Smartphones series Redmi 9 from the company Xiaomi have deservedly gained popularity due to their excellent price-performance ratio. However, like many shell-based devices, they often come with pre-installed software that not all users need. Over time, the list of installed apps grows, taking up precious space in the internal memory and consuming RAM in the background. MIUI, they often come with pre-installed software that not all users need. Over time, the list of installed apps grows, taking up precious space in the internal memory and consuming RAM in the background.
The process of uninstalling software may seem trivial, but the ecosystem Xiaomi has its own nuances. Some icons are not removed by a standard long press, but are hidden deep in the settings menu. Understanding how to properly manage installed software is the key to maintaining the performance of your gadget.
In this material, we will analyze in detail all the available ways to clean your device from unnecessary software. We will look at both basic methods for ordinary users and advanced techniques for removing system components that are usually hidden from the owner's eyes. This will allow you to make the most of the resources of your smartphone.
Basic method of deleting via the desktop
The easiest and most intuitive way to get rid of an unnecessary app is to use the context menu directly from the main screen. This method is suitable for the vast majority of user applications downloaded from the store Google Play or installed manually via APK files.
First, find the icon of the application you want to delete. Press it and hold your finger for one to two seconds. A pop-up menu with several options will appear on the screen. Depending on the firmware version MIUI, you need to select the “Delete” item or drag the icon to the trash bin, which will appear at the top of the display.
If after a long press only a menu with the items “Application Info” and “Delete” appears, then the app must be completely uninstalled. Confirm your action in the pop-up window, and the system will immediately free up the occupied space. Please note that for some system utilities the uninstall button may be missing or inactive.
It is important to distinguish between shortcuts and the applications themselves. Sometimes there may be shortcuts to websites or folders on the desktop, the removal of which does not affect the installed software. Make sure that you are deleting it software productand not its link.
If the application icon has disappeared from the desktop, but remains in the all applications menu, go to the settings and delete it from there, since the shortcut may have been accidentally deleted earlier.
Managing applications through settings systems
When the standard method from the desktop does not work or when you need to audit all installed software, you should turn to the system menu. The settings section provides the most complete list of all components registered in the operating system Android.
To get to the desired section, open the settings menu and find the “Applications” item. In some firmware versions it may be called "All Applications". Here you will see a complete list of apps, sorted by frequency of use or in alphabetical order. You can use the search bar at the top of the screen to quickly find a specific name.
Select the application you are interested in from the list. The “Application Info” screen will open, where detailed statistics are presented: amount of memory occupied, version, access rights and energy consumption. This is where the app life cycle control button is located. If the application is a custom one, you will see an active “Delete” button.
For system services that cannot be completely removed, this button will be replaced with “Disable”. This is an important function that allows you to freeze the operation of a component, hide it from the menu and prevent it from running in the background, essentially emulating uninstallation without the risk of disrupting the system.
- 📱 Go to
Settings → Applications → All applicationsto access the full list. - 🗑️ Use the "Clear" button before deleting to erase the cache and app data.
- ⚙️ For system apps, use the "Disable" function if the delete button is inactive.
☑️ Correct removal through settings
Features of removing standard Xiaomi applications
Device owners Redmi often face a situation where the phone is full of proprietary utilities from Xiaomi, such as “Mi Video”, “Mi Music”, “Compass” or “Calculator”. Company policy allows for the removal of most of them, but the process may not be obvious to a newbie.
Many standard applications can be removed in the same way as third-party ones: by long pressing on the icon. However, if the system displays a message that uninstallation is not possible, this means that the application has the status of a high-criticality system component. In such cases, you should not try to remove them forcibly without preparation.
Some apps, for example, “Security” or “Themes”, are deeply integrated parts of the shell MIUI. Removing them may lead to unstable operation of the interface or errors in the notification system. For such cases, the best solution is to force stop and limit background activity.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete applications related to the phone (calls, messages) or the system interface (Launcher, Settings), even if you have found a way to do this. This can lead to the phone stopping responding to presses or rebooting in an endless loop.
If you are determined to get rid of proprietary software that is not removed as standard, it is possible to do this through a computer using debugging software USB. This method requires more caution, but allows access to hidden system packages.
What to do with Google services that cannot be removed?
Google Play services are a fundamental part of the Android system. Removing them will result in the inoperability of most third-party applications, including instant messengers and maps. Instead of deleting, it is recommended to disable synchronization of unnecessary services in your account settings.
Advanced removal via ADB and computer
For experienced users who want to make the system as easy as possible Redmi 9, there is a method for removing applications through the debug bridge Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This tool allows you to send commands directly to the operating system, bypassing the GUI restrictions.
Before starting the procedure, you must activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “MIUI Version” item. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu, find the “Advanced” section and open “For Developers.”
In the developer menu, activate the “USB Debugging” switch. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. The phone screen will ask you to allow debugging from this computer - be sure to click OK. The device is now ready to receive commands.
You need to install the package on your computer ADB. After installation, open a command prompt or terminal in the folder with the utility. Enter the command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the serial number of your device is displayed in the list, the connection has been established successfully. Now you can start deleting. The command to uninstall an application for the current user is as follows:
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.videoplayer). You can find out the names of packages using special analyzer applications installed on the phone itself, or through the command adb shell pm list packages.
The uninstall -k --user 0 command removes the application only for the current user, without completely erasing its files from the system partition. This allows you to return the application back if necessary by resetting the settings.
Comparison of memory clearing methods
The choice of removal method depends on your goals and level of technical training. Standard methods are safe and suitable for daily use, while methods using ADB require knowledge and carry certain risks.
Below is a table that will help you choose the best method depending on the type of application you want to remove and the desired result. It clearly demonstrates the differences in complexity and consequences of each approach.
| Method | Complexity | Risk to the system | Recoverability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Low | None | Re-installation required |
| Phone settings | Low | Minimum | Re-installation required |
| Disable in settings | Medium | Absent | Instant on |
| ADB commands | High | Medium/High | Reset or restart team |
Using third-party cleaner apps to remove applications on Redmi 9 often does not provide advantages over built-in tools. Moreover, such apps themselves consume resources and can display intrusive advertising. The built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app does the job just as well.
Cleaning residual files after uninstallation
Even after successful removal of the application, so-called “tails” may remain in the phone’s memory - empty folders, cache files or configuration data. Over time, these leftovers can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you frequently install and uninstall different apps.
To manually clean up leftovers, use the built-in file manager. Go to the root folder of the internal memory and pay attention to the directories with the names of deleted applications. Most often they are located in the folder Android/data or in the root of the repository. Deleting these folders is safe if the application is already uninstalled.
Automatic cleaning can be performed through the standard "Security" application from Xiaomi. Launch it, select the “Cleaning” function and wait until the scan finishes. The system will prompt you to delete cache files and residual data. Review the list carefully before confirming to avoid accidentally deleting important documents.
Regularly checking the storage helps maintain the speed of the interface. Fragmented memory with many small files can slow down the writing of new data and the work of indexing media files.
⚠️ Attention: When you manually clean up a folder
Android/obbbe extremely careful. It stores cache files of heavy games. Deleting data from this folder for active games will result in the need to download gigabytes of data again the next time you start it.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is the “Delete” button inactive for some applications?
This means that the application is a system component necessary for the operation of the operating system Android or shell MIUI. Developers block the ability to remove such apps to prevent critical failures in the device. In this case, only disabling is available.
Is it safe to remove applications via a computer (ADB)?
The procedure is safe provided that you know exactly the package name and function of the application being removed. An error in a command or deleting a critical system service (for example, a system launcher) can cause the phone to stop booting normally and require flashing.
Will the application be deleted from your Google account after uninstallation?
No, deleting an application from the device Redmi 9 only affects local copy on your phone. In the purchase history and application library of your account Google Play a record of the app will be saved, and you can install it again at any time on this or another device.
How to return a deleted system application?
If you disabled the application through the settings, you can enable it back in the same menu. If the ADB method was used, then recovery is possible either by resetting the phone to factory settings, or by entering the reverse command into the ADB console: adb shell cmd package install-existing package_name.
Does deleting applications affect the warranty of the smartphone?
Standard removal of apps via the phone interface does not affect warranty obligations. However, the use of root access methods or deep modification of the system via ADB with the removal of critical components may be regarded by the service center as interference in the software, which in some controversial cases may complicate warranty service.