How to remove Google from Xiaomi Redmi 8T phone: the full guide

Many Xiaomi Redmi 8T owners, in an effort to maximize privacy or free up system memory, are considering removing Google pre-installed services altogether, a complex process that requires careful attention, as MIUI is deeply integrated with the search giant’s ecosystem.

In this guide, we will look at all the available methods, from simple disabling to advanced removal through ADB and obtaining superuser rights. It is important to understand that deleting the system package com.google.android.gms can lead to the failure of many third-party applications dependent on the libraries of Google Play Services. Before starting any manipulations, we strongly advise you to weigh all risks and create a full backup of important data.

Redmi 8T owners often find standard uninstallation methods blocked for system applications, which is why we have prepared a detailed guide covering the technical details of working with the shell Android 9 Pie (and above), on which this model is based, you will learn how to minimize surveillance and resource consumption, while maintaining the basic functionality of the gadget.

Risk analysis and preparation for system modification

Before we take action, we need to understand the consequences of interfering with Xiaomi system files: removing key components of Google Play Services disrupts not only the app store, but also banking programs, navigators and even some system synchronization functions. Without the appropriate libraries, applications can simply not start or constantly issue authorization errors.

To safely perform the procedure, you will need to prepare the workplace and software. The computer must have a Windows operating system, macOS or Linux, as well as Android drivers. Be sure to back up all contacts, photos and documents, as in case of a critical error, you may need a complete reset to factory settings or reflash the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect removal of system packages can lead to a “boot loop” (cyclical reboot) of your Redmi 8T. Make sure you know exactly what component you plan to remove and understand its function.

An important step in the preparation is to enable the developer mode. To do this, go to the Settings menu → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. After that, the "Developers" option will appear in the advanced settings, where you need to activate debugging over USB. Without this step, the computer will not be able to access the file system of the smartphone to make changes.

Disconnection method through standard MIUI settings

The safest, though not the most radical, way to get rid of Google’s services is to force them to shut down, and in the Android-based MIUI shell, many system applications can be “freezed,” effectively shutting them down but leaving files in place, a method that doesn’t require a PC connection and keeps them quickly back to their original state.

To turn off, open your device settings and go to the Application Management section. Go to the list of Google Play Services or Google Play Store. Click on the name of the app and you will see the "Disable" button, if it is active, the system will alert you to the possible consequences, after which the service will stop running in the background and consume battery power.

However, it is worth noting that on some versions of Xiaomi firmware, the shutdown button may be hidden or missing for critical system processes, in which case standard Android methods will not be able to do, and you will have to resort to debugging tools.

Removal via ADB without root rights

The most effective and popular method of removing system debris and Google services on Redmi 8T is the use of the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which allows you to remove applications for the current user without affecting the system partition completely, which means that when reset to factory settings, all remote components will return to their places, which is a great insurance mechanism.

To get started, download the Platform Tools package from the official Android developer site. Unpack the archive into a convenient folder on your computer, for example, in the root of the C disk. Next, connect the smartphone with a cable to the PC. In the command line (CMD) or terminal, enter a connection verification command:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging permission request on your smartphone screen -- make sure you tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." If the device's serial number is displayed on the console, the connection is successful. You can now start deleting packets using pm uninstall-k --user 0 packet name.

Below is a table with the main Google packages that are most often removed and their impact on the system:

Perform deletion sequentially, checking the stability of the phone after each command. If an application stops working correctly, you can always restore the deleted package with the cmd package install-existing name of the package. This makes the ADB method a flexible tool for fine-tuning the Xiaomi Redmi 8T.

Use of specialized utilities (Debloaters)

For those who don’t want to mess around with manually typing commands into the console, there are graphical shells like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater. These programs automatically scan the device, identify installed packages and offer to remove them with a single click.

Using Universal Android Debloater (UAD) The program itself categorizes applications into "Safe", "Recommended" and "Dangerous" -- you just select a list of Google packages and click the delete button. ADB-It's a huge step in the Redmi cleanup process. 8T soft-on.

However, it is worth remembering that automatic listings may not always be relevant to a particular version of MIUI. Always double-check what exactly you are going to remove. Some utilities may mark Android system components as "Google services", deleting which will lead to a break in the interface.

Complete removal with Root rights

The radical method is to obtain superuser rights (Root) on Xiaomi Redmi 8T. This gives full control over the file system, allowing you to delete any files, including those that are protected from deletion even through ADB. To obtain rights, you need to unlock the bootloader, which is officially possible through the Mi Unlock service, but requires waiting (usually 168 hours) and binding the account.

After unlocking the loader, the device is installed custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) And then you can use root-access file managers (like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) to physically delete folders and APK-Google files from the system partition /system/app and /system/priv-app.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi automatically resets all data from the phone and can cancel the warranty.In addition, banking applications will stop working without additional manipulations to hide root rights (Magisk Hide).

This method is recommended only for experienced users who understand how the Linux/Android file system works. An error when removing system libraries can “brick” the device and restore it only through Fastboot or EDL flashing. If your goal is simply to remove surveillance, ADB methods are usually enough.

Alternatives and Life Without Google Services

Once you remove Google, you'll be asked where to get apps? The official Play Store won't work. Alternative repositories like F-Droid (open source) or APKPure come to the rescue. You can also install the Yandex Store or the Aurora Store, which is an anonymous Google Play client that allows you to download apps from Google's directory without installing the services themselves.

Organic Maps or Yandex Maps are great for maps and navigation, which do not require a constant connection to Google servers for basic functionality. Contact and calendar synchronization can be transferred to Nextcloud, Yandex servers or local synchronization via DavX5.

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Micro-G is a free implementation of Google Play Services libraries that allows you to run applications that require Google services, but without transferring data to the corporation and with minimal resource consumption.

Life without Google on Redmi 8T is quite comfortable if you get used to the alternatives. You will notice a significant increase in autonomy, as background processes will stop waking up the processor every few minutes, the system will become more responsive, and free RAM will become noticeably more.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

In the process of degaussification (deleting Google), users often face a number of typical problems, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which stops working, because some drivers in Android are tied to system libraries, in which case it helps to flash Wi-Fi modules through customized recavers or return remote system components.

Another common problem is app notifications: Without Google’s Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), push notifications can only come when the app is open, and this can be solved by installing micro-G or using apps that have their own push notification mechanisms (like Telegram or VK).

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The main conclusion: Google removal is a balance between privacy and convenience, and ADB is a middle ground for removing the redundant, but retains the ability to recover quickly.

If the phone is unstable and there are persistent "com.android.systemui" errors, the best solution is to perform a full reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) through the Recovery menu, which will return the device to a factory state with all Google services, after which you can try a more gentle cleaning option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)