Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation where the internal memory of the device is occupied by unnecessary pre-installed software. This not only creates annoying visual clutter, but also consumes RAM, slowing down the interface. The process of getting rid of bloatware (advertising and system garbage) requires accuracy, since incorrect actions can disrupt the stability of the system.
There are several ways to solve this problem: from standard removal through the menu to advanced methods using a computer. The choice of a specific method depends on your technical background and shell version MIUI or HyperOS. Below we will analyze each of them in detail so that you can choose the best option.
Standard removal through system settings
The easiest and safest method is available immediately after purchasing the device. Many pre-installed apps, such as games or third-party services, can be removed by simply dragging the icon to the trash. However, system utilities from Xiaomi are often hidden from direct deletion in the standard menu.
First, try going to the Settings → Applications → All applicationssection. Find the unnecessary app in the list and click on it. If the Remove button is active, you can get rid of the application without any extra steps. Otherwise, the system will only offer “Disable” or “Stop”, which will only hide the icon, but will not free up space.
- 🗑️ Press and hold the icon on the desktop for quick access to the uninstall menu.
- ⚙️ Check administrator rights in security settings before deleting system utilities.
- 🔄 Reboot the device after disabling major services to apply the changes.
It is worth remembering that the standard method has limitations. You won't be able to remove critical components such as Security, Themes, or File Explorer without gaining advanced permissions. An attempt to forcefully stop such processes can lead to unstable operation of the phone.
Preparing for advanced removal via ADB
If standard methods do not help, the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge) comes to the rescue. This is a universal utility from Google that allows you to control your device via a computer. To work, you will need a USB cable, a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux, as well as installed drivers.
The first step is to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “MIUI Version” item. After the “You have become a developer” message appears, return to the main settings menu and find the new “Advanced” or “Advanced settings” section.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling USB debugging gives access to deep system settings. Do not connect your phone to suspicious public data charging stations while this feature is active.
In the "For Developers" menu, find the "USB Debugging" switch and activate it. Confirm the action in the pop-up window. Your device is now ready to receive commands from your computer. It is also recommended to enable the option “Do not turn off the screen when charging” so that the process is not interrupted accidentally.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Uninstalling applications via the command line
After connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing the platform Platform-Tools, open the command line or terminal in the folder with the utility. First you need to check the connection by entering the command adb devices. If a window appears on your phone screen asking for permission to debug, confirm it.
To remove an application, you need to know its exact package name. You can find it out using the command adb shell pm list packages, which will display a complete list of installed software. The packages you are looking for often contain a brand in the name, for example com.miui or com.xiaomi.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analyticsThis command will remove the analytics service Xiaomi for the current user without affecting the system recovery partition. This means that when you perform a factory reset, the app may return, but it will be completely absent during normal operation. Be extremely careful when entering package names.
- 📦 Use the command
pm list packages -dto search for already disabled applications. - ❌ The command
uninstalldeletes application data permanently for the current user. - 💾 Save the list of deleted packages to a text file in case you need to restore.
The removal process via ADB gives maximum control, but requires care. An error in one letter of the package name may result in an attempt to remove a system component, which will cause the command to fail, but in rare cases may affect the boot.
List of packages safe to remove
com.miui.analytics (Analytics), com.miui.misys (MIUI System Services - be careful), com.facebook.katana (Facebook), com.google.android.videos (Google Movies). Delete only what you are 100% sure of its purpose.
Use specialized software for decontamination
For those who do not want to work with console commands, there are graphical shells that simplify the process. apps like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater provide a convenient interface with lists of applications and buttons for uninstallation.
Such utilities automatically detect the connected device and offer a list of apps recommended for uninstallation. They divide software into categories: “Safe”, “Experimental” and “Dangerous”. This reduces the risk of accidentally deleting critical system components.
| Utility name | Platform | Complexity | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi ADB Tools | Windows | Low | High |
| Universal Android Debloater | Windows/Mac/Linux | Medium | Medium |
| ADB AppControl | Windows | Low | High |
| ADB command line | Any | High | Depends on the user |
When using third-party software, it is important to download it only from official repositories, for example, from GitHub. Unofficial builds may contain malicious code or work incorrectly with new versions Android. Always make a backup copy of important data before starting mass cleaning.
Before running decontamination apps, disable the antivirus on your computer if it blocks ADB drivers, but make sure the downloaded file is safe using an online scanner.
Removing system applications with root access
Obtaining superuser rights (Root) opens access to the system partition /system, allowing you to delete any applications permanently, even after resetting the settings. For devices Redmi this usually requires unlocking the bootloader through the official utility Mi Unlock.
The unlocking process takes 7 to 15 days of waiting and results in the complete removal of all data from the phone. After unlocking, a custom recovery is installed, for example TWRP, and the rights manager is flashed. Magisk. Only then can you use file managers with root access, such as Root Explorer or System App Remover.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will void the device warranty in most regions. In addition, some banking applications and contactless payment services will stop working without additional security settings (Magisk Hide).
This method is only suitable for experienced users. An error when deleting a system file can turn a smartphone into a “brick”, the recovery of which is only possible through flashing in a mode Fastboot with the loss of all data. Weigh all the risks before starting the procedure.
Obtaining root access is an irreversible action from a guarantee point of view, which gives full control over the system, but requires high technical literacy.
Restoring deleted applications and common errors
If you deleted something unnecessary during the cleaning process, do not panic. When using the method via ADB without root access, the application can be easily restored by a factory reset or a special command. For root access, you will need to flash the system image.
To return an application deleted via ADB, use the command cmd package install-existing indicating the package name. This will restore the application to its factory-like state. If the phone starts to reboot cyclically (bootloop), you will need to enter Recovery mode and perform a data reset (Wipe Data).
- 🚑 Restore command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing. - 🔄 Factory reset will return all system applications to place.
- 💻 For deep recovery, you may need a Fastboot firmware file.
A common mistake is deleting services Google Play or components MIUI Systemresponsible for communications and network. This leads to signal loss or the inability to install new apps. Always check the purpose of the package on the Internet before deleting.
What to do if you receive a "Device unauthorized" error?
Disconnect the cable, cancel the permission on the phone, reconnect the cable and confirm debugging. Make sure that the latest drivers are installed on your computer.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will deleted applications return after a system update?
Yes, if you used the ADB method without root access, then after receiving a major firmware update (OTA) or resetting to factory settings, all system applications will be restored automatically. If you have root access and modify the system partition, the applications will not return.
Is it safe to delete the Security application on Redmi?
It is strictly not recommended to delete this application. It is integrated into the system core and is responsible for permissions, memory cleaning, antivirus and battery management. Removing it will lead to unstable operation of the phone and constant errors.
Do you need to unlock the bootloader to remove ads?
No, to remove most advertising services and pre-installed games, it is enough to use ADB without unlocking the bootloader. root access is only needed to remove deeply integrated system components that cannot be removed using standard means.
Why is the “Delete” button inactive for some applications?
This means that the application is a system application and is signed with a manufacturer’s certificate. The Android operating system protects such files from accidental deletion by the user. To remove them, you need superuser rights or a command through the computer.
Does deleting system applications affect the warranty?
Using ADB to disable or delete applications for the current user (--user 0) does not programmatically violate the integrity of the system partition and is usually not identified by service centers as interference. However, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root access will void the guarantee.