Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO regularly face the same problem: the operating system MIUI out of the box clogged with dozens of unnecessary system applications. From Mi Browser to Mi Video, from GetApps to Mi Pay —these apps take up memory space, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even send analytical data to China without the user's explicit consent. But is it possible to remove them without the risk of “bricking” the phone?

In this article we will look at 5 working methods removing system applications on Xiaomi —from simple ones (through settings MIUI) to advanced (using ADB i Fastboot). Important: not all methods are equally safe, and some require technical skills. We'll explain in detail the pros and cons of each approach so you can choose the best option for your model - be it Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5.

Why are system applications on Xiaomi so difficult to remove?

Unlike regular apps from Google Play, system applications built into the MIUI firmware at the system image level. They are stored in a protected section /system, where the user does not have write rights by default. Even if you delete them manually via Settings → Applications, after a reboot they will be restored - this is part of the protection mechanism Android from damage.

In addition, Xiaomi actively uses pre-installed services for:

  • 📊 Telemetry collection (for example, MiuiAnalytics i MSA)
  • 💳 Work of proprietary functions (for example, Mi Pay for contactless payments)
  • 🔄 Firmware updates via Updater
  • 🎮 Game mode optimizations (Game Turbo)

Removing some of them may lead to to unstable operation of the phone, errors in the interface or even the inability to receive OTA updates. Therefore, before any manipulations, you should make a backup copy understand which applications are critical for your model.

📊 Which Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO model are you using?
Xiaomi (flagship series)
Redmi (budget/mid-range)
POCO (gaming/productivity)
Other brand

Method 1: Disabling system applications through MIUI settings (without ROOT)

The safest method is not to delete unnecessary apps. This will not free up memory space, but will stop them running in the background and hide icons from the menu. Suitable for most models. disable unnecessary apps. This won't free up memory space, but it will stop them running in the background and hide icons from the menu. Suitable for most models MIUI 12–14.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
  2. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all applications.
  3. Find the application you need (for example, Mi Browserand open its page.
  4. Click Disable (if the button is active).

⚠️ Attention: Not all system applications can be disabled in this way. For example, MiuiDaemon or Security will be blocked by the system. Also, after disabling some services (for example Mi Share), functions such as fast file transfer may stop working.

Disable Mi Browser (if you use Chrome)

Disable Mi Video (if you watch videos in YouTube/VLC)

Disable Mi Pay (if you do not use contactless payments)

Disable GetApps (branded application store)

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Method 2: Removal via ADB (without ROOT, but with a computer)

A more radical method - use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It allows you to uninstall system applications without root access, but requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge. Works on all models Xiaomiwhere USB debugging is unlocked USB debugging.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable Developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on MIUI version.
  2. Return to Settings → Advanced → For Developers i activate USB Debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC, install ADB driver and open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
  4. Run the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    The name of your device.

  5. Get a list of all packages: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f
  6. Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser) and remove it: 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

⚠️ Attention: Command uninstall -k use instead of full uninstallto avoid problems with OTA updates. This method removes the application only for the current user (--user 0), without affecting system files.

List of popular Xiaomi packages to remove

Mi Browser: com.android.browser or com.miui.browser
Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
Mi Pay: com.miui.mipay
Mi Share: com.miui.mishare.connectivity
MiuiAnalytics: com.miui.analytics
MSA (Mi Service Framework): com.miui.msa.global

Method 3: Use Magisk and the Universal Debloater module (ROOT required)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk, you can use the module Universal Debloater to mass remove system applications. This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires:

  • 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader (erases all data!)
  • 📱 Installing custom recovery (TWRP)
  • 🛠️ Settings Magisk to obtain root access

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ Ability to delete any system applications, including those blocked via ADB.
  • ✅ Automatic backup before deletion.
  • ✅ Support for restoring deleted packages.

Instructions:

  1. Install Magisk Manager and module Universal Debloater via the repository.
  2. Reboot your phone.
  3. Open Universal Debloater from the Magisk menu.
  4. Select applications to remove (it is recommended to start with unnecessary ones, for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).
  5. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Removing critical services (for example com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter) can lead to bootloop (loop reboot) Always check reviews about the module on the forum XDA Developers before installing. data-i="164">Attention:

Method 4: Manual removal via TWRP (for advanced users)

This method involves physical removal of application files from the section /system via custom recovery TWRP. It is the most dangerous, but also the most effective - applications are deleted forever, freeing up memory space. Suitable only for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

What you will need:

  • 📱 Installed TWRP Recovery.
  • 💾 Backup copy of the partition /system (required!).
  • 🔧 Knowledge of the paths to APK files (for example, /system/priv-app/MiBrowser/MiBrowser.apk).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download the phone in TWRP (press Power + Volume Up).
  2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
  3. Find the folder with the application (usually in /system/priv-app or /system/app).
  4. Delete files with extensions .apk, .odex and folder lib (if any).
  5. Reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: If after deletion the phone does not boot, return to TWRP i restore the backup copy of the partition /system. Some applications (for example, MiuiSystemUI) are critical for the operation of the interface!

💡

Before deleting via TWRP, take a screenshot of the contents of the folder /system/priv-app - this will help restore files if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools (automated script)

For for those who do not want to manually enter commands ADB, there are ready-made utilities like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. This is a graphical shell that simplifies the removal of system applications, ad blocking and configuration MIUI.

Advantages:

  • 🖥️ Intuitive interface (no need to remember commands).
  • 📋 Pre-compiled lists of “safe to remove” packages.
  • 🔄 Ability to roll back changes.

How to use:

  1. Download the utility from GitHub.
  2. Connect the phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
  3. Run XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe and select your model.
  4. Go to the section Debloat and mark unnecessary applications.
  5. Click Uninstall Selected and wait for completion.

⚠️ Attention: The utility may offer to remove packages that are critical for your firmware. Always check what you choose and read the descriptions in the tooltip (tooltips) next to each item.

💡

Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools does not support all models. If your device is not in the list, use manual ADB commands.

Table: Which Xiaomi system applications can be deleted and which cannot

Application Package Can be deleted? Consequences of deletion
Mi Browser com.miui.browser ✅ Yes The browser icon will disappear. It is recommended to use Chrome or Firefox.
Mi Video com.miui.videoplayer ✅ Yes There will be no built-in video player. Alternative: VLC or MX Player.
GetApps (Mi App Store) com.xiaomi.mipicks ✅ Yes There will be no access to the Xiaomi brand store. Google Play remains.
Mi Pay com.miui.mipay ✅ Yes Contactless payment through Xiaomi will not work. Alternative: Google Pay.
Security com.miui.securitycenter ❌ No The operation of the antivirus, memory cleaning and permission permissions for applications will be disrupted.
MiuiAnalytics com.miui.analytics ✅ Yes Sending analytics to Xiaomi will stop. May affect the receipt of OTA updates.

🔹 Tip: If you are not sure whether you can delete the application, first disable it through the settings (Method 1) and check if the functionality of the phone breaks.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when uninstalling system applications. Here are the most common:

  1. Removing critical services (for example, com.android.phone or com.miui.home). This leads to bootloop the phone boots only to the logo Xiaomi and restarts. Solution: restore the firmware via Fastboot.
  2. Use pm uninstall instead of pm uninstall -k --user 0. The first command removes the application completely, which may break OTA updates. The second is only for the current user.
  3. Removal through a file manager without ROOT. Some "craftsmen" try to manually erase files from /system through a standard explorer. This is impossible without superuser rights and leads to errors.
  4. Ignoring backups. Always make a backup via TWRP or Mi Cloud before experiments. Restoring data after a failure will be cheaper than repairing it at a service center.

⚠️ Attention: If, after deleting applications, the phone stopped receiving OTA updates, try returning the deleted packages via ADB: 

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.analytics

(replace com.miui.analytics with the desired package).

Is it possible to remove system applications on Xiaomi without a computer?

Yes, but with restrictions. Without a PC, you can only disable applications through settings (Method 1) or use applications like App Inspector (requires ROOT). To completely remove without a computer, you need ROOT and a file manager with superuser rights (for example, Root Explorer).

Why does it appear again after removing Mi Browser via ADB?

This happens due to the protection mechanism MIUIwhich restores some system applications after updates. To avoid this:

  1. Use the command pm uninstall -k --user 0 instead of completely deleting.
  2. Disable automatic updates in Settings → About phone → System update.
  3. Install Magisk and module Disable Force Encryption (for some models).
How to return a deleted system application?

Recovery methods depend on the deletion method:

  • If used ADB with the flag --user 0, do: 
    adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser
  • If deleted via TWRP, restore the backup copy of the partition /system.
  • If used Magisk, reinstall the module or restore the backup to TWRP.

As a last resort, reflash the phone via Fastboot (erases all data!).

Will Google Pay work if you delete Mi Pay?

Yes, Google Pay and Mi Pay —these are different services. Removing com.miui.mipay does not affect the operation Google Pay, but:

  • Make sure that you have the latest version installed. Google Play Services latest version.
  • Some banking applications may conflict with custom firmware (if you received ROOT).
Is it possible to remove MSA (Mi Service Framework) and what will it give?

MSA (com.miui.msa.global) is a service Xiaomiresponsible for:

  • Push notifications from Xiaomi (for example, about new functions).
  • Synchronization of some data (for example, notes or calendar).
  • Operation of proprietary cloud services.

It can be deleted, but:

  • ✅ Telemetry collection will stop.
  • ❌ Some functions may stop working MIUI (for example, account synchronization Xiaomi).
  • ❌ Some applications (for example, Mi Home for a smart home) may generate errors.