Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but many users are faced with a forced Google Phone app (known as “Google Caller”) that automatically installs as a default call, slows down the system and takes up space in memory. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove or disable this application – from simply hiding the icon to completely removing it with ADB and root rights.
It’s important to understand that the Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on MIUI firmware, where Google Phone is often integrated at the system level.This means that simply removing it through the app menu won’t work — more manipulation will be required. We’ll look at options for users without root rights (the safest ones) and for those who are ready for more radical measures.
Before you start, check your MIUI version: Go to Settings → About → About → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of some methods. Also note that after deleting Google Phone, the default call will return to the standard MIUI Dialer (if it was not deleted earlier).
1. disable Google Callers via MIUI settings
The easiest and safest way is to deactivate the application in the system settings, which won't remove it completely, but will stop the background processes and hide the icon from the menu, suitable for users who don't want to risk system stability.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the search bar, enter Google Phone (or “Bell” if the name is in Russian).
- ⚙️ Click on the app, then select Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears.
Once disabled, the icon will disappear, and the call will be reset by default to the standard one from Xiaomi. However, the application itself will remain in the system and will take up space (about 50-100 MB).
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 14 button Disable may be inactive. In this case, proceed to the next method.
2. Hiding the icon through the launcher (without deletion)
If you're only bothered by the desktop icon, but the functionality of Google Phone isn't critical, you can just hide it in the app menu. It's a technique that doesn't require technical skills and is reversible.
How to hide it:
- 🏠 Keep your finger on the Google Phone icon on your desktop.
- 🗑️ Drag it to the top of the screen where it will say Delete or Hide (depending on the launcher).
- 🔒 In the standard launcher. MIUI You can also go to the launcher settings. → Hidden apps and add Google Phone to the list.
The downside is that the app will continue to work in the background and update via Google Play. To stop this, go to Google Play → My profile → App Management and turn off the automatic update for Google Phone.
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If you use a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex), hiding icons is implemented even easier – through the settings of the launcher itself.
3. Removal via ADB (without root rights)
For those who are ready for deeper customizations, but do not want to get root, the method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is suitable.
Step-by-step:
- Put the debugging on. USB: 🔧 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode. 🔩 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access to debugging on the smartphone screen.
- Download. ADB: 💻 For Windows: the official Platform Tools package. 🐧 For Linux/macOS: Install via a packet manager (e.g., sudo apt install adb).
Open the command line.
adb
adb devicesMake sure your Redmi Note 8 Pro is listed.
Delete Google Phone
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.dialerIf you have an error, try an alternative command:
adb shell pm hide com.google.android.dialerOnce the command is executed, the application will be removed for the current user (not systemically).
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.dialer⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Google Phone may recover after rebooting, in which case repeat the procedure or use the root-rights method.
Download Platform Tools|Enable debugging by USB|Connect phone to PC|Contact connection by adb devices|Take backup of data-->
4. Complete removal with root rights
If you are ready for radical measures and you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can completely erase Google Phone from the system. This will free up space and permanently eliminate the application, but it requires caution – wrong actions can lead to a firmware failure.
Methods of disposal:
- 📁 Through the file manager with root: Install Root Explorer or FX File Manager. Go to the /system/priv-app/GoogleDialer or /system/app/GoogleDialer. Remove the folder or rename it (for example, in the GoogleDialer_bak). Reboot the phone.
- 🤖 Through Termux with root: su rm -rf /system/priv-app/GoogleDialer rm -rf /system/app/GoogleDialer reboot
After removal, it is recommended to clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache to avoid conflicts with other system processes.
| Method | Root is required. | Reversibility | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Low. |
| Hiding the icon | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Absent. |
| Removal via ADB | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (install-existing team) | ⚠️ Medium. |
| Removal from root | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (no backup) | ⚠️⚠️ High-pitched |
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Removing root system applications can disrupt MIUI, especially if Google Phone is integrated into firmware as a dependency for other services (e.g. Google Assistant).
5. Replacing the default call with a third-party one
If you don’t like either the standard MIUI call or Google Phone, you can install an alternative app (like Truecaller, ExDialer, or Simple Dialer) and make it a mainstream app.
How to change the bell:
- 📥 Install the selected call from Google Play.
- 📞 Open the app and follow the instructions for setting up.
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Caller.
- 🎯 Select a new application from the list.
All calls will then be processed by a new call, and Google Phone can be disabled or deleted by one of the methods described above.Please note: some alternative calls require additional permissions (e.g., access to contacts or SMS).
Which calls work best on MIUI?
6.Restore Google Phone after Deletion
If you have deleted your Google Phone and want it back (for example, due to an alternative call issue), there are several ways to recover:
- 🔄 Through ADB (if removed by the uninstall command --user 0): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.dialer
- 📥 Reinstall from Google Play: Open the Google Phone page. Click Install (if the button is active).
- 🔧 Resetting settings (last resort): Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset all settings. ⚠️ This will bring back all system applications, but delete user data!
If none of these methods worked, maybe Google Phone was removed at the firmware level, and then you can only flash it through Fastboot or Recovery.