Xiaomi smartphone owners, including the popular Redmi 8 Pro model, often encounter intrusive system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods. One such application is Mi Video (also known as Video Player), which is embedded in the MIUI shell and takes up space in memory, and sometimes annoying with ads. While routine removal through the settings menu is often unavailable, there are proven ways to get rid of this component or deactivate it completely.
The process of releasing a device from excess software requires care, since we are talking about system components. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple disconnection to use. ADB-Deleting the Mi Video system player completely will not affect the camera or the ability to play video with other applications. You can safely optimize your gadget by selecting the appropriate level of interference with the system.
Why Mi Video Can't Be Deleted
The MIUI shell installed on the Redmi 8 Pro classifies the Mi Video app as a critical component of a multimedia system, which is why the Remove button in the application management menu is often blocked or missing.
In addition, deleting system files can lead to unstable operation of the operating system, if not careful. However, there is a difference between completely removing files from the system partition and disabling the application for the user. In the second case, the application remains in memory, but does not start, does not consume resources and does not appear in the menu.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system applications, be sure to back up important data. Incorrect removal of system components can lead to errors in the operation of the interface. MIUI.
It’s also worth noting that some features, such as playing video from the default gallery, can be tightly tied to this player.If you decide to remove it completely, you’ll need to install an alternative video player in advance and assign it to the default.
Disabling the application through smartphone settings
The safest and easiest method available to every Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro owner without having to connect to a computer is forced to stop and disconnect.This method does not physically delete files, but makes the application invisible and non-working for the user.
To start, you need to go to the application management menu. Find the Mi Video icon on your desktop or menu, click on it and hold your finger until the context menu appears. Select "About the app" or go to the phone's settings, then to the "Apps" section and find "Video" or "Mi Video" in the list.
- 📱 Click on the Stop button to complete ongoing processes.
- 🚫 Select the "Disable" option if it is active (not available on all versions) MIUI).
- 🗑️ Click “Remove Updates” to reset the app to the factory version.
- ⚙️ In the section "Traffic consumption" prohibit the application from accessing the network.
After these steps are completed, the app icon will disappear from the menu and the system will stop using it. If the "Disable" button is not available, move to the more effective methods described below. It is also recommended to clear the cache and application data before turning it off to free up space.
Using ADB to Remove System Applications
The most effective way to completely remove Mi Video from Redmi 8 Pro is to use the Android Debug Bridge toolkit (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-cable and minimal technical skills, but gives full control over the Android package system.
Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode on your device. To do this, go to Settings → About your phone and quickly click on the build number (MIUI Version) seven times. After the message “You became a developer”, a new section will appear in the settings menu “Additional” or “Extended settings”, where you need to turn on “Debugging over USB”.
List of necessary actions for preparation:
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB on the computer (part of the Platform Tools).
- 🔌 Connect the phone with the cable and select the mode "File transfer" (MTP).
- ✅ Allow debugging on the smartphone screen at the first connection.
- 📦 Make sure that the Minimal package is installed on your computer. ADB and Fastboot.
Once connected, open the command prompt on your computer in the ADB folder and type in the adb device command to make sure the device is visible. If it goes well, you'll see the serial number of your Redmi 8 Pro. You can now move on to search and delete the video player package.
☑️ Check before removal through ADB
Search for packet name and command to delete
To remove a particular application, you need to know the exact name of its package in the system. For Mi Video on Xiaomi devices, it is usually com.miui.videoplayer or com.android.video. Using the wrong name can lead to the removal of the wrong application or execution error.
To display a list of all installed packages, use the command adb shell pm list packages. To filter the list and find the desired one, add a keyword, for example: adb shell pm list packages | findstr video (for Windows) or adb shell pm list packages | grep video (for Linux/Mac).
After the packet name, execute the deletion command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerThis command will remove the application for the current user (user 0) without affecting the system partition recovery, which allows you to restore it to factory reset if necessary. If you want to just hide the application, you can use the disable command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when entering packet names. Removing system components such as com.android.systemui or com.miui.home may result in the inability to boot the system).
Alternative video players for Redmi 8 Pro
With the removal of the standard Mi Video player, your Redmi 8 Pro will have room, but you will need a new video viewing tool. Fortunately, the Google Play store offers a variety of powerful alternatives that often outperform stock solutions in functionality and format support.
It is recommended to choose applications with support for hardware acceleration, so that the smartphone processor does not overheat when playing high-resolution video. Modern players can read subtitles, support network flows and have a user-friendly interface.
| Annex | Support for formats | Advertising | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLC for Android | All (MKV, MP4, AVI, etc.) | No. | Open source code, network support |
| MX Player | Wide (needs codec) | Got it. | Comfortable gestures, subtitles |
| NPlayer | All popular. | No (paid) | Dolby support, cloud storage |
| KMPlayer | 4K, UHD, 3D | There is. | High productivity |
The right player depends on your personal preferences, for example, VLC is ideal for those who appreciate the lack of advertising and support for any formats out of the box. At the same time, MX Player offers more flexible interface and gesture control.
What if the video has been removed?
Recovery of Remote System Components
If you delete the redmi 8 Pro during your experiment or the system starts to work incorrectly, the application you deleted through ADB can be restored. Since we used the user deletion method (--user 0), the original apk file remains in the system partition.
To restore, you just need to reconnect the smartphone to the debugging computer and execute an installation command for all users, which will return the application to its original state.
adb shell pm install-existing com.miui.videoplayerIn case the standard recovery command doesn't work, you can reset your phone's entire Wipe Data via Recovery Menu, which will delete all user data, but put system applications back in place, so it's always important to have up-to-date backups.
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Removing via ADB with the --user 0 flag is a reversible process, making this method safer than flashing the device.