How to completely disable unnecessary applications on Xiaomi Redmi 8: system, preinstalled and background

Xiaomi Redmi 8

MIUI

clogging of the system with unnecessary applications

Facebook, Netflix, Mi Browser

com.miui.analytics

com.xiaomi.midrop

They consume battery power in the background

Disable them is not as easy as it might seem: MIUI limits user rights, and standard “deletion” often boils down to hiding icons. In this guide, we will examine 3 proven methods, from basic settings to advanced tools like ADB and MIUI Optimized. We will focus on the risks and consequences of disabling system components, and how to get everything back if something goes wrong.

It is important to understand that not all applications can be safely disabled. Some system services are critical to MIUI operation - deactivating them can lead to interface failures, network connection problems or even "bootloop". So before any manipulations, back up your data and make sure that you have access to Recovery Mode for recovery.

1. Method: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for user applications (installed from Google Play) and parts of pre-installed programs (Mi Music, Mi Video, Games, etc.). System services (com.android.cts, com.miui.securitycenter) through this method will not work.

To deactivate the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
4. Press the Disable button (if it is active).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work for system applications with admin rights.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Some applications may be activated again.
• 📱 The icon will disappear from the desktop, but the program files will remain in memory.

If the Disable button is inactive (in gray), the application is protected by the system, in which case the superuser rights (root) will be required or ADB-Teams (see next section).

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Before you turn off, check if the application is critical for MIUI. For example, com.miui.home is a launcher, and deactivation will result in a black screen after you reboot it.

Method: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to manage system components without obtaining root rights.The method works on Redmi 8 with any version of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14), but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
5. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, execute: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet For example, to disable Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of safe to disable packets on Redmi 8:

Do not disable the packages com.miui.home (launcher), com.android.phone (telephony) or com.miui.securitycenter (security) - this will lead to the failure of the system!

Download Platform Tools from Google’s official website

Enable the developer mode on Redmi 8

Activate debugging over USB

Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode

Check the visibility of the device by the adb device command-->

Method 3: Use of the MIUI Optimized (Magisk) module

If your Redmi 8 has Magisk installed, you can use the MIUI Optimized module, which allows you to disable even those applications that are blocked in standard settings, as well as remove ads in MIUI, speed up animations and optimize the system.

How to install and use:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights (if not already done).
2. Download the MIUI Optimized module (version for your firmware).
3. In Magisk Manager, go to Modules → Install from storage and select the downloaded file.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. After downloading, open Settings → MIUI Optimized → App Manager.
6. Check the unneeded apps and click Disable.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without a PC (it’s all set up right on the phone).
• ✅ You can disable system applications that are not available through ADB.
• ✅ Additional optimizations for MIUI (Removes delays, advertising, unnecessary services).

Risks:

• ⚠️ Incorrect disabling of system components can lead to bootloop.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI The module may stop working (you need to manually update it).

4. How to return disabled applications back

If you have problems after deactivating the software (e.g., your calls or Wi-Fi stopped working), you can return them, depending on how you disabled the applications:

For standard disconnection through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. On the top menu (⋮) Select Show off.
3. Find the right application and click Enable.

For ADB:

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

For example, to return the Mi Browser:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

For MIUI Optimized:

Open the module, find the app that's disabled in the list, and uncheck the box for "Disabled." Reboot the phone.

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If you are not sure which application caused the failure, turn them on one by one and check the system after each activation.

5 What applications can be disabled without risk

On Redmi 8, it is safe to deactivate the following categories of programs (the list is relevant for MIUI 12-14):

Pre-installed Xiaomi apps (not system ones):

• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) is a standard player.
• 🎬 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) - Video player.
• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser.
• 📖 Mi Reader (com.miui.reader) – a reading app.
• 🎮 Games (com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service.

Analytics and advertising services:

• 📊 Analytics (com.miui.analytics) – statistics collection.
• 🛒 MSA (com.miui.msa.global – Xiaomi’s advertising service.
• 📢 Mi Push (com.xiaomi.xmsf) – Notifications from Xiaomi.

Applications that are better not to disable:

• 📞 Phone Services (com.android.phone.
• 🔒 Security (com.miui.securitycenter.
• 🏠 Launcher (com.miui.home) - desktop.
• ⚙️ Settings (com.android.settings) - system settings.

⚠️ Note: Disabling com.google.android.gms will cause Play Market, Gmail and other Google apps to fail. If you are not using these services, you should delete them through Google. ADB full: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms

6.Alternative methods: Freeze via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher

If you have root rights, you can use third-party utilities to manage applications more flexibly.

Titanium Backup:

• Allows you to freeze applications (they stay in the system, but do not work).
• You can create backup copies before disconnecting.
• Supports batch disabling of several programs.

To freeze the app:

1. Open Titanium Backup and grant root rights.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Slip it and select Freeze it.

Lucky Patcher:

• Can remove system applications (including those protected by MIUI)
• It can block advertising in other programs.
• It works without root, but with limitations.

⚠️ Note: Lucky Patcher is often recognized by antivirus software as potentially dangerous. Only download it from the official website to avoid viruses. Also note that removing system applications through this tool can disrupt the work. MIUI.

7.How to check which apps are using up battery and memory

Before you turn off software, you need to determine which programs are actually loading your system, and MIUI has built-in tools to do this.

Battery consumption check:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use.
2. See the list of applications, sorted by charge consumption.
3. Pay attention to programs marked Works in the background.

Monitoring of memory usage:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the Apps to see which programs take up the most space.
3. Check the Cash section – it can be cleaned without risking data.

Hidden background processes:

To see all active processes, including system:

1. Enable Developer Mode (see ADB section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Processes.
3. This shows all the services you run and their impact on the CPU.

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If you notice that the com.miui.analytics app is constantly running in the background, it can be safely disabled via ADB – this will not affect the stability of the system, but will reduce battery consumption by 3-5%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling apps on Redmi 8