The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9 over time becomes clogged with unnecessary applications: pre-installed MIUI services, cached data and apps that you have not used for a long time. Even after standard removal through the menu, many applications leave behind “tails” - residual files that take up precious memory space. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways cleaning Redmi 9 from unnecessary software, including hidden system utilities and methods for experienced users.

Feature Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC, M2004C3LG i similar) is a shell MIUIthat actively integrates its own services Xiaomi. Many of them cannot be removed using standard methods, but there are workarounds. We will look at both basic actions for beginners and advanced techniques using ADB i debloating (firmware removal). All instructions are adapted to the current versions MIUI 14/15 i Android 10/11on which debloating works Redmi 9.

Before you begin, check the free memory space: go to Settings → About phone → Memory. If more than 80% is occupied, it’s time to clean. Now let's move on to specific methods.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in tools MIUI. It is suitable for user applicationsinstalled from Google Play or third-party sources. System apps cannot be removed using this method, but you can at least disable them.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
  • 🔍 Go to section Applications → Manage applications.
  • 📊 At the top of the screen, select the tab All applications (the default may be Loaded).
  • 🗑️ Find the unnecessary application in the list and tap on it. A menu with options will open.
  • 🚫 If the button Delete is active, click it instead. data-i="67">or Disable or Uninstall updates, this means the application is a system one.

To speed up the process, you can use the search: at the top of the list of applications there is a line with a magnifying glass. Enter the name of the app. (for example, Facebook or Clean Master), and the system will immediately show it.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete applications with names com.android., com.miui. or com.google. at the beginning - these are critical system components. Their deletion may lead to the smartphone not working.

Check free memory space

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (if the battery level is below 30%)

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2. Disabling system applications (without root)

Many pre-installed apps on Redmi 9 (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) cannot be completely removed, but they can disable. This will stop them from working, hide them from the menu and prevent autorun. Application files will remain in memory, but will not waste resources.

How to disable:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
  2. Select a system application (for example, Mi Music).
  3. Click Disable (the button may be gray).
  4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Disabled apps will disappear from the menu, but will remain in list All applications marked Disabled. To return them, click Enable.

Application Can I delete? Can I disable it? Consequences of disabling
Mi Browser ❌ No ✅ Yes Will not open by default for web links
GetApps ❌ No ✅ Yes Xiaomi app store will disappear
Mi Video ❌ No ✅ Yes Video files will be opened through another application
Google Play Music ✅ Yes (if not the system one) ✅ Yes There will be no background music playback
Security ❌ No ❌ No Disconnection will lead to system errors
⚠️ Attention: Disconnection Mi Security or Google Play Services may disrupt operation MIUI and lead to constant notifications about mistakes. If you are not sure, it is better to leave them active.

3. Removal via Safe Mode

Some applications (especially viruses or aggressive optimizers) block their removal in normal mode. In such cases, it will help Safe Mode —the Android diagnostic mode, where only system apps work.

How to enter Safe Mode on Redmi 9:

  1. Hold the button Power until the shutdown menu appears.
  2. Tap and hold the option with your finger Turn off (or Turn off power).
  3. In the window that appears, confirm the transition in Safe Mode.
  4. After the reboot, the message will appear at the bottom of the screen Safe mode.

In this mode:

  • 🔄 Try removing the problematic application through Settings → Applications.
  • 🛡️ Check if viruses or unnecessary services have disappeared (for example, DU Battery Saver).
  • 🔙 To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your phone.
💡

If the application is still not removed in Safe Mode, most likely it is a system one. Try the ADB method from the following section.

4. Advanced removal via ADB (without root)

For experienced users, there is a way to remove even system applications without obtaining root access - through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is an official tool from Google, which allows you to control your smartphone from a computer.

What you will need:

  • 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
  • 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi i ADB.
  • 🔧 Enabled USB debugging on the phone.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Activate Developer mode:
    • Go to Settings → About phone.
    • Tap 7 times on the item MIUI Version (a notification “You have become a developer” will appear).
  • Enable USB Debugging:
    • Return to Settings → Additional → For developers.
    • Activate the switch USB debugging.
    • Connect the phone to the computer and confirm trust in the device.
    • Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
    • Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter: 
      adb devices

      Your serial number should appear Redmi 9.

    • To see the list all applications, do: 
      adb shell pm list packages
    • To remove a specific application (for example, Mi Browser with a package com.android.browser) enter: 
      adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

      • Important: after uninstalling via ADB The application will disappear only for your user profile (flag --user 0). It will remain in the system, but will not be visible and will not be updated. To get it back, you will need to reset or re-install.

      ⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, com.miui.securitycenter) when deleted via ADB may cause the phone to reboot cyclically. Before experiments, create a backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.
      List of packages safe to delete on Redmi 9

      Can be deleted (non-critical):

      - com.miui.bugreport (Error reports)

      - com.miui.analytics (Analytics Xiaomi)

      - com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop)

      - com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video)

      - com.android.browser (Mi Browser)

      Remove with caution (may affect stability):

      - com.miui.cleanmaster (Cleaning)

      - com.miui.securityadd (Additional security)

      - com.android.mms (Messages if you use third-party messengers)

      CANNOT be deleted (system-critical):

      - com.miui.home (Launcher)

      - com.android.settings (Settings)

      - com.google.android.gsf (Google Services)

      5. Complete removal using root access

      If you are ready to take radical measures, getting root access will open access to the removal of any applications, including deeply integrated services MIUI. However, this will void the warranty and may lead to unstable operation of the phone.

      How to get root on Redmi 9:

      1. Unlock the bootloader through the official website Xiaomi (account required Mi and waiting 7-30 days).
      2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
      3. Flash Magisk to get root access.

    After that you can use:

    • 📱 Root Explorer — to manually delete application files from /system/app.
    • 🧹 Titanium Backup — to freeze or completely remove system apps.
    • 🔧 SD Maid — to clean up residual files.

    Example command for removal via TWRP (requires caution!):

    adb shell

    su
    

    mount -o rw,remount /system
    

    rm -rf /system/app/Unnecessary Application
    

    mount -o ro,remount /system

    ⚠️ Attention: After getting root Redmi 9 will no longer receive OTA updates. To install them, you will have to manually flash new versions. MIUI via TWRP.

    Yes, on the current phone

    Yes, but on previous models

    No, but I want to try

    No, and not planning

    I don’t know what it is-->

    6. Cleaning up residual files after uninstallation

    Even after uninstallation, applications are often left behind cache, settings and temporary files. They can be found and deleted manually.

    Where to look for garbage:

    • 🗃️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[package_name] - application data is stored here.
    • 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/[package_name] —large files (for example, game cache).
    • 📁 /storage/emulated/0/[folders with the name of the application] —some apps create their own directories.

      • To access these folders:

      1. Connect the phone to the computer in the mode File transfer.
      2. Use explorer (Windows Explorer, Finder or Total Commander).
      3. Turn on the display of hidden files (in Windows: View → Hidden elements).
      4. Delete folders with the names of unnecessary applications.

      Suitable for automating the process utilities:

      • 🧹 CCleaner —cleanses the cache and temporary files.
      • 🗃️ Files by Google —finds duplicates and large unnecessary files.
      • 🔍 SD Maid (requires root)—deep cleaning of the system.
      💡

      Regular cleaning of residual files can free up to 1-3 GB of memory on Redmi 9, especially if you often install and uninstall games.

      7. Alternative methods: debloating and custom firmware

      If you are annoyed by the abundance of pre-installed software in MIUI, consider installing custom firmware. This is a radical method, but it gives complete control over the system.

      Popular firmware for Redmi 9:

      • 📱 LineageOS - pure Android without unnecessary applications.
      • 🔧 Pixel Experience - firmware with an interface Google Pixel.
      • 🚀 Havoc-OS — customized firmware with many functions.

      Advantages of custom firmware:

      • ✅ No pre-installed garbage from Xiaomi.
      • ✅ Regular security updates.
      • ✅ Possibility of thin interface settings.

      Disadvantages:

      • ❌ Complexity of installation (requires unlocking the bootloader and TWRP).
      • ❌ Possible bugs (for example, non-working NFC or camera).
      • ❌ Loss guarantees.

      Search for installation instructions on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA (indicate the exact model Redmi 9 — M2003J15SC, M2004C3LG etc.).

      ⚠️ Attention: Details of installing custom firmware may change before. firmware, check compatibility with your revision Redmi 9 and versions MIUI/Android.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about deleting applications on Redmi 9

      Is it possible to remove Google Play Services?

      No, this is a critical system component. Removing it will lead to the collapse of many functions, including Google Playaccount synchronization and push notifications. The maximum that can be done is to disable auto-updates through Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Uninstall updates.

      Why does the application appear again after deletion?

      This happens because of the autorecovery function. Some system applications (for example, MIUI. Some system applications (for example, Mi Security or Cleaner) are restored after a reboot. to avoid, use method with ADB (section 4) or disable auto-update of system applications in Settings → About phone → System update → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update applications.

      How to remove viruses that cannot be removed?

      If standard methods do not help:

      1. Boot into Safe Mode (section 3) and try to remove the virus.
      2. Use an antivirus with a pre-installation scanning function (for example, Malwarebytes).
      3. If the virus has integrated into the system files, do a factory reset (Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset → Reset settings).

      How much memory will be freed up after deleting system applications?

      Depends on of what you delete. Approximate calculation:

      • Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video - 50-100 MB each.
      • GetApps, Mi Community - 30-70 MB.
      • Facebook, Netflix (if preinstalled) - up to 200 MB with cache.

      B the amount can be freed 1-2 GBif you delete everything unnecessary. But remember: some applications (for example, Google Chrome) cannot be completely removed - only disabled.

      Is it possible to return a deleted system application?

      Yes, but the methods depend on the deletion method:

      • If you used ADB - run the command: 
        adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

        (replace com.android.browser with the desired package).

      • If deleted via root - restore from a backup Titanium Backup or reflash the system partition.
      • If you don’t remember the name of the package, reset the phone to factory settings.