How to permanently disable unnecessary apps on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a popular smartphone with great value for money, but even it is not immune to the problem of “junk” applications. The manufacturer installs on the device dozens of pre-loaded programs that take up space in memory, consume battery power and slow down the system. Fortunately, most of them can be eliminated — and we will show you how to do it safely and efficiently.

In this article, you will find not only standard methods of disabling through settings, but also hidden MIUI features that are not known to all users, we will understand which applications can be removed without risk to the system, and which are better to simply freeze.

If your Redmi 8 Pro is slower and your memory is less than 10 percent free, it’s time to clean up, and let’s start with the simplest and move on to advanced methods, and choose the right option depending on your skills and your willingness to experiment.

1.What apps can be turned off on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro without consequences

Before you take down the software, it’s important to understand which programs are not really needed and which are part of the operating system. On the Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI firmware, all applications fall into three categories:

• 📱 Custom - installed by you from Google Play or other sources, and can be removed without restriction.
• 🔧 System (mandatory) – critical to the operation of Android and MIUI. Removal will cause disruption.
• 🧹 Pre-installed (bloatwar) – programs from Xiaomi and partners that can be turned off.

Safely removed include:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video – if you use YouTube Music or Spotify.
• 📰 Mi Browser – with Chrome or Firefox.
• 📡 Mi Remote – if you do not use the remote for technology.
• 💬 Mi Chat and Mi Community – Xiaomi social services.
• 🎮 Game Turbo – if you don’t play mobile games.

But disable or remove Security, Settings, Mi Account, Google Play Services and similar components categorically impossible – this will lead to the inability to update the system, loss of functionality or even “brick” the device.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 12.5+ Some system applications are linked together, for example, deleting Mi Calendar can disrupt Mi Mail!

2. Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is a method that doesn't require super-user rights, and it's suitable even for beginners.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select the All Apps tab.
3. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
4. Click the Disable button (if active) or Delete button (for custom programs).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

For some system applications, the Disable button may not be active, and the following method will help.

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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first to clear the cache and application data in the same menu, sometimes this will unlock the possibility of deactivation.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system and will not be updated, and it can be activated again at any time through the same Application Management menu by selecting the Disconnected tab.

3.Use of ADB for deep removal (no root)

If a standard shutdown isn’t enough, you can go further and uninstall apps entirely using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
5. To uninstall an application (e.g. Mi Browser), do: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser Replace com.android.browser with the batch name of the desired application.

List of package names of popular Xiaomi applications:

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB It's irreversible in the current firmware! After resetting or updating the system, applications can come back. Always keep a list of deleted packages.

4. Disconnect via MIUI Hidden Settings (hidden menu)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden menu for managing system components, which allows you to disable even those applications that do not respond to standard methods.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
4. Slip on the Show menu (may require a few taps).
5. Select Application Management.

Here you'll see an extended list of all the programs installed, including those that are usually hidden. Disabling works on the same principle as in standard settings, but with a lot of choice.

Note that this menu allows you to accidentally deactivate important system processes. Don't turn off anything unless you're sure of the component's purpose! For example, deactivating com.xiaomi.finddevice will turn off Find Device.

5. Use of third-party utilities (with root rights)

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths to get root access, there's almost limitless possibilities for cleaning up the system.

• 🛠️ Titanium Backup – allows you to freeze or completely remove any applications, including system applications.
• 🧹 SD Maid – Finds and deletes residual files after uninstallation.
• 🔍 Root App Deleter - a specialized utility for removing pre-installed programs.

The process of rooting on the Redmi 8 Pro involves unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recave (such as TWRP).

• 🚫 Cancels the guarantee.
• 🔓 It can lead to data loss.
• 🔄 It will make it more difficult to get official updates.

If you do, here is a quick guide to using Titanium Backup:

1. Install the utility from Google Play.
2. Provide root access when requested.
3. Go to the Freeze tab.
4. Select an unnecessary app and tap it.
5. Click Freeze! or Delete!

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ Some system applications are protected by dm-verity. Deleting them can cause a cyclical reboot! Before experimenting, study thematic forums (for example, 4PDA).

6. How to return the disabled applications back

If you've had problems with your smartphone after you've been disabled or removed, don't panic -- most of the changes are reversible. Here's how to restore the remote components:

For those disabled by settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disabled.
2. Find the right app and tap it.
3. Press Enable.

For those remote via ADB:

You can only restore the application manually (if you have an APK) or reset your smartphone to factory settings. For system components, firmware via Fastboot will help:

fastboot flash system system.img

For those with root rights:

Use Titanium Backup to defrost or reinstall APK via ADB:

adb install name apk

If nothing works, the last option is to completely reset your settings through Settings → About Phone → Reset. Remember, this will delete all your data, so make a backup beforehand!

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Before any manipulation of system applications, always back up your system via Mi Cloud or locally to your computer, which will save your data in the event of a crash.

7.Alternative ways to optimize Redmi 8 Pro without removing applications

If you do not want to risk the stability of the system, but you need to free up memory and speed up the smartphone, use these methods:

• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. It frees up a few gigabytes without removing the software.
• 🔄 Disabling Autostart: In Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-Start Disable Unnecessary Programs.
• 📵 Background Limitation: In the menu of each application (Settings) → Annexes → [Title] select Limit background activity.
• 🔋 Performance mode: Activate in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.

You should also pay attention to cloud services:

• 🖼️ Google Photos – Automatic uploading of photos with free space.
• 🎵 Mi Cloud – Backup of contacts and notes.
• 📄 Dropbox or Yandex Disk – for storing documents.

These techniques require no technical skills and are absolutely safe, and will help keep the Redmi 8 Pro in good condition without any drastic interventions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling applications on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro