Smartphones of the Redmi line from the company Xiaomi are famous for their functionality and affordable price, but the pre-installed software often raises questions among users. Owners of the model Redmi 9 often face a situation where icons of apps appear on the screen that they have never used, but which take up precious space. Removing unnecessary software is not just a way to restore order, but also an effective measure to speed up the operation of the device.
The uninstallation process on Android may vary depending on the type of application and the access rights it has. Standard methods available to every user can get rid of most downloaded apps, but system components require deeper intervention. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to clear the memory of your gadget.
Do not underestimate the impact of background processes on battery life. Even if you don't open a particular game or service, it can consume CPU and RAM resources. Proper cleaning allows you to extend the life of the battery and ensure smoother operation of the interface MIUI.
Standard removal via the desktop
The simplest and most obvious way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use the desktop capabilities. The interface MIUI is intuitive, but has its own characteristics compared to the clean one Android. To begin, find the icon of the app that you plan to remove.
Click on the icon and hold your finger for a couple of seconds. A pop-up menu with several options will appear on the screen. You need to select the item Delete, which is usually indicated by a trash can icon or a cross. The system will ask you to confirm the action to avoid accidentally erasing important data.
If you downloaded the application from the store Google Play, it will be completely deleted along with all saved data and cache. However, system utilities often do not have a complete uninstall button in this menu. In this case, the system will offer only disable the app or remove only the shortcut from the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: Removing the shortcut from the desktop does not uninstall the application itself. It will remain in memory and will continue to work in the background unless you complete the full procedure through the settings.
If the icon is not deleted by long pressing, check whether the desktop editing lock mode is enabled in the launcher settings.
Users often confuse deleting a shortcut with a full uninstallation. Make sure you choose to uninstall the application and not just hide the icon. This is critical for freeing up internal storage.
Managing applications in system settings
A more reliable method of controlling installed software is located deep in the system menu. Here you get access to a complete list of all apps, including those that do not have desktop shortcuts. Go to the section Settings and find the item Applications.
Select All applicationsin the list that opens. The complete register of installed software is displayed here. You can sort the list by memory size or name, making it easier to find heavy apps. Click on the name of the application you are interested in.
In the app information menu you will see a button Delete. If this button is active (not greyed out), you can safely uninstall the application. If the button is inactive or missing, then this application is a system component Xiaomi or Android, and it cannot be removed using standard methods.
The option Disableis often available for system apps. Using this feature stops the application, hides it from the list, and prevents it from receiving updates. This is an effective way to deal with uninstallable software without obtaining root access.
☑️ Check before deleting
Pay attention to the section Memory inside the application card. Before deleting, it is useful to press the Clearbutton to erase the accumulated cache and data. This action will free up space instantly, even if you are not yet ready to delete the app itself.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling system components, such as System UI or services Google Play, can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone or the appearance of constant errors.
Removing pre-installed games and advertising
The model Redmi 9, like many budget devices, often comes with pre-installed games and partner applications. Developers post them for monetization, but they rarely provide any benefit to the user. These apps are often called bloatware.
Most of these games can be removed in the standard way through the settings, as described above. However, some of them may be disguised as system processes. Carefully study the name and developer before confirming deletion.
Sometimes after deleting a game, its icon may remain in the folder Tools or on the desktop as a broken link. In this case, simply remove the shortcut with a long press. The system may also offer to install such applications again when updating the firmware.
Why are applications returned?
Some affiliate apps are included in the system update scripts. When changing the region or updating MIUI, they may be downloaded automatically. The solution is to disable auto-update of system applications in the settings.
It is recommended to regularly check the list of installed apps. New advertising modules may appear after major shell updates MIUI. Timely cleaning will prevent memory clogging.
Advanced removal via computer and ADB
To remove deeply built-in system applications that cannot be disabled through the settings menu, you will need to use a computer and utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is safer than obtaining root access, as it does not violate the warranty and does not block the ability to receive updates over the air.
First you need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item MIUI version seven times in a row. After the activation message appears, go to Advanced settings → For developers and enable the item USB debugging.
Connect Redmi 9 to your computer via a USB cable. Drivers must be installed on the computer ADB. Open a command line or terminal in the folder with the utility and enter the command to test the connection:
adb devicesA request for debugging permission will appear on the smartphone screen. Confirm it by pressing OK. If the serial number of the device is displayed in the terminal, the connection has been established successfully. Now you can manage packages.
To remove a specific application, use the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package_nameInstead package_name you need to substitute the exact system name of the application (for example, com.miui.analytics). You can find out the names of packages using special inspector applications available in Play Market.
| Application name | System package name | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Analytics | com.miui.analytics | Safe delete |
| Facebook (system) | com.facebook.katana | Delete safely |
| MSA (advertising service) | com.miui.misys | Delete with care |
| GetApps (store) | com.xiaomi.mipicks | Can be deleted |
The ADB command deletes the application only for the current user (user 0). When resetting to factory settings, the application will return, since the system partition is not modified.
This method allows you to get rid of intrusive services such as MIUI System Adsthat cannot be disabled by standard means. However, be extremely careful: removing critical system packages may cause a boot loop. Never remove packages associated with input drivers unless you are 100% sure of their purpose. Restoring operation will require flashing the device. boot cycle (bootloop).
⚠️ Attention: Never remove packages associated with Google Services Framework, System UI or input drivers if you are not 100% sure of their purpose. Restoring operation will require flashing the device.
Clearing the cache and residual files
Even after correctly deleting the application, temporary files, logs and remnants of settings may remain in the smartphone’s memory. This data takes up space and accumulates over time, slowing down the file system. The built-in application on
Built-in application Security on Xiaomi has functionality for cleaning up garbage. Launch it and click the Cleaningbutton. The system will scan the storage and offer to delete residual files of deleted apps.
For deeper cleaning, you can use third-party file managers. Go to the root folder of the internal drive and check for folders with the names of deleted applications. Often heavy game files remain in the Android/obb or Android/data directory.
Regularly clearing the browser cache and instant messengers also helps free up space. These apps tend to accumulate gigabytes of temporary data, which is not deleted along with the main application unless a complete data wipe is performed.
Use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app once a week to automatically find duplicate photos and forgotten downloads.
Possible problems and solutions
During the deletion process, users may encounter various errors. The most common problem is the message "Failed to uninstall the application." This often happens if the app has device administrator rights.
To solve this problem, go to Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Special. capabilities → Device administrators. Find the application you need in the list and uncheck it. After this, repeat the removal procedure.
Sometimes the deletion process freezes at the "Delete..." stage. In such a situation, it is recommended to reboot your smartphone into safe mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the menu appears, long-press the item Turn off until the prompt to switch to safe mode appears.
Only system applications work in safe mode, which allows you to remove malicious software or virus apps that block their uninstallation in normal mode. After cleaning, simply restart your phone as usual.
Is it possible to restore a deleted system application?
If the application was deleted via ADB, it can only be returned by resetting the device to factory settings or re-flashing it. The standard "Install" button in the Play Market will not work for system packages deleted in this way.
Why is the space not freed up after deleting the application?
You may have only deleted the shortcut, and not the application itself. Or there are heavy cache files (.obb files) left in the Android folders that need to be deleted manually through the file manager.
Is it safe to delete the Mi Browser application?
Yes, it is safe. You can use any other browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. Removing the standard browser will not affect the operation of the system if you have an alternative to open links.
What to do if the phone restarts after removal?
Most likely, you have deleted a critical system component. Try booting into safe mode. If this does not help, you will need to flash the device via a computer, saving the data (if possible) or a complete reset.
Do you need to delete the Google application?
No, it is not recommended to delete the main Google application. It is responsible for the operation of the voice assistant, search widgets and synchronization of many services. Removing it will disrupt the functioning of the Android ecosystem.