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When buying a new smartphone from the company Xiaomi, the user is often faced with a paradoxical situation: the device has powerful hardware, but works slowly or quickly discharges. The reason lies in redundant software that is preinstalled by the manufacturer. Owners of shell-based devices MIUI or a new one HyperOS often wonder which apps can be removed without the risk of turning the device into a “brick.”
System garbage, often called bloatware, takes up space in memory, consumes RAM in the background and regularly asks for permissions, collecting data about your activity. Proper cleaning of your smartphone from unnecessary services can not only free up several gigabytes of space, but also significantly extend battery life. In this article, we will analyze in detail safe removal methods and compile a comprehensive list of applications that you can get rid of.
Before taking radical measures, it is important to understand the Android architecture and the specifics of the Chinese giant's firmware. Not all desktop icons are full-fledged applications, and some system processes are critical to running the interface. An error in selecting the component to remove can lead to an endless reboot or loss of connection. Therefore, the approach must be balanced and technically competent.
Categories of pre-installed software and degree of risk
All applications on a smartphone are conditionally divided into three groups according to the degree of importance for the functioning of the system. The first group is system componentsthe removal of which is strictly prohibited without deep knowledge. This includes the task manager, system UI, security services and basic drivers. An attempt to uninstall these packages via ADB will lead to unstable operation of the device.
The second category includes proprietary services Xiaomithat duplicate the functionality of standard Google applications or third-party developers. For example, a built-in browser, gallery or music player. Removing them is safe if you have an alternative, but it may disrupt some system functions related to these services. However, the risk of “breaking” the phone here is minimal.
The third group is adware and affiliate applications. Often these are games, delivery services, social networks or news aggregators, pre-installed under an agreement with the developers. These apps can and should be removed first. They do not carry any functional load for the operation of the smartphone itself, but only occupy resources.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting any system packages, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup copy of your data. Even seemingly safe actions can lead to unpredictable shell malfunctions.
Understanding this classification will help you create an individual cleaning plan. There is no single recipe for all models, from Redmi Note to flagship Mi, since the set of software may vary depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA).
Safe deletion through the smartphone settings
The simplest and most accessible cleaning method is not Requires connection to a computer or enabling USB debugging. The standard MIUI interface allows you to uninstall most user applications in a couple of touches. To do this, just hold down the icon on the desktop and select "Delete" or go to the menu Settings → Applications → All applications.
In this list you will see all installed apps. The system will automatically hide critical components that cannot be removed normally. If the "Delete" button is active (not gray), it means that the application is not vital to the system kernel. Feel free to get rid of everything you don’t use.
Particular attention should be paid to folders with names like “Tools” or “Services and Feedback”. They often hide calculators, voice recorders, QR code scanners, and memory cleaning apps hidden inside them. If you prefer third-party software from Google Play, standard utilities can be removed.
- 🗑️ Games and entertainment applications (Facebook, TikTok, pre-installed games).
- 📦 E-commerce services (AliExpress, Amazon, local marketplaces).
- 📰 News aggregators and content widgets (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps).
- 🔍 Browsers and search engines (Mi Browser, Yandex.Browser, if you don’t use it).
It is worth noting that when deleted through settings, some applications are not completely erased, but are only disabled or returned to factory condition. Residual files may take up space, but they will not run in the background. For complete cleaning, it is better to use more advanced methods described below.
Before deleting a standard player or gallery, install an alternative, such as VLC or Google Photos, so as not to be left without media viewers.
Advanced cleaning via ADB and computer
To remove system applications that do not have an uninstall button in the interface, you will need to use tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to send commands directly to the Android system, bypassing UI restrictions. It is safer than obtaining root access, since it does not violate the integrity of the system partition forever - applications can be restored with a factory reset.
To get started, you need to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the “MIUI Version” (or “OS Version”) item seven times in a row. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, go to the advanced settings and enable USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to the computer with a cable. You need to download ADB platform tools on your PC. After connecting, enter the command adb devicesin the command line. A request for debugging permission will appear on your phone screen - confirm it. If the device's serial number is displayed in the console, the connection was successful.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package_nameThis command uninstalls the application for the current user (user 0), effectively hiding it from the system and stopping it from running. The package remains on the system partition but is not loaded. To find out the name of the package, you can use applications like App Inspector or the command adb shell pm list packages.
☑️ Prepare for removal via ADB
List of Xiaomi system packages to remove
Below is a table with the most common packages that can be safely removed to unload the system. Please note that names may vary slightly between firmware versions. Remove only those components whose purpose you are sure of.
| Package name | Application description | Deletion security |
|---|---|---|
com.miui.analytics |
MIUI Analytics Service (data collection) | High (recommended) |
com.miui.misys |
System advertising services | High (recommended) |
com.facebook.katana |
Pre-installed Facebook | Absolutely safe |
com.miui.browser |
Standard Mi browser | Safe (if there is another) |
com.google.android.apps.tachyon |
Google Duo (outdated service) | Safe |
The package deserves special attention com.miui.daemon. This is a system daemon that is often blamed for excessive battery drain. Removing it is possible, but in rare cases it may affect the operation of some system utilities. A safer alternative is to limit its background activity through the battery settings.
Also, many users seek to remove Google services (GMS). This is worth doing only if you are completely switching to the Huawei ecosystem or using a phone without the Internet. Otherwise, you will lose access to the Play Store, contact synchronization, and most banking applications.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and package names may change with HyperOS updates. If the ADB command returns the error "Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]", then the package is protected or critical and should not be forcibly deleted.
Recovering deleted system applications
One of the main advantages of the ADB method is its reversibility. If, after removing any component, you notice strange behavior on your phone (for example, the camera or notifications stop working), you can easily return everything to the way it was. To do this, you do not need to reflash the device.
Use the reinstal command, which will return the application for the current user. The syntax is the same as the delete command, but with a different switch. Make sure that the phone is connected to the computer and debugging is active.
adb shell cmd package install-existing package_nameIn some older versions of Android or shells, the command may work adb shell pm reinstall package_name. If none of the commands helps, the only way out is a full reset to factory settings (Wipe Data), which will return the phone to its original state with all pre-installed software.
What to do if the phone went into bootlap after uninstallation?
If your smartphone reboots endlessly, try booting into Recovery mode (power button + volume up). If there is a Wipe Data item there, reset it. If not, you will need to flash it via the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
Optimization without uninstallation: freezing applications
Uninstallation is not always the best solution. Sometimes an application should not be deleted, but simply prevented from starting. This process is called "freezing". For this, there are special freezer applications, such as Ice Box or Greenify, which require device administrator rights or an ADB shell.
A frozen application completely disappears from the list of running processes, does not consume the battery and does not show notifications. However, its icon remains in the menu and you can launch it manually at any time. This is an ideal option for rarely used apps.
This approach allows you to test the impact of the application on the system. You can freeze the service for a week and observe the behavior of the smartphone. If no problems arise, you can safely delete it. If something goes wrong, just defrost the component.
- ❄️ Freezing is safer than removal for system components.
- 🔄 Possibility of instantly returning functionality.
- 🔋 Real battery savings without the risk of breakdown.
Freezing applications is the "golden mean" between complete removal and background work, allowing you to test system stability without risk.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove Google Play Services on Xiaomi?
Technically this is possible via ADB, but it is extremely difficult recommended. Google Play Services is required for push notifications, geolocation, most games and banking applications. Without them, the phone will turn into a limited device on which it is difficult to install new software.
Is it safe to delete the Security application?
The application com.miui.securitycenter is deeply integrated into the MIUI system. It manages permissions, memory cleaning and antivirus. Removing it can lead to system instability, application installation errors, and task manager malfunctions. It is better to disable its autorun and notifications.
Will a deleted application return after a system update?
Yes, with a global firmware update (for example, from MIUI 14 to HyperOS), the system can restore the factory set of applications. You will have to repeat the cleaning procedure. However, when receiving small security updates (patches), packages removed via ADB usually remain deleted.
Do you need to obtain root access to remove system junk?
No, obtaining superuser rights (Root) is not necessary for basic cleaning. The ADB method allows you to remove 95% of unnecessary software without violating the warranty and without the risk of “bricking” if modding is unsuccessful. Root is only needed to remove deeply protected system partitions, which is not required by the average user.
Why is the memory not freed up after deleting applications?
The uninstall command via ADB removes the application for the user, but the installation file (APK) remains in the system partition, which is not writable without Root. Therefore, the amount of system memory will not change. However, space in the user section will be freed up from the data and cache of this application, and the load on the processor will also be reduced.