How to completely remove Google from Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 5 working ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its MIUI firmware is closely integrated with Google services. Many users want to get rid of them for reasons of privacy, battery saving or just to free up space. However, completely removing Google services is not a trivial task: it requires understanding the consequences and choosing the right method.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 ways to uninstall Google, from simply disabling unwanted apps to deep firmware modifications, which services can be safely deactivated and which can’t be removed without the risk of turning a phone into a brick, and we’ll analyze alternative app stores and show you how to restore the functionality of the phone after cleaning.

Important: The procedures in this article are only suitable for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) and other Xiaomi devices may require different tools and firmware.

Why users want to remove Google from Xiaomi

Google services take up to 5-7 GB of storage on a smartphone, constantly work in the background and consume up to 10-15% of battery power per day. Here are the main reasons why owners of the Redmi Note 8 Pro decide to remove them:

• 🔒 Privacy: Google collects location, search queries, app activity, and even in incognito mode, some of the information is transmitted to servers.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Google Play Services and Google Play Store keep a constant connection to the Internet, which drains the battery.
• 📱 Memory Freeing: Google system applications cannot be removed by standard means, but they take up space that can be used for games or media.
• ⚡ Performance: On weak devices (and Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio processor) G90T not related to flagships; Google background processes can cause lags.
• 🚫 Blocking in some countries: In China, Iran or Russia, some of Google’s services are unavailable or malfunctioning.

However, before removing it, you should weigh the minuses: without Google, you will lose access to Play Market, Gmail, YouTube (if you do not use web versions), as well as features like Google Pay or Find My Device. Some applications (for example, banking) may refuse to work without Google Play Services.

Method 1: Disabling unnecessary Google services without root

If you don't want to delete completely, but you just need to stop background activity, this is the best method, and it doesn't require unlocking the bootloader or the superuser rights, but it does reduce the load on the system.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. From the top menu, select All Apps (not “Installed”).
3. Find it on the list: 📌 Google Play Store → Disable (not "Delete Updates»!) 📌 Google Play Services → Stop it. → Shut down. 📌 Google (Search App) → Shut down. 📌 YouTube, Gmail, Google Duo – Disable if you don’t use it.

Warehouse → Clear the cache

⚠️ Note: After disabling Google Play Services, some applications (such as Uber or Tinder) may stop working. To return functionality, you just need to turn the service back on in the settings.

Make a backup copy of the data|Record the username/password from the Mi Account|Check the list of dependent applications|Prepare an alternative app store (APKMirror, Aurora Store)-->

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall some of Google’s system apps using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that is suitable for users who don’t want to unlock the bootloader but are willing to connect the phone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📋 Included Debugging by USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔗 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on your phone).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Remove unnecessary packages (youtube example): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

List of Google Packages to Delete:

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.google.android.gms will lead to the collapse of applications that depend on Google Play Services (e.g. maps, banking, social networks).If you need to leave basic functionality, remove only unnecessary applications from the list above.

💡

Before deleting packets via ADB, backup the command adb backup -apk -all -f backup.ab. Recover the data by adb restore backup.ab.

Method 3: Install custom firmware without Google (requires unlocking the bootloader)

The most radical, but also the most effective way is to flash the Redmi Note 8 Pro to custom firmware without Google services.

• 📱 LineageOS is pure Android without bloatware, but requires manual installation of Open GApps if you need Google services.
• 📱 Havoc-OS or Pixel Experience – Firmware with optimizations for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
• 📱 MIUI without Google – modified versions of the official firmware (for example, MIUI EU GApps-removed).

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP for begonia).
3. Download the firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1) and transfer it to your phone.
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete ALL data!), then run the firmware.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio processor G90T Unlocking the bootloader resets data encryption and can lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save NV data with the tool. MTK Client.

Method 4: Using the Magisk module to deactivate Google

If you already have root rights (installed by Magisk), you can use modules to block Google services without physically deleting them, which is safer than modifying system files.

Popular modules for Magisk:

• 🔧 Universal GMS Doze – Restricts background activity of Google Play Services.
• 🔧 De-bloater – allows you to disable system applications through a graphical interface.
• 🔧 NoGoogle – blocks connections to Google servers at the hosts file level.

How to install the module:

1. Download a module file (e.g. Universal-GMS-Doze.zip) from XDA Developers.
2. Open Magisk Manager → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
4. Reboot the phone.

The advantage of this method is that if something goes wrong, the module can be turned off in Magisk without flashing it, but some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) can Detect root and refuse to work.

💡

Magisk modules are the safest way to restrict Google without making irreversible system changes.

Method 5: Alternative App Stores Instead of Google Play

If you removed Google Play Market, you'll need an alternative to install apps. Here are the proven options:

• 📦 Aurora Store is an open client for Google Play, which does not require a Google account.
• 📦 APKMirror - official site with verified APK-files (including beta versions).
• 📦 F-Droid is an open source store (free apps only, but without proprietary programs like Instagram).
• 📦 APKPure – Play Market Alternative with Own Hosting APK.

How to install the Aurora Store:

1. Download APK from the official website.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and open the Aurora Store.
4. In the settings, select an anonymous sign-in or your Google account (if you want to receive updates).

⚠️ Attention: When installed APK The risk of catching a virus increases from unverified sources. Always check the hash of the file (for example, via VirusTotal) and download only from official sites.

What to do if your phone stops working after Google is deleted

If you have removed critical services (e.g. com.google.android.gms) and your phone is not stable, there are several ways to get it back up:

1. Recovery via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms This command will return the deleted package if it has not been erased from the system completely.
2. Reset to factory settings (if ADB doesn’t help): Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset. Select Delete all data (this will delete all user files!).
3. Fastboot flashing (if the phone doesn't turn on): Download the official firmware for the Redmi Note 8 Pro from Xiaomi's website. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol− when the phone is off).

If neither method works, the system or boot partition may be damaged, and this will require a flashing through the SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek devices), but it is a risky procedure to contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google's removal with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro