# Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO bloatware and ads: what to disable

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones you can disable most optional and promotional apps without root: the app-store picker, game center, Mi Drop, video and payment apps. Keep the launcher, the package installer and the Security app unless you know what replaces them.

## Turn down the ads first

MIUI and HyperOS personalise recommendations and ads in several system apps. Search **Settings** for **Ad services** and switch personalised ads off. Menu paths differ between versions, so search rather than browse.

## Safe to disable for most people

| Package | What it is | Advice |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `com.xiaomi.mipicks` | Xiaomi app-store and ad picker | Ad-driven. Disable. |
| `com.xiaomi.midrop` | Mi Drop file sharing | Disable if you do not use it. |
| `com.xiaomi.glgm` | Xiaomi game center | Disable if you do not game. |
| `com.miui.videoplayer` | Xiaomi video player | Disable if you use another player. |
| `com.miui.youtube` | MIUI YouTube wrapper | Disable if unused. |
| `com.xiaomi.payment` | Mi Pay and Xiaomi payment | Disable if unused. |
| `com.xiaomi.travelnavigator` | Travel navigation widget | Disable freely. |
| `com.xiaomi.scanner` | Scanner for QR codes and documents | Judgement call: keep it if you scan codes. |

## Keep these

- **The launcher** (`com.miui.home`): disabling it leaves no home screen.
- **The package installer** (`com.miui.packageinstaller`): installs may fail until it is back on.
- **The Security app,** which also manages permissions and battery rules on MIUI and HyperOS.
- **Telephony and connectivity packages:** calls, SMS and Wi-Fi depend on them.

## If the commands are refused

Xiaomi phones need a second switch before package commands work: turn on **USB debugging (Security settings)** in Developer options as well as plain USB debugging. It may ask you to sign in to a Mi account. [The full steps are here](https://slimdroid.com/guides/enable-usb-debugging). A few protected packages refuse to be disabled even then; leave those alone.

## How to do it

1. Enable both USB debugging switches and connect the phone.
2. Open the [slimdroid tool](https://slimdroid.com/app) in Chrome or Edge and scan.
3. Filter by tier **bloat**, disable a handful, restart and use the phone for a day.
4. Scan again after each system update: updates can bring apps back.

### Will this remove all MIUI or HyperOS ads?

It removes apps that show or fetch many of them, and the Ad services setting limits personalisation. Expect fewer ads, not none: some prompts come from apps you installed yourself.

### Can I get a removed Xiaomi app back?

Yes. Restore it from the slimdroid journal, or run `adb shell cmd package install-existing <package>`. A factory reset brings every system app back.

### Is it safe to disable everything starting com.miui or com.xiaomi?

No. Many of those packages are the launcher, installer, telephony glue and permission handling. Disable named optional apps one batch at a time rather than by pattern.

## Related guides

- [How to debloat an Android phone without root](https://slimdroid.com/guides/debloat-android-without-root)
- [How to enable USB debugging on Android](https://slimdroid.com/guides/enable-usb-debugging)
- [Is it safe to disable system apps on Android?](https://slimdroid.com/guides/is-it-safe-to-disable-system-apps)