to 10-15% day-load.
• 🐢 Slow down the system – when testing actively, it takes up to 30% CPU, resulting in lags.
• 🚫 Block functions – on some firmware, interferes with the work of the camera or GPS.
• 🔍 Collect data – sends test logs to Xiaomi servers (you can disable in privacy settings).

Key signs of Whetstone activity: com.miui.benchtest in the list of running applications (checked through Settings → Applications → All applications),

unexplained heating of the device without load,

The notification “System Benchmark” appears.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Whetstone may be linked to com.miui.hyper, and its removal without root rights may cause interface failures.

Method 1: Disable Whetstone without root (standard settings)

If you just need to stop the background activity of the test, just use the built-in tools. MIUI/HyperOS. This method does not require technical skills and is safe for the system.

Steps to shut down:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type Whetstone or benchtest.
3. Select the Performance Test (or System Benchmark) application.
4. Click Stop, then Disable (if the button is active).
5. In the Battery section, set the background limit to Limited.
6. In Permissions, disable all available rights (camera, microphone, location).

After these actions, the application will not start automatically, but its files will remain in the system.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

For users who are ready to connect a smartphone to a computer, ADB-Teams are the gold standard for removing system applications without obtaining root permissions. The method works on all Xiaomi devices with debugging enabled. USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install Mi PC Suite or ADB Driver drivers.
4. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into a folder.
5. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in this folder.
6. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should see your device) adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.benchtest

If Whetstone continues to appear after execution of commands, then it is integrated into another system package on your device (for example, com.miui.hyper on HyperOS), in this case only the root-rights method will help.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you are ready to get root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Whetstone permanently, including all associated files.

Important: Back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool before you start, as incorrect actions can lead to a bootloop (locked boot).

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights.
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/Whetstone or /system/app/BenchTest
4. Delete the entire folder or files: BenchTest.apk, BenchTest.odex, libwhetstone.so (if any).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, POCO F5) Removing Whetstone can reset settings MIUI Optimization, which will result in loss of navigation gestures. To avoid this, execute the command su setprop before removing it. persist.sys.miui_optimization 1

To check the success of the removal, use the command:

su


pm list packages | grep -i whetstone

If the output is empty, the application is removed completely.

Method 4: Remove via TWRP (alternative root)

If you have custom TWRP recaps installed, you can delete Whetstone without full root access, a method less risky than manually editing system files, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the zip archive with the delete script for your model (see “Xiaomi Whetstone remover”).
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Click Install and select the downloaded zip file.
4. Swipe for confirmation.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

Popular scripts for removal:

• 📁 MIUI Debloater – removes Whetstone and other system applications.
• 📁 Universal Xiaomi Debloater – HyperOS Supports.
• 📁 Whetstone Killer - a specialized script for benchmark tests.

If errors occur after the reboot (e.g., com.android.phone has stopped), then the script has removed the critical dependencies.

1. Get back to TWRP.
2. Install Magisk (if not installed).
3. Please. Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt to disable system file checks.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed or you are afraid to interfere with system files, a hard reset will return the device to its original state, but it will delete all data, including photos, messages and installed applications.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password from Mi-account).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Whetstone will be removed, but may reappear after the update MIUI/HyperOS.
• 🔧 To prevent re-activation, immediately after setting up your phone, turn off automatic updates to system applications in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update of applications.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro), a factory reset can return firmware to the same level. MIUI 14 if there has been an update before OTA. To avoid this, check the firmware version in Settings before resetting. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete Whetstone, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

If you removed Whetstone but faced unintended consequences (such as sensors or mobile network failure), try:

• 🔧 Recover deleted files through TWRP (if there's a backup).
• 📥 Reflash the device without data cleaning (Save user data option in the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🛠️ Use the Magisk Module MIUI Optimization Disabler for Recovery of Functionality.

💡

Before any manipulation of system files, check the model of your device with the command adb shell getprop ro.product.model. Some scripts and modules work only on specific models (for example, different Whetstone packages are used for Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Whetstone removal