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Cannot uninstall app via ADB: Failure – not installed for 0 [Fixed]

In this guide, we will show you two methods to fix the “Failure – not installed for 0” error which might result in your inability to uninstall apps via ADB. While the devices from Xiaomi give the absolute best when it comes to value for money, but the same cannot be said for its software. There are literally tons of pre-installed apps that end up giving a bloated usage experience.

More often than not, these apps are treated as system apps and hence you cannot uninstall them the normal way. This is where the role of ADB commands comes in handy. Using these sets of commands, you could easily uninstall any bloatware from your device, whether it’s user-installed or system.

However, some users have voiced their concern that whenever they try to uninstall any bloatware from their Xiaomi phone, they are instead greeted with the following error: “Failure – not installed for 0”. if you are also in the same boat, then this guide will make you aware of a nifty workaround to rectify this issue. Follow along.

Fix Cannot uninstall app via ADB: Failure – not installed for 0

Failure - not installed for 0

There could be two plausible reasons why you are getting this error, either the MIUI Optimization feature is enabled or you have typed in an incorrect app package name. So given here are two different fixes, addressing each of these concerns. Try out both of them and then check which one spells out success for you.

FIX 1: Disable MIUI Optimization

  1. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Then go to Additional Settings > Developer Options.
  3. Now tap on Reset to Default Values 4-5 times.Failure - not installed for 0
  4. It will bring up the Turn on MIUI Optimization feature.
  5. Disable the toggle next to it and restart your device. Failure - not installed for 0
  6. Check if it fixes the “Failure – not installed for 0” error.

FIX 2: Reverify Package Name

You might also get the aforementioned error if you are trying to uninstall an app that isn’t installed on your device or is installed via a different app package name. So you should double-check the app package name using the below-given instructions and then modify the command accordingly.

  1. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Then go to Additional Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.Failure - not installed for 0
  3. Now connect your phone to your PC via a USB cable.
  4. Then download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
  5. Now go to the platform-tools folder address bar, type in CMD, and hit Enter.Failure - not installed for 0
  6. This will launch Command Prompt. Execute the below command to enable the shell environment
    adb shell

    Failure - not installed for 0

  7. Now type in the below command to bring up the list of all the app packages names installed on your phone
    pm list packages

    Failure - not installed for 0

  8. Reverify whether you were using the correct package name and then input it in the below command:
    pm uninstall -k --user 0 package-name

    Failure - not installed for 0

That’s it. These were the two different methods that shall help you fix the “Failure – not installed for 0” error. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.


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