How to completely remove unnecessary applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from standard to system

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with its powerful processor Mediatek Helio G90T and 6 GB of RAM eventually begins to “brake” due to the accumulated unnecessary applications. Even after resetting to factory settings, some programs return — it is preinstalled software from Xiaomi and Google that can not be removed by standard methods. In this article, we will analyze all possible methods of cleaning: from basic (for beginners) to advanced (using ADB and root rights).

The Redmi Note 8 Pro features a secure MIUI firmware that blocks the removal of key system components. Trying to get rid of them without preparation can lead to a cyclical reboot or camera failure. We will show you which applications can be safely uninstalled and which only disable so as not to disrupt the smartphone. You will also learn how to free up to 3-5 GB of memory by removing the cache and residual files.

1. Standard removal of user applications

To start with, we'll start with the simplest of things: uninstall programs you installed on your own through Google Play or.apk files, which requires no additional tools and is suitable for 90% of the time.

How to remove the application through the settings menu:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enter the program name in the search bar or scroll down the list.
• 🗑️ Click on the app. → Delete (if the button is active).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If the Remove button is not active, the application is either system-based or installed as a device administrator (such as antiviruses or screen lock programs). In this case, first uninstall the administrator rights in Settings → Passwords and Security → Device administrators.

Using Google Play, it is easier to remove programs:

1. Open the Play Store and go to the Menu → My apps and games.
2. Select the “Installed” tab** and find the desired program.
3. Press it. → Delete.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Facebook or TikTok) are left to download after removal 500 MB of garbage in folders /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/. To clean them, use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) or utility. SD Maid.

2. disabling pre-installed applications (without deletion)

Many of the system programs on the Redmi Note 8 Pro cannot be removed without root permissions, but they can be disabled.This will free up RAM and stop background processes, but the application files will remain in the device’s memory.

List of safe applications to disable (do not affect critical features):

How to disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the program from the list above (or find it through search).
3. Click “Disable”** (the button will appear if the application cannot be removed).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in memory.

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If the app reappears after the reboot, check the autorun settings in Settings → Permissions → Autorun. Turn off unnecessary programs there.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable applications called com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.mediatek.* are critical system components responsible for communication, graphics and performance.

3. Removal of system applications via ADB (without root)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can uninstall system programs via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but you need preparation: enable debugging by USB installation ADB-computer-driver.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version** (you will be notified that you are a developer). Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging** and confirm permission.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original USB Type-C cable. On your phone, select File Transfer mode** (MTP).

Install. ADB-tool

• Download Platform Tools from the Android Developers website.
• Unpack the archive in the folder C:\platform-tools.
• Open the Command Prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
• Check the connection: Adb devices Your device name (e.g., 1234abcd device) should appear. If it says "unauthorized" instead of "device", confirm the debugging on your phone.

List of safe packets to remove (checked at MIUI 12-14):

• 🌐 com.android.browser — Mi Browser
• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 🧹 com.miui.cleanmaster — Cleaner
• 💳 com.mipay.wallet — Mi Pay
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – Xiaomi Analytics Collection (reduces traffic consumption)

⚠️ Note: Deleting some packages (e.g. com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop) may disrupt wireless file transfer between Xiaomi devices.

4. Complete removal of root-right system applications

If you’re willing to take risks, root rights give you full control of the Redmi Note 8 Pro system, which will remove any applications, including those that block MIUI.

• 🔒 Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• 🛡️ Security risk (some banking applications will not work).
• 🔄 Possible problems with OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

How to get root on Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through the official Xiaomi website (Mi Account will be required). Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Power + Volume down). Launch Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Install custom recovery (TWRP)

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_begonia.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_begonia.img

Download the current version of TWRP for begonia (codename Redmi Note 8 Pro) from twrp.me.

Scroll Magisk to get root

• Download Magisk.zip from GitHub.
• In TWRP, select “Install”** and specify the path to Magisk.zip.

After receiving root, you can delete applications through:

• 📁 Root Explorer file manager (such as Root Explorer): just find the folder /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ Delete unnecessary.apk files.
• 🤖 root management applications (e.g. Titanium Backup or System App Remover).

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Before removing system applications through root, make sure to back up your phone to TWRP (Backup section) to restore it if something goes wrong.

5. Cleaning of residual files and cache

Even after the apps are removed, the Redmi Note 8 Pro still has tails: cache, settings, and temporary files that can take up to 1-2 GB of storage. Here's how to find and delete them:

Method 1: Through built-in settings

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Cleanup.
2. Click “Clean”** (this will remove the cache of all applications).
3. For deep cleaning, select Files → Others and manually delete the folders of the remaining programs.

Method 2: Through the File Manager

Open Mi File Manager (or any other root-enabled folder) and check the following folders:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — here are stored user application data.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Game files (can weigh several gigabytes).
• 📂 /data/data/ — Residual settings (root rights required).

Method 3: Specialized Utilities

Apps like SD Maid or Files by Google can automatically find and remove garbage, such as SD Maid.

• 🗑️ Cleaning up empty folders.
• 🔍 Finding duplicate files.
• 🧹 Remove the cache of system applications (even without rooting).

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If the memory is running out quickly after cleaning, check Settings → Special Features → Font Size. Large fonts and animations increase the cache size of system applications.

6. How to prohibit the automatic installation of unnecessary applications

Xiaomi and Google often install programs without your knowledge through:

• 📥 Updates MIUI (New applications may appear in new versions of the firmware).
• 🤖 Google Play Services (automatically installs recommended programs).
• 📦 Pre-installed services (e.g. Facebook App Installer).

How to stop it:

1. Turn off automatic installation in Google Play

1. Open the Google Play Store → Menu → Settings
2. Select “Auto-App Update” → “Never.”

2.Block installation via MIUI

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Autorun.
2. Turn off autoplay for Google Play Services, Mi App Store and GetApps.
3. In Settings → Applications → Application Management, find GetApps and undo all permissions.

3.Remove "hidden" installers

Some apps (like Facebook) are installed through background services, and uninstall them via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.facebook.appmanager


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.facebook.services




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.facebook.system

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services may disrupt Google Maps, Gmail and other services. Instead of completely disabling, limit background activity in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Battery → Background activity.

7 Recovery of Remote System Applications

If after removing the system application, the phone began to work unstable (for example, the camera disappeared or stopped working). SIM-This is a map, it can be restored. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Through a TWRP backup

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Select “Restore”** and specify the backup folder (if you did it before deleting it).
3. Check the "System" section and confirm the recovery.

Method 2: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast FastBoat Fast Fast Fast FastBoat

If there is no backup, reflash the phone with the official firmware:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro from Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\fastboot_rom.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and launch the script flash_all.bat.

Method 3: Manual file copying (for experienced)

If you know which app you removed, you can copy it from another firmware:

1. Download the firmware for your model and unpack it.
2. Find the file of the remote application in the /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ folder.
3. Copy it back to your phone (root rights required).
4. Follow the command: chmod 644 /system/app/Application Name/Application Name.apk

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If the application does not work after recovery, check the permissions to the folder: they must be rw-r--r-- (644).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps