Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 6GB of RAM remains a popular device even years after its release. However, many users are faced with intrusive Android Auto, a service that automatically integrates into the system and consumes resources even if you do not use it. Unlike standard applications, you can not remove it through the Settings menu: the Delete button is simply absent.
Complicating the problem, Android Auto on the Redmi Note 8 Pro often runs in the background, consuming battery power and mobile traffic. According to user tests on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, the service can consume up to 15% of the charge per day when using Bluetooth connections with the car. In this article, we will analyze all working methods from safe shutdown to deep cleaning the system using ADB and custom firmware.
Why Android Auto Cannot Be Deleted By Standard Methods
The Android Auto app on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is a system service that the manufacturer integrates into MIUI firmware.
- 🔒 Protection against removal: MIUI Blocks uninstallation through the GUI to prevent related features from being disrupted (e.g. Google Play Services).
- 🔄 Automatic Recovery: Even if removed APK-Manually, the system can restore it after restarting or updating.
- 📦 Built-in dependencies: the service is linked to com.google.android.projection.gearhead and other components that may cause failures.
More than that, on the Redmi Note. 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 12.5+ Google has implemented a Protected Modules mechanism that protects critical applications from change. Attempting to remove them without superuser rights (root) leads to an error INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK.
⚠️ Note: On bootloader devices, any manipulation of system files can result in a blink (complete failure). Before starting, check the lock status via the command: fastboot oem device-info If the answer is Device unlocked: Unlock the bootloader officially through the Mi Unlock Tool.
Method 1: Disable Android Auto without removal (the safest)
If you do not need to completely erase the application, but just stop its operation and background activity, use the built-in MIUI tools:
- Disconnecting through Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, find Android Auto and select: 🚫 Disable – will suspend the service until the next update. 📵 Limit background activity – prohibit auto-start. 🔋 Limit battery use – reduce energy consumption.
Removal of updates
On the same menu, click «⋮» (three-point) → Remove the updates. That'll bring the app back to the factory version, which is less aggressive.
This method does not require root rights and does not violate the warranty, but has a limitation: after resetting settings or updating. MIUI Android Auto can be activated again. To avoid this, use the ADB (described below).
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If Android Auto continues to appear in the active apps list after disabling, check the settings of Google Play Services – sometimes the service runs through them.
Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with pitfalls)
Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a debugging tool that allows you to manage system packages without obtaining superuser rights. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this method works, but with the caveats:
- ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
- ❌ After updating MIUI The application can be restored.
- ❌ Some firmware blocks pm uninstall commands for system APK.
Instructions:
- Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Then in Settings → Additional → For Developers, turn on USB Debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.projection.gearhead pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.auto
If there is a Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], Try an alternative team:
adb shell pm hide com.google.android.projection.gearhead⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ The pm hide command can cause SecurityException to fail, in which case only root rights or flashing are left.
Install ADB-PC drivers|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the connection with the adb device command|Make a backup copy of the data-->
Method 3: Removal with Magisk (root required)
If you're ready to get super-user rights, Magisk provides flexible tools for managing system applications. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this method is the most reliable, but requires:
- 🔓 Unlocked loader.
- 📱 Established TWRP or another custom Recovery.
- 🛠️ Magisk module (version 25.2)+).
Step-by-step:
- Install Magisk: Download the latest version from the official repository and run through TWRP.
- Use the App Systemizer module: In Magisk, install the App Systemizer module, which allows you to convert system applications to custom ones, and then Android Auto can be removed in the standard way.
- Manual removal via Termux: Install Termux from F-Droid, type: su mount -o rw,remount /system rm -rf /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/PrebuiltGmsCore.apk rm -rf /system/app/AndroidAutoStub/AndroidAutoStub.apk mount -o ro,remount /system
After the reboot, check that Android Auto is not in the app menu. If the service is still displayed, clear the Google Play Services cache.
What if Google Services stopped working after deletion?
Method 4: Reflashing to custom MIUI without Google services
A radical but effective method is to install custom firmware without Google’s pre-integrated services. The Redmi Note 8 Pro is suitable for:
| Firmware | Features | Reference | Unlocking required |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI EU | Official MIUI without bloat, with optimizations for Europa | xiaomi.eu | Yes. |
| LineageOS 18.1 | Pure Android 11, no Google services (should be installed separately) | lineageos.org | Yes. |
| Pixel Experience | Firmware with Google Pixel functionality, but with the ability to disable unnecessary services | pixelexperience.org | Yes. |
Firmware process:
- Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 7 days to wait).
- Install TWRP for Redmi Note 8 Pro (version 3.5.2+).
- Make a full backup through TWRP → Backup.
- Sweep through the selected firmware by pre-executing the Wipe partitions System, Data, Cache.
⚠️ Note: LineageOS or Pixel Experience firmware on the Redmi Note 8 Pro may cause the camera to fail (due to proprietary Mediatek drivers). XDA Developers.
Stock-stock MIUI|MIUI EU (bloatless)|LineageOS|Pixel Experience|other-->
Method 5: Using Debloater Tools (for power users)
If you don't want to flash your phone, but you're ready to work with system files, use Debloater scripts, which allow you to massively remove unnecessary applications, including Android Auto.
- 🖥️ Universal Android Debloater (GUI) — graphical utility for PC (GitHub).
- 📱 App Inspector – application for analysis and removal of system APK straight from the phone.
- 🐧 ADB AppControl – Extended script for working through ADB.
Example of Universal Android Debloater:
- Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
- Open the utility and select Read device packages.
- In the list, find: com.google.android.projection.gearhead com.google.android.apps.auto and tick them for removal.
- Press Apply and confirm the action.
The advantage of this method is that it can selectively remove only unnecessary components without risking damage to critical services, but on MIUI 14, some packets can be protected and must be manually removed via ADB.
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Debloater tools allow you to remove up to 40% of preinstalled applications without losing functionality, but require caution: incorrect removal of system APKs can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).
What to do if Android Auto is back after the update
Even after successful removal, Android Auto can recover from the MIUI or Google Play Services update.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play Store → Settings.
- 📵 Freeze Google Play Services via Titanium Backup or App Quarantine (root required).
- 🔧 Use the DisableForceEncrypt Magisk module if updates reset settings.
If the service is back, repeat the deletion via ADB or Debloater, but first:
- Check out the Google Play Services version – if it’s updated, roll it back to the factory.
- Clear the cache and data of com.google.android.gms.
- Install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module to prevent automatic recovery.
On the forums, Redmi Note 8 Pro users note that after the transition to MIUI 13.0.6+, the issue of returning Android Auto is less common, due to a change in the policy of updating Google services.